Hey Mac for what it is worth - here is my 2 cents worth...

I have tried many different paddles in the last year and Woogee's Kia Kaha is the best locally produced paddles that I have found. It feels good in the hand and the tapered shaft has got 'life' to it, which is missing in many carbon paddles.

It does lack the overall quality finish of some of the other brands I have tried and I am not a big fan of it's larger blade in the surf. All up though - a nice paddle!

Andrew.A

Hi 62mac

I was shopping around for an affordable paddle a couple of months ago. Everything good is closer to $500 and the paddles below $400 were sub standard (IMO).

Jodie at Kia Kaha did me a deal on the latest carbon/kevlar model which has a smaller blade size (in keeping with the Kiaolo paddles) which they freighted to WA. Unfortunately an accident with the freighting company caused some damage to the edge of the paddle - but Jodie and Woogie have been very helpful in sorting this out.

Performance wise - it paddles better than the Starboard paddles I have used and is significantly cheaper than that paddle. The smaller surface area is great and it doesn't feel like you get pulled off the board at higher stroke rates. The tapered shaft looks really cool and provides some kick during the stroke (as AA mentioned). The handle is a perfect shape across your palm too.

We aren't spoilt for choice in WA so I can't compare it to the imports, but overall, for price, design, quality and service it is a solid paddle.

I got a chance to use one of the new mk 8.5 paddles. It was heading down to Manly for Simon Anderson. I intercepted it for a sneaky. (The big fella didnt mind). Glad i did .
Great paddle. Easy to use in the surf -no flutter when you put the power on. great spray. On par, if not better than my KIA LOA.
Waiting to get my new one in the new year.
Can definatly recomend it

It would be great to see them in Melbourne

lookielookie said...

I got a chance to use one of the new mk 8.5 paddles. It was heading down to Manly for Simon Anderson. I intercepted it for a sneaky. (The big fella didnt mind). Glad i did .
Great paddle. Easy to use in the surf -no flutter when you put the power on. great spray. On par, if not better than my KIA LOA.
Waiting to get my new one in the new year.
Can definatly recomend it

Is Simon Anderson into SUP?..and how many fins?..

DJ

DavidJohn said...

lookielookie said...

I got a chance to use one of the new mk 8.5 paddles. It was heading down to Manly for Simon Anderson. I intercepted it for a sneaky. (The big fella didnt mind). Glad i did .
Great paddle. Easy to use in the surf -no flutter when you put the power on. great spray. On par, if not better than my KIA LOA.
Waiting to get my new one in the new year.
Can definatly recomend it

Is Simon Anderson into SUP?..and how many fins?..

DJ


Simon has made a couple of boards for himself. Each hand shaped from scratch ( no pre cut. 4 1/2 hrs of shaping)
A 9'0 x 30" quad, A 12' 5 fin setup ( cruiser), and just recently a 10" x 30 - box with side bites. Not your traditional stand up outline. They are based on his shortboard model the "mollusc". One of the best hybrid short boards ive ridden.
Simon is around the 6'4 mark around 110kg.
If any one wants a custom off Simon or wants to take one the boards for a test drive, contact travis at the base"simon anderson" store in Manly. he will put you in contact with the man himself.
Travis's # at the shop is 02 99760591

We are now in Victoria

Murf's Longboards
82 The Terrace
Ocean Grove
VIC 3226

Phone/Fax (03) 52555525

web: www.murfslongboards.com.au
email: murf@murfslongboards.com.au

Glad to be of assistance Mac. Sounds like you had a great wkend supin with your new toys.

Kind Regards, Angie XX

Ps, don't foret about the big australia day at Winders Park!