Resources

I Started Standup Paddling During the Pandemic, Now What?

If you’re someone who is relatively new to standup paddling, welcome to the paddling family! You have joined a very supportive community and sport that will provide range of benefits, both physical and mental. As lifelong paddlers and watersports athletes, we want you to experience that same passion that inspired us to get into the paddlesports business over a decade ago. To help you take the next stroke in your SUP career, we’ve put together a few tips to optimize your equipment and maximize your stoke. Invest in a Lighter, More Flexible SUP Paddle You already know that using a cheap, overweight paddle will not only hamper your on-water performance, but can lead to a range of other issues including fatigue, injuries and bad habits. But it’s not just the bargain bin equipment that’s turning your paddle sessions into a grueling slog. There’s three common misconceptions about SUP paddles: bigger

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SUP Stroke Tips With Seychelle: The Choke Stroke

What is the purpose of this stroke? The “choke stroke” is used when having a shorter paddle length would be beneficial. By grabbing the paddle shaft underneath the handle, rather than on top of the handle, you are effectively shortening the length of your paddle by 2-3 inches. How often do you use this stroke? I use this stroke fairly often during a paddle, but not for long periods of time. It is for those short spurts when getting lower to the water has its advantages. In what paddling scenarios is this stroke most effective? I use the choke stroke most often when I am paddling upwind. Since a “shorter” paddle allows for quicker, more dynamic strokes, it combats the reduced glide felt when paddling into wind and chop. The faster you can get your paddle out and back into the water, you lessen the wind’s ability to slow you down. Additionally,

Pay in 4: Paddle Now, Pay Later with Klarna

If you’re passionate about paddling, you owe it to yourself to get the best equipment. Settling for a cheaper paddle or fin setup may initially seem cost effective, but you’ll pay for that “savings” on the water.There’s a reason that top professional paddlers including reigning APP World Champion Seychelle Webster choose Black Project––there’s simply no substitute for performance. To ensure price doesn’t get between you and your dream paddle or fin, we’ve partnered with Klarna to give our paddlers the option to split their Black Project purchase into 4 interest-free payments. Shop Black Project’s 2021 Paddle and Fin Collection How to checkout with Klarna Add item(s) to your cart and select Klarna at checkout. Enter your debit or credit card information. Pay later in 4 installments. The first payment is taken when the order is processed and the remaining 3 are automatically taken every two weeks. You shop, you choose how to

Black Project and Paddle Logger Launch New Collaboration

If you’re serious about becoming a better paddler, you need to start tracking your training sessions. Analyzing paddle data not only helps you understand the impact of specific technique or equipment adjustments on your overall speed, but also motivates you to keep pushing and getting faster. To ensure our paddlers are set up for success, Black Project has partnered with Paddle Logger to offer a free six-month trial of their Pro Subscription to all Hydro FlowX paddlers. Designed exclusively for paddlers, this award-winning app will help you easily and accurately track paddle sessions, while also sharing real-time updates with friends and family. Easily Track and Share Your Paddle Sessions Unlike other training apps that distract from the task at hand, Paddle Logger keeps it simple and user-friendly. Compatible with the Apple Watch or iPhone, simply tap the GO button and you can get started logging your session. Once underway, Paddle

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What Paddlers Are Saying About the Hydro FlowX

The response to our new Hydro FlowX has been overwhelming. Featuring a revolutionary new design––including our proprietary Advanced Flow Technology and Deep Power Scoop––the goal of the Hydro FlowX was to redefine what a paddle stroke feels like. Incorporating over a decade’s worth of research, data and innovation, this paddle is lighter and faster than our original Hydro, while simultaneously requiring less effort from the paddler. Not only does this significantly improve speed and acceleration, but also leads to reduced fatigue and strain––extremely effective for preventing and rehabilitating injuries. We believe the Hydro FlowX is the best paddle in the sport. But at the end of the day, only one opinion truly matters––yours. Whether you are training, racing or cruising, this paddle was designed to enhance every moment spent on the water––both in terms of performance and pleasure. Here’s what the Black Project ohana is saying about their on-water experience with the Hydro FlowX.

Chris Freeman, standup paddling, black project, founder, entrepreneur

Get to Know Chris: The Story of Black Project’s Co-Founder Chris Freeman

Since a young age, Black Project co-founder Chris Freeman has been passionate about watersports. A competitive career in windsurfing first brought him to Maui at 18 years old and the experience was life changing. While Freeman would eventually return to the U.K. to build a successful career in Education, Maui kept calling him back. The pull of the water proved too strong. After his long-time friend Tom Hammerton began designing specialized windsurfing fins, the duo decided to take a chance and go all-in––Black Project was born. Over the past decade, the company has grown to become a leader in both windsurfing and standup paddling industry. While World Championships and high-performance paddles and fins have become synonymous with the Black Project name, Freeman never lost sight of those humble roots and his original goal: Help more people enjoy the experience of being on the water. What was your career path/background before

sup paddle, Hydro FlowX, black project, paddle flex, how to measure sup paddle flex

