Broke my 2nd paddle in 12 months yesterday, will admit they were no name brands, still carbon fibre blade, tee grip & carbon composite shaft, around $350.00 each. 1st was a 1 piece & 2nd an adjustable, both broke exactly in the centre. 1st broke in a late take off close out, yesterdays broke paddling for a wave, made it interesting right at the critical moment.
Is this a common problem? can anyone recommend a strong paddle.
There's nothing worse than worrying that your paddle might fail.. Especially if you're a long way from shore or it's blowing strong off shore.. That's why I've stuck with my Kialoa's.. I've seen a few that have broken but (touch wood) I've had a good run with them.. Any paddle can break but it's very rare these days for big brand paddles to break.. There are plenty of paddles out there now that I would trust like Quick Blade, KeNalu, Werner, ZRE, and even Naish, Starboard and Fanatic.. jut to name a few.. Give yourself some piece of mind and buy yourself a brand name paddle.
Also be careful how you treat carbon fiber.. Avoid knocks, drops, scratches and chips.. 
DJ
^^^ Agree with DJ - I broken a paddle shaft last year, and was going to try to repair it, also looked at buying a cheap alternative...decided to replace the shaft (which still cost about $250), but peace of mind is key when on the water.
I just broke my Kailoa Methane today near the top of the blade when I fell off mid round house cutback.
Anyone know if I can buy just the blade and refit to the shaft?
Anyone know if I can buy just the blade and refit to the shaft?
I'm looking into making a laminated wooden shaft & reusing the carbon fibre blade & tee, be a nice back up paddle.
Full carbon paddles are not unbreakable in fact they can be quiet vulnerable. It only takes a small impact from a sharp edge on your shaft that puts a tiny hair line crack in it and over time the shaft will fail at that point. I'm a Quickblade fan and yes I have broken a few but Quickblade gives an unconditional 12 month warranty , no matter how you broke it.
It's not the shaft that broke guys it's the blade.
Broke just below the shaft socket.
Looks like the shaft might be ok and you just need a new blade.. I'm not sure how possable that is.
Btw.. When you wipeout and fall onto your paddle and break it IMO it's not really a failure.
I would call a failure is when it breaks just from paddling.
DJ
I had a Kialoa break in exactly that spot but it happened when a newbie was using is and jammed it into a rock underwater and pushed off. That's not a failure, it's using a paddle from a purpose it wasn't designed for. The other thing about carbon fibre paddles is they are extremely strong in one direction. Put too much pressure on them the wrong way and they will break.
hi,Carbon fiber is beautiful but also vulnerable it can not point load or against UV radiation (sun).
after a few years become the fiber brittle! or you are going to paint.
wooden padels do not suffer from the sun,orpoint load, only weight is heavier.
so, I make hollow Wooden paddle!
lighter (+ / - 700 grams).
stiffer (should contain 5 parts).
stronger (horizontal tested with 120 kg).it doesn'nt break
weight distribution is better (most carbon blade is heavy and light stick).
and it looks good.
the edge I use kevlar (impact resistant).
facebook:hilmanmeubelen(more pic.)
"Paddles break full stop".sorry I can't agree with that one Stephen.
I have three paddles that I use for different purposes. Southpoint (Kalama) 9" that I have had for 6 years and apart from a few scratches is as good as new. This is used for nearly everything. Fanatic carbon 80, 8" used for surfing is 12 months old and is as good as new. No name 8" used by anyone who wants to try SUP over 4 years old and a few scratches only.
I am sure that paddles break if they are subjected to forces or situations they were not designed for this applies to most things.
As stated earlier by Hilmanpaddle the makeup is fragile. To me his means looking after your paddles.
After use wash them down in fresh water and cover them. Do not leave them in sunlight for extended periods and definitely never use them as a lever or subject them to undue stress. This will weaken them and cause them to break at the point of flex.
In short look after them. It is bit like wrapping your leg rope around your fins it will cause it to break at the point where it wraps across your fins.
ET.
Could be because I don't charge like younger guys. However, I do paddle hard and go for as many waves as I can.
Maybe it is just luck like you say.
ET.
I've still got a GSI paddle that came free with my first board in 2008. The kids use it now and it's still going strong. I've also got Quickblade and Kiakaha paddles that have lasted longer than 2 years. The only paddle I've ever snapped was a custom. But to be fair to the builder, it was early days in his paddle building business and probably still experimental. I never wash my paddles but they do go straight into a cover after use.
