Step #4 – Selecting a Handle For Comfort and Control

In this SUP Paddle Handle Guide, we help you choose the ideal handle to enhance your paddling comfort and efficiency. We will also explore the differences between the PowerGrip and SurfGrip used on our paddles.

PowerGrip—Power and All Day Comfort

The PowerGrip has been optimized for maximum power, increased efficiency, and long-lasting comfort while paddling hard. Developed in collaboration with world champion Arthur Arutkin and Maui waterman Bernd Roediger, the wider and flatter back creates a secure feel that remains comfortable during longer races and workouts. Like all our handles, the PowerGrip is hollow to help eliminate any excess weight.

PowerGrip SUP paddle handle for enhanced comfort and control. This is a replacement and upgrade for ergo and palm style handles.
SurfGrip designed for precision in SUP surfing. This is a replacement for the T handle.

SurfGrip—Precision and Control in Surf

The hollow pre-preg carbon Surf Grip (formerly known as the T-handle) is a standout feature of the Surge paddle. With its unique flat front and curved back design, this handle provides direct tactile feedback to the paddler, ensuring precise blade orientation. The compact size of the Surf Grip enhances paddle agility and ensures a secure hold during wipeouts. Constructed with thirteen layers of carbon, this handle is built to withstand the rigors of surfing while maintaining an impressively light weight of only 22 grams (0.78 oz)—making it the lightest paddle handle in our lineup.

PowerGrip: The Power In Your Hands.

The award-winning PowerGrip was designed with elite paddlers to deliver maximum control, comfort, and efficiency. Its unique triangular shape fits naturally in your palm, reducing fatigue while increasing stroke power and control.

Hot Glue—Gluing Your Handle Correctly

We strongly recommend the use of our extra strength hot glue for all 1-piece paddle assembly.

How To Shorten Your SUP Paddle

If you want to shorten your paddle, this quick guide will help you confidently remove and re-glue your handle.

Not Sure Which Paddle is Right For You?

Contact us for personalized recommendations based on your paddling goals, body weight, and experience level.

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.

Explore great shipping rates for international orders

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.

Get your paddle length

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.

How to correctly measure paddle length

How to shorten your paddle

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.

Find the correct size blade for your weight

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.

View Paddle Bag

View 3-Piece Paddle Bag

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.