Your paddle is what transfers your power to the water.

The Importance of a Quality Paddle for Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP)

When it comes to stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), your paddle may be more important than your board! While many paddlers invest heavily in a high-quality board, the paddle often gets overlooked. However, a well-designed paddle can significantly enhance your performance, reduce fatigue, and make your paddling experience more enjoyable.

Why Your Paddle Matters

Your paddle is what transfers your power to the water. Every stroke you take propels you forward, maneuvers your board, and influences your overall efficiency. A poorly made, low quality or ill-suited paddle can lead to quicker fatigue, joint strain, and less control, detracting from your time on the water. Conversely, a well-balanced, high-performance paddle can make even long-distance paddling feel smooth and effortless.

Paddle Materials: What to Look For

The material of your paddle largely determines its weight, stiffness, and durability. Here’s a breakdown of common materials and how they perform:

1. Aluminum

Aluminum paddles are commonly included with lower priced board packages. While durable and budget-friendly, they are heavier than other materials, which can lead to quicker fatigue during extended paddling sessions. Aluminum paddles often have plastic blades.  Plastic blades are usually very heavy, flexible and poorly shaped which results in less of your power being efficiently transferred into forward propulsion of you and your board. In addition some metal paddles can sink if in the water more than a few minutes (a major safety concern). If you own a metal paddle we recommend an upgrade!

2. Fibreglass

Fibreglass paddles strike a balance between performance and affordability. They are lighter than aluminum and offer better flexibility, reducing stress on joints. Fiberglass is a popular choice for intermediate paddlers and are often more affordable than full carbon paddles.

3. Carbon Fiber

Carbon fiber paddles are the gold standard in the SUP world. Renowned for their ultra-lightweight and stiffness, they deliver maximum power transfer with minimal effort. This makes them perfect for recreational and long-distance paddling, racing, or surf SUP. While carbon paddles are often a little more bigger investment, the difference in performance is well worth it for paddlers wanting to truly enjoy their time on the water and critical for developing an efficient paddling technique.

The Blackfish Advantage

Among the many brands producing high-quality paddles, Blackfish Paddles stands out as an industry leader. Known for their meticulous craftsmanship, Blackfish combines cutting-edge technology with eco-conscious manufacturing processes to create paddles that are both high-performing and sustainable.

Why Choose Blackfish?

1. Innovative Blade Shapes: Blackfish designs blades to optimize water flow and efficiency. Their proprietary Hydro Flow blade, for example, reduces turbulence during each stroke, making your paddling smoother and less tiring.
2. High-Quality Materials: Blackfish paddles are primarily crafted from carbon fibre, ensuring they are lightweight and durable. They also incorporate bio-resins in their manufacturing process, reflecting a commitment to sustainability.
3. Adjustable and Fixed-Length Options: Whether you’re sharing your paddle with others or prefer a customized fit, Blackfish offers both adjustable and fixed-length paddles to suit your needs.
4. High Quality at a range of prices  All Blackfish paddles are carbon paddles, very light, durable and high value per dollar. Prices from around $250-$520.  Blackfish has a paddle for you at a price you can afford.
5. Local Company  Blackfish Paddles is a local BC company based in Squamish.  Parts are readily available should you ever need a new handle, shaft or even blade for some models!  

A Reputation for Excellence

Paddlers across the globe praise Blackfish for their attention to detail and commitment to innovation. Their paddles are not only functional but are also works of art, offering a premium feel with every stroke.

The Bottom Line

A high-quality paddle is more than just a tool—it’s an investment in your paddling experience. By choosing a paddle made from durable, lightweight materials like carbon fiber and opting for a brand like Blackfish, you’ll enjoy increased performance, reduced fatigue, and countless enjoyable hours on the water.

Whether you’re a recreational paddler or a competitive racer, upgrading your paddle is one of the best ways to elevate your SUP game. So, take the plunge, and feel the difference that a premium paddle can make!  Check out Blackfish Paddles for sale here https://southislandsup.com/product-category/blackfish-carbon-paddles/

A safe SUP outing depends on training, trip planning and taking the ‘essentials’. In this blog we focus on taking the ‘essentials’.

Check our calendar for upcoming Paddle Canada accredited Touring Level 1 and Touring Level 2 courses that provide higher level training and will go into more detail about taking the ‘essentials’, trip planning, tides and currents, navigation and more.

Transport Canada’s minimum safety equipment requirements for SUPs

Since most of the stand-up paddleboards we use are 14 feet and under, the information summarized in the first bulleted list below is applicable to that size range.

There are additional requirements for stand-up paddleboards >6 m (~19.5 feet) – check out Transport Canada’s Safe Boating Guide for more info.

There are also different and additional requirements if you are leading/guiding in a perceived, volunteer or paid capacity – see ‘Transport Canada’s minimum safety equipment and other requirements for guided excursions’ toward end of blog.

