With a new year comes a new opportunity to shake up the status quo.
A first-of-its-kind SUP paddle designed for sprinting and short-distance racing, our all-new Hydro SprintX is the next evolution in our Hydro family of high-performance SUP paddles. Designed in collaboration with APP World Champion Arthur Arutkin @arthurarutkin, this is the fastest paddle we’ve ever created.
Starting with the DNA of our popular flagship paddle—the Hydro FlowX—we made several key adjustments to the blade, shaft and handle to maximize speed and acceleration over a short distance. The end result is a paddle that will launch you from the start line quicker, help you maintain a blistering fast cadence, and ultimately cross the finish line ahead of the competition.
Though we should warn you—this amount of power is not suited for everyone. Discover what makes the Hydro SprintX the fastest paddle in the sport.
A NEW BREED OF PADDLE FOR SPRINTING & SHORT DISTANCE RACING
The Hydro SprintX was designed to help paddlers push their physical limits, achieve explosive acceleration and maximum top speed. It is the first paddle made specifically for sprinting.
Every feature of this paddle is optimized for acceleration, speed, and winning races. With a low 7.5° blade angle, a shallower power pocket, and a wider and more compact blade outline––your first stroke will generate an instant burst of acceleration. The blade volume was decreased to increase cadence and maximize the number of strokes you can take. To further enhance the new paddle, we designed a new tapered shaft and new handle.
“On that very first stroke, we want paddlers to feel instant feedback when the blade hits the water and instant power to get the board accelerating forward.” — Chris Freeman @chrisk97
DESIGNED, & TESTED IN COLLABORATION WITH WORLD CHAMPION PADDLERS
To ensure we were getting the most out of the Hydro SprintX and allowing paddlers to push their limits without restriction, we enlisted the help of APP World Champions Arthur Arutkin @arthurarutkin, Seychelle Webster @seychellesup and elite Maui waterman Bernd Roediger @bernd_roediger.
For 12-months, we worked closely with these athletes on Maui to refine every component of the Hydro SprintX. It’s our shared pursuit of performance—in all conditions and events—that drives our team to work collaboratively and push the boundaries of paddle science.
“I’m super excited. We’ve made huge progress from our first design and now it’s the best sprint paddle I’ve ever had. It’s amazing what we can do.” — Arthur Arutkin
SHALLOW 7.5° BLADE ANGLE
We reduced the Hydro SprintX’s blade angle to 7.5°, from 9.3° on the Hydro FlowX. This reduction in blade angle delivers an ultra-direct and instant feel and promotes and shorter, higher cadence paddle stroke – ideal for sprinting.
WIDER BLADE WITH FLARED TIP
We increased the width of the blade tip (when compared to the Hydro FlowX) to give paddlers instant bite and more power for acceleration. In Fig #2 the flared toe (or tip) is illustrated by arrow A and the widened dihedral edges are shown by arrow B, both these design features increase instant power. In Fig #3 the Hydro SprintX is compared to the Hydro FlowX which illustrates the wider blade with more concentrated surface area which speeds up power delivery.
SHALLOW POWER SCOOP (SPS)
This works in conjunction with the wider blade to further increase acceleration potential.
ADVANCED FLOW TECHNOLOGY (AFT)
Our proprietary Advanced Flow Technology (AFT)—a pronounced neck and spine of the paddle—significantly increases the efficiency of the Hydro SprintX and balances the forces created by the paddle.
Similar in theory to a performance cycling helmet, the AFT parts the water and brings it back together in an efficient manner, minimizing turbulence around the blade and shaft. This reduced turbulence eliminates unwanted lateral blade movements so you can focus on paddling hard.
REDUCED BLADE VOLUME
We thinned out the blade to reduce volume, this helps with faster entry/exit and results in a higher cadence. The aim is that you can maximize the number of strokes that you take over a short distance.
POWER-TAPER SHAFT
We designed the PowerTaper shaft with a high kick point specifically for the Hydro SprintX. This innovative new shaft keeps stiffness in the lower portion of the shaft for instant power under extreme load, while the more flexible top section creates increased spring to reduce shoulder fatigue. The overall result is a paddle stroke that generates more power, while also being easier on your body.
POWER-GRIP HANDLE
The Hydro SprintX also includes our PowerGrip ergonomic racing handle—optimized for maximum power, increased efficiency, and better grip during rapid paddling.
