If you want to get out on the water with your paddle board, you need a suitable paddle.
While you like to spend a lot of time in the research of the right paddle board itself, this unfortunately often comes too short for the paddle.
Yet the paddle is the most important instrument on the paddle board.
Here, too, at least as much time should be invested in the search for the right paddle to make the paddle tour a real pleasure.
Not all paddles are the same. With a paddle unsuitable for its needs and size, the paddling experience can be unnecessarily clouded and the experience falls short of expectations.
When choosing the right paddle, there are three key parameters in particular that should be considered when making a purchase decision:
- Paddle length
- Type of paddle (fixed or adjustable)
- Material
If it goes to the advanced level, the paddle blade size will also play a role. In this list, we’ll briefly introduce you to the best SUP paddles and give you some tips on choosing the right paddle below.
Table of Contents
Best SUP Paddles
- Material: AQUBONA SUP Paddle made of 100% carbon fiber,...
- Easy To Carry: The paddle is very lightweight...
- Exqusite Design: The all-carbon fiber structure...
- Easily Adjustable: It is adjustable from 71.25 to 87.4...
- 3K CARBON PERFORMANCE WITH RUGGED DURABILITY: Our...
- QUICK-ADJUST PADDLE LENGTH: Flex your paddle power!...
- ANTI-TWIST CHANNEL SYSTEM: Tired of 3 piece carbon...
- 3 PIECE, TRAVEL READY: Experience the ultimate...
- 【Ideal Paddleboard Paddles】The THURSO SURF Stand Up...
- 【Kayak Paddle Convertible】One of the most unique...
- 【Tear-Drop Blade Shape】THURSO SURF Carbon hybrid...
- 【Effortless Assembly】This standup paddle is a 3...
- 【DURABLE&LIGHTWEIGHT】 This 3-pieces Adjustable...
- 【WIDE-APPLICABILITY】 The length of the paddle can...
- 【HIGH EFFICIENCY】 With a width of 7.9 inches(20cm),...
- 【EASY TO FLOAT】 All 3pieces of the paddle are...
- 3 piece adjustable SUP paddle with carry bag.
- Features a carbon fiber shaft and fiberglass foam core...
- Ergonomic carbon grip and ferrule offer 16" of length...
- Lightweight - 2.2 lbs
- 3 piece adjustable SUP paddle with carry bag.
- A carbon fiber shaft and fiberglass foam core blade for...
- Ergonomic carbon grip and ferrule offer 16" of length...
- Lightweight - 2.2 lbs, Connect 2 pcs as canoe paddle,...
- DESIGNED AND BUILT TO LAST: Made of carbon fiber shaft...
- STIFF FIBERGLASS REINFORCED NYLON BLADE: The UV-stable...
- CARBON SHAFT WITH ANTI SLIP HANDLE: Carbon fiber shaft...
- DETATCHABLE WITH FREE BAG: Adjustable from 67’’ to...
- FIBERGLASS+POLYPROPYLENE BLADE: With 40% fiberglass...
- CARBON SHAFT: The carbon shaft contributes to the light...
- ADJUSTABLE: Can be assembled and adjusted easily from...
- PREMIUM PADDLE BAG: All paddles come with a free travel...
- Material: AQUBONA SUP Paddle made of 100% carbon fiber,...
- Easy To Carry: The paddle is very lightweight...
- Exqusite Design: The all-carbon fiber structure...
- Easily Adjustable: It is adjustable from 69.7 to 90.6...
- Carbon Fiber Hybrid Performance. Constructed with 30%...
- Easily Adjustable. Can be assembled and adjusted from...
- Light and Portable. Weighing only 1.57 lb. (25 oz)...
- Perfect Blade Size. With a blade 90sq in. it is...
- FIBERGLASS+POLYPROPYLENE BLADE: The fiberglass and PP...
- CARBON SHAFT: The carbon composite shaft contributes to...
- ADJUSTABLE: Can be assembled and adjusted easily from...
- PREMIUM PADDLE BAG: All paddles come with a free travel...
- PERFECT FOR ALL PADDLERS: May it be you’re a...
- QUALITY BLADE DESIGN: With this paddle blade’s...
- FULLY ADJUSTABLE: This paddle includes a lever-locked...
- DURABLE AND LIGHTWEIGHT: Constructed with carbon fiber...
- Full Carbon Fiber Shaft: Full carbon fiber shaft and...
- Meets Most Paddling Needs: 10° degrees offset for...
- 3 Pieces for Portable: The paddle can be assembled and...
- Exquisite Parts: 360°rotating adjustable screw for...
- Made with an ABS edge blade and consisting of a 3 piece...
- Total Length: 66″ - 86″
- Weight: 30 oz
- Blade Dimensions: 16″ L × 8.5″ W Blade Shape:...
