Its birthday time soon and i have been looking at a new paddle for a few months to replace the axe i use now...i like coreban paddles but haven't tested too many others. Heard alot about the shaka puu and nalu by kialoa.

90% surf...........im a fairly fit 90kg and dont mind the bigger bight of the wider blade.

what do you think?
thanks

PTWoody said...

laceys lane said...

there's only one paddle to get- 'the pipes', until something smaller comes along

Make sure it's tinted and not painted or it will never push water.

haha, that's what ya need to do, sand the flowers off, you'll be 'pulling' water in no time

You'll love a nice light paddle to replace the axe !

So many good options now. I doubt anyone is brave enough to state which is the best !!

Kia Kaha are near you, Aussie Made, and available through Blue Water in Noosa Village/Junction.
Kialoa do good paddles, the stickers say Made in USA.
Quick Blade.... and more....
A guy on this forum also makes a nice paddle, and can be argued to be the lightest in the world.

A stiffer shaft delivers better power. Test shaft stiffness in the shops.... The RDS, Reduced Diameter Shaft on the cheaper entry level Naish Paddle looks great, and is fine, but it has more flex than say a Kialoa Shaft. But Kialoa costs more....

Refer to Downwinder's quote, "if you wanna play, you have to pay".

laceys lane said...

jasdeking said...

Its birthday time soon and i have been looking at a new paddle for a few months to replace the axe i use now...i like coreban paddles but haven't tested too many others. Heard alot about the shaka puu and nalu by kialoa.

90% surf...........im a fairly fit 90kg and dont mind the bigger bight of the wider blade.

what do you think?
thanks

there's only one paddle to get- 'the pipes', until something smaller comes along


We ran the experiment the other day and we are convinced that the next big thing will be paddling with no blade, just a t-grip on both ends. I tried paddling with my paddle upside down and was amazed how fast I could paddle. I wasn't moving fast but it felt great.

Kia Kaha - Best value - good flex, handle & blade. Cool Designs.

IMO - Kia Kaha is the best allround paddle I have ever used. My missus and I both use them and all my mates as well (both of them )
They are strong/light (but not too light) and and can be custom coloured and sized to suit - I think they are also probably the cheapest premium paddle on the market.. We have put ours through absolute hell and they have never ever let us down.

thanks heaps guys

so it seems to be down to the Shaka puu or the Kia kaha

shaka puu doesnt have a dihedral thingy is that an issue?

Kialoa Paddles are not worth the money they are heavy + zig zag with every pull = wasted energy means less glide. The C4 Paddles are a good paddle but to thick in their shaft. The qb paddles are the ants pants of all paddles expensive but worth their money in GOLD = lite - clean water entry - smooth - pulls plenty of water - no strain on da body.
But the qb Dimple Dipper racer is not worth two bob just a con sell.

If anyone has a problem with there KIALOA if you contact me I will send you a new shaft as long as you send me the old broken one. KIALOA have a manufacturing warrranty. I hope you all have a great day.

Cheers
Sam
0415769218

sam111 said...

If anyone has a problem with there KIALOA if you contact me I will send you a new shaft as long as you send me the old broken one. KIALOA have a manufacturing warrranty. I hope you all have a great day.

Cheers
Sam
0415769218

thanks sam are you the importer? i like the paddles from what i have seen.

Hey guys, excellent topic. I've had the unfortunate experience of not only snapping a few of my own paddles but.....a few of my mates carbon customs as well. I had a particularly bad run between December and March 2010 where I snapped three... a NAISH, QB and a custom full carbon $$$$$$. My suggestion is to aim for a coroban carbon/ kevlar combo if you want to operate in the surf. I've been through some 12ft swell with it and it survived some awesome close-outs that my board could not. I did like the QB (RIP) as it was real wippy and you could use the flex to really flick you out of a wave by leaning on it with your weight. It just wasn't strong enough.
The Coreban blokes also give an unconditional guarantee on the paddle if it snaps. Money well invested. I love the combination of the T-Bar and ergonomic grip as I feel pretty confident holding on to it when surfing close to the coffee-rock bank along my home break as it has eaten a few boards, paddles and the occassional surfer.

JBay said...

Hey guys, excellent topic. I've had the unfortunate experience of not only snapping a few of my own paddles but.....a few of my mates carbon customs as well. I had a particularly bad run between December and March 2010 where I snapped three... a NAISH, QB and a custom full carbon $$$$$$. My suggestion is to aim for a coroban carbon/ kevlar combo if you want to operate in the surf. I've been through some 12ft swell with it and it survived some awesome close-outs that my board could not. I did like the QB (RIP) as it was real wippy and you could use the flex to really flick you out of a wave by leaning on it with your weight. It just wasn't strong enough.
The Coreban blokes also give an unconditional guarantee on the paddle if it snaps. Money well invested. I love the combination of the T-Bar and ergonomic grip as I feel pretty confident holding on to it when surfing close to the coffee-rock bank along my home break as it has eaten a few boards, paddles and the occassional surfer.

my wife has that carbon / kevlar paddle...it is a great paddle....

JBay said...

Hey guys, excellent topic. I've had the unfortunate experience of not only snapping a few of my own paddles but.....a few of my mates carbon customs as well. I had a particularly bad run between December and March 2010 where I snapped three... a NAISH, QB and a custom full carbon $$$$$$. My suggestion is to aim for a coroban carbon/ kevlar combo if you want to operate in the surf. I've been through some 12ft swell with it and it survived some awesome close-outs that my board could not. I did like the QB (RIP) as it was real wippy and you could use the flex to really flick you out of a wave by leaning on it with your weight. It just wasn't strong enough.
The Coreban blokes also give an unconditional guarantee on the paddle if it snaps. Money well invested. I love the combination of the T-Bar and ergonomic grip as I feel pretty confident holding on to it when surfing close to the coffee-rock bank along my home break as it has eaten a few boards, paddles and the occassional surfer.

qb give 100% guarantee if it brakes or you're not with paddle STYLING

Lobes said...

good choice I have 6 paddles of 6 different brands and my favorite is the quickblade

thanks (from wife) and me

Hey Downwinder, So QB offers a 100% warrantee? I didn't get any help with my paddle mate. Perhaps it's just my bad luck. As I said I did love that paddle. I've had it professionally repaired and now my wife uses it. Kinda hands off for me.

JBay said...

Hey Downwinder, So QB offers a 100% warrantee? I didn't get any help with my paddle mate. Perhaps it's just my bad luck. As I said I did love that paddle. I've had it professionally repaired and now my wife uses it. Kinda hands off for me.

Yes JBay qb offer 100% warrantee. Who did ya buy qb off you been riped of man. Just email Jim Terrell & ya money will be sorted = SIMPLE
DW