Kialoa Paddle Review (Methane)

KIALOA METHANE

Gorge Performance had a 20% off sale of Kialoa paddles so how could anyone refuse. I have been using an all carbon "made in china" non name brand paddle. I would consider my old paddle middle of the road quality. However it is amazing how the quality jumps from a $200 paddle to a $300 paddle.

Weight: A
21oz is an impressively low number however I am much more impressed with how its balanced. Balance is really what you are after and I give them an A for having little to no swing weight at all. Sweet!

Grip: A-
This is the only part of the paddle I am not super stoked about! Not because I think it is inferior only because I am not used to it. It is a t-bar style Grip that spans straight accross and actually fits over the shaft. I believe this will be advantageous for pivoting in my palm....  just feels different at this point.

Shaft: A
Slightly oval!! which is very important! Half of your grip is on the shaft so having that oblong form allows much more control than a round one would.

Blade: A
Smaller in volume! Which is what you need for faster acceleration! This is ideal for surf supers. You need to be able to pivot and accelerate very quickly. A larger paddle face is going to allow for a higher top speed but slower acceleration. Think "gears in cars" and it makes sense. A smaller volume blade is like a lower gear.

Overall: A
I am very happy with my purchase! At this point in the sport I am impressed with Kialoa. I am excited to see where paddle technology goes from here. I would love to see interchangeable grips, shafts, and blades similar to being able to switch out fins. Just some Time I am sure and we will see this technology!

Good job guys!!

Oregon too cold to sup? Missing Maui?

Right now it's 20 degrees in oregon and the forecast is calling for pretty good surf. But even the beach is going to be in the 20's.....this is rare...without gloves and maybe a 654 you might be asking for it. It's rare when oregon surfers opt out from temp. However it happens...it begs the question:

How cold is too cold for you to surf or sup!?!?

Days like this make me miss the beautiful South Pacific. Here's a screenshot of a double over ankle wave in sw Maui. Enjoy and keep warm out there!

Somewhere out there

When the swell is flat other options are open for exploration! The ocean has much to offer the curious! Some supers found a swell exposed cave that would kill a person on most days. This day.....pirates of the Caribbean!

Sup oregon:

Daily SUP Videos!

Heres a great site that for these rainy days to keep you amped. 

Gotta love how they divide into sections:

1. Saltwater, 
2. Fresh water, 
3. Instructional
4. Video of the week. 

With so many bad surf and sup videos on youtube ....

weeeee

you might as well let these guys filter the junk and get you the best sup footage you can find.

Also with so few "How to" SUP videos out there you will find this site worth a click or 10!!!!

ENJOY!!!

DAILY SUP VIDEO

From SURF to SUP, Oregon Stand Up Paddle Surfing

7 years ago on one my first Maui surf trips I came across a new way to experience the ocean. Guys and gals everywhere standing on their boards. Surfing, touring, and snorkelling from huge longboards!!! This "stand up paddle boarding" was everywhere. It has only grown since!!!

I was on the west side of Maui trying to catch some sets on a an egg. Swell was only a couple feet but large enough where some off the less popular breaks were getting some action. Being from Oregon I am not one to "party wave". I find you catch more waves alone or off to the side than in a large group. And its much more fun. Needless to say I was extremely annoyed, these guys took everything. The SUPers stayed out on the fringe and picked off all the sets. Now....we've all been somewhere (like Santa Cruz) were the crabby 65 year old or bratty girl on a 9'0" steals every set to surf straight. THIS WAS WORSE!!! Here I was in maui and every little reef had a pack of these SUPers taking every 6" bump.....GAH!

I loved watching SUP's geting creamed by the sets and seeing them flail in the impact zone. I said all the same scoffs surfers say....for years.....well and there is some truth to it......

well.....

alas......a few years went by and a friend of mine, a long time surfer, bought a Gerry Lopez SUP. Our eyes were opened....

Living and surfing in Oregon I am blessed with smaller crowds, cold water, sharks, and sand bars. While some of those things seem bad, they are what makes this place special. SUP surfing fits right in. With the lack of reef, storms, and strong tides we see much different waves than California or Hawaii. This is where having a SUP becomes priceless. We are closer to storms so our intervals are often shorter.

typical oregon summer day

Mushy days or slightly high/low tides become non issues when on a SUP. Your wave time drastically increases, you see everything much sooner and with the paddle leverage can reach peaks you can never get to on your belly.

Don't get me wrong.....Oregon offers some amazing shortboarding and longboarding sessions in the fall and spring!!! But.... with the major fluctuations in weather and tide there are many times where surfing is less effective.

Not trying to change anyone's mind here.....everyone should do whatever they enjoy and share the ocean respectfully. I have found this SUPing in Oregon to be a freakin' blast.

Here are a couple good places to rent a sup:
http://www.momentsurfco.com/ - Moment Surf Co, Pacific City
http://www.oregonsurfshop.com/ - Oregon Surf Shop, Lincoln City