Gday , I have now gone through 4 paddles 2 alloy a second hand carbon and a brand new around the $400 mark carbon paddle the last only lasting 2 months. I treated the last paddle like it was a fluro light I was so worried about breaking it ! had a bag washed it dried it would of burped it if I thought that had helped 
but no luck 3 rd wave today right at the top boom! She blew up . The day before I did a mini down wind with the local club and I am sure I could hear it creaking is this possible? Or just my imagination . My question is when i took it to the shop they weren't very keen to replace it , they talked about never seing a break in that spot "that spot being between top and bottom hand " So is this unheard off or are they having a lend of me . Any input would be great because it's starting to get depressing thinking I have to find $400 every 3 months . Thanks
Sympathies. I've snapped two extension and a 3 month old "swaddled" carbon myself with an effort stroke going for a wake on flat water so I know the feeling!
I'm probably what you would term "still in the newbie" phase of paddling compared to other gurus on here but if it's snapping in that position I wonder if you might perhaps be levering the top of the paddle with too much top hand push and not enough lower hand pull?
I think I've diagnosed myself with that problem which, if you are a tall bugger with tight hammies and a stiff back like me can be fixed by getting down lower into a crouch with more lower hand power instead of trying to paddle from "way up there".
Just shooting from the hip here though.
Anyone else?
Thanks Hawaiiheke , I am in the 6'3 range so maybe I need to bend zee kneez a bit more , just killing me the replacement cost and the thought that a product that costs around $400 would break in 2 months
What's the brand krist.?
you might have to go 100% carbon .or a wave paddle.
are they fixed or adjustable ..creaking s not a good sign ..you need something tuff.
Gday Tardy , I don't want to drop the name of the brand as it's still in discussion , but it was fixed , surf specific and bought for its toughness . As the guy who sold it said " you won't break that or I will replace it for free ! " Should of asked for it in writing , will find out today hopefully if they will replace it because the swell is pumping up here
One option might be to start training for a 100km ultra marathon.
That way your guns will be consumed by your own body for energy during the long runs, your strength will subside and your paddles will last longer!
Classic. 2 x knee cartilage tears on my right knee here.
"SUPers - the refugees of physical endeavour"
Select to expand quoteKrist said..
Gday Tardy , I don't want to drop the name of the brand as it's still in discussion , but it was fixed , surf specific and bought for its toughness . As the guy who sold it said " you won't break that or I will replace it for free ! " Should of asked for it in writing , will find out today hopefully if they will replace it because the swell is pumping up here
Krist usually they have to send pictures back to the company before a warranty .sometimes it can take a week ...hope it's not to long await for you .
but if its less than a year ...it should go through..
I'd be running around in circles without a paddle .specially if its pumping ..
Ask him if you can borrow one till your warranty comes through. 
Ive only broken one .put it was my fault .I fell heavy on it ..I fixed it ..
She a beauty now ..heavier but tougher .
Certainly sound faulty for it to break at that point. I reckon you will get a replacement..don't stress too much.
Thanks for the positive vibes crakas I need them right now . Stupid as it sounds getting on the water for a couple hours every day is the only thing that keeps me sane fingers crossed
Just try not to mention the brand names of the broken paddles. Things here can get nasty.
Best thing is to go for a quality carbon/fibreglass composite shaft. Some like the stiffer Ke Nalu have a nice feel and aren't too soft. I am sure other brands have engineered ones just as good?
While the carbon adds stiffness the fibreglass adds strength. It's the exact same deal in fishing rod construction. The most expensive carbon rods are ten times more fragile than something like the good old Ugly Stick, which uses the best of carbon and glass.
Good advice surfershaneA and no I haven't mentioned the product name as it was is a great paddle , its just broken now 
Unfortunately I am fairly hard on gear. More to do with constant use and conditions than misuse.
If something is going to break I usually find out first (like my newly deceased high carbon fishing rod). Regardless, I am more than impressed with how long my composite xtuff shaft has lasted!
It surprises me that more paddle manufacturers don't get into some of the latest fishing rod manufacturing techniques to perfect durable shafts using the right mix of materials?
