Anyone got any idea's where in Sydney to get a paddle protector for the edges of a SUP blade...?

Yer was going to use tape but remembered the stuff they use on the edge of steel i.e if you cut a hole in your bonnet for the motor to fit (superchargers etc.) i hunted it down and finaly found it at a Clark Rubber store, its a u shaped rubber, i glued it to my blade with super glue, it comes in about 4mm from the edge once glued on, i payed $4.50/m only need about 70cm for my Naish Paddle blade. i used it for the first time last week, it worked great didn't even notice it was there when paddling... and there is more of a dull clunk when i hit the rail not that chipping away noise i hate so much..

I went in between the two suggestions above and used duct tape. You need to cut shorter strips and put cuts at the edges of the tape to shape them to the paddle. It's a cheap option put I would lean toward a thicker option if your a basher like me. DJ's got lots of experience and likely isn't a basher so only needs electrical tape.

I've even pealed the tape off my paddles now and my paddles are naked..I like them that way.

I can't remember the last time I whacked the board with the paddle...6-12 months at least...I think these supa light paddles are easier to control and avoid knocks.

I might get the odd tap with the shaft of the paddle along the rail but that does no damage.....Unless you've got a Kalama..

DJ

P.C_simpson said...

Yer was going to use tape but remembered the stuff they use on the edge of steel i.e if you cut a hole in your bonnet for the motor to fit (superchargers etc.) i hunted it down and finaly found it at a Clark Rubber store, its a u shaped rubber, i glued it to my blade with super glue, it comes in about 4mm from the edge once glued on, i payed $4.50/m only need about 70cm for my Naish Paddle blade. i used it for the first time last week, it worked great didn't even notice it was there when paddling... and there is more of a dull clunk when i hit the rail not that chipping away noise i hate so much..

Kinda like the stuff around the inside of the doors of kingswoods?
Or around the sharp edges of an electrical switch board?
Does it add much weight to the paddle?

www.surfcohawaii.com

A bit late for the tape. Any ideas welcome on how I might repair the damage. (the board not the car) Southpoint Kalama Timpone 11'6"
Thanks. Robdog.

I am curious about board dings from the paddle.

I don't think any amount of experience would prevent contact between the board and paddle, especially in the surf.

I've never bashed the rail of my board with the paddle when just paddling along, but after a surf session there is always the odd scuff mark on the nose or tail from blade contact. Even clambering back onto the board after a wave the paddle is knocking around on the board.

I think there is no reasonable way you could avoid that. It doesn't do any permanent damage and the scuffs clean off with Jif.

So what's happening? Do expert surf guys never touch their board with their paddles? Or do they just learn to love a well used board with a few scuff marks?

If you ride a shortish board say ten feet and under and your at the top of the weight range for that board and your out in surf thats got a bit of chop, then it doesn't matter who you are your gunna tap that rail from time to time , more so when your learning or getting used to a smaller board obviously.
when you've been out for two hours had twenty waves paddled out and over white wash , the wind has freshened , jetskis are hovering "Bendover" is trying to snake you on the inside. TAP TAP live with it !!

Maybe just get a board that is less prone to chipping, My naish demo boards are still in really good nick and that's with newbies on them all the time with alloy paddles smacking the **** out of them, they still get some chips but you hardly even notice them. I think i had brought one of those southpoints i would be feeling ripped off!!! as now they are worth bugger all in that kind of state.

Jacko

Hey Robdog,
It doesn't matter what you paint on the rails, your going to chip off the paint again.
Just wet and dry smooth and spray with air dry acrylac touch up paint in a pressure pack can from your nearest auto shop,remember to mask out the area to spray, just call it maintenance. Acrylac is fast drying, its the paint used to colour surfboards.

You might ask the Auto shop if they can get you clear vinyl stone guard, not cheap, but it does reduce paddle chips. You get two strips about 60mm wide and 3m long and glue them to the rails where the chips are. The material is about 1mm thick and has an adhesive backing.

The trick is to spray the rail with water and dish detergent, this stops the vinyl from sticking straight away, it allows you to position it corectly on the rail. You then squeegee (squeeze) out the water and air bubblesfor the glue to contact the board rail. A wooden squeegee works OK, a siffer one is better than a flexy one for this job.

But the best answer is don't bash the rails, be aware of it, don't do it.
The ocassional tap can't be helped.

Rod

Thanks to all for your advice. This forum is a great place to learn about boards, paddles, technique etc. Robdog