Which SUP Paddle Handle Do I Need?
STEP #4:
THE RIGHT HANDLE
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF SUP PADDLE HANDLE?
Finding a handle that’s right for your paddle depends on the type of paddling you do and your preferences in grip style. It’s an important personal decision, albeit a fairly simple one, but the amount of different SUP handles available on the market can make selecting the right paddle handle confusing. Black Project makes it easy by offering three handle options that are optimally designed for various disciplines:
- The PowerGrip
- The Palm handle (often referred to as the Ergo)
- The T-handle (similar to traditional Tahitian OC paddle handles).
POWER GRIP
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. The combined features of the new PowerGrip ensure that it remains comfortable during longer races and workouts, while maximizing energy transfer to promote efficient paddling and speed.
Learn more about the new PowerGrip
Available on: Hydro SprintX, Hydro FlowX and Hydro TempoX
PALM (ERGO) HANDLE
The Palm handle is ergonomically designed for comfort, particularly during longer sessions. It rests to the form of your palm with increased area and rounded edges, making it comfortable for high-intensity gripping and prolonged amounts of time. Because of the ergonomic shape, the Palm handle is a great choice for recreational flatwater as well as all racing disciplines. It’s curved nature enables you to rotate your hand easily throughout your stroke, and the focus on comfort helps keep your hand relaxed over long distances. The Palm is the easiest handle to pick up and go paddle with. If you’re not certain what handle works best for you, this handle is a great place to start.
Available on: Lava, Ohana, Pure, Grom & Paddle Specials
T (TAHITIAN) HANDLE
The T handle has a curved back and a flat front, making for a very different feel than other handles you might have tried. It is designed to be held in an asymmetrical manner with your thumb and forefinger looped around one end, and your other fingers on the opposing side of the handle. We recommend this grip specifically for surfing for a few reasons. First, the asymmetric shape of the handle allows you to know which way your paddle is facing without looking, giving you instant feedback that comes in clutch in surf. Whether you are grabbing your paddle after a wipeout or surfing the wave face, this quick reference point helps you react faster without much thought. While this handle is comfortable for long surf sessions, it’s not as ideal for longer distance flatwater paddling. Note: If you are coming from an ergo style handle it might take a few sessions to feel comfortable with the T handle, but the benefits can be worth the adjustment in the end.
Available on: Surge
