Selecting The Right Type of SUP Paddle
Step #1 – Choosing the Right SUP Paddle Type
Standup paddling is a paddling sport at its core, and choosing the right paddle type is essential for performance and comfort. The right paddle improves efficiency, reduces fatigue, and helps you paddle longer and stronger. Whether you’re racing, touring, surfing, foiling, or paddling recreationally, selecting the best paddle for your needs ensures the best experience on the water. This step will break down the key differences between paddle types.
Understanding SUP Paddle Types
At Black Project, we design high-performance SUP paddles to meet the specific needs of paddlers across all SUP disciplines. Choosing the right paddle improves efficiency, comfort, and durability—whether you’re racing at the highest level, exploring flatwater, downwind SUP foiling, carving on waves, or traveling with a compact iSUP setup. From our lightweight 1-piece fixed paddles for elite performance to 2-piece adjustable and 3-piece travel paddles for versatility, understanding these categories will help you make the best choice. We also offer durable, high-quality paddles tailored for brand partners and rental centers to ensure the best experience for all paddlers.”
All-Water
Versatile paddles designed for recreational paddlers who want a balance of performance, durability, and affordability in all conditions.
SUP Racing
High-performance paddles engineered for speed, power, and endurance, optimized for flatwater SUP racing and long-distance paddling.
SUP Surfing
Lightweight, responsive paddles designed for precision and control in surf, delivering quick acceleration and effortless maneuverability.
SUP Foiling
Purpose-built paddles for downwind SUP foiling, providing instant power and acceleration to help you pop-up faster onto foil.
3-Piece Travel
Portable and durable paddles designed for easy transport and storage, perfect for adventure paddlers, iSUP users, and travelers.
Custom Paddles
Durable, high-quality SUP paddles built for rental fleets and brand partners, offering reliable performance for paddlers of all levels.
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 and 2-piece paddles
SHOP 3-PIECE / TRAVEL PADDLES
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- SUP Paddles, SUP All-Water Paddles, SUP Recreation, SUP Travel, SUP Travel Paddles, 2024-5
Lava Travel 3-Piece
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$375.005.00 out of 5(12)
- Rated 5.00 out of 5
- View Product
Lava Travel 3-Piece
$375.005.00 out of 5(12) -
- SUP Racing, SUP Race Paddles, SUP Paddles, SUP Recreation, SUP Travel, SUP Travel Paddles, 2024-5
Hydro TempoX 3-Piece Travel
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$475.005.00 out of 5(7)
- Rated 5.00 out of 5
- View Product
Hydro TempoX 3-Piece Travel
$475.005.00 out of 5(7) -
Surge 3-Piece
$575.00
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
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
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- SUP Paddles, SUP All-Water Paddles, SUP Recreation, SUP Travel
Lava 1-Piece
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$325.004.95 out of 5(19)
- Rated 4.95 out of 5
- View Product
Lava 1-Piece
$325.004.95 out of 5(19) -
- SUP Paddles, SUP All-Water Paddles, SUP Recreation, SUP Travel, 2024-5
Lava Adjustable
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$350.004.96 out of 5(25)
- Rated 4.96 out of 5
- View Product
Lava Adjustable
$350.004.96 out of 5(25)
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.
RACING, TOURING, FLATWATER, DOWNWIND & FITNESS PADDLES – HYDRO SPRINT-X, HYDRO SYNERGY-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
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- SUP Racing, SUP Race Paddles, SUP Paddles, 2024-5
Hydro SynergyX
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$650.005.00 out of 5(28)
- Rated 5.00 out of 5
- View Product
Hydro SynergyX
$650.005.00 out of 5(28) -
- SUP Racing, SUP Race Paddles, SUP Paddles
Hydro SprintX
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$650.005.00 out of 5(23)
- Rated 5.00 out of 5
- View Product
Hydro SprintX
$650.005.00 out of 5(23) -
- SUP Racing, SUP Race Paddles, SUP Paddles, SUP Recreation, 2024-5
Hydro TempoX 1-Piece
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$425.005.00 out of 5(16)
- Rated 5.00 out of 5
- View Product
Hydro TempoX 1-Piece
$425.005.00 out of 5(16)
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
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
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- SUP Surf Paddles, SUP Paddles, SUP Surfing
Surge
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$575.005.00 out of 5(77)
- Rated 5.00 out of 5
- View Product
Surge
$575.005.00 out of 5(77)
Available in 1-piece and 3-piece Fixed Length.