How to Adjust the Optimal Paddle Length
If you are too short or too tall for the paddle, optimal progress is hardly possible because you cannot guide your paddle properly.
The paddle has the right length when the heel of the hand can lie relaxed over the pommel. To do this, stand upright and place the paddle vertically in front of your feet. The arm is stretched, but still remains relaxed. If the wrist can rest on the paddle handle and the hand can hang relaxed over it, the paddle has the right length.
Alternatively, you can use the classic rule of thumb and add 20 cm (9-10 inches) to your height. If you are 180 cm (5’11”) tall, the paddle should be 200 cm (80-81”) long.
The Type of Paddle – Fixed vs. Height Adjustable
When it comes to paddle types, a distinction is made between fixed (fixed paddle) and vario (height-adjustable paddle).
A fixed paddle cannot be adjusted in height. Here, you should be sure beforehand that the length is the right one for your body size. Professionals prefer fixed paddles because the joints of adjustable ones cause a slight loss of power. However, these are so minimal that they are really only felt by professionals.
A vario paddle can be adjusted in height at the shaft and thus optimally adapted to one’s own body size. This makes the paddle usable for several people, from small to tall. Most height-adjustable paddles can also be disassembled into two to three segments, which makes them very practical to transport and easy to store in the board bag.
Height-adjustable paddles are not only more flexible in use but also usually cheaper than fixed ones, which is why we like to recommend them in total to all paddlers outside the professional field.
Different Materials for SUP Paddles
The material of the SUP paddle has an impact on its weight. The heavier a paddle is, the faster fatigue threatens on longer tours. High-quality materials such as carbon or GRP (glass fiber reinforced plastic, also known as fiberglass) make the paddle much lighter than heavier aluminum models, but also quite a bit more expensive.
Aluminum
Aluminum paddles are often part of complete sets for beginners. This is because they are quite inexpensive to purchase at under 100 pounds, but still very stable and robust. For beginners, aluminum paddles are a very good choice, because they do not take small shocks badly.
- Perfect for kids – Adjustable for maximum control and...
- Durable construction – 2 pieces Aluminium shaft –...
- This paddle for youth has a T-Grip for maximum comfort...
- Adjustable between 140 - 180 cm / 55-70 in
- DURABLE&FLOATING: It is built with a 3-piece strong...
- ADJUSTABLE &LIGHTWEIGHT: It weighs only 1.88 lbs...
- PORTABLE: It's very portable and suitable for traveling...
- HIGH COST-PERFORMANCE: The Karltion 3-Piece Adjustable...
- INNOVATIVE DESIGN - This paddle board paddle for kids...
- FLOATING & ADJUSTABLE - This 3-piece kids paddleboard...
- ASSEMBLE & DISASSEMBLE - Double locking device paddle...
- SUBTLE DETAILS - 304 stainless steel adjustable screw...
The aluminum paddles are the heaviest among the paddles. They usually range between 900 and 1200 grams (31-42 ounces). Therefore, long tours with aluminum paddles are a bit more burdensome after a certain point.
The rather high weight also ensures that most aluminum paddles are not floatable. Therefore, when buying such a paddle, you should make sure that it survives a fall into the water for a certain time on the water surface, otherwise it threatens to sink, and the paddle is gone.
GRP – Glass-Fiber Reinforced Plastic (Fiberglass)
Paddles made of glass-fiber reinforced plastic (GRP) can also be recognized by the designation fiberglass. Fiberglass paddles are very durable and weigh about 700 to 900 grams (24-31 ounces) less than aluminum paddles. This makes long tours much easier than with aluminum paddles.
Their light weight makes fiberglass paddles buoyant. So you can easily rescue them in case of a fall into the water. The lightweight composite material makes the paddle a little more expensive to buy at about 100 to 150 pounds.
- 3K CARBON PERFORMANCE WITH RUGGED DURABILITY: Our...
- QUICK-ADJUST PADDLE LENGTH: Flex your paddle power!...
- ANTI-TWIST CHANNEL SYSTEM: Tired of 3 piece carbon...
- 3 PIECE, TRAVEL READY: Experience the ultimate...
- Length Adjustement: Easy height adjustment paddle. This...
- Ergonomic Handle: The new handle gives you a softer and...
- Strong And Durable: This paddle is made with a strong...
- Lightweight: Due to the quality of the materials used,...
Carbon
Carbon paddles form the royal class among paddles. They are preferred above all by professionals. Carbon refers to a plastic matrix made of carbon fibers and epoxy resin. This high-quality processing makes the paddle extremely stiff and at the same time ultra-light weight, with about 500 to 600 grams (17-21 ounces).
