Selecting The Right Type of SUP Paddle

STEP #1:
TYPES OF SUP PADDLE

WHAT TYPE OF SUP PADDLE DO I NEED?

You wouldn’t wear tap-dancing shoes to the bowling alley, would you? Of course not; you’d wear bowling shoes! Paddles and shoes are similar in that—just like certain shoes are worn for different activities—certain paddles are used for different disciplines of SUP. It doesn’t matter what the pros are using it matters what is right for your paddling and your unique set of variables.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SUP PADDLE AVAILABLE AT BLACK PROJECT?

  • Entry level, school and rental (lowest price)
  • Kids specific
  • Travel & storage
  • All water recreational (best value performance)
  • Racing and flatwater (most expensive)
  • Surfing (most expensive)

ENTRY LEVEL, SCHOOL & RENTAL PADDLES – SCHOOL

A great, budget-friendly choice for your first paddle, the SCHOOL paddle is built to be super durable using a combination of fiberglass and plastic components. These are widely used by rental centers, SUP schools, and entry-level paddlers worldwide.

PROS

  • Great value
  • Extremely durable
  • Adjustable
  • Great for family use
  • Better than aluminum paddles
  • Ideal first paddle

CONS

  • Heavier than higher-end paddles
  • Limited performance
  • More flexible than carbon paddles

Available in Adjustable and 3-piece Adjustable options with Palm handles for a comfortable grip.

From $150 USD.

Learn more | Discuss your business’ needs

KIDS SPECIFIC PADDLES – GROM

Our GROM paddles are designed specifically for kids while keeping the stretched parental budget in mind. The smaller blade, reduced diameter shaft and increased flex combine to give your young ripper the pint-sized paddle they need to enjoy standup paddling just like the adults.

PROS

  • Kid-specific
  • Great value
  • Extremely durable
  • Upgrade from aluminum paddles

CONS

  • Heavier than higher-end paddles
  • Not suitable for heavier/taller paddlers
  • More flexible than carbon paddles

SHOP PADDLES FOR KIDS & YOUTH

Available in Adjustable with Palm handles for a comfortable grip.

From $200 USD.

Learn more | Buy Now

TRAVEL PADDLES – SCHOOL, OHANA, LAVA, SURGE, HYDRO TEMPO-X, HYDRO FLOW-X

Our collapsible three-piece paddles are built for the performance-oriented traveling paddler. Using our proprietary HEX joint system, Black Project’s collapsible paddles eliminate twist and movement at shaft joints to replicate the performance of a one-piece paddle in a travel-ready, three-piece build. Higher-end variations come complete with a paddle travel case.

PROS

  • Ideal for travel and storage
  • Great for family use
  • Perfect pair for inflatable SUP
  • High performance without high baggage fees

CONS

  • Heavier than 1-piece paddles

SHOP 3-PIECE / TRAVEL PADDLES

Our 3-piece are available in a range of options with adjustable and fixed length options.

From $325 USD.

Learn more | Buy Now

ALL-WATER RECREATIONAL PADDLES – LAVA, OHANA, PURE

Our all-water paddle range is designed to be versatile and easy to use while offering the design benefits of our more expensive surf and race-specific paddles. Composed of either 35%, 60% or 90% carbon, these paddles are lighter than entry-level options and offer a higher degree of performance. The lower carbon content of the PURE and OHANA makes them more flexible while the LAVA has a higher carbon content and is lighter and stiffer. The slightly increased blade angle compared to our race paddles results in a softer and more forgiving feel designed for paddlers who tend to stand more upright.

PROS

  • Best performance value
  • Extremely durable
  • Intuitive feel
  • Great for families
  • Lighter than aluminum and fiberglass paddles
  • Ideal first paddle

CONS

  • Heavier than more expensive paddles

SHOP RECREATIONAL PADDLES

Lava & Ohana are available in 1-piece, Adjustable, 3-piece Adjustable. The Pure is only available as an Adjustable paddle. 

Sizes: Small, Medium and Large

From $200 USD.

Learn more about the LAVA, OHANA or PURE | Buy Now

RACING, TOURING, FLATWATER, DOWNWIND & FITNESS PADDLES – HYDRO SPRINT-X, HYDRO FLOW-X, HYDRO TEMPO-X

Our race paddles are best suited for dedicated SUP racers and experienced cruisers. The HYDRO FLOW-X and HYDRO SPRINT-X paddles are built with a blend of carbon, Kevlar and Texalium to make it lighter, stiffer and more responsive than all-water paddles. They are available with a broad range of options to enable fine-tuning for each paddler. These are the exact paddles used by Black Project’s champion team of professional racers. If you are looking for the industry’s very best in performance to boost your board speed, these are the paddles for you. If you want top quality performance for fitness and touring the HYDRO TEMPO-X is a feature packed SUP paddle offering exceptional performance and technology, at a slight more attractive price point.

PROS

  • Lightest paddles in range
  • Fastest paddles in range
  • Unparalleled responsiveness
  • Exotic, performance-optimized materials
  • Universal top-choice of professional SUP racers

CONS

  • Higher price point
  • Slightly less durable than all-water range

SHOP RACE & TOURING PADDLES

Available in 1-piece and 3-piece Fixed Length.
Sizes: XS, Small, Medium, Large and XL

From $400 USD.

Learn more about the HYDRO SPRINT-X, HYDRO FLOW-X, HYDRO TEMPO-X | Buy Now

SURFING PADDLES – SURGE

To accomodate the paddling style most conducive to catching and surfing waves, our surf paddles are smaller, shorter, lighter and more agile than race or all-water paddles. Built in a blend of carbon, Kevlar and Texalium, the SURGE is lightweight, durable and designed to thrive in big surf. These are the exact paddles used by our team of champion professional surf athletes. If you are looking for the industry’s very best in performance surf paddles to increase your wave count and enhance your surfing, these are the paddles for you.

PROS

  • Surf-specific
  • Lightest paddle in range
  • Most responsive in waves of all sizes
  • Exotic, performance-optimized materials
  • Universal choice of Black Project SUP surf athletes

CONS

  • Higher price point
  • Slightly less durable than all-water

SHOP SUP SURFING PADDLES

Available in 1-piece and 3-piece Fixed Length.
Sizes: XS, Small, Medium, Large and XL

From $525 USD.

Learn more | Buy Now

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

Step #1 – What type of paddle do I need?

Step #2 – What blade size do I need?

Step #3 – Which shaft is best for me?

Step #4 – Which handle do I need?

Step #5 – How long should my paddle be?