A new dihedral performance pathway.
Introducing a new dihedral performance pathway within the Black Project paddle range.
Nexus was developed to coexist alongside our existing race paddles, broadening the collection with a different approach to speed for paddlers who value technique, responsiveness, and control as much as outright power.
Designed to reward precision and feel, Nexus allows paddlers to vary cadence, effort, and stroke style as conditions and race dynamics evolve.
Informed by athlete feedback and built on the foundations of Black Project’s racing pedigree, Nexus is tuned for middle and long-distance racing where intent, timing, and adaptability play a defining role.
REDUCED BLADE VOLUME (RBVT) AND POWER RIDGE (PRT)
- Reduced blade volume reduced weight.
- Reduced blade volume reduces blade buoyancy and promotes higher cadence.
- Power Ridges enable precise control over blade flex.
- When combined these features promote a consistent and efficient stroke.
SCOOPED DIHEDRAL BLADE TECHNOLOGY (SDBT)
- Dihedral shaping creates a lively paddle feel.
- Scooped Dihedral holds water effectively while providing release.
- Promotes high cadence and quick responses.
TOUR CARBON 30T OVAL TAPER SHAFT
- Doubled tapered design with high kick flex profile.
- Narrow round upper section increases flex and protects shoulders from injury.
- Middle oval section enhances comfort, grip and blade control.
- Round lower section increases power output.
- Four variations of taper design to suit all paddlers.
- Twelve shaft stiffness options from 45 to 100.
- Textured finish increases grip while being gentle on the hands.
- 30T pre-preg carbon construction produces excellent performance, very low weight, and a near-zero failure rate.
- The most technologically advanced paddle shaft ever made.
POWER GRIP HANDLE
- Ergonomic design.
- Long lasting comfort for racing and touring.
- Improved connection between hand and paddle increases power.
- Hollow pre-prep carbon construction for reduced weight.
React+ Technology (RE+T)
- Two external 30T carbon plates.
- RE+T tuned for each blade size, ensuring optimal flex tailored to paddler size.
- Amplifies blade power, responsiveness and energy return.
- Improves blades stiffness/weight ratio.
CARBON REINFORCED ROUNDED EDGES
- We added extra carbon reinforcement to the blades edges.
- All edges are rounded with smooth transitions.
- Reduces or eliminates board damage.
- Increased paddle strength.
- Rounded edges are safer.
SLIM-LINE BLADE/SHAFT JOINT
- Smooth edges prevents board damage.
- Reduces drag through the water.
- Sleek and efficient transition between shaft and blade.
- Reduces blade weight.
HIGH 12° BLADE ANGLE
- Promotes smoother blade entry.
- Helps you to maintain a clean catch as fatigue sets in.
- Ideally suited for medium and long-distance paddling.
FIVE BLADE SIZES
Widened size range from 72 in² up to 99 in² provides a comprehensive coverage and optimized sizing for all paddlers of all sizes and all ages.
- Extra-Large: 627cm² / 99 in² | For 90 - 110 kg / 200 - 245 lbs
- Large: 582cm² / 90 in² | For 80 - 100 kg / 175 - 220 lbs
- Medium: 540cm² / 84 in² | For 70 - 90 kg / 155 - 200 lbs
- Small: 502cm² / 78 in² | For 60 - 80 kg / 130 - 175 lbs
- Extra-Small: 466cm² / 72 in² | For 50 - 70 kg / 110 - 155 lbs
THE LIGHTEST RACE PADDLE
- All unnecessary weight removed.
- Reduced weight translates into improved paddling experience.
- Reduced weight is good for your body.
Why we built it
We built Nexus in response to athlete demand for a race paddle that could adapt as a race unfolds. Our athletes wanted a paddle that allowed them to change how they paddle, shifting cadence, effort, and technique without feeling locked into a single stroke style from start to finish.
At the same time, we challenged ourselves to revisit the fundamental feel of traditional paddles and reinterpret it using modern materials and technology. Rather than pursuing more aggression or brute force, the goal was to create a paddle that responds to how it’s paddled, rewarding precision, timing, and skill.
