SUP Paddle Blade Size Guide – Choose the Best Blade for You
Step #2 – Finding the Right Blade Size for You
Choosing the right blade size is a big decision, but don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Your height, weight, and paddling style are the key factors in finding the best fit. This SUP paddle blade size guide helps you understand how blade size and shape affect performance, efficiency, and fatigue. Whether you’re racing, cruising, surfing, or foiling, the right paddle blade can make a big difference in comfort and power delivery.
What Determines the Right SUP Paddle Blade Size?
Choosing the right blade size is about more than personal preference—it depends on key factors that directly affect performance and efficiency. Larger blades generate more power per stroke, making them ideal for sprinting and stronger paddlers, while smaller blades allow for a higher stroke rate (cadence), improving endurance and reducing fatigue. This guide breaks down the most important considerations and includes a detailed size table with recommendations for each SUP discipline.
Relax—Don’t Stress About Blade Size
Finding the right blade size doesn’t have to be complicated. Blade design has come a long way—modern shapes are more efficient, refined, and forgiving than ever. This guide breaks it down step-by-step so you can make a confident, informed choice that fits your paddling goals.
Why SUP Paddle Blade Size Matters
Is Your Paddle Blade Too Big? Here's How to Tell.
If your paddle blade is too big, you may experience these common issues:
- Sore shoulders – Excess strain from overpowering each stroke.
- Back Pain – Increased load on your lower back due to extra resistance.
- Rapid Fatigue – Wasting energy by working harder than necessary.
- Difficulty Maintaining a High Cadence – Too much resistance slows your stroke rate.
- Post-Paddling Pain – Shoulder and back soreness after paddling or the next day.
- Hard to Paddle in a Straight Line – Larger blade size can cause oversteering and imbalance.
Is Your Paddle Blade Too Small? Signs to Watch For.
If your paddle blade is too big, you may experience these common issues:
- Decreased Top Speed – Smaller blades generate less power per stroke, limiting speed.
- Lack of Acceleration – Harder to generate quick bursts of speed when sprinting or catching waves.
- Elevated Heart Rate – Requires more strokes to maintain pace, increasing effort and fatigue.
- Lack of Overall Stroke Power – Feels like you're not getting enough drive with each stroke.
The Benefits of Choosing the Right Blade Size.
Getting the right blade size means you’ll paddle more efficiently, reduce strain on your body, and enjoy a better overall experience on the water. Here’s what you can expect:
- Optimized Speed & Acceleration – Generates the perfect balance of power and efficiency.
- Reduced Fatigue – Maximizes endurance so you can paddle longer with less effort.
- Smooth & Controlled Strokes – Feels natural and balanced in all conditions.
- Better Shoulder & Joint Health – Minimizes strain, helping prevent soreness or injury.
- Improved Cadence & Stroke Rate – Lets you maintain a strong, sustainable rhythm.
- Enhanced Overall Paddling Experience – Makes every session more enjoyable and efficient.
Blade Sizing, Simplified: Trust the Letters
Blade size in square inches doesn’t tell the whole story. That’s why we use a clear, real-world letter-based sizing system—designed to help you choose the right paddle based on feel, power, and efficiency. Forget the decimals—our letter ratings make it easier to find your perfect fit.
How to Choose the Right SUP Paddle Blade Size
Paddler Weight: The Primary Factor
Your body weight is the most important factor in determining blade size. Heavier paddlers typically benefit from larger blades, which provide more power per stroke, while lighter paddlers often prefer smaller blades for easier handling and a higher stroke rate. Choosing the right size ensures you get the best balance of efficiency and performance without unnecessary strain on your body.
Type of Paddling: Power vs. Efficiency
Your paddling discipline plays a big role in choosing the right blade size. Sprint racers and downwind foilers typically choose larger blades for powerful strokes and quick acceleration. In contrast, endurance racers, touring paddlers, and fitness paddlers benefit from smaller blades that support higher cadence, reduce fatigue, and improve efficiency. Matching your blade size to your paddling style helps maximize performance while minimizing strain.
Board Size & Weight: Matching Your Paddle to Your Setup
Your board’s size and weight directly affect your ideal blade size. Wider, heavier boards—especially inflatable SUPs (iSUPs)—require more power to move efficiently, making a larger blade a better match. Conversely, narrow and lightweight composite boards require less force, allowing a smaller blade to be more effective. Matching your blade to your board ensures better control, efficiency, and comfort on the water.
