“Sara, I want to buy a paddle: Which one do you recommend?” This is one of the questions Esteban and I get asked most during the season.
And it is because, when you have been training for a while and you are hooked on gliding across the sea in your surfski, having your own paddle is practically a mandatory step. Like having your own running shoes or a bike that fits you.
It is true that choosing the right one at first can be complicated. Also, the trends are changing, in fact, some of our paddlers who have been training, upon coming from Australia, changed their paddles. That’s why this month we want to tell you what you should consider when choosing your paddle.
That’s why this month we want to tell you what you should consider when choosing your paddle.
Differences between the sprint and the surfski
If you come from the sprint world, you may think that in surfski we are very ‘weak’ for using paddles with smaller blades, but there is a reason for it.
When paddling on the sprint, the center of gravity is higher, so we need a longer paddle and a larger blade, as you will be able to make greater use of the entire body.
On the contrary, in surfski, we are inside the water, our center of gravity is lower, that is why we shorten the paddle. Also, when paddling in an area with waves and wind (not always in our favor) the blade must be smaller and the shaft more flexible because sometimes the waves disrupt the normal paddling cycle, and one stroke is not the same as another.
Another difference is that in the surfski paddles the amount of carbon and fiber should be almost equal since we need it to flex to avoid shoulder injuries and to be able to fight against the waves and the instability of the sea.
That said, which paddle is the most suitable for surfski?
The key to not making mistakes
The best recommendation we can give you and that we have been considering for some years here in Gran Canaria, and that we believe it works is:
Choose a paddle that allows you to have a good paddling frequency
When we are downwind, we do not always paddle at the same pace. We must be able to go higher every time we want to catch a wave. Ideally, the paddling should be smooth, so that we do not get ‘stuck’ when we start.
That’s why we always recommend our paddler to choose a paddle with a small blade.
If you’re doing fine with the paddle you’re using, don’t change. If you are struggling to reach 80/90 strokes per minute, maybe you should consider a change.
All models of all brands we work with can be adjusted using a super comfortable system and can extend up to 10 centimeters. Usually, you should use a paddle that you have to enlarge between 2 and 5 centimeters, so that you are more or less in the middle of the adjustable range. Keep in mind that if you go with a very small paddle and extend it to near the maximum (10 centimeters) you will shorten its life span and it will be easier to break the shaft.
Which paddle is best?
Now we know what is most important, it is time to choose. At Livingsea, we are distributors of two brands of surfski paddles: Jantex and Carbonology Sport.
Why don’t we sell other brands like Bracsa which is becoming more common in surfski? It’s not that we think they are worse, it’s just that we have not tested them. And Esteban and I like to get first-hand knowledge of the surfski equipment we sell.
Jantex: the most famous brand of canoe paddles
The ideal Jantex paddles for surfski are the ones with the most flexible shaft: the Super Flex (the orange one), made of 100% carbon and with the ‘Gamma’ blade.
It is the brand used by paddlers such as Sean Rice, Ana Swetish, as well as our own Jorge Vila, Víctor Rodríguez and Judit Vergés.
Carbonology Sport: the best alternative for beginners
Carbonology Sport paddles are an excellent alternative to Jantex paddles.
The shaft is slightly more flexible than Jantex, they also have various blade sizes, and like Jantex, they have a renewed jointing system that works very well and is durable.
Paddlers such as Esteban, Chloe Bunnet or Hayley Nixon have won many medals with these paddles.
So, ¿Carbonology Sport or Jantex?
Well, keep in mind that Jantex is the best paddle in the world, the highest quality. It’s like buying the highest-end and most expensive sneakers of the market. Obviously, it’s going to be the best there is. But if it is your first paddle, it may not be necessary to make that investment in the early years since you might give it more bumps and scrapes than when you have more experience in later years.
If you are still in any doubts, we leave you this comparison table between the two brands:
I already have my paddle, how do I adjust it?
Finding the ideal adjustment is very personal and will depend on the sea conditions and your own.
As you know, we can regulate two values: the twist and the size.
The angle degrees are adjusted to cut through some of the wind in the aerial phase. Some people, like Oscar Chalupsky, recommend taking the degrees to 0 when paddling downwind. In our case, we believe that 60º is a good grade and does not bother you or cause any vice when paddling.
When it comes to size, for boys we usually recommend between 203 and 208 cm and adjust according to their strength and height until they find their ideal size. For girls, we are usually below 200 centimeters. I personally like to have a good paddling frequency, so I tend to keep it short. I paddle at 198 centimeters and, when I am stronger, I extend it a bit.
Also remember to mark the paddle with electrician’s tape. You should mark the shaft at the same distance on the right and left sides so that your hand does not shift inwards or outwards and you change the grip while paddling.
How to take care of it to make it last longer
If you want to keep your paddle in the best condition for a long time, it is vital to clean it with fresh water after each use. Pay special attention to the system, as it has moving parts, and it is important that no trace of salt remains. Every three or four days of use you should disassemble it and clean the adjustable area and every three months you should apply solid grease to the system.
If you are not going to use your paddle for a few weeks, store it disassembled.
Important: whenever you are traveling, use a cover to protect it from scratches and impacts. Around here, we really like Downwind paddle covers because they are very padded and of very good quality.
If you have made this far and still have doubts or want to tell us about your specific case, write to us and we will help you choose your paddle