I think a lot of the newer gear (boards included) push the limits between strength and weight. My old paddle weighed twice as much as the new one. The old one felt indistructable and I treated it like i was going to throw it away next week.
Has anyone had any experience with company's like excel composites as in buying a shaft from them ? I just had a email returned and the prices are amazing ! And they were saying they are dissapointed the Australian market has forgotten about them
Hey Krist
Have had a well known brand paddle break twice on me. Each time in different places One across the top of the blade. The other around 300mm down from top of the shaft. Both times the guys in the shop where it came from said it was an unusual place to break. Both times they chased up the supplier/manufacturers and both times had it replaced
I questioned whether it was made for use in the surf and was told that it was. I don't use it in there any more and brought a cheaper one designed for the surf (sumjam). No troubles with this and has been good. The other Ouse on flat waters only. I prefer to use the more expensive one but to worried that it will break again In the surf
Good luck with getting a replacement
Thanks SupsailDave , the positive posts are making me feel better I have no way I can afford a new paddle in the next month .....family first , so I am hoping these guys do the same and replace it ,that would be the best outcome . It's at the shop so just a waiting game now
Well crakas I can thankfully say they gave me a new paddle so bloody happy and appreciative, really started to worry for awhile . You know what I have really learnt ? that the comunity spirit of supping is awesome ! I had offers of lenders from the shop and the sup club . It turned out to be a really positive experience for such a depressing start . Oh and the new paddle is surf specific and really is the bees knees super stokeThanks for asking
Hey Krist, I'd suggest having a look at Werner Paddles. Werner has been making carbon paddles for decades as they started as a whitewater kayaking paddle maker. I was a bit of a whitewater guy years ago, so when I started shopping for Stand up paddles I went straight for Werner. I've had one paddle since 2009, a Werner Spanker. It's suffered a lot of big days and steep heavy waves, and it's still here, in one piece. Paddle styles and technology have changed and I recently got a new Werner, the Rip Stick. I've only had it out on a couple of day, but I love it. Lighter with a smaller blade, but seems to have as much pulling torque as the old Werner Spanker, which was a big shovel. Anyway, I've seen a lot of paddles break, but my original Werner is still alive and in one piece, and enjoying the retirement it has earned.
Broke heaps when I started paddling then bought a QB in 2008 still have it. Good paddles but not cheap, more than 400 I think.
The QB look like a nice paddle hilly , and I think $400 is the going price for most brands at the moment . I have been emailing a composites company who say they make shafts here in oz and let me tell you they are a lot cheaper then the ones with the stickers on them . I will keep the forum posted on that little venture but I am sure I am not the first to go down this path .
Select to expand quoteKrist said..
The QB look like a nice paddle hilly , and I think $400 is the going price for most brands at the moment . I have been emailing a composites company who say they make shafts here in oz and let me tell you they are a lot cheaper then the ones with the stickers on them . I will keep the forum posted on that little venture but I am sure I am not the first to go down this path .
Will be interesting if they can get the flex in them. Easy to make stiff ones I think, too much Viagra maybe
Slim Jim rrp is $475
Hi Krist
I got sick of breaking paddles and had a blended shaft made up by excel composites - they were fantastic to deal with and I bought 4 of them - replaced 2 shafts with 2 spares. I have had happy paddling ever since. I like a fairly stiff shaft so went for 25% Kevlar and rest carbon. The 2 replacements are great and happily the other 2 spares are still sitting in the box.
Happy to take some shots if helpful.
Cost from memory ended up between $60-70 per shaft.
Kind Regards
Andrew
Re: Excel Composites
Thanks Andrew.
Awesome to hear someone is doing this. Kevlar is a top idea. For surfing, I like a bit of flex, so would go for some fibreglass.
Almost as fun as picking fishing rod blanks, and even cheaper!!!!
Thanks,
Yes, an old stock Megabass fishing rod I was thinking of buying is a medium taper Kevlar/carbon composite. The fragile extra fast tapers are near pure carbon.
Also have a German Navy deck jacket that is aramid (Kevlar structure) blend with a gortex lining. Thankfully I can move in it. Bloody handy if the boat ever explodes!!
Nice to see we can start picking some of this technology in paddles.