The PowerGrip is triangular in nature, with a wider, flatter and more upright back than our previous handles. The slightly curved back fits naturally in your palm, while the indentation on the front adds comfort and security when wrapping your fingers and helps maintain grip when the paddle is rotated forward. This new grip will maximize energy transfer to promote efficient paddling and speed.
“We want our athletes to have a very secure feel so they can focus 100% on getting their paddle in the water, out of the water and back in the water. They won’t have to think about where the paddle is going—it’s almost like the paddle is on autopilot.” — Chris Freeman
ULTRALIGHT TEXCARBON 30T CONSTRUCTION
The Hydro SprintX will also feature our premium TEXCARBON 30T construction—the lightest, strongest, and most technologically advanced paddle construction we’ve ever used.
30T carbon is 25% lighter than 24T regular carbon – which is commonly used in paddles. This allows us to reduce weight and increase strength, resulting in a much more responsive and high-performance paddle.
Our innovative paddle designs would not be possible without the use of extremely expensive materials and complex layups.
HYDRO SPRINT-X AT A GLANCE
ADVANCED FLOW TECHNOLOGY (AFT)
- The pronounced neck and spine of the AFT significantly increases paddle efficiency.
- Eliminates lateral blade movements by reducing fluid turbulence around the blade and shaft.
- Increased efficiency leads to a smoother paddle stroke, reduced fatigue and faster speeds.
SHALLOW POWER SCOOP (SPS)
- Features a single shallow scoop design with dihedral shaped edges on the blade face.
- Increases stroke power and delivers instant acceleration from start line.
- Power Scoop Technology works in harmony with Advanced Flow Technology.
TEXCARBON 30T CONSTRUCTION
- The lightest, strongest, and most technologically advanced paddle construction we’ve ever used.
- Utilizes 30T intermediate modulus carbon—25% lighter than regular carbon.
- High-end material allowed us to reduce weight and increase strength.
- Result is a much more responsive and high-performance paddle.
POWERGRIP ERGONOMIC HANDLE
- New for 2022.
- Optimized for maximum power, increased efficiency, and long-lasting comfort.
- Developed in collaboration with pro paddlers Arthur Arutkin and Bernd Roediger.
- Wider and flatter back creates a secure and long-lasting comfort.
- Hollow to help eliminate any excess weight.
POWER-TAPER SHAFT
- New for 2022.
- Tapered shaft with a high kick point flex pattern.
- Keeps stiffness in the lower portion of the shaft for instant power under extreme load.
- More flexible top section creates increased spring and reduced shoulder fatigue.
FLARED TIP
- Widened toe of blade.
- Widened and flatter dihedral edges.
KEY FACTS:
- Sizes: XL, L, M, S
- Advanced Flow Technology (AFT)
- Shallow Power Scoop (SPS)
- Flared Blade Toe
- PowerTaper Shaft
- PowerGrip Ergonomic Handle
- Available in TEXCARBON 30T construction.
- Available in 1-piece
- Weight from 375 grams (13.2 oz)
- Download 2022 Paddle Catalog
HYDRO SPRINT-X SIZING & INFO
“It doesn’t make sense that the paddle you use for a 10- or 15-kilometer race is the same as what’s used for 250-meter race. We have different boards for flatwater, downwind, and ocean conditions, so why would it make sense to use the same paddle?” —Chris Freeman
The Hydro FlowX is our original rule-breaking paddle, though it’s best-suited for medium- to long-distance SUP racing or training. With the rising popularity of sprint and short-distance SUP racing, we wanted to develop a high-performance paddle suited specifically to the sprint discipline.
If you already own our Hydro FlowX, the Hydro SprintX will be a natural addition to your quiver. The harmony of the Advanced Flow Technology and Power Scoop deliver a feeling of comfort and stability, while the additional changes provide a stark speed advantage during short-distance, high-intensity paddling.
No matter if your goal is to win sprint or short-course SUP races, start using standup paddling for High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), or simply round out your quiver—the Hydro SprintX will add speed and acceleration to your SUP raceboard.
Be warned, this is not a paddle for everyone, it requires physical ability and technique to paddle at a very high cadence and push your body to the limit.
RECOMMENDED PADDLES & FINS
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Hydro SprintX
$650.00 -
Tiger v2 Pre-Preg
$175.00
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New PowerGrip Handle Will Maximize Your SUP Paddle Performance