Carbon paddles impress with their performance. With such a paddle, you can reach higher speeds with the same effort as with a heavier paddle. However, carbon paddles are more susceptible to impacts and scratches than aluminum or fiberglass paddles. The high performance due to the ultra-light weight makes the carbon paddle the most expensive among the paddles.
- FEATHERLIGHT, ALL 12K CARBON PADDLE: Built for ultimate...
- ADJUST PADDLE LENGTH TO SHARE IN SECONDS: Want to share...
- ANTI-TWIST CHANNEL SYSTEM: Tired of 3 piece SUP paddles...
- RUGGED 3-COMPARTMENT ADVENTURE PADDLE BAG INCLUDED: Our...
- Material: AQUBONA SUP Paddle made of 100% carbon fiber,...
- Easy To Carry: The paddle is very lightweight...
- Exqusite Design: The all-carbon fiber structure...
- Easily Adjustable: It is adjustable from 71.25 to 87.4...
- Full Carbon Fiber Shaft: Full carbon fiber shaft and...
- Meets Most Paddling Needs: 10° degrees offset for...
- 3 Pieces for Portable: The paddle can be assembled and...
- Exquisite Parts: 360°rotating adjustable screw for...
2-Component Paddles
In so-called 2-component paddles, the shaft is often made of carbon, but the paddle blade is made of plastic.
This makes the paddle not quite as expensive as a pure carbon paddle, and also more robust against shocks or impacts. The 2-component paddles are, like the aluminum or fiberglass paddles, well recommended for beginners.
Guide: The Most Important Questions About SUP Paddles
How Do You Hold a Sup Paddle Correctly?
The correct position of the paddle is the be-all and end-all of Paddle Boarding. Not only the safe stand on the paddle board, but also the optimal, targeted and stable driving behavior is influenced by the paddle posture.
First, care must be taken to ensure that the paddle is held the right way up overall. The front of the paddle blade is the one exposed to water resistance. So if you place your paddle vertically in front of you, the outward curvature will face you. Often, the back side can also be recognized by the fact that the brand logo is placed here.
The whole thing can also be easily imagined using a spoon. The curvature that touches your tongue on a spoon is the front of the SUP paddle, which faces you when you place the paddle vertically in front of you. If the T-handle or pommel is ergonomic and properly attached or permanently installed on the shaft, it too will provide the proper orientation.
Beginners often ignore the handle of the paddle and also grip the upper part of the paddle on the shaft. The handle is there to provide optimal blade control through even pressure and to be able to guide the paddle stably. Therefore, you place your hand on the handle and completely enclose it with it while the other (lower) hand grips the shaft.
The paddle is dipped into the water only with the paddle blade, the shaft remains outside. After immersion, pull the paddle backward, working out from the hull. The water should not only be stroked on the surface with the paddle, but should move us well forward.
To do this, the side of the body with which you hold the paddle handle is pulled forward at an angle and down and back at the same time to fully immerse the paddle blade.
Do not move with too much momentum, otherwise there is a risk of wobbling. It is important, especially in the beginning, to make the paddling movements slow overall. Later, when you are more stable on the paddle board, you can do the whole thing more forcefully.
To prevent the paddle from fluttering and to ensure a stable straight line, you should make sure that the paddle strokes are as close as possible to the paddle board.
If you dive in too far away from the board, you will quickly lack the strength to control the paddle blade so that you can move forward safely and stably. Just don’t pull the paddle too close to the board to avoid damaging the sidewalls.
After two to eight paddle strokes, switch sides and grip the paddle handle with your other hand. Again, make sure to move slowly so it doesn’t get wobbly on the paddle board, and also take the time to make sure you are holding the paddle properly again after the change.
How Heavy Should a Sup Paddle be?
The weight of a paddle depends on the performance you want to achieve on your paddle. For beginners, the somewhat heavier, sturdier and less expensive aluminum paddles are worthwhile, since they are not yet going on such long tours in the beginning and the weight is not too much of an issue.
But even among the aluminum paddles, there are differences in weight. Between 900 and 1200 grams (31-42 ounces) you can find everything. None of them is really wrong, because even with 1200 grams you can make good progress as a beginner. However, paddles up to 1000 grams are recommended, so that it does not become unnecessarily heavy, and you also get the buoyancy of the paddle in addition.
If you move in the advanced range, you will reach for the ultra-light carbon paddles of 500 to 600 grams (17-21 ounces). With these, you can reach high speeds and save a few hundred kilograms of weight on long trips, which you would have to add up to on long trips with aluminum paddles.
Should Beginners Buy a Carbon SUP Paddle?
Carbon SUP paddles are usually aimed at professionals. This is because they are quite expensive due to their high-quality workmanship combined with the very low weight, and carbon is a bit more sensitive to shocks and scratches. Particularly beginners who have not yet practiced handling a paddle, small mishaps can happen quickly, which of course then hurts the wallet.
