Paddleboarders can spend a lot of time choosing the right board, but often don’t realize how important it is to have a high-quality paddle.
In this guide, we will help you choose the perfect stand-up paddleboard paddle to suit your preferences, comfort levels, activities, and strength requirements.
The team at NIXY Sports has a lot of experience with stand-up paddleboards. They help customers explore the water with high-quality paddleboards and gear like paddles and dry bags.
We can help you choose the right SUP paddle by considering the material, blade size and offset, blade length, and blade shape for the desired output or efficiency.
Let’s dive right in.
Choosing a SUP Paddle Material
The way you intend to use your SUP paddleboard will determine what kind of material you should choose for your paddle.surfing, racing, or casual paddling.
Aluminum
Low-end SUP paddles made of aluminum with a plastic blade typically cost between $60 and $100.
Although aluminum paddles are cheaper than other options, they are heavier and less flexible. They can also sink if they get wet.
If you’re new to paddleboarding or trying to stick to a budget, aluminum paddles are a great option to get started with. They’re affordable and allow you to get familiar with the activity without making a big investment.
Wood
Wood paddles can be beautiful, but they tend to be more expensive and heavier than paddles made from aluminum, fiberglass, and carbon fiber.
While wooden kayaks may be beautiful, they are not maintenance free. They require varnishing and protection from rot. When it comes to practicality, it is better to hang them in the boathouse on display, rather than taking them out on the water.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is a very popular material for stand-up paddleboards and surfing boards for intermediate paddlers who prefer a flexible paddle shaft. Fiberglass paddles are moderately lightweight and can help reduce fatigue when compared to paddles made out of aluminum or plastic.
Fiberglass SUP paddles are a more expensive than aluminum/plastic paddles but less expensive than high-end carbon fiber SUP paddles. A fiberglass paddle will typically run anywhere from $100 – $250.
If you enjoy paddling recreationally, don’t compete in paddle races, or surf on your SUP, a fiberglass paddle may be the best option for you.
Carbon Fiber
The best SUP paddles are made of carbon fiber because they are stiff and lightweight. Carbon fiber paddles are also the most expensive.
The carbon fiber’s ability to quickly move power from your muscles to your paddle stroke makes it an extremely efficient way to travel forward.
If you invest in a carbon fiber paddle, you will be able to paddle for longer periods of time without getting as tired, paddle faster, and paddle further because of the increased performance carbon provides.
You can choose the best SUP paddle for your needs by following these tips. The right material for your paddle, the appropriate blade size and blade offset, the correct paddle blade length, and the optimal blade shape for burst output or efficiency will all improve your paddle boarding experience.
Blade Size Selection
The smaller the blade, the more power you will be able to generate. The size of your paddle blade affects the power of each stroke. A smaller blade lets you generate more power.
SUP Paddle Sizing:
- Touring, Racing, Fitness & Yoga or Recreation, add 10″ to your height
- Surf or Whitewater, an 8″ to your height
An individual who is 5’10” would be best using an 80″ paddle for flatwater paddling, while a 78″ paddle would be most suitable for more dynamic paddling in the surf.
Large (90 SQ. IN – 100 SQ. IN)
Blades that are larger in size lead to a slower cadence when paddling, and are more appropriate for larger paddlers who have boards that move quickly.
For people who are just starting to paddle, a large blade provides more stability, which can be helpful while they are learning.
A large-bladed paddle is preferable when you need to move quickly with increased power output, better control, or a lower cadence.
For medium and large body types, paddle blades that are 90 to 100 square inches are preferred.
Signs That Your Paddle Blade Is Too Big
If your paddle blade is currently too large, you may notice symptoms such as:
- Sore shoulders
- Rapid fatigue
- Back pain
- Difficulty maintaining a high paddle cadence
- Difficulty paddling in a straight line
- Experiencing pain and soreness aft
Small (79 SQ. IN – 89 SQ. IN)
Smaller paddle blades are a good choice for people who want to paddle quickly or for people who have overuse injuries or joint pain. They are also better for smaller paddlers.
If you want a more efficient paddle for long-distance paddling, a small-bladed paddle will give you increased acceleration and a higher paddle cadence.
If you are small or medium sized (weighing less than 150 pounds), you will probably prefer a paddle with 80-90 square inches of blade surface.
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Signs That Your Paddle Blade Is Too Small
If your paddle blade is currently too small, you may experience:
- Lack of acceleration
- A decreased top-speed
- Lack of stroke power
- A consistently high heart rate while paddling
The Blade Offset of Your SUP Paddle
The blade offset of your SUP paddle is the degree to which the blade angles forward from the shaft. This angle determines how vertical your paddle blade is when it travels through the water, which directly affects how much power you get out of each stroke.
