Hey, currently I am using a Quickblade Kanaha AC 100 (flatwater tourung/race). Excellent paddle but too exhausting on distances >10km.
Now trying to find the best solution…
- HighAspect
- Teardrop 90 square inch
- Or keep practicing with the 100 blade, it’s gonna be fine 
I think testing a HighAspect paddle would not help a lot. It will take some time to adapt the different technique.
What is your opinion about HighAspect paddle?
Just for constant high stroke rates on very long distances?
What about HighAspect paddles with large blades (90square inch)? Does that make sense at all?
Cheers, have fun
First, I am not sponsored by anyone, so not a pimp.
So now that is out the way, I have just got the new KeNalu Mana and its a cracker. Having said that a mate of mine is using the Starboard paddle and its pretty comfortable.
I tried the QB and found they just felt too hard (by that I mean they hurt my shoulders when I paddled and as a plus 40 year old bloke that is an important point)
I have found the KeNalu Mana to give me heaps of power but those little bloody winglets on them sort of making them feel soft when you are using them. This cuts down on shoulders hurting etc. I have no idea about the science behind any of this all I can say is for me they work. On the other hand, paddles are very personal so demo a heap you may find your magic brand is Brand X (or whatever).
Have fun looking
IMO... High aspect blades are great..
8" wide blade= max
7" wide blade= min
7.5" wide blade= perfect
I second gregc. The most important point is that a paddle doesn't harm your joints. Once tendinitis sets in, it is hell to get rid of it. We are all different, so you should test the paddles yourself. As you said you will not be able to judge the efficiency on a simple test, but you will be able to rule out quickly the ones heating your joints.
Afterwards, an efficient paddle is one that displaces as less the water as possible when getting in and out the water. This displaced water is what consumes energy on the long run, plus it creates more turbulences in the water that will make your paddle less "anchored" in the water.
High aspect paddles benefits:
- smaller "hole" in the water, so less water displacement
- paddle shaft closer to the center line, so more vertical, so less row
Drawbacks:
- if you keep the same surface, it means a longer blade, a longer travel to submerge properly the blade: a semi-submerged blade ventilates on traction (air fills the depression on the forward side of the blade), killing the efficiency
All this means that high aspect alone does not make a good paddle: minimal blade volume, and an hydrodynamic shape are paramount, too. And you may want also to reduce the overall surface of the blade.
Alas, I cannot advise on specific brands as I only supsurf, and for supsurfing, paddle efficiency is not very important.
Soo many paddle brands, shapes & sizes, which one!? Try before you buy if you can?
I have a starboard High aspect paddle and i find it really good.
as Colas mentioned i agree with the pro's
Again agree the paddle size is the main consideration. I dropped down to a 90 sqi blade and found on anything over 10kms it is not as physically demanding as the 100 sqi i use in the surf. I used to get sore fingers from holding the large blade on anything over 10kms.
I have kept my shaft a little longer than my surf paddle and find it is working well for me. i like to keep things simple more strokes per side equates to more speed per km.
