I have both.. IMO.. The Methane is the better paddle for sure.. It's a classic.. But I find myself using the Insanity more and more.. If you are rough on your gear and knock your stuff around the Insanity is way more durable.

Have you seen this? www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/Review/Paddling-with-Insanity/

My Insanity has a round shaft.. To me what I love the most about Kialoa is the oval shaft.. I'm not sure that the insanity is even available yet.. or if there will be an oval shaft option.. The Insanity would be a great white water or river paddle where hitting rocks is common.. The Methane feels more powerful and likes to be dragged, and leaned on and on my downwinders I'm always dragging my paddle.. So.. if it's for downwinding I'd definitely choose the Methane.. The blade strengthening ridge top and bottom on the Insanity makes smooth dragging of the blade a bit catchy.. It's a shame you can't demo both.. I think the Insanity is more of a light weight and cheaper option that's aimed more at entry level paddlers... But it feels very nice to paddle with (the Insanity).. It's smooth to pull through the water.. The blade construction gives you the ability to reshape the outline of the blade and make it even smaller if you want to.. where on a foam core carbon/glass blade this is not really do'able.. Another good option is the new Hulu or Hulu Small.. The Hulu Small is my faverite paddle right now,. btw.. How heavy are you?

i couldn't see it on the kialoa site and the only other google mentions are here on the breeze. DJ, what do you know about it's availablity

pete

I have had the methane for about 8 months, mostly used it in surf and a bit of flat water. I am very hard on it, have bashed it into the board heaps, and love the oval shaft. I am no expert by any means, but it is by far the best paddle I have used and is incredibly light yet strong.

Kialoa must be a little slow to update their site because I'm pretty sure the Hulu Small is now available.. Four of the local girls have ordered them so I'll ask them when they are expecting them.. btw.. The Hulu.. Hulu Light.. and Hulu Small are all different paddles.. I think the Hulu is slightly bigger than the Methane or about the same.. and the Hulu Small is a fair bit smaller.. But it's very powerful for its size.. I raced with mine today and after a friend used it and he's bigger than me (I'm 6'4" and 95kg) and he loved it and didn't find it too small at all.. Just found out that they are officially not available till the 1st of January so that's why they are not on their site yet.

and there's this.. www.paddlemonster.com/2013/10/30/gear-review-kialoa-hulu-and-hulu-small-paddles/

Have emailed them last month, the new paddles will be officially available through the website in January 2014, they now have a sale through their website. I am interested in their Hulu and Methane as well. Also interested in the new racepaddle from Naish which has a long type of blade surface as well (high cadence).
Cheers, Hans.