I have always used a Werner Carbon Fiber paddle. I noticed that a Naish paddle had a smaller diameter shaft. I didn’t get a chance to try it but I am curious as to whether the female SUP racers notice a difference in shaft diameter and if they tend to go with the smaller diameter

-Cynthia, USA

For the answer to this question we  contacted Jenny Kalmbach . The short story is that Jenny says you should go for it. The fact of the matter is that Jenny has been using small diameter shaft paddles for years. Previously Jenny had wood paddles custom made with smaller diameter shafts. Currently, Jenny is using the elite carbon flyweight paddle from Quickblade . She does not have enough experience with the Naish paddle you mention to offer a comment about it but she did mention that other paddlers she knows are happy with the Naish paddles*.

It is probably also worth noting that the paddle Jenny uses has an 83 blade face. We do not know what you are currently using but chances are that it is larger than an 83. The smaller blade face will allow you to have a higher turnover and you might find that you like it better than your old paddle. Although there is controversy about the following point, we are seeing a trend toward paddlers using a smaller blade face than was customary in the past.  There is a misconception that a larger blade face means more speed. Any guy using a 90 or 100 or larger blade face who was dropped by Jenny at last years Battle of the Paddle will tell you  the same. Remember,  a larger blade face is only beneficial if you can handle it. You need to match the blade face to your strength, ability, and paddle cadence at which you are most comfortable. Quickblade also makes a paddle with the 92 blade face with  the smaller diameter shaft if you think that the 83 is too small for you*.

Truth be told, we even see a market for smaller blade faces on standard diameter shafts. If we had our way, we would like to see manufacturers make small blade face paddles as training tools to allow for high cadence training and as rehabilitation tools for paddlers coming back from shoulder injuries or surgery.

Vendors are you listening?  How about an 83 blade face on a standard diameter paddle shaft?

Roch, Jenny, and Matt

*NOTE: Riding bumps did not receive payment from any vendors mentioned in this answer.