I am going to order a new Werner SUP paddle because I made the mistake of using my friends  and now I can’t go back!  My friend has the Grand Prix with a small blade which was awesome.  My question is over bent shaft or straight shaft for SUP racing.  Everything about the bent shaft makes sense but yet no one really seems to be using one!  Thoughts?

Anonymous, Canada

Answer: It is interesting to see that your friend has a small blade. That certainly seems to be the trend these days. Many stand up paddle racers are using a smaller blade to allow them to keep the turn over going while racing. Unless you are built like the incredible hulk, our general recommendation is that use a smaller blade and “spin” rather than push a big paddle. Athletes coming from an endurance background in another sport also find that this allows them to better utilize their engine to help compete with the native paddlers.  Most paddlers are using a 90-100 blade with some going as small as 80. Some of us (including Jenny Kalmbach who is racing distance races with an 83)  are currently experimenting with these smaller blades and will let you know what we find. The one exception in the group is Chuck Glynn. He powers along like a tank and uses a variety of paddle face sizes depending on the length of  the race.  He uses a big 130 for sprints, a 110 for races less than 5 miles, and a 100  for long distance races.  If you have ever seen Chuck paddle, he can handle these larger blade faces as he maintains a very high stroke rate with these larger blades.

Another trend we are seeing is racers going a little shorter on the paddle length.  The shorter paddle allows you to maintain a higher cadence/stroke rate and takes pressure off your shoulders. Paddlers are advised, however, that your paddle length must fit your SUP race board. If you have a racing board and a different training board you are likely going to need two different paddles to match the height of your boards.

As for the bent shaft, we have tried them and it is our impression that we do not get as much power as we do with a straight shaft.  (NOTE: we do not have any scientific data to support our opinion on this)  We feel that the bent paddle shaft  gets you more reach at the beginning of the stroke but much of your power comes later in the stroke. Our feeling is that you lose a little bit of power when it counts later in the stroke. If you stop pulling at your hip at the end of the stroke and you are using a bent paddle, you are losing that last 6-8 inches of power unless you pull further. Pulling further, however, is not recommended because you will start to twist and your board will not track straight. Additionally, we feel that bent shaft paddles are specialty items that must be fit to the individual paddler. If you are going to get a bent shaft paddle make sure you purchase it from someone who can help you with your paddle fit.

Although we have gone back to a straight shaft because we feel that it gives us more power in SUP racing, that does not mean that a straight shaft is good for everyone. We are told by our injured friends that the bent shaft can be a lifesaver with wrist, elbow, and shoulder injuries. If you all into this category, we would consider a bent shaft. It is better to be not injured and racing with a little less power than injured watching from the beach.

*Currently our AUA team all use straight shaft, carbon, Quickblade paddles except Chuck Glynn who is hammering away on the competition with his straight shaft Laird Stand Up paddles of varying size.

Roch, George, Don, Jenny, Chuck, John, and Darbs.