Here’s what $9.95 got me at the local job lot store:
Not bad: all aluminum shaft, nifty compression joint for the two halves of the shaft, etc. But it’s the blade that I’m thinking about – whether I should attack it with a Dremel or a saw and modify it somehow for better SUP usage. It’s 17" long and 7" wide, which I guess is not ideal but it is what it is. Any ideas about whether I should just use as-is or maybe give it a tear-drop shape or what? Thanks!
What kind of SUP do you plan on doing and how often (flat water/surf/conditions) ? Also what sort of board are you using?
You paddle will work ok but make sure you try some real SUP paddles to compare.
When I started I made a crappy aluminum/plastic paddle just like that and used an old tandem board. Sure, I could paddle and catch some waves but it is soooo much nicer with a paddle made specifically for SUP. Looking back I wish I had started with the right equipment but at the time there wasn’t much around. Today it’s a much different story.
Search the threads for some of the wood paddles the other members have made - some are very nice. If you are looking to buy one you don’t have to go carbon - there are some nice wood ones available for around two bills. Ditto with the board - you want at least 27" wide. Tandem boards are made for tandem surfing and the rocker on that type of craft is not going to help you. Also, a big guy longboard is not a stand-up board.
yoou will know
so much more
after you go
the real score
wood
is
good
while the glue dries
plastic
is fantastic
low dige vestment
yes cut it off shorter
on the blade
grinder is cool
propane is shaping access
to a cupping blade contour
dont catch it afire
slow heating
keep the heat source
moving dont stop too long in one place…
O’ adventure in the work shop
wear a mask or work out side in a breeze.
…ambrose…
I agree with Chris, sometimes you just gotta sack up and pull the trigger on the fun…
When I started, I made my own board (thank you swaylocks) and my own paddle
Just a dowel rod from gaunalts and some 1/4 ply wood foiled and glassed, cost me about 4 bucks.
Ive paddles a bunch of different stuff, and somehow this crappy thing keeps coming back into my hands… what can you do? I still gets the job done and is my beater, loaner paddle. I can leave it on the beach for the jog back to the car, and not worry too much. The aluminum/plastic route kinda scares me… go wood, its good!