Not all paddlers move the same way, and not all races are won the same way. Nexus opens a second performance pathway within the Black Project range, designed for paddlers who race with intent, adaptability, and technique at the forefront.
Why choose this paddle?
The Nexus is the race paddle for paddlers who value precision, responsiveness, and adaptability as much as outright speed. Designed for middle and long-distance racing, it excels when race dynamics are constantly changing — drafting, tactical sprints, variable conditions, and moments of active recovery. If you prefer to paddle with intent and technique rather than rely solely on brute force, it’s the paddle that adapts with you.
Featuring a 12° blade angle and a high aspect blade outline with a refined, narrow tip, it delivers a smooth, composed catch with power building through the mid-stroke. The flatter tip profile and progressive dihedral design provide clean, predictable engagement throughout the stroke. Reduced blade volume and a narrowed outline promote higher cadence and enable rapid changes in stroke intensity and rhythm as race demands shift.
The TourCarbon double taper shaft balances power transmission with comfort through a staged profile: a stiff, round lower section for efficient drive, an oval middle section that blends control and comfort, and a thinner, more flexible round upper section to reduce strain during long paddling efforts. Paired with the ergonomic, hollow carbon PowerGrip, it delivers a secure, comfortable grip throughout extended sessions.
Nexus blends modern performance with a refined, traditional paddle feel, constructed using pre-preg carbon materials across our three performance tiers — Ultimate, Athlete, and Element. Built for racers who value feedback, adaptability, and control, it’s a purposeful addition to the quiver for paddlers who race with technique and intent in equal measure.
Athlete Technical Insight
From a technical standpoint, Nexus behaves differently to other paddles in the Black Project range. When paddling in a draft, speed is rarely constant — pace changes as paddlers surge, cover moves, and fight for position.
Nexus allows you to adjust power and speed dynamically within the stroke, rather than being locked into a single response.
If the paddler ahead accelerates while you’re mid-stroke, Nexus lets you apply additional load smoothly, engaging more of the blade and dihedral to generate extra power without disrupting rhythm. At the same time, it’s easy to back off and paddle efficiently when sitting in the draft, conserving energy without losing position.
This ability to shift between lighter and more committed efforts within the same stroke makes Nexus especially effective in pack racing. Compared to more locked-in paddles, it offers greater freedom to react, recover, and respond — a clear advantage when race dynamics are constantly changing.
Who is it designed for?
Nexus is designed for racers and performance-driven paddlers who want greater control over how power is applied throughout a session or race. It suits those who appreciate a smooth, fluid blade feel and value the ability to adjust stroke intensity, cadence, and engagement without being locked into a single paddling style.
Tuned for middle and long-distance paddling, Nexus excels in dynamic race situations such as drafting, pacing, and responding to changes in speed. Its stroke-sensitive, two-zone response allows lighter strokes to conserve energy or progressive loading when more power is needed — keeping the paddler, not the paddle, in control. It’s especially well-suited to those who see paddling as an art form — where technique, timing, and feel matter as much as physical effort.
Blade size guide
A widened blade size range from 72 in² to 99 in² provides comprehensive coverage and optimized sizing for paddlers of different builds, styles, and experience levels. Selecting the right components to suit your paddling requirements is essential, and our blade size and shaft selection guides simplify the process—helping you choose the optimal combination for your build, technique, and racing needs.
Follow, Share And #tag
Be sure to follow and connect using the new hashtag: #nexuspaddle
Best for
Professional paddlers, Advanced paddlers, Intermediate paddlers, Middle- and long-distance paddling, Ultras & endurance events, 10–15km Euro Tour, APP & ICF racing, Touring, Fitness.
Availability
Limited availability now in our store.
Wider availability will roll out progressively online and through selected Black Project specialist retailers. Pre-orders of all sizes and options is now open.
Full availability from April but expect shortages.