How To Measure SUP Paddle Shaft Stiffness

Understanding shaft and SUP paddle flex will help you make an informed paddle buying decisions; remember that in general, heavier paddlers need a stiffer shaft whereas lighter paddlers need a softer shaft. To be able to compare shafts we need a precise way of measuring flex. By understanding how shafts bend under load we are able to fine tune your paddling experience. To measure the flex of our shafts we: Support the shaft at two pivot points 150cm apart. Apply 50kg of force to the center of the shaft. Measure the deflection in millimeters. What do the numbers mean? A shaft with a rating of 75 bends 75mm when the 50kg force is applied. What is considered a stiff, medium or soft shaft? Stiff = < 65 Medium = 65 to 105 Soft = > 105 Need help choosing a paddle? ASK A QUESTION Learn more about paddle and

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How Does Paddler Height & Weight Affect Shaft Flex Choice?

Too many paddlers are risking injury––because they’re using a paddle that isn’t tailored to their size and needs. And while paddle length and blade size get most of the attention when it comes to customization, shaft flex is just as important. Your height and weight makes a huge impact on the amount of shaft flex you generate, which in turn, makes a huge impact on your paddling comfort, board speed, fatigue and risk of injury. To better understand how to strike the optimal balance between paddle shaft rigidity and flex, this guide will explain some basic paddle physics concepts and answer your shaft questions. Learn more the benefits of smaller, shorter and softer paddles. How Does Body Type Affect Shaft Flex? Let’s start with a quick physics experiment. Take an uncut paddle at 87 inches, hold it at the top and feel the flex as your bottom hand applies force

Carbon SUP Paddles: How Innovative Design & Superior Materials Fuel Black Project’s Performance Advantage

The higher the carbon content, the better the paddle, right? Well, it’s a little more complicated. Typically, paddles with a higher carbon content are more expensive, lighter and offer faster reflex characteristics. By reducing weight, this allows the paddler to experience less fatigue and be less susceptible to overuse injuries. However, building a great paddle requires much more than carbon––it also requires innovative design, sound structural integrity, and ultra-efficient hydrodynamics. In fact, poorly designed carbon paddles are often too stiff and fragile, leading to sub-par performance and a shorter lifespan of the paddle. Remember, the goal should always be to optimize the paddling experience––not marketing objectives. In this article, we will explain how Black Project engineers blend innovative paddle design with ultra-high-quality carbon, Texalium and Kevlar to build the strongest and lightest paddles on the market. Because to achieve an unparalleled paddling experience requires an unparalleled paddle construction, it is not just about

Introducing the All-New Infinity FLASH Race Paddle by Black Project SUP

Norm-breaking, record-shattering, performance-driven––these are just a few of the factors that Dave Boehne (Infinity) and Chris Freeman (Black Project) consider when designing a new product. So what happens when standup paddling’s top performance board builder and highest-quality paddler maker team up and collaborate? They create a race paddle that is so fast, it can only be named––the FLASH. As an encore to their successful collaboration in 2019, Black Project and Infinity went back to the drawing board to build an even faster, lighter and smoother paddle. The FLASH meets those goals and more––a premium pro-level race blade that is ideal for paddlers ranging from professional racers to weekend warriors looking for an ultra-light, high-quality paddle. For more details, Infinity lead-designer Dave Boehne, Infinity athlete and APP World Tour Champion paddler Shae Foudy, and Black Project founder Chris Freeman share some insights about this collaboration and why the FLASH lives up its

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6 Things to Know About The Hydro REFLEX Paddle

Introducing the Hydro REFLEX SUP Paddle When you are in the heat of battle, knowing you’re armed with the superior paddle is a good feeling. Check that, it’s a great feeling. But while not everyone is ready to splurge for the best paddle in the sport, nobody should settle for mediocrity. To bridge the gap, we created the Hydro REFLEX. This paddle features all of the same cutting-edge, race-winning technology we put into the original Hydro, while using an alternate construction material. Our REFLEX construction consists of 100% carbon, but allows us to offer our top-line race paddle at a more attractive price point. To learn more about the Hydro REFLEX and what members of our paddling ohana are saying about it, here are five things you should know. View 2021 Paddle Collection #1 – What makes the Hydro REFLEX different from the regular Hydro? The REFLEX version of the Hydro is

The Benefits of Rounded Edges and Seamless Joints on a SUP Paddle

Safer, Lighter & Stronger SUP Paddles In the early days of SUP, there was one particular issue with paddles that really bothered us––the simple act of paddling was damaging our boards. Paddles with sharp edges and pronounced joints (which many brands still use) would cut into our boards, especially when using an unstable blade that’s prone to wobbling and bouncing off our rails. Eventually, these small impacts lead to big rail damage––both cosmetic and structural––which can affect both your paddling experience and resale value. To ensure our paddlers don’t run into those issues, we carefully design our paddles to protect both your board and body. Solution #1 – Rounded Paddle Blade Edges All of our paddles are designed with carbon-reinforced, rounded blade edges. While we experimented with using plastic ABS edges on our paddles, the carbon structure proved more reliable over time. The rounded edges do not damage your board and

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