Here are Transport Canada’s minimum safety equipment requirements for SUPs 14 feet and under with an indication of situations when they are required or exemptions, where applicable:

• Transport Canada approved life jacket or PFD (personal floatation device) – one per person on board (see ‘Additional and important information on PFDs’ at end of blog)
• Sound signalling device (e.g. whistle) – wear around neck for easy access/ready to use
• Water-tight flashlight (if paddling after sunset/before sunrise or in restricted visibility (e.g. fog))
• Navigation light showing a white light (if paddling after sunset/before sunrise or in restricted visibility (e.g. fog)); this can be a water-tight flashlight, ready to use, far enough in advance to prevent a collision
• Magnetic compass – not required if your board is less than 8 m long and paddling within sight of navigation marks; however, beneficial to have and know how to use in case you encounter restricted visibility (e.g. fog)
• Buoyant heaving line, minimum 15 m long (required if you are not wearing your life jacket or PFD; note, you must wear inflatable PFDs at all times)

Although a water-tight flashlight/navigation light and magnetic compass is only needed if you are paddling after sunset/before sunrise or in restricted visibility (e.g. fog), you never know when the fog might roll in or if your end of day paddle is delayed past sunset. Be prepared. Pack for the unanticipated.

Additional items to bring

There are many other items to consider bringing as essentials in addition to the above minimum safety equipment requirements.

The duration and/or location of your paddle will determine what you will need to bring. For example, what you bring on an hour paddle near the shore and an urban area will be different than what you bring on a day-long or multi-day long paddle, particularly in more remote locations. Touring Level 1 and Touring Level 2 training helps you identify what you might need to bring for paddles you enjoy or want to do.

The following is a sample list:

• Extra warm clothing (wool hat, gloves, leggings, sweater, socks) (avoid cotton as it absorbs and retains water like a sponge keeping you wet and cold)
• Water, warm beverage
• High energy snacks, extra food
• First aid kit (including emergency blanket, mini first aid guide)
• Communication device (cell phone, marine VHF (requires certification to use), satellite phone), portable power bank to recharge devices
• Hand warmers (these can really help take the edge off the cold and can be placed between clothing layers around your core – not directly on your skin)
• Knife
• Water resistant notebook (Rite in the Rain) and pencil
• Map/chart
• Spare fin, suitable repair kit for board type (e.g. epoxy and gorilla tape for hard board; patch kit and pump for inflatable board)

Much of this can be securely stored and kept dry in one or more 10 L, 20 L or 25 L dry bags depending on the contents. Of course, larger dry bags are available and may be optimal for your paddling situation. Multiple bags can help organize items and provide easier access. Don’t pack your water/beverage container with other items unless you know for certain they are 100% leak proof!

Don’t have time to gather all these items? We have you covered! E-mail (brian at southislandsup dot com), call or text (7786791423) and we can assemble your very own dry bag for you (price varies depending on dry bag size and contents, ~$40 to $100).

Transport Canada’s minimum safety equipment and other requirements for guided excursions

There are different and additional minimum safety equipment and other requirements if you are leading/guiding in a perceived, volunteer or paid capacity.

We’ve summarized briefly what the minimum safety equipment and other requirements for guided excursions are (applicable to SUPs 14 feet and under). Those that are different or additional to what is required for non-guided excursions are identified in bold italic font:

• Transport Canada approved life jacket or PFD (must be worn regardless of type)
• Sound signalling device (e.g. whistle) (as per first bulleted list)
• Water-tight flashlight (as per first bulleted list)
• Buoyant heaving line, minimum 15 m long (required, no exemptions)
• Navigation light (as per first bulleted list)
• Magnetic compass (as per first bulleted list)
• First aid kit
• Cold water immersion plan
• Pre-trip departure safety briefing
• Trip plan

 Additional and important information on PFDs

• PFDs are most commonly used by stand-up paddleboarders and fall into two broad categories:
  • Inherently buoyant like the orange Kokatat lifejacket in the photo
  • Inflatable (hence not inherently buoyant) like the Onyx waist belt type in the photo
• Inflatable PFDs are manually inflated by pulling an inflation cord/pull tab or orally inflating with the oral inflation tube therefore you should be comfortable being in the water to wear these and must be 16 years of age or older
• Inflatable PFDs are only considered PFDs if you are wearing them, so you must wear these at all times
• The Vaikobi PFDs are not Transport Canada approved yet. There are two options to being able to wear these and still being compliant:
  • Wear a Vaikobi PFD and a Transport Canada approved waist belt style inflatable PFD
  • Wear a Vaikobi PFD and have a Transport Canada approved inherently buoyant PFD secured to your board and readily accessible
• Check out Transport Canada’s webpage describing the characteristics of life jackets and PFDs
• Don’t forget to undertake the care and maintenance steps outlined in your PFD’s owner manual at the frequency specified (i.e. before/after each wear, every 6 months, annually). This includes inspecting all components, such as the inflating system and bladder for inflatable PFDs; checking for tears and holes; checking that seams, fabric, straps and hardware are secure and strong.

Banner photo by Don Craig