SUP Paddle
SUP Paddle from aluminum to 100% carbon in comparison
Your matching SUP paddle
The purchase of a SUP paddle can overwhelm once. Different characteristics and values make it difficult for beginners to decide. We want to bring some light into the darkness.
When choosing the right SUP paddle should be on
- paddle length
- Paddle type (fixed or height adjustable)
- Material (eg aluminum, fiberglass, carbon)
be respected.
Professionals should also include the sheet size.
The right paddle length
The right paddle length
The paddle is after the board the most important thing about your SUP equipment. For a good power transmission and neat driving pleasure, the SUP paddle should not be too short or too long. You can easily estimate your ideal paddle length:
Place the paddle upright in front of your feet. Put the palm of your hand on the handle. The arm should be stretched at this height, but still relaxed.
No paddle at hand? Then it does the rule of thumb: paddle length = body size + 20 cm.
Fixed or height-adjustable paddles?
Fixed or height-adjustable paddles?
There are fixed paddles (English) and height-adjustable paddles (English vario). In the latter, the length of the paddle can be flexibly adjusted. Most Vario models are in three parts, which greatly simplifies transport.
There are slight power losses at the connection points, but they only become relevant in the professional field. Due to the low prices and the flexible use we advise all others to height adjustable paddles.
No paddle at hand? Then it does the rule of thumb: paddle length = body size + 20 cm.
Material
Material
The choice of material has a big impact on the weight and price of the paddle. Aluminum and plastic paddles are cheap and lightweight. Expensive materials such as carbon or glass fiber reinforced plastic (GRP) are much lighter.
Material Mixtures
In addition to material blends, there are 2-component paddles in which, for example, a sheet of plastic is attached to a shaft made of carbon. The 2-component models are cheaper than pure carbon paddles and not so prone to stones and similar obstacles.
Material for beginners
Aluminum and plastic are the classic material. Beginners and advanced should resort to a SUP paddle made of these materials. The high price of carbon paddles and their sensitivity make this material unsuitable for beginners.
Aluminum
Paddles made of this material are very stable and cheap. Due to the weight, these are not suitable for professionals. To avoid bad experiences, you should research before buying, whether the aluminum paddle floats. Furthermore, an aluminum paddle must be rinsed off after a tour with (fresh) water.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass SUP paddles are slightly more expensive and lighter than aluminum models, are buoyant and can also score with stability.
Carbon
Carbon paddles stand out due to their extremely low weight. As a result, a much higher speed can be achieved with the same effort. In competitions in the professional field you will come across only on carbon paddle.
The price depends on the carbon content. A pure carbon paddle weighs only 500 to 600 g.>
The Best Sup Paddles
Aqua Marina Alu paddle
- Brand: Aqua Marina
- Material: aluminum (shaft, handle), 70% nylon + 30% fiberglass (sheet)
- Paddle length: 165-210 cm
- Weight: 898 g
- Handle: T-handle
- Paddle type: height adjustable
The aluminum paddle in the colors orange, white and black is the entry-level model of Aqua Marina. The blade of the height-adjustable paddle with the three-part shaft measures 42 cm x 20 cm (length x width) with a 29 mm thick shaft.
Aqua Marina Carbon Paddle
- Brand: Aqua Marina
- Material: 70% carbon + 30% fiberglass (shaft, grip), carbon (leaf)
- Paddle length: 180-210 cm/li>
- Weight: 705 g
- Handle: Knob
- Paddle type: height adjustable
The weight of only 705 g is also very low in direct comparison to other carbon paddles. For transport and storage, the paddle can be divided into three parts.
Fanatic Carbon 25 HD
- Brand: Fanatic
- Material: Carbon and Glass (Shaft), ABS Blade (Sheet)
- Paddle length: 165 to 220 cm/li>
- Weight: 880 g
- Handle: Knob
- Paddle type: height adjustable/li>
Fanatic’s Carbon 25 HD paddle is suitable for the whole family due to the large adjustment range from 165 cm to 220 cm. This three-piece paddle is less sensitive than pure carbon paddle due to the special material mixture.