Injury History & Physical Considerations: Paddle Smarter, Stay Stronger
Your blade size should reflect your physical needs. Paddlers with prior injuries to the shoulders, back, elbows, or wrists—as well as older or younger paddlers—often benefit from a smaller blade to reduce strain and improve comfort. A smaller blade allows for smoother, higher-cadence strokes with less impact, helping you paddle longer and recover faster.
Chris’s Advice: Read the Chart, Then Read Your Body
Start with the recommended weight range for each blade, then personalize your choice. Depending on your paddling style, board setup, and physical condition, you’ll either size up, stay where you are, or go smaller.
If you’re near the top of a weight category and prefer a slower, more powerful stroke, sizing up may give you the feel and drive you want. If you’re at the lower end—especially with back or shoulder issues—going smaller can improve comfort, cadence, and efficiency.
One factor alone might not justify a change unless you’re at the high or low end of a range. But if two or more factors apply, even paddlers in the middle should consider adjusting. The goal is to find the balance that works best for you.
Not Sure What Blade Size to Choose?
Contact us for personalized recommendations based on your paddling goals, body weight, and experience level.
Smaller Blades. Smarter Paddling.
Blade sizes have gradually decreased over time as paddlers focus on higher cadence, improved technique, and reduced strain. Today’s smaller, more efficient blades deliver better performance with less effort—helping you paddle stronger, longer.
SUP Racing and Touring Paddle Blade Size Guide (e.g. Hydro SynergyX, Hydro SprintX, and Hydro TempoX)
We offer our race and touring paddles in a wide range of blade sizes because a customized fit matters for optimal performance—whether you’re sprinting at max effort or logging long miles. While blade numbers may vary slightly between models due to differences in shape and aspect ratio, our XS to XL letter system keeps sizing simple. Just like clothing sizes, most paddlers fall into a consistent range based on weight. We’ve already optimized the size and power balance—so you don’t need to be an expert to get it right. This guide will help you choose the perfect match for your body and your paddling goals.
Shop SUP Race and Touring Paddles
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Hydro TempoX Adjustable
$450.00 -
Hydro SprintX
$650.00 -
Hydro SynergyX
$650.00
SUP Surfing Paddle Blade Size Guide (e.g Surge)
In SUP surfing, a smaller blade is typically preferred. While you need enough power to catch waves, a smaller blade offers higher cadence for quick acceleration and greater agility while riding—helping you generate speed and enhance your turns. Over longer sessions, it also reduces fatigue. This thinking is already built into the design of the Surge. For example, a Medium Surge has less surface area and power than a Medium Hydro SynergyX (race paddle). So if you’re already using a Medium elsewhere, there’s no need to size down for surf—we’ve already accounted for the difference. Your board also influences blade size. If you’re riding a larger or higher-volume board, you may consider going up in size. On smaller surf boards, the standard sizing table holds true. To support a wide range of SUP surfers, the Surge is available in five blade sizes so you can find the perfect fit for your weight and board setup. Trust the letter—it’s the most accurate way to choose a paddle that will feel and perform right in the surf.
Shop SUP Surfing Paddles
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Surge
$575.00 -
Surge 3-Piece
$575.00
SUP Foil Paddle Blade Size Guide (e.g. FoilX)
Blade size selection for SUP foil is more subjective than in other disciplines. Your ideal size depends not just on body weight, but also on your foiling and paddling ability, foil setup, and the conditions you paddle in—so consider the table below a guide, not a rule. Unlike in the past, there’s no need to size up. The FoilX was specifically engineered for SUP foiling, with all the power built in—making it far more efficient than traditional paddles adapted for foil. Over the past year, average blade sizes have dropped as foilers prioritize cadence, especially when using smaller foils. A FoilX blade will often feel more powerful than other paddles with similar surface area. Trust the letters, not the numbers—our sizing system is designed to reflect real-world performance, not just specs which can be misleading.
Shop SUP Foil Paddles
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FoilX
$575.00
Recreational SUP Paddle Blade Size Guide (e.g. Lava)
We believe every paddler deserves a paddle that fits—not just elite racers. That’s why the Lava is available in three optimized blade sizes and two shaft diameters, offering just the right amount of choice without overcomplicating it. Designed for maximum versatility, this range covers everything from flatwater cruising to surf and casual touring. And with our letter-based sizing system, it’s easy to find your perfect fit—without getting bogged down in blade area numbers.
Shop All-Water and Recreational Paddles
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Lava 1-Piece
$325.00 -
Lava Adjustable
$350.00 -
- Out of Stock
- SUP Paddles, SUP All-Water Paddles, SUP Recreation, SUP Travel, SUP Travel Paddles, 2024-5
Lava Travel 3-Piece
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$375.00
- View Product
Lava Travel 3-Piece
$375.00 -
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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.
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