Carbon SUP Paddle Guide – Buying Tips for Carbon SUP Paddles
Many stand up paddle beginners start with an aluminum or fiberglass paddle. Once the SUP bug has bitten you and you want to practice this sport regularly, you will probably start thinking about buying a carbon paddle very soon, as the advantages simply outweigh the others. However, since carbon paddles are also a larger investment, you should think about which paddle is the right one for your needs before you buy. In this carbon SUP paddle guide, we would like to give you some tips on what you should consider before purchasing.
The benefits of carbon SUP paddles
- very light and therefore gentler on the arms and shoulders than aluminum paddles for longer tours
- more resistant to use in saltwater than aluminum paddles (keyword: potential corrosion in aluminum paddles)
- high-quality manufacturing
- a better selection of blade sizes than with aluminum paddles, so you can better adapt the paddle to your requirements. The variety of models in terms of blade sizes and grips is significantly greater than with aluminum paddles.
Who is a carbon SUP paddle for?
If you enjoy paddling longer tours and paddle regularly, it is time to switch to a carbon SUP paddle. A light carbon paddle is much more suitable for longer paddling sessions because it relieves the strain on your shoulders and arms, and furthermore, aluminum paddles have no flex, which is additionally tiring and strenuous on longer distances.
If you only paddle short distances a few times a year or perhaps your children use the SUP while swimming in the shore area, a robust aluminum or fiberglass paddle is sufficient.
What material are SUP paddles made of?
As already mentioned above, SUP paddles are mainly made of aluminum, fiberglass or carbon or carbon/Kevlar. There are also pure wooden paddles, but these are usually very heavy.
Carbon fibers are also known as carbon fiber, and it is a material that is used particularly where every gram of weight counts, such as in racing bikes, mountain bikes, or, of course, SUP paddles.
Kevlar refers to a synthetic, heat-resistant fiber used when an object needs to be strong but lightweight.
The Glory Boards race paddle, for example, is made from a carbon/Kevlar mix, which allows for an especially thin blade while maintaining high stiffness.
Kevlar refers to a synthetic, heat-resistant fiber used when an object needs to be strong but lightweight.
The Glory Boards race paddle, for example, is made from a carbon/Kevlar mix, which allows for an especially thin blade while maintaining high stiffness.
The handle of the carbon SUP paddle
The handle is an important purchase criterion for a carbon SUP paddle. After all, you don't want to get blisters or pressure points on your palms while paddling. When buying, look for an ergonomic handle that "feels good" when paddling. Depending on the size of your hand (e.g., children or very petite hands), you should try out several handles when buying a paddle.
Blade size and length
The blade size is usually given in square inches. Depending on the shape of the blade, paddle blade sizes are between approx. 75 and 95 in².
As a rule of thumb: the smaller, lighter, and more petite you are, the smaller the area of the paddle blade should be. The larger the paddle blade, the more effort you naturally need for the paddle stroke, but the greater the propulsion. As with everything: personal preference decides, and if you are not sure, you should test different carbon paddles beforehand.
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Paddle blade with teardrop shape
The teardrop shape is the most common for paddle blades. These paddle blades are relatively wide and you submerge them completely during the paddle stroke. -
Narrow paddle blade shape
There are also special shapes for SUP paddles, such as the Glory Boards "Fast Track". Thanks to the narrow, elongated shape, you can paddle very close to the board and thus build up high speed. In addition, the narrow shape allows you to decide for yourself how deeply you want to submerge the paddle and thus determine the amount of effort yourself.
Because most SUP carbon paddles are adjustable vario paddles, you can individually adapt and adjust them to your body height. Special SUP carbon paddles, such as the Glory Boards "Cracky," were developed specifically for women. The paddle blade is smaller and the weight of the paddle is lower than SUP paddles for men.
Fixed length or adjustable carbon paddle?
Carbon paddles with a fixed length are used almost exclusively in the racing sector. The advantages of paddles with an adjustable length are simply indisputable. On a long SUP tour on a lake, you need a different paddle length than when using it in waves. With a 2- or 3-piece paddle, you can always adjust the length individually to the situation.
When buying, make sure that the connections on the adjustable paddle and the clamp for length adjustment have no "play." This means that the paddle cannot easily twist in one direction or the other during use. For Glory Boards carbon paddles, we have solved this with a hexagon connector that prevents the blade from twisting.
If you paddle exclusively on long tours and races in similar conditions, it might be worth investing in a fixed paddle, as you save extra weight, and a few grams less can often be decisive in a race. However, you must also be aware that once the carbon paddle has been cut to the appropriate length, this cannot be undone. You can only cut it shorter, but not make it longer.
Note: For 99% of stand-up paddlers, an adjustable carbon SUP paddle is definitely the right choice and preferable to a paddle with a fixed length.
What you should look out for after buying a carbon SUP paddle
If you have decided on a carbon SUP paddle, there are a few things you should look out for during use.
Carbon is more delicate than aluminum, so you should make sure to transport your paddle properly in the car, for example in a dedicated transport bag. This way you avoid scratches, and if you decide to resell your paddle at a later date, your resale value will naturally be higher the better the condition is.
Avoid contact with stones or the bottom of the lake while paddling. This is not a problem for an aluminum paddle, but with a carbon paddle, you risk potential scratches on the paddle blade.
Do you need more support and don't know which Glory Boards carbon SUP paddle is right for you? Contact us and we will recommend the right SUP paddle for your requirements!