SUP paddles come in blade offset angles of 5 to 15 degrees.
Straight (Low Blade Offset/Angle)
A straight paddle with a blade offset angle of 5 degrees can be preferable for a SUP surfer who wants fast power delivery.
Angled (Curved Blade/Offset Angle)
The best paddles for multipurpose recreational paddlers have blades that are offset from the shaft at an angle of 8 to 10 degrees. For long-distance cruisers or SUP racers, a blade offset angle of 12 degrees or more is preferred.
Angled Stand Up Paddle boards (SUP) have been shown to reduce drag, use less energy, and provide more speed compared to their straight paddle counterparts.
Choosing Your Blade Offset
Depending on how you’ll be using your paddle, you can determine the appropriate blade offset:
- For surfing, take a 5-7 degree blade offset
- For multipurpose use, choose a 10-degree blade offset
- For racing, try a 12-15 degree blade offset.
SUP Paddle Length
If you pick a paddle that is too lengthy, your arms will become exhausted more promptly since you are holding them too high during the stroke.
If you choose a paddle blade that is too short, you will begin to stress your back as you have to bend forward to reach the water.
How to Choose the Right Length
- SUP Racing: Your paddle should be 10-12 inches taller than your height
- Cruising on Flat Water: Your paddle should be 8-10 inches taller than your height
- SUP Surfing: Your paddle should be 6-8 inches taller than your height
Generally, shorter paddles are better for control and acceleration, while longer paddles are better for top speed and efficiency.
We all know that SUP and the folks who paddle them come in all different shapes and sizes. When selecting the proper length for your paddle you need to take a couple of things into consideration:
- Paddler Height
- Type of paddling (Flatwater vs Surf or River)
- Paddling Style
When it comes to paddle length, it’s all about your paddling style. If you’re paddling in a more dynamic environment like a river or the surf, you might prefer a shorter paddle that will let you paddle more quickly, keeping the blades in the water for more time and giving you more control.
Blade Shape
The SUP paddle that we carry from Werner is long and rectangular in shape. This minimizes strain on the paddler throughout the stroke, allowing for incremental power increases depending on blade depth.
This also results in a higher cadence low impact stroke.
Shaft Options
If you want a paddle that is specifically designed for you, then a one-piece shaft is a good option. These shafts are lighter and stronger than other options.
If you don’t mind a little extra weight, adjustable shafts offer the flexibility to be used by multiple people or for multiple purposes.
The Werner Family adjustable paddles can be adjusted 16 inches to accommodate paddlers ranging from 4’10” to 6’2″ in height.
Bent Shafts
Werner Paddles has designed a bent shaft for SUP that helps align your wrists in a more ergonomic position. This alleviates stress and strain on your wrists and forearms and reduces the potential for injuries.
The bent shaft also allows for a longer stroke. With the blade being aligned in front of your hand, the blade reaches the water sooner, lengthening the power phase of your stroke.
You can size the bent shaft the same way you would as a traditional straight shaft.
Small fit vs Standard Fit
The majority of female paddlers benefit from using a small fit paddle, which is available on most of the popular SUP paddles.
A small diameter shaft and an innovative small-sized grip allow ladies to have a better grip and technique, eliminating any fatigue.
To see if a small fit paddle is right for you, measure your hand size by placing a ruler at the base of your hand (at the joint of your wrist) and measuring to the tip of your middle finger. If you measure smaller than 6.5″, a small shaft is suggested.
If you are on the line, both shaft sizes should be tried at an authorized Werner dealer to see which is more comfortable. Paddlers with shorter, thicker fingers also gravitate to small shafts.
The SUP paddle is made up of two parts, the blade and the paddle shaft. The materials these parts are made of will have a dramatic effect on performance and efficiency.
- Plastic: Durable, Heavy, flexible, Lower Price Point
- Fiberglass: Low Swing Weight, Rigid, Moderate/High Price Point
- Carbon Fiber: Lowest Swing Weight, Most Rigid, High Price Point
The lightest and highest-performing paddles will have just the right amount of flex. However, if you paddle in the surf or river, lightweight paddles may not be as durable or strong as you need them to be, since these environments put additional stress on the paddle.
Some manufacturers are coring their performance blades with foam to add buoyancy and increase efficiency. This provides paddlers with an advantage in an environment like the river or in the surf where the water is aerated.
Conclusion
This discussion is meant to give you something to think about the next time you go kayaking. There is no one right or wrong way to select a paddle, it depends on what feels best for you.
Try different paddle lengths and styles, and experiment to find what works best for you.
