The 'better' paddle brands tend to be the ones that specialise in just making paddles, ie Ke Nalu, Quickblade and Kialoa.
for the surf the Ke Nalu Xtuf, QB Kanaha and the Kialoa Methane are pretty popular.
Having said that the board manufacturers all have their own range too that a lot of people use and enjoy. As always try to demo a few to see what suits you best (you'll also have length and blade size to consider too)

It is common for people to buy blades that they subsequently decide are too big for them. It is uncommon for people to buy blades that they find are too small for them. So buy with this in mind. For some very strange reason, most of the blades on sale - at least until the last year or so anyway - are bigger than work for most people. If you watched the ISA Champs, virtually no-one was using a blade over 90 sq ins, and many went smaller.

Also, oval shafts are good in surf, because they give better grip and easier orientation of the blade, and handle choice is very personal but I like t-grips for surfing (but not for flat water).

I'm 6', 185 lbs, fit and no Lilly dipper. I've tried a lot of other peoples paddles, but have owned only one paddle that has gone through a long list of boards that I've bought and sold. I've totally abused my paddle and it's taken some serious beatings in some large waves, and the unfortunate and infamous shore pound of my main break. Yet my Werner Spanker remains in tact, and without damage. I've seen some other popular brands broken, or damaged, and I've always been quietly happy with my choice of paddle. I chose Werner because I knew the company from my white water paddling days. Now as I look at all the marketing hype I realize that Werner has been making carbon fiber paddles long before SUP and making them to withstand the serious abuse of creek boating, and smacking off river rocks. So, without any company affiliation, I cam honestly recommend a Werner paddle. They've been doing it longer and stronger....imho.

Have owned both KeNalu and Kialoa and liked them both.

Recently borrowed a Werner high aspect and really liked the difference of the high aspect design Felt much easier to control flutter and maintain a high cadence.

Ordered one!

I know Starboard also makes high aspect paddles and would definitely demo one of that style and see if you preferred it or not.

I have been using a Werner Nytro for a couple of years now. I like it for flat water, but i also use it for downwinders as well. I am 46 years old and 6'4" tall. I have had one rotator cuff repaired, and my other one is getting a bit worse. So because of the wear and tear on my shoulders i just got back from picking up a NEW Quick Blade Trifecta. I believe it's an 85 sq inch paddle. I am super excited to try it out tomorrow. VERY light weight.

spirit4earth said...

excav8ter said..
I have been using a Werner Nytro for a couple of years now. I like it for flat water, but i also use it for downwinders as well. I am 46 years old and 6'4" tall. I have had one rotator cuff repaired, and my other one is getting a bit worse. So because of the wear and tear on my shoulders i just got back from picking up a NEW Quick Blade Trifecta. I believe it's an 85 sq inch paddle. I am super excited to try it out tomorrow. VERY light weight.

I haven't been paddling long, but I exchanged my Nitro M for a Nitro S. I need to do all I can to protect my worn out shoulders.
That Trifecta is way out of my price range! Looking forward to a report on it!

I'll try to report back tomorrow night. I had thrthe chance to do a couple DW runs that were about 10 miles each last Saturday and Monday.... about half way into the run, i was struggling a bit to keep a quick cadence when paddling to get on a wave. We had some choppy 1-3' waves, good glides to be had, but harder to get the more miles i put on. Today my second SIC F14 came in, so i was talking paddles while i was there. I found out several of the guys i really look up to for their racing skills and all around knowledge of the sport, have switched to a smaller, 85 sq inch blade size.

Slab said...
Xtuf Kenalu paddle with small blade.....nice and light, holding up very well with not a mark so far. I like oval shafts but tbh I havent even noticed any diff with the Ke Nalu. It is a pretty small diameter shaft so absolutely spot on.

^^^ this combo is on sale too......if you don't have to have the latest graphics. The 84 sq" Wiki is a great surf paddle

Kieranr said..

AUS4 said..

excav8ter said..

spirit4earth said...

excav8ter said..
I have been using a Werner Nytro for a couple of years now. I like it for flat water, but i also use it for downwinders as well. I am 46 years old and 6'4" tall. I have had one rotator cuff repaired, and my other one is getting a bit worse. So because of the wear and tear on my shoulders i just got back from picking up a NEW Quick Blade Trifecta. I believe it's an 85 sq inch paddle. I am super excited to try it out tomorrow. VERY light weight.

I haven't been paddling long, but I exchanged my Nitro M for a Nitro S. I need to do all I can to protect my worn out shoulders.
That Trifecta is way out of my price range! Looking forward to a report on it!

I'll try to report back tomorrow night. I had thrthe chance to do a couple DW runs that were about 10 miles each last Saturday and Monday.... about half way into the run, i was struggling a bit to keep a quick cadence when paddling to get on a wave. We had some choppy 1-3' waves, good glides to be had, but harder to get the more miles i put on. Today my second SIC F14 came in, so i was talking paddles while i was there. I found out several of the guys i really look up to for their racing skills and all around knowledge of the sport, have switched to a smaller, 85 sq inch blade size.

Wow 2 SICs, we can't get SICs here in Australia !!!!!

Uuuuuuuhhhmmmmmm..................AUS4 were you being serious?
Of course you can get SIC gear here.

Ha ha I've been waiting since March !!! And there's still nothing on the horizon..

Own the 74 wiki, and the 84 ho'oloa. Wiki great for surfing, prefer the ho'oloa for flat water. X tuft shaft easier on the shoulder.

JohnnyMaya - You will be a Monstah on your speeed with the high cadence Wiki 74!

AUS4 said...

excav8ter said..

spirit4earth said...

excav8ter said..
I have been using a Werner Nytro for a couple of years now. I like it for flat water, but i also use it for downwinders as well. I am 46 years old and 6'4" tall. I have had one rotator cuff repaired, and my other one is getting a bit worse. So because of the wear and tear on my shoulders i just got back from picking up a NEW Quick Blade Trifecta. I believe it's an 85 sq inch paddle. I am super excited to try it out tomorrow. VERY light weight.

I haven't been paddling long, but I exchanged my Nitro M for a Nitro S. I need to do all I can to protect my worn out shoulders.
That Trifecta is way out of my price range! Looking forward to a report on it!

I'll try to report back tomorrow night. I had thrthe chance to do a couple DW runs that were about 10 miles each last Saturday and Monday.... about half way into the run, i was struggling a bit to keep a quick cadence when paddling to get on a wave. We had some choppy 1-3' waves, good glides to be had, but harder to get the more miles i put on. Today my second SIC F14 came in, so i was talking paddles while i was there. I found out several of the guys i really look up to for their racing skills and all around knowledge of the sport, have switched to a smaller, 85 sq inch blade size.

Wow 2 SICs, we can't get SICs here in Australia !!!!!

Yeah... 2 SIC F14's.... it wasn't easy to find the second one. But my local store came through. I was ready to pull the trigger on a Naish glide, but i had a $1,200 credit at my local store where i buy all my stuff. So when he said he found one i said order it. And i'll pay the difference. It came with a small scratch in the nose, so it was discounted by a fair amount. I am really happy with the F14. Now my 18 year old son and i have identical boards for DW runs and surfing small waves together.

Spirit - The Nitro is considered high aspect which refers to the ratio between the width and the length. High aspect paddles are longer and thinner Werner, Trifecta, some Starboards.

For long life I suspect it is hard to go past the X tuff shaft.....regardless of what blade size you chuck on the end of it
I see people saying "that paddle is too expensive"....but "cheap" paddle purchases often end up in "my paddle snapped and I had to buy another" scenarios