Hey Mac for what it is worth - here is my 2 cents worth...
I have tried many different paddles in the last year and Woogee's Kia Kaha is the best locally produced paddles that I have found. It feels good in the hand and the tapered shaft has got 'life' to it, which is missing in many carbon paddles.
It does lack the overall quality finish of some of the other brands I have tried and I am not a big fan of it's larger blade in the surf. All up though - a nice paddle!
Andrew.A
Hi 62mac
I was shopping around for an affordable paddle a couple of months ago. Everything good is closer to $500 and the paddles below $400 were sub standard (IMO).
Jodie at Kia Kaha did me a deal on the latest carbon/kevlar model which has a smaller blade size (in keeping with the Kiaolo paddles) which they freighted to WA. Unfortunately an accident with the freighting company caused some damage to the edge of the paddle - but Jodie and Woogie have been very helpful in sorting this out.
Performance wise - it paddles better than the Starboard paddles I have used and is significantly cheaper than that paddle. The smaller surface area is great and it doesn't feel like you get pulled off the board at higher stroke rates. The tapered shaft looks really cool and provides some kick during the stroke (as AA mentioned). The handle is a perfect shape across your palm too.
We aren't spoilt for choice in WA so I can't compare it to the imports, but overall, for price, design, quality and service it is a solid paddle.
Thanks guy's for the feed back,I have seen the paddles at Dukes and the colours are wild which could be a good thing?I love to support Australian Made product!
cheers mac
I got a chance to use one of the new mk 8.5 paddles. It was heading down to Manly for Simon Anderson. I intercepted it for a sneaky. (The big fella didnt mind). Glad i did .
Great paddle. Easy to use in the surf -no flutter when you put the power on. great spray. On par, if not better than my KIA LOA.
Waiting to get my new one in the new year.
Can definatly recomend it
Yep great paddles!
They are flying out the door, top quality and all individual. Just got mine last wk and i love it.
Waiting for more to arrive next wk.
XX anige
Great looking paddles, and I do try to support Aussie products But I got the methane for a great price I think the methane is an awesome paddle and love using it in the surf.
When I now use the next paddle that came with my kalama, I think what a dead, heavy pig Once you use a great "lively" paddle you will know what I mean.
We are now in Victoria
Murf's Longboards
82 The Terrace
Ocean Grove
VIC 3226
Phone/Fax (03) 52555525
web: www.murfslongboards.com.au
email: murf@murfslongboards.com.au
Yep its been some time since i asked this question!
I made a choice and went with the Australian Made Product.
I heard comments like the quailty was not up with other top
of the line brands and I heard others say/post they are working
on this!
Well,my best mate has a top branded paddle and I just received
my Kia Kaha yesterday,We paddled for over ten hours over the past
two day's and the Kia Kaha paddle smoked it/his/him!
I would like to thank Angie and Jacko for there advice on board and paddle
and mostly, welcoming me to the SUP team!
I've surfed all my life and,i must say SUP people are super compared to my
OLD surfing crew!
The last thank you goes to the team at Kia Kaha for making such top quailty Australian Products!
Some on you may remember my SHAME post that started a sh-t fight and ok I
ended up buying a board non Australian made,but of fine quailty! MAC
Glad to be of assistance Mac. Sounds like you had a great wkend supin with your new toys.
Kind Regards, Angie XX
Ps, don't foret about the big australia day at Winders Park!