Hi,
I have shoulder problems (impingement synsdroms and one shoulder surgery) which is why I have to change from surfing to SUP surfing. Since I live in Germany I don't have access (or very limited) to paddels from companies like Ke Nalu which seem higly suggested, so I have to buy from companies like Fanatic, Starboard, Naish etc. Can you give any suggestion on their paddles? I realised some of them offer only offer one or two blade sizes. What blade size would be good for my shoulders and for surfing? My weight is about 73kg/160lbs and I'm 186cm/6.1ft tall.
Thanks in advance!
You should aim for a paddle which is:
- light
- with a flexible shaft, in fiberglass and/or carbon (but not aluminium)
- a small blade
For your shoulders, it is very important that your upper hand never go above your shoulder while paddling. If this is your first time SUPing, my advice is to get an adjustable paddle, to find the length that is comfortable for you, (it will change with your progress). Normally the proper length for surfing should be your height, aka 186cm. But it may be uncomfortable while learning, a 195cm length may be easier to learn on. You will have to reduce the length if your shoulders hurt.
Alas, I do not know the current paddle lines of brands, so I will take examples in the brand I know, Gong (I am an ambassador), but most brands will have paddles that suit you. In the Gong line it would be a 7' (blade width) adjustable 20% carbon:
www.gong-galaxy.com/magazine/news/dealer-new-dealer-van-bellen/
Grab a Fanatic Carbon pro with the 6.75 blade. I have tried one and it is a lot less stress than regular sizes. Knife through butter. For long distance stuff this would be my go to paddle. 100% agree on getting an adjustable paddle as colas mentions.
Select to expand quotePeoplesChamp said..
Grab a Fanatic Carbon pro with the 6.75 blade. I have tried one and it is a lot less stress than regular sizes. Knife through butter. For long distance stuff this would be my go to paddle. 100% agree on getting an adjustable paddle as colas mentions.
Agree 100%.
Ok, thanks for the suggestions.
One more question (although people from Australia will probably not be able to repond to that question 
): Does it make sense to use a paddle with reduced shaft diameter so I can use it in winter with thick gloves? From windsurfing I know that with gloves it gets difficult to hold the boom. I'm wondering whether this is also a problem with paddles.
As long as your gloves aren't over about 3mm thick it shouldn't be a problem. Lots of people prefer smaller diameter shafts anyway (I do). It depends partly on how big your hands are, but narrower shafts can feel a bit more whippy and agile as well - kinda like a fencing foil vs. a broadsword. But I paddle with neoprene gloves a lot and do do my friends, and shaft thickness and gloves is not generally something people complain about. Your hands/grip move quite a bit when you paddle. Most people don't take more than about 15 strokes a side before changing, which gives your hands a chance to relax, and anyway you don't really grip the shaft like you would a pair of handlebars for instance. You only really wrap the tips of your fingers of your lower hand round the shaft. A full-on grip is poor form. Keep your hand as relaxed as you can.
Select to expand quoteursblank said..
Ok, thanks for the suggestions.
One more question (although people from Australia will probably not be able to repond to that question ): Does it make sense to use a paddle with reduced shaft diameter so I can use it in winter with thick gloves? From windsurfing I know that with gloves it gets difficult to hold the boom. I'm wondering whether this is also a problem with paddles.
Hi
I paddle in North Sea all winter.
3mm gloves are no problem paddling for hours.
I know the windsurfing forearm burn you talk of, felt it a lot over the years ;)
never had the feeling while paddling, and mine is just a standard size.
Select to expand quotePeoplesChamp said..
Grab a Fanatic Carbon pro with the 6.75 blade. I have tried one and it is a lot less stress than regular sizes. Knife through butter. For long distance stuff this would be my go to paddle. 100% agree on getting an adjustable paddle as colas mentions.
Hi again,
I found a second hand Fanatic Carbon 50 Bamboo in very good condition and good prize. Unfortunately, the bamboo paddles only have 7.25 size. Would the the softer shaft compensate for the bigger blade area?
