How to Choose and Customize Your SUP Paddle

HOW TO CHOOSE THE
RIGHT SUP PADDLE

5-STEP GUIDE TO CHOOSING & CUSTOMIZING YOUR NEW SUP PADDLE

Even the best standup paddle on earth isn’t ideal for all SUP disciplines, and even the best standup paddlers need to factor in size and skill-level to determine which paddle works best for them. Because different paddle types perform better in certain conditions, often paddlers need a few different paddles—various blade types, grips and lengths—to perform at their peak in various conditions and disciplines. All considered it’s a lot to process when purchasing a new paddle. Our five-step guide will help you pick the right paddle and customize it to suit your needs.

STEP #1
WHAT TYPE OF PADDLE DO I NEED?

A guide to picking the right paddle for you based on paddling experience, budget and a wide range of variables.
Learn More

STEP #2
WHAT BLADE SIZE DO I NEED?

How to choose a blade-size based on paddler weight, style of paddling and a range of other considerations.
Learn More

STEP #3
WHICH SHAFT IS BEST FOR ME?

A breakdown of the many options involved in selecting a paddle shaft—fixed-length, adjustable, three-piece, carbon content, flex and diameter—and which will perform best for you.
Learn More

STEP #4
WHICH HANDLE DO I NEED?

Here we analyze different grip options to optimize your main point of connection to your paddle—the handle.
Learn More

STEP #5
HOW LONG SHOULD MY PADDLE BE?

Defining the best length for your paddle based on body type, board, discipline and aspirations.
Learn More

GET HELP CHOOSING A SUP PADDLE

CONTACT US

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
SUP PADDLE RESOURCES

React+, sup paddle, paddle technology, black project

Introducing REACT+ Technology: The Future of SUP Paddles

November 15, 2024

We’re excited to unveil the latest advancement in SUP paddle performance: REACT+ Technology (RE+T). Designed for our race and foil paddles, RE+T pushes the boundaries of paddling efficiency and power, delivering a game-changing experience across our performance paddle lineup. This innovative technology enhances blade stiffness and optimizes energy return through a precise application of pre-preg carbon laminates, maximizing performance while keeping weight to a minimum. With REACT+, you can expect a paddle that’s lighter, faster, and built to elevate your time on the water. What is REACT+ Technology? The REACT+ concept was developed to give us greater control over blade flex and increase blade responsiveness, all while minimizing weight through the efficient use of premium-grade materials. Exclusive to Black Project, this advanced technology incorporates two external zero-degree unidirectional higher-modulus pre-preg carbon layers positioned on either side of the blade. By placing these carbon layers on the outside of the blade,

READ MORE »

Introducing FUSION: The Future of Adjustable SUP Paddles

November 5, 2024

We’re thrilled to unveil the future of adjustable SUP paddles: FUSION – Ergonomic Adjustment System with Slick Rail Technology. This innovative system sets a new standard for adjustable paddles, bringing revolutionary technology and higher performance to the market. Until now, adjustable (pressure) clamp systems have been limited by a range of issues. Firstly, they used a generic bulky pin and screw, designers worked around these rather than question them, this resulted in bulky, ill-fitting, and uncomfortable systems which were neither than effective and/or were non-ergonomic in design. Secondly, systems suffered from twist, while some of this was improved in a variety of ways from flat sides to grooves, there was still excessive play in the systems and grooved designs were prone to jamming with sand and salt. These factors limited the use and performance of adjustable paddles. Thirdly, the production processes meant that large tolerances were needed, further increasing the

READ MORE »

Compare: Hydro SynergyX vs. Hydro TempoX vs. Hydro SprintX

August 10, 2024

One of the most important decisions you’ll make as a standup paddler is deciding which SUP paddle is right for you. While you don’t need to limit yourself to one paddle, you’ll still want to choose the best paddle to help you achieve a particular goal or experience. Our trio of high-performance SUP racing, touring and training paddles features the most innovative blade designs and top performance in the sport. The Hydro SynergyX is our flagship game-changing SUP race paddle, which is partnered by the lightning-fast Hydro SprintX for sprinting, and our hyper-smooth Hydro TempoX for recreational flat-water paddlers. The Question is: Which Hydro is best for you? To make the best decision, you’ll need to consider a few factors including skill level, paddling goals, injury history, budget, and paddling discipline—racing, sprinting, touring, etc. This quick guide to race and touring paddles is intended to help you make the best

READ MORE »

Hydro SynergyX: The Ultimate Long-Distance SUP Race Paddle | Customer Reviews

August 5, 2024

The Hydro SynergyX SUP race paddle is widely regarded as the ultimate choice for long-distance paddling. Incorporating over a decade of research, paddling data, and innovation, the Hydro SynergyX paddle is a significant upgrade from the previous Hydro and Hydro FlowX models. This new paddle leverages cutting-edge technology, advanced and new materials, and valuable insights from elite paddlers to enhance your performance. It is designed to increase cadence, improve rhythm, and boost board speed all while reducing fatigue and strain. This makes it not only effective for competitive paddling but also beneficial for preventing and rehabilitating injuries. But at the end of the day, the most important opinion is — yours. In this article, with the help of real customer feedback, we will set out to answer three common questions we receive from paddlers. Do the new technologies, new materials, and the design improvements improve your paddling? How do the

READ MORE »

Meet the New Hydro SprintX: The Best Paddle for Short Distance and Technical SUP Racing

April 1, 2024

The fastest SUP racing paddle – The Hydro SprintX SUP paddle is one of our more underground paddles receiving a lot less media attention than others in the collection, but since its initial launch, it has been quietly going about its business, building a cult following, and winning races. This is the paddle which propelled Seychelle Webster to victory at the 2023 ICF World Championships. The athlete choice – This is the race paddle which many of our athletes have gravitated towards, they absolutely love the ultra-high cadence capabilities, compact blade, and instant acceleration. The latest version has undergone significant upgrades, including the integration of React+ Technology, which amplifies the blade’s power and acceleration. This is complemented by the new Tour Carbon double (round-oval-round) tapered shaft, further enhancing the paddle’s effectiveness. The result is a considerably upgraded SUP paddle from its previous version. Explore: Tour Carbon Shaft Series To celebrate

READ MORE »

Meet the New Surge: Your Ultimate Paddle for SUP Surfing

March 12, 2024

If you’re anything like me, you’re eagerly gearing up to enhance your SUP surfing skills this season. This means dedicating more time to refining your technique, tweaking your board setup, experimenting with different fin configurations, dissecting your maneuvers (ideally with video analysis), and, inevitably, embracing the occasional wipeout. Undoubtedly, these efforts will contribute to your progress, but what if I told you that upgrading your paddle could significantly elevate your surfing performance? While many of you reading this may already recognize the importance of a quality paddle, there are still SUP surfers out there who haven’t experienced the game-changing advantages offered by a Surge paddle. My mission is to ensure that every SUP enthusiast can benefit from the innovation and expertise poured into the design of the Surge by our team of designers and athletes. The timing couldn’t be better for the release of the fourth iteration of the Surge,

READ MORE »