New Paddle

In Action:

Early Season South Swell from rotorhead guy on Vimeo.

SUP Paddle

The bending jig used is actually for an iako (outrigger crossbeam). I’ve modified it for a nice double-bend. Since my last 2-ply paddle failed (see the video here) I used 4 laminations on this one; two lams of douglas fir in the interior and mahogany on the outside. Here is is just out of the jig:

From there, it’s a whole lot of hand-shaping with a small plane and a spokeshave. Here is some sequentials:

 

The blade is douglas fir with mahogany highlights. I made a temporary jig to glue up the “wings” on to the shaft.

I used the same blade template as the last paddle, as I really liked how it felt both paddling and surfing:

The blade was covered with glass set in epoxy:

 

 

From there, once the epoxy was dry, I sanded and filled with urethane, and she’s ready for her premiere.

Stand-Up Paddles

These can be made with a variety of woods. Fir, pine, maple and mahogany are all available and specialty woods can be ordered as well.

Shafts are available in any length and can be straight, bent or double-bend. The bent and double bend shafts are two or three layers of wood, and I can set the jig for most reasonable bends.

They are heavier than commercial aluminum or carbon fiber paddles. They do have a much more natural flex to them, and in my opinion feel better in the hand.

Like everything I make, each one is unique and made one at a time.








Here's a clip of this morning's SUP session with one of my paddles and a Naish 11'4. The thingy on the paddle where the shaft meets the blade is my gopro camera mount.