Kialoa Paddles were very impressive at the show. The shaft is oval like C4, but smaller in diameter. The grip should be less tiring on the hands. Less chance of developing carpal tunnel. The carbon in the shaft looked cross woven, like the old Dynafiber windsurfing mast. Those were great masts. The Kialoa shaft has a lot of flex. I love flex.
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The face of these paddles are dead flat. No dihedral. I was stoked about that. The few paddles I have used with dihedral stunk in my opinion. I prefer flat, so I was stoked they feel the same way about blade design. Kialoa prefer the T handle because you can hook your thumb around it and get a more powerful grip. I agree, the T handle feels very secure and nice.
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It was cool to meet Mel himself. Mel was stoked to finally have his paddle design in production. Everyone (Mel, Austin, Blane) were stoked to be able to have this paddle. The surprise for me was how small the blade was. Mel is a BIG guy. I have decided to order Mel's paddle and see what the experts are all stoked about. It will be a big change from my current paddle. I need to upgrade my paddle and paddle skills anyway.
The floral pattern on the paddle blade looks awesome. Way cooler than the photos reveal. The floral pattern is a must have option.
It was cool to meet Mel himself. Mel was stoked to finally have his paddle design in production. Everyone (Mel, Austin, Blane) were stoked to be able to have this paddle. The surprise for me was how small the blade was. Mel is a BIG guy. I have decided to order Mel's paddle and see what the experts are all stoked about. It will be a big change from my current paddle. I need to upgrade my paddle and paddle skills anyway.
The floral pattern on the paddle blade looks awesome. Way cooler than the photos reveal. The floral pattern is a must have option.
8 comments:
which paddle are you going to get and how long over your head? i've decided that i like longer more than shorter -- like 10" or 12" over.
The paddle is use now is 8" over my head. I started at 12", then 10" now 8". I noticed as my "surfing" skills improved over the summer, my paddle got shorter.
I'm going for the Shaka PU'U paddle. Because this blade is much smaller than what I ride now, I'll probably cut it 10" over my head and test it before going to 8".
thanks. i'm thinking of getting one too. do you know how much shipping is to the e.c.?
Kialoa paddles are made in Oregon, so shipping is cheap. Maybe $15.00 or less. Paddles ship ground fine, you just can't order one from Hawaii or shipping will break the bank.
I have sold (EBay) and shipped several of my old paddles using FedEx ground for about $15.
good to know about continental u.s. shipping. money saved is money ... spent elsewhere.
if you're still reading this thread ... the kialoa site has a shipping estimator and it's about $30 to RI. also, in your talks with the guys at the expo, did they say they could send you an uncut paddle to cut yourself? the way it seems at the site, you pick a length and they cut it and attach the handle for you.
I know for a fact paddles ship for $15-20 using my FedEx ground account.
I ordered mine uncut.
I ordered through www.gopaddlesurf.com
Give them a call. The owner just placed a large order with them.
cool. thanks.
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