Kialoa Shaka Puu Stand Up Paddle (Part 2)

[singlepic=2860,188,125] Dave Chun of Kialoa Paddles answers questions about paddling technique, paddle design and performance, his all-new Shaka Puu paddle, and general concerns about the stand up paddle surf culture. Dave also talks about choosing the right paddle, which all boils down to intuition that tells what type of paddle is best for the stand up paddle surfer.We get to learn more about paddles and why design and performance are always relative to individual surfers.In this video, Dave looks at the dimensions of the Shaka Puu paddle and talks briefly about the absence of data that could help in determining which paddle is right for the individual. Right now, he Dave says, the best way to find out what type of paddle is ideal for the surfer is to go out and try different designs and see what suits best.(click thumbnail to launch video)Evan Leong: Mel Puu is a big dude, so he is using, even this paddle at 8 and frac34;, it seems a little bit wide when you look at the normal dimensions in other onesmdash;8 frac12; or so on. But the shape of this is different. It only gets 8 and frac34; at the bottom, and it goes to 8 inches and lower pretty quickly. Does that help it move through across the water faster orhellip;?Dave Chun: It is easier on him. Now itrsquo;s probably good technique. He is a canoe paddler, and exceptional canoe paddler, so he already have that in place. The better technique, the more efficient you get in to the water. Wersquo;re not going in to paddle technique and stuff like that, it is enough said that he has got good technique. The other thing is you only need enough traction to get on the wave. (_____), another guy who uses my stuff, he is six- or seven-time world champion one-man guy and he told me something once that has always stuck with me. He said, ldquo;I only need enough speed to get on a swell.rdquo; So you trim the paddle as much as you can so itrsquo;s the smallest paddle you possibly can use. A big paddle fatigues you quite a bit. Thatrsquo;s the thing about paddles, the paddle that you are fastest with at a five-minute mark is not the paddle yoursquo;re going to be fastest with after an hour or two hours. Once again, that is one of the difficulties in obtaining data on what is the ultimate paddle because the duration of the vent dictates a lot of times what you need. Surfing tends to be soft start, but guys go off for really long sessions, right? Thatrsquo;s why theyrsquo;re gravitating towards really smaller paddle. Maybe it feels small on the first stroke but on the 10,000ths of the day itrsquo;s probably exactly right. No, probably earlier than that buthellip;Evan Leong: So with the new paddle, Melrsquo;s huge, what about smaller guys, 190, 170?Dave Chun: Itrsquo;ll be fine. This isnrsquo;thellip; I donrsquo;t get too much in to fine tuning of a paddle thinking that yoursquo;re really going to find the ultimate thing. Everybodyrsquo;s is different for one thing. I havenrsquo;t been able to find any kind of data to support big guy, small guy, fit guy, out of shape guy, for what people like. Really the only way to find out what paddle is right for you, is to go out and try it. Thatrsquo;s where we offer demo programs to shops. Shops can purchase demos from us and we like that. I like you to buy my paddles but ultimately we want people to be happy in the sport, to buy the right thing. If itrsquo;s one of my competitors and theyrsquo;re totally happy with it, thatrsquo;s good because the main thing is theyrsquo;re out there promoting the sport and thatrsquo;s good for all of us. If more surfershellip; well, if yoursquo;re a surfer, you donrsquo;t want tons of guys in the line up but itrsquo;s another issue.Evan Leong: So your shafts, I notice I mean I really like this shaft. I told you it reminded me of my high-end kayak paddle. And the weave, it looks super nice and itrsquo;s super light.Dave Chun: Yeah, itr...