How To Choose The Right Paddleboard Paddle For You

paddleboard paddle

Picking the right paddleboard paddle will make a big difference.

A paddle is a paddle is a paddle… Right?

Not so fast!

Choosing a Paddle

When it comes to choosing a paddleboard paddle, there are several variables you need to consider.

Some boards come “stock” with a paddle. But chances are, is it’s a generic “do it all” paddle. Built to handle different varieties of water and people, but it doesn’t focus, or excel, in any one specific area. This may be okay for kids, or beginners that aren’t going to take paddle boarding very seriously.

But for everyone else (and should be all of you!), you should buy a paddle that seems as though it was made just for you.

A lot of paddles come with a height adjuster, but unless you luck out, chances are the paddle will be a bit too long, or a bit too short. It also will lack a certain solidness in the shaft when it is in two pieces, and will wear out more quickly.

 

The Different Types of Paddle Shafts

There are different shafts that are used for different situations and people. If you are new to paddling, don’t view it as a serious hobby, or have kids that paddle board, an alloy paddle is what you likely want. They’re very durable, and can be tossed around and take some abuse. Great for anyone to pick up and use.

If you are looking for lightweight, go for a carbon-fiber shaft. This is a great paddle that can but used in several situations, and is the most common used. Any rider, from beginner to pro, can get good use out of a carbon-fiber paddle.

Recently there has been a shift of preference from carbon-based paddles, to bamboo.

Why bamboo? Bamboo paddles will give you more flex, as well as toughness. It is also known that the flex of the bamboo will ultimately be easier on your joints, and will help to stave off injury. Whereas a carbon paddle is tougher on your ligaments and tendons, especially after a full day of paddling.

Figuring Out the Right Height

After you’ve decided on what your paddle will be made out of, how do you know what the right height is for you?

If you are buying a one piece paddle, you don’t have the luxury of a quick-change adjuster. A good rule of thumb for getting that perfect height paddle, is to turn it upside down, resting the handle grip on the ground.

Your eyes should line up with the where the shaft, and the blade of the paddle meet. Having a paddle that is too short will result in you being crouched over more, and after a while, you will get back pains, which will ruin a good day.

If you don’t have the option to get a one piece paddle, or one doesn’t size up to you quite right, you should err on the side of a bit too long, rather than short.

A longer paddle will just mean you will have to paddle a bit deeper. But that’s still better than a backache.

Note: If you are a do-it-yourselfer, there is a good guide for cutting your paddle that is too long, down to your right height. Check that out, but be careful. Measure twice, cut once, as they say.

The Best Paddleboard Blades

You’ve sized your paddle up to the perfect height, you have it in your preferred material, what’s next? Why, the most key aspect of the entire paddleboard paddle of course.

The blade.

Blades are being crafted specifically for a certain style of rider, in a certain type of environment.

First determine where you will be spending most of your time.

Are you an ocean dweller, or on a large freshwater lake such as one of the Great Lakes, where the waters can be more unpredictable and rough? Or are you inland, on a lake or a pond, where waters are generally calmer and docile?

Let’s start with the ocean.

If you’re spending your days zig-zagging and cutting through the waves, you should consider a smaller sized blade. The smaller size allows you to make turns, and navigate through the waters easier. The drawback is you will have to paddle more in order to gain speed.

If you are in calmer waters, a smaller lake or pond, take a look at a larger blade. The larger surface of the blade will allow you to take heavier, more powerful strokes, which will grant you the ability to glide, and reach greater speeds than you could with a small blade.

Have fun, and happy paddling!

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Posted in Stand Up Paddleboards

How to Get Stand Up Paddleboarding Today

Did you know that stand up paddleboarding is one of the fastest growing sports, not only in the US, but around the world?

You can stand up paddleboard pretty much everywhere: in cold climates, in the tropics, with celebrities, on a tour, doing yoga, even with your dog.

paddleboards for sale

You could be doing this tomorrow, what do you think?

Stand Up Paddleboarding is Easy to Learn

So maybe you’ve been on a stand up paddleboard a million times, if that’s the case then I don’t need to tell you how much fun it is being out on the water, and how quick of a sport stand up paddleboarding is to pick up!

Literally, it is one of the easiest and most fun sports I have ever tried.

After maybe 45 seconds on my first board, I was hooked, I wanted to get out on the water as often as I could, so I spent a lot of time talking to friends and researching everything I could find on stand up paddleboards online.

Maybe you have only seen pictures of stand up paddleboards for sale on websites, in shops or in magazines and have thought of buying a paddleboard, but are nervous that it might be hard.

That’s ok, because paddleboarding is super easy to learn.

Just walk out to your nearby beach, lake, or even river, and have a chat with some of the people out paddleboarding, they will tell you how quickly it can be learned.

I’m not exaggerating when I say that most people can paddle away after only a few minutes on their stand up paddleboard, and I won’t even tell you that even more of those people are hooked on paddleboarding right after that!

I know I was!

A Couple of Instructional Videos

Since I know it’s hard to tell just by reading the information I have been providing you with exactly how to get going on a stand up paddleboard, I figured what easier way to show just how fun and easy it is by showing a few videos of people getting started?

For me, I learn a ton by just watching others try it out, so hopefully, that will work for you as well.

So, check out a few of these videos below and tell me that stand up paddleboarding doesn’t look like it’s something that is difficult to learn.

Most of the paddlers in these videos are standing on a paddleboard for just the first time, and within a few minutes they are out, on their own paddling away.

If you just do a quick search on YouTube of Vimeo you will find plenty of videos exactly like these, of people trying out sup for the very first time.

You’ll also find videos of people fishing on their paddlboards, doing yoga, competing in races, touring around and paddleboard surfing, don’t start searching at work, because you will spend the rest of the day watching stand up paddleboard videos!

Basically, stand up paddleboarding is really easy, not to mention really fun (and good exercise) all at the same time. But, you’ll hear more about that in some upcoming posts, or if you’re impatient read more about stand up paddleboarding - how to pick a stand up paddleboard, and what kind of stand up paddleboard accessories there are in the pages above.

So what’s next? Check out some great paddleboarding resources, and then just sit back, and watch how quickly you can be out on the ocean or lake  the next time (or first time) you get out there on your own stand up paddleboard.

video from Motion Board Shop

video from BareLife SUP

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Posted in Stand Up Paddleboards