In addition, it is not necessarily important for initial attempts that a paddle is ultra-light. The weight is especially noticeable on long tours.
Professionals paddle with a carbon paddle for several hours and attach importance to consistent speed through light weight, which does not drain the strength in the long run. These are factors that are usually not so important to beginners.
Nevertheless, even beginners will enjoy a carbon paddle. If you are willing to dig deeper into your pocket to get started, a carbon paddle is also a good choice for your first paddling experience.
What Blade Size Should a SUP Paddle Have?
There is no general answer to what blade size a paddle should have. Here, too, it depends on various factors that are decisive in the selection of the blade size. These include the body size of the paddler, the riding level and the corresponding use (e.g. touring, racing or wave).
Basically, the larger the paddle blade, the greater the water resistance. So you have to use more power with larger paddle blades, but you will make faster progress. Larger and stronger riders can therefore make good use of large paddle blades.
Smaller and lighter persons should rather choose smaller paddle blades in order to be able to meet the required effort. In return, however, you have to paddle faster for the same amount of progress.
On the market you can find mostly smaller paddle blades in the size 70 to 80 inches. It is recommended to choose the paddle blade in this size range, but not over 85 to maximum 90 inches. With this, you can still tour well as a hobbyist. Only racers or very strong riders should go for 85 inches upwards.
Do SUP Paddles Float?
Buoyancy is an important factor when it comes to paddles. If the paddle ever falls into the water, it can be rescued that way.
However, if the paddle is too heavy, it will quickly sink. Therefore, not all paddles are buoyant. Especially the heavier aluminum models above 1000 grams (35 ounces) lose buoyancy and you most likely have to say goodbye to them if they fell into the water.
Lighter aluminum paddles may well float on the water surface for a few seconds, depending on the model. Fiberglass and carbon paddles are all usually buoyant due to their nature and you have plenty of time to retrieve them from the water.
If you still decide to use a heavy aluminum paddle, you can also make them buoyant. You can find a suitable article here.
Should the SUP Paddle Be Two-Piece or Three-Piece?
The dismountability of a paddle does have advantages. A three-piece paddle fits into most paddle board bags and does not have to be transported separately. In addition, a one-piece paddle cannot be flexibly adjusted to the corresponding body size.
The advantage of a one-piece paddle over two- or three-piece is clearly the weight. The more segments a paddle can be divided into, the heavier it becomes. This can add up to 200 grams (7 ounces) between a one-piece and a three-piece paddle with the same material.
If the SUP paddle is three-piece, you must therefore pay particular attention that a lightweight material such as fiberglass or better carbon is used.
If you choose the triple dismantling, you should definitely pay attention to the robustness of the connections. If you have skimped on quality here, the shaft will be too unstable and the paddle will flutter. In addition, a promised floatability can suffer if water penetrates through poorly processed connections and the paddle quickly becomes additionally heavier in the water.
FAQ
How Long Should a SUP Paddle Be?
A paddle blade must have the right length adapted to your own body size. Only then you can guide the paddle optimally. The rule of thumb here is your own height plus 20 cm (8-9”). The paddle has the right length when the outstretched arm is relaxed against the paddle handle, while the wrist is placed loosely on it and the heel of the hand can still hang over it. Learn more about SUP paddles.
How Do You Hold a SUP Paddle?
With a SUP paddle, its back side always faces forward. That is, the front is the side that is exposed to water resistance. If you hold up the SUP paddle vertically in front of you, the curve (front) points towards your body. Learn more about SUP paddles.
Are Sup Double Paddles Worth It?
SUP double paddles can be worth it if you plan to use the paddle for kayaking, for example, in addition to paddle boarding. Double paddles can be easily converted from the SUP paddle by replacing the handle with a second paddle blade. So if you have a kayak in addition to the paddle board, or a paddle board on which a seat can be attached, a double paddle is well worth it. For paddling exclusively while standing, a stand-up paddle with only one paddle blade is perfectly sufficient. Learn more about SUP paddles.
Conclusion
Especially if you want to dare first attempts on the paddle board, the choice of the right paddle is as much a small science of its own as the choice of the paddle board itself. In the beginning, a two-piece and height-adjustable aluminum paddle with ideally up to 1000 grams (2.2 pounds) is a very good choice.
Later, when you are more experienced and also ready to invest more money in a paddle, especially to go on longer tours with lasting pleasure, it is worth researching among the slightly more expensive but lighter fiberglass paddles.
As a beginner, you don’t necessarily have to look around among the expensive ultra-lightweights made of carbon. If you are not afraid of the price, you will enjoy a carbon paddle even at the beginning.
have his joy.
