| Canoe Paddles for Standup Paddling? |
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It's true; many canoe paddle manufacturers have long track records of
building great paddles for canoe paddling. Also true, the C4 team has a
long track record paddling and winning many championship canoe races
using those great canoe paddles. Keep in mind that C4 has spent years
re-pioneering and participating in the sport of standup paddle surfing,
both surfing, as well competing in SUP Races across Molokai Channel.
This experience has led to innovation. Now, let me explain why there is
a big difference in the equipment these two sports use. Back to basics... Canoe paddling you are sitting not standing, you have an outrigger to support you, so balance is not as critical.... Paddles are used with your hand gripping low toward the blade (4"-8") which makes your fulcrum point closer to the power application point. This makes it easy to control the track of the paddle through the water also control the efficiency on the power catch through the water (like a car with good traction). A canoe has much more buoyancy, is narrower and faster than a board; therefore water flow distribution off the blade does not directly effect the lifting aspects of the buoyancy and wetted surface on the hull (this will make sense later). So a flat thin-bladed paddle will work just fine for the canoe application. It is powerful first and efficiency is not as critical. What I'm saying is... canoe paddles and canoes are designed for Canoe Paddling. (Please "Read More") Now take the SUP sport board and paddle. You're standing, so balance adds a whole new aspect to the discipline; that is the biggest factor the board must address, and to do that it must be long and wide, with a large wetted surface area, which, as you know, makes them Big and Slow, a reason why this SUP boards are constantly evolving. The battle of less wetted surface vs. balance/speed. As for SUP paddles, your lower hand grip and fulcrum point is higher and now 50"-plus away from the blade so you lack the ability to control the paddle tracking through the water, giving you less control on the catch efficiency at the entry. Easily understood, SUP paddling is not the same as canoe paddling and just as the craft your standing on, the paddle needs to be designed for standing too. Especially for the beginner paddler, the wrong equipment can make it more difficult to learn and excel, as a paddle's inefficiencies will make the stroke hard through the water hard to pull and control, and since you are standing, will pull you off balance from the board. Also, if water flow off the paddle is not efficient and controlled, the blade can wander and that is why you bang the rail so much with paddles that are not addressing design for proper flow of a SUP. Foil & flow design are key on airplane and watercraft. As watermen and surfers we understand how important the shape, foil, flow and design is on our equipment and especially the fins or rudder and you wouldn't use flat thin shapes for this purpose, the same is true for an SUP paddle. After the board your paddle is your next most important tool just like the fins on your board. Just like a road bike is not like mountain bike, yet both are bikes. The same is true for SUP paddles and canoe paddles, the equipment and discipline are very different. OK. With that as the background on the differences in the two sports, here is the pitch for the hours of thought and R&D we have put towards our C4 brand.... C4 paddles & equipment are designed for the sport of SUP, they are designed and used by SUP surfers and racers that are also canoe paddlers and professional surfers with decades of experience and knowledge innovating the osmosis of the two unique water sports. The simple explanation: C4 PADDLE was specially designed for SUP, its patent pending shape featuring a keel-shaped dihedral or blade neck on the powerface of the blade, that foils and flows the water down, helps to steer the paddle straight for less paddle wander when taking hard strokes, balancing and moving big boards for catching waves..... C4 paddles maximize the water flow down to help lift the board for less wetted surface as it moves it forward. This will also help steer the paddle straight and help minimize rail banging. The wide point of the blade is down deep for a more positive an efficient power in the water. Just like a prop on a boat..... the front of blade features a "flowing curved face," allowing water to flow away efficiently on the back side, creating lift and drive for the power face and also allowing you to easily skim the blade across the water when "pulling Gs" on those hard bottom turns. Like a wing on a plane, this is more efficient then a flat-blade style paddles that can catch and edge when skimming paddle across the water. Not only is blade design important so are the shafts for grip comfort and efficiency. C4 paddles utilize an ergonomic palm grip and a tapered oval shaft with the proper amount of flex and stiffness applied where it is needed. This make for a paddle that is not only one of the most effective and efficient exclusively for SUP but very strong comfortable, too. Too much flex and you lose control, too stiff you lose resiliency. But like anything, people have their preferences. So the best thing to do is educate yourself on what you are trying to accomplish, then test them all and see. Because in the end you can throw a long shaft on a paddle and you can ride a road bike on a dirt road, it works. Our C4 team is and has been committed to the growth, innovation, education, and participation of this old traditional Hawaiian beachboy sport that is evolving every day. Hopefully, with the roots of the sport here in Hawaii and our resources both in our waters and experiences, C4 SUP surfing innovations and equipment will help bring out the Hidden Waterman in all of us. This sport is evolving everyday. Our C4 team is and has been committed to the growth, innovation, education, and participation of this old traditional Hawaiian beachboy sport and pastime. We hope our innovations and equipment help you get exercise, enjoy the water and bring out the Hidden Waterman in all of us. |
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 09 May 2007 ) |
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