Sizes: XS, Small, Medium, Large and XL
From $525 USD.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We have collated some of the most frequently asked questions about paddles. If your question is not covered, on this page, in the 5-step guide or in these FAQs, you are encouraged to reach out to us for a personal consultation or support.
Thanks to our innovative designs, quality manufacturing and attention to detail, our paddles have a very low failure rate. For your peace of mine, we have a standard 1-year warranty to cover faulty manufacturing. Thanks to hot glue assembly it is possible to replace any damaged parts. If you feel that you have an issue which you feel should be covered, please contact us for support.
We want you to be 100% satisfied with your new paddle. If something goes wrong, we are here to help resolve any issues in a fast and effective manner. Please contact us for support.
We ship from our Maui workshop via FedEx 2-Day shipping to all 50 states, we do not charge for this service. We also offer low shipping rates worldwide via FedEx International Economy.
For maximum paddling enjoyment and performance, it is extremely important to choose the right paddle for your needs. At Black Project we pride ourselves in providing first class support and offer you a 1:1 paddle consultation via email, text, phone, or in person at our Maui workshop.
Ask a questions and arrange a consultation
Yes, if your local SUP store is an official Black Project retail partner they will be able to arrange your new paddle. If they are not currently one of our retailers you can either buy online or ask them to get in contact with us.
Refer to our Dealer Locator Map to find your closest store.
Paddle length paddle depends on your height, the type of standup paddling you are doing and the board you use. The correct length will protect your body against injury and maximize your performance. For recreational paddling and inflatables your paddle will be longer while for SUP surfing paddlers use shorter paddles. Use our paddle length guide to determine the correct length. Refer to the paddle specific guides on each product page.
Yes, our 1-piece paddles are assembled with hot glue. You can heat up the shaft just below the handle to remove it, and then shorten the shaft. We have a number of guides on our YouTube channel which explain the process. Be sure to use quality extra-strength, high temp, hot glue and not hobby grade glue. This is particularly useful if you move to different board or change focus.
We offer paddles for all types of standup paddling, racing, touring, foiling, surfing, and all-round recreation. Finding the right paddle which best fits your needs in terms of performance, price and preference is extremely important. Check out our guide to determine which paddle is best for you.
Choosing the right paddle for your experience, budget, and needs
Blade size depends on paddler weight, height, the type of standup paddling you are doing and any prior medical issues. Bigger blades offer more power and are suited to heavier paddlers while smaller paddler will want to select a much smaller blade size. Many paddlers are using the wrong size blade and that is reducing their enjoyment of the sport. Use our blade size guide to determine the correct size for you.
All Black Project paddles have carbon reinforced edges and can withstand a good amount of abuse. The use of protective tape is not needed for general consumer use.
When ordering via our website all paddles except the Lava Adjustable, are supplied complete with our Paddle Bag, bags can also be purchased separately. It is not a free bag and many US and international retailers do sell our paddles without a bag at an adjusted price. We strongly recommend that you protect your investment with a quality padded bag, ideally a Black Project one.
Paddles are very expensive to design, produce and ship, hence the price which you pay for your Black Project paddle is extremely reasonable. We have cut out a number of business layers and work directly with customers and smaller independent retailers to ensure that markups are reasonable. If we operated a more traditional business structure paddles would be 50-100% more expensive. Standup paddling is a small sport so it is hard to produce enough units to benefit from mass production and gain significant economies of scale.
Yes, our componentized paddle system enables you to swap or replace parts. If you decide that you want to change blade, shaft, or handle, due to preferences or damage, thanks to our hot glue assembly, this is possible and saves you needing to buy a completely new paddle. This is especially important for SUP foiling.