PADDLES:  We have done the research and found the best paddles available.  Did you know that some carbon fiber paddles made in China have very weak shafts and break easily, or that some brands are prone to leaking?  We have eliminated those.  We offer our own Infinity Ottertail paddles,  the economical and innovative Werner paddles and the top of the line Quick Blade paddles.

Infinity Ottertail Paddles:

When you sit in a canoe and paddle, your pulling hand grips just above the blade so you can transfer power directly to the blade, but when you stand up and paddle, your pulling hand is about 3 feet above the blade. This leverage disadvantage greatly reduces the power you can apply to the blade. You may notice that most stand up paddlers have an extremely slow stroke speed that is really not comfortable. This is because they are using paddles made by canoe paddle makers who build them with blades that are not the best shape for stand up and are too large. I have discovered an "ottertail" shaped blade that is very narrow at the bottom and wider at the top. This allows me to select the power of my stroke easily by how deep I put the blade into the water. I will do a shallow, faster "out of the hole" acceleration stroke to start, and as my board speed increases I put the blade in deeper to prevent over reving. In addition, I prefer a much skinnier blade for surfing where I want a higher stroke speed. Choosing a paddle is like choosing a gear on your mountain bike; you want a small blade (low gear) for constant starting and stopping in the surf and a larger blade (high gear) when distances and speed are greater.

Most KuKu Hoe paddlers prefer our Infinity paddles 11" over their own height. I use the smallest "narrow surf blade" all the time. Tall, thin guys use a long paddle and prefer the narrow 6.5" blade while shorter, stockier guys use a shorter paddle and prefer a more powerful 7" blade.  If you feel pain in your elbows or shoulders from stand up paddling, then you may want to switch to a 6.5" Ottertail paddle, it is much easier on your joints.

These paddles have a 2 degree "bent shaft" entry, much less than a sit down paddle where the angle rotation is greater.  The smaller bend makes the Ottertail paddles much easier to pack and mail for mail orders.  It will also tape down flat against your board inside a board bag for traveling.

I offer three blade shapes on an epoxy composit shaft for only $295, or with a carbon fiber shaft for $340. For big, strong guys, we offer a stiffer, stronger composit (blue) shaft for $320.  These paddles are made 100% in America.

First: Narrow surf blade: 6.5" x 20.5" This blade is best for faster strokes and quick acceleration in the surf.

Second: Surf Blade: 7" x 19.5" A good all around surfing blade.

Third: Race or Touring Blade: 8" x 19.5" This blade should be matched with a very fast board where the velocity through the water will allow a nice fast paced stroke.

Each blade has a soft pastic edge that protects your rail. (We sell this paddle edging for $1.50/ft.) In addition, the rounded top of the blade does not bonk the under side of your rail as much at the end of your stroke as a squaire shaped blade.

Not everyone agrees with my philosphy of paddle design, so we offer the best conventional paddles available; Werner Paddles and Quick Blade paddles.  Normally, you would use a conventional paddle that is 10" over you're height.

QUICK BLADE PADDLES:

The carbon fiber Quick Blade: www.quickbladepaddles.com are made by Olympic paddler Jim Terrell. They are extreemely light and have a unique curved blade for smooth water entry. We can put the same plastic edging on the Quick Blade paddles as we put on our own Infinity paddles to protect your board from paddle shatters. Quick Blade Paddles: $340.

WERNER PADDLES: www.wernerpaddles.com

  The Werner Paddles are absolutely top quality, 100% made in America and perhaps the best value I've seen in a stand up paddle at $295.

Werner Paddles are so innovative with their adjustable length shaft.  This paddle has four base point lenths, each with a 6" length adjustment.  This length adjustment is usefull for those who prefer a shorter length for surfing and a longer length for distance paddling.  It is also great if you want to share you're paddle with you're wife who may be a bit shorter than you.  The adjustment system is only $25 more for a total of $325.

ADJUSTABLE SHAFT, notice the palm T-grip.

PADDLE EDGING: PROTECT YOU BOARD'S RAILS:

We sell the clear plastic paddle edging shown on this paddle for $1.50/ft. You need 3 ft. to cover your paddle.  This stuff really prevents rail shatters from your paddle.  You can find it in the shopping section of the web site under surf accessories.