I am hesitant on which one is the right orientation for the T grip. The Kialoa paddles come with a T grip that is asymmetrical so one side is straight and the other has a curve. I am not sure if the curve should fit the palm or the fingers. Which one of the 2 options is the best? I found that fitting the fingers is more comfortable but it seems that Kialoa recommends making the curved size fit the palm as it is shown on this tutorial on how to glue it to the paddle: http://www.kialoa.com/documents/t-topSUPWEBphotoguide.pdf

have kialoa paddle also for over a year now just changed t grip to opposite of what it was, now curved to fingers love it, had it like this for past 3 weeks both in the surf and flat paddling cant believe didnt try sooner, guess was on the "Merry Go Round" and couldnt get off

You can put it anyway you like.. Casso once put his backwards once (by mistake) and liked it.. so did Lummers.. I have tried it the other way (backwards) and for me it just feels wrong.. To me it's like those who have their racing bicycle handle bars upside down and back the front.. or their seat at a steep weird angle and you can suggest how it should be and they often just reply saying they like it that way (mostly because they're used to it).. I once saw a guy with his helmet on backwards.. I was embarrassed for him.. I told him.. and he said he knows and likes to wear it that way.. So.. Sometimes it's best to just say nothing..

DJ

I just tried it today on the water and it feels good. Like if the fingers can bend way more than your palm, since they can adapt more to a curved surface and then you can grab it more firmly.

Just a thought to expand on the previous post, your fingers aren't actually doing anything, just briefly holding the paddle during changes.

Your palm is supporting all of the load of the paddle generated by your arms, legs and torso as you pull the shaft. It makes more sense to have the comfortable side into your palm.

Of course, whatever floats your boat is fine.

Simondo said...

(Slightly off Topic)
CMC, how is your "Wood & Carbon" paddle going ?? Is it durable, and stiff enough, etc. Have you been using it ??

Production hit a small hitch. I gave it back to its owner for filler coating and sanding. It is still in the filler coat stage.

I knew I should have just kept it. Still feels very light and with the flex test of body weight on the ground very stiff as well. Thanks for reminding me, I will get it back when he returns and finish it off. I really want to surf with it.

CMC said...

The point to the curve towards your palm other than just comfort to your palm is that as your top comes down and across your body as you untwist and pull yourself towards the paddle the curved t-piece allows the palm of your hand to have a more relaxed angle to the top of the paddle and blade direction. If you are using a flat surface this twists your wrist and breaks the power of the stroke for you to keep any hold to the t-piece.

This is hard to explain and unless you are keeping your paddle vertical throughout the stroke on both planes for as long as possible probably not an issue anyway.

i'm with cmc and gorgo on this one. i can't see you getting a good release from the water with handle backwards. the handle almost rolls in the palm of your hand as you 'flick' the paddle out of the water. it's not going to roll that well with bends into your palm. personally, if i have to grip the handle with my fingers- i'm doing it wrong.that flicking action combines with a swing of the paddle to the next stroke. however if you are more 'lifting' the paddle out of the water and are happy with that, then i don't think the handle position would be a factor
cheers