Fit Ocean Nokilo Alu Paddle
- Brand: Fit Ocean
- Material: aluminum
- Paddle length: 160-220 cm
- Weight: 990 g
- Handle: T-handle
- Paddle type: height adjustable
The three-piece SUP paddle Nokilo by Fit Ocean is lighter than one kilogram and can be stowed easily due to the small pack size of 84 cm. The paddle can be infinitely adjusted to the optimal length.
Mistral Kanoa 3
- Brand: Mistral
- Material: carbon, plastic
- Paddle length: max. 220 cm
- Weight: 940 g
- Handle: hand knob
- Paddle type: height adjustable
- Hardness: 7
The 2018 model Kanoa 3 by Mistral is buoyant. The composition of carbon shaft and plastic paddle blade combines the advantages of the lightweight material carbon with the insensitive plastic. The 3-piece SUP paddle comes with a matching bag.
Fit Ocean Jacana Carbon Paddle
- Brand: Fit Ocean
- Material: Carbon (shaft), fiberglass and nylon (sheet)
- Paddle length: 160-220 cm
- Weight: 790 g
- Handle: hand knob
- Paddle type: height adjustable
The ergonomic grip and the low weight of just 790 g characterize the Jacana. The paddle does not sink and can be dismantled into three separate parts for transport and storage.
Bravo aluminum telescopic paddle
- Brand: Bravo
- Material: aluminum (shaft), nylon (paddle blade)
- Paddle length: 175-215 cm
- Weight: 1100 g
- Handle: Knob
- Paddle type: height adjustable
The Bravo paddle has a 40 x 20 cm sheet, floats and the length is freely adjustable. The quick-release system of the three-piece paddle makes it easy to transport and store.
Blueborn telescope aluminum paddle
- Brand: Blueborn
- Material: aluminum (shaft), nylon and fiberglass (paddle blade)
- Paddle length: 170-215 cm
- Weight: 1300 g
- Handle: Knob
- Paddle type: height adjustable
The telescopic aluminum paddle from Blueborn is variably adjustable to a height between 170 and 215 cm. The handball pommel stands out from the typical T-grip. The telescopic paddle floats and can be disassembled for transport in individual parts. The pack size is 90 x 20 x 5 cm.
Bravo fiberglass SUP paddle
- Brand: Bravo
- Material: fiberglass
- Paddle length: 170-215cm
- Weight: 1175 g
- Handle: T-handle
- Paddle type: height adjustable
The SUP brand Bravo carries a fiberglass paddle in their inventory. As shown, the SUP paddle can be disassembled into three separate parts.
Navyline SUP paddle
- Brand: Navyline
- Material: aluminum (shaft), plastic (paddle blade)
- Paddle length: 185-205 cm
- Weight: 1150 g
- Handle: T-handle
- Paddle type: height adjustable
The SUP paddle from the manufacturer Navyline is divisible into three parts, height-adjustable in increments of 5 cm and the blade is made of sturdy plastic.
Thurso Surf Carbon SUP paddle
- Brand: Thurso Surf
- Material: Carbon (shaft), nylon (paddle blade)
- Paddle length: 170-215 cm
- Weight: 900 g
- Handle: Knob
- Paddle type: height adjustable
The Thurso Surf Carbon Paddle is a real lightweight. With a weight of just 900g, this SUP paddle provides you with the best possible conditions so that you can increase your stand up paddling performance even further.
Fanatic Carbon 25
- Brand: Fanatic
- Material: 25% carbon
- Paddle length: 165-220 cm
- Weight: 1010 g
- Handle: Knob
- Paddle type: height adjustable
The two-part 25% carbon paddle by Fanatic bursts with an integrated edge protection made of rubber all the dangers. This makes the Fanatic 25 the ideal companion for rapid white water rafting / whitewater SUP.
Contents
Author
Hi, I’m Manfred. For years I’ve written here on standup-experte.com about SUP and everything that goes with it.