How to choose a paddle
 by Dave Chun from Kialoa Paddles

SUP Surfing
Paddles used for surfing should be small. Surfers need quick short bursts of speed to catch waves, and small blades excel at this.

Resistance is greatest on the surfboard when it is not moving. A small blade will allow for a high stroke rate and get the surfboard up to speed more quickly.

Performance surfboards are also getting smaller and less buoyant. Because these surfboards sink deeper in the water, they are inherently slower when paddling. As a general rule, the slower the watercraft, the smaller the blade.

Good choices in the Kialoa line-up are the Methane, good for most surfers, or the Shaka Pu'u, if you are a big strong paddler like Mel Pu'u.

Fitness Paddling
SUP Surfing and Racing are both great fitness activities, but there are a number of SUP paddlers who do not use their boards to surf or race.

Fitness paddlers generally use boards which cross over from surfing. Because of this, we recommend that paddlers use equipment similar to that used in surfing; with the first choice for most paddlers being the Methane for women, and the Shaka Pu'u being a good choice if you are stronger and/or more fit.

SUP Racing
SUP race paddles should be chosen based on the length of the race, type of board, and fitness and strength of the athlete. The most important factor in choosing a distance paddle is the physical condition of the athlete. For general use by a fit experienced paddler, the Shaka Pu'u is excellent.

For an aggressive downwind racer who is able to link swell after swell and prefers a larger blade, the bigger Nalu can be a good choice.

A good choice for long events and most mortals is our smallest paddle, the Methane.

Water conditions (the board moves fastest when it is flat on the water and not bouncing up and down), wind direction, the conditioning of the athlete, and type of surfboard, are all "moving targets" when trying to pick the optimum blade.

Just keep in mind; if you are moving more quickly, you can use a larger blade, if you are moving more slowly, you need a smaller blade.