Surftech-Hawaii had a “Demo Day” today at Kewalo Basin. They must have had at least thirty boards, including short boards, long boards, and paddleboards. I only found out about this event by accident as I was getting out of the water at 8:30 a.m. and the Surftech crew was setting up and unpacking all of their boards. I didn’t get to try any surf boards but I did take out a “Joe Bark” 14 feet long paddleboard. I normally paddle an Outrigger Connections, Steven Ing 12’, stock paddleboard. the hull and deck of the Joe Bark board is noticeably thicker and heavier than the OC board. The Bark paddleboard seemed more stable than the OC board, probably due to the Bark’s flatter and wider hull. There was also a 12’ stock Joe Bark board but I did not try it.
I also tried one of the new Surftech carbon fiber SUP paddles. The crew says the paddles are designed by Laird Hamilton. I also inquired about the Laird Hamilton SUP board but they’re not due out for another week. There are two models of Surftech SUP paddles, one made entirely of carbon fiber, and a less costly paddle with a carbon fiber blade and grip, and a fiberglass shaft. It looked like both paddle blades were about 8.5 inches wide, had 10 degree bends, and slightly ovaled shafts. The grips were “T-grip” designed with symetrically tapered ends. One flaw in the design of the paddle is that the grip to shaft connection is very rough. While holding the paddle, you can feel the sharp edge of the shaft end. The grip seemed to be just inserted into the shaft, glued in place, with the end of the shaft tube left sharp and un-tapered.
Prices for both paddles will probably be under $300. Surftech will retail through their dealers. For now I’d probably stick to making my own paddles and have fun experimenting with different blade shapes and paddle angles.
The reps at the demo were probably just guessing at the retail paddle prices. They gotta smooth out the connection between the grip and the shaft if they’re going to ask $275 and $350 for the paddles.
Balsa, I wish I knew you a few years back when I made a couple of trips to France. We worked out of the base at Istres, but drove the whole coastline from Barcelona to Monaco, and rode the Bullet train to Paris.
Uncle D, I’ve seen some locally made stand up paddles other than the 100% carbon models. All wood ones at Island Paddler, and at a new shop in Aina Haina. Might be a market for your wood/carbon paddles. How hard is it to make a composite blade? I’m just starting another paddle. I haven’t laminated the blades to the shaft yet. I was just going to make it all from wood.
Is this the one? If it is its a Carbon Copy (Pun intended) of Todd Bradleys old paddles from last year. It was his first batch and he has since improved them a lot. I remember him telling me he left a few with the guys on Maui… My honest opinion on it is that’s a quick and simple way to make a buck. Send something to China to get copied, slap your logo on it and voila, you are now a paddle maker too… I was told long ago that this industry is Cut-Throat. Lately I’ve been seeing plenty things that are just that… Oh well, its still more fun then most other jobs I’ve done…
Okay you guys are lighting a fire under my butt now. I want to make a more Polynesian tear drop blade, wood carbon paddle. I’ll start mid January and I’ll post here.
Aloha, Mokulele. What about another trip to France but on the right side, I mean the one with waves?
(Wow, I’m gonna make some friends in the Marseille area there… They actually do get some ripples now and then…) I reckon you were (are) in the air forces if working in the base at Istres, right? Anyway, if ever you come again, let’s get in touch, OK?
Although I don’t pretend to be buddies with him, Laird seems to be a stand up guy (pardon the pun). I am led to believe he doesn’t put his name on anything unless he believes in it and has a hand in it personally. I am a friend of a guy who care-takes Laird’s house and uses Laird’s equipment for teaching lessons here on Maui. A few days ago I did go out on Laird’s new (not for sale yet) stand up board under the Oxbow label and designed by a partnership with Laird, Dick Brewer, and a couple of others. There are supposedly three “Laird” models coming out. The board I used, reportedly the one actually used by Laird on his recent crossing of the English Chanel, is a 12’, down railed nose to tail, about 5" thick, and interestinglly has a slight concave down the entire belly. I also used one of the “Laird” carbon fiber paddles you mentioned.
I also don’t pretend to be skilled at stand-up, as I just started, but I did notice the board to be unusually light in weight for its size, fast in the water for cruising, and more maneuverable than the 12" Munoz stand-up softtop board I own. The fad is catching on perhaps too fast. Not too long ago you seldom saw a stand-up out in the water. This morning I counted six paddling in one area competing for waves with the surfers and winning the battle of course. I personally am getting into stand-up only for the flat days and don’t plan on using it for wave catching. Guys that surf here don’t seem to be too cozy about the big barges dropping in on them. Shortboards vs longboards vs paddle boards… what’s next?
Respect, wave share, aloha…sometimes you’ve reeeeely got to suck it up to keep that smile! Somehow we’ve just got to enjoy the ride?
Thanks for your offer. It may be a while before I get back to France. While I was there I didn’t notice too many waves on the Mediterranean. Sounds like your location on the Atlantic is a much better place as far as waves go. I’ve read many of your posts and it sound like the Aloha spirit is well in Guethary.
Thanks for your info. I checked out your website. You have some really nice pieces of art. Even though I’m making my own wooden paddles I don’t claim to be a woodworker. I just like gluing some wood together then cutting, shaping and sanding, and making a lot of sawdust in the process. There’s probably a little bit of creativeness in making a paddle since I do think about the shape and angle of the blade, handle, etc., kind of like CN’s motto of not knowing s***, but having fun doing it. Besides I have an excuse to try all kind of power tools and sharp objects.
Do you have a shop in Kihei? If you do I’d like to check it out the next time I’m on Maui.
I’m also still learning to SUP. I started on a 12’ soft top. Still working on the basics and the conditioning before going out in the bigger waves.
