Black Project

Start with what you want to improve. If your current paddle feels heavy, harsh or slow through the water, a paddle upgrade is usually the biggest feel-good improvement. If your board wanders, feels twitchy, lacks tracking or does not hold a clean line, a fin upgrade may be the better first move.

For paddles, think about blade size, shaft flex, handle feel, paddle length and whether you need fixed, two-piece or travel-friendly adjustability. For fins, think about board length, board width, water depth, weeds, tracking, stability and whether you are racing, touring, surfing or downwinding.

If you are unsure, tell us your height, weight, board model, board width, paddling style and what you want to improve. We will help you choose the right Black Project upgrade rather than simply the most expensive option.

For race, touring, fitness and distance paddling, the goal is not just power. You want a clean catch, stable pull, controlled release and a blade size you can repeat for hundreds or thousands of strokes without overloading your shoulders.

Black Project Hydro Synergy-X Paddle

The Hydro Synergy-X is the middle and long-distance performance direction. It suits paddlers chasing efficiency, rhythm and speed over sustained efforts rather than short bursts alone.

View the Black Project Hydro Synergy-X Paddle

Black Project Hydro Sprint-X Paddle

The Hydro Sprint-X is the punchier race option for paddlers who want acceleration, sprint power and a more explosive catch for short-course racing and fast efforts.

View the Black Project Hydro Sprint-X Paddle

A quality two-piece paddle makes sense if you travel, share kit, adjust length between boards or want more practicality than a fixed-length paddle. It is also useful if you are still refining your ideal paddle length.

Black Project Hydro Tempo-X Two Piece SUP Paddle

The Hydro Tempo-X is the smoother, more forgiving two-piece option for fitness, progression, touring and paddlers who want performance without an overly aggressive feel.

View the Black Project Hydro Tempo-X Two Piece SUP Paddle

Black Project Lava Two Piece SUP Paddle

The Lava is a versatile performance paddle for mixed use, including touring, fitness and everyday paddling. It is a strong route if you want a noticeable upgrade without going too specialist.

View the Black Project Lava Two Piece SUP Paddle

SUP surfing and SUP foiling place different demands on a paddle compared with flat-water touring. You need fast handling, quick acceleration, cadence control and a paddle that helps you react quickly rather than simply load up maximum power.

Black Project Surge Surf Paddle

The Surge Surf Paddle is tuned for SUP surfing, where quick cadence, fast response and control are more important than a heavy, slow power stroke.

View the Black Project Surge Surf Paddle

Black Project FoilX Carbon Paddle

The FoilX Carbon Paddle is the SUP foil-focused option, designed around quick cadence and take-off power for paddlers trying to get flying sooner and maintain control through the setup phase.

View the Black Project FoilX Carbon Paddle

A fin can change how a board tracks, turns and holds stability. If your board feels twitchy, drifts, lacks directional control or feels slow to settle in side chop, the right fin can be a very cost-effective upgrade.

Black Project Sonic 18 Pre-Preg Fin

The Sonic 18 is a performance fin upgrade for paddlers chasing tracking and speed on race, touring and training boards.

View the Black Project SUP Sonic 18 Pre-Preg Fin

Black Project Maliko 21 Pre-Preg Fin

The Maliko 21 is a confidence-inspiring fin choice for paddlers who want tracking, control and a more settled feel on longer boards and mixed-water sessions.

View the Black Project SUP Maliko 21 Pre-Preg Fin

Ray and Tiger fin options

Ray and Tiger fin options suit paddlers looking to fine-tune board feel, handling and efficiency. Choose around board type, water depth, touring route, race format and how much stability versus manoeuvrability you want.

Bigger blades are not automatically better. A blade that is too large can overload your shoulders, slow your cadence and make paddling feel heavy. A smaller blade can let you maintain rhythm, reduce fatigue and paddle more efficiently over distance.

Shaft flex also matters. A stiffer shaft can feel more direct for strong paddlers and racing, but it may be harder on the body. More flex can feel smoother and easier over longer sessions, especially if you are building technique or paddling in chop.

Paddle length depends on discipline, board thickness, paddling style and whether you are touring, racing, surfing or foiling. If you are unsure, ask before cutting a fixed paddle or choosing a blade size.

Choose a fixed-length paddle if you know your ideal length and want the lightest, cleanest, most direct feel. This is often the preference for committed racers, surf paddlers and experienced paddlers who know exactly how they like their paddle set up.

Choose a two-piece paddle if you want adjustability, travel practicality or the option to use the same paddle across different boards and disciplines. For many paddlers, a high-quality two-piece paddle is the best blend of performance and everyday usability.

Useful routes include fixed length paddles, two-piece paddles and three-piece paddles.

For touring and endurance

Look for a smooth blade feel, comfortable shaft flex and a fin that improves tracking without making the board feel too locked in. Efficiency matters more than brute force.

For racing and sprinting

Choose a paddle with a positive catch and a blade size you can drive hard without losing cadence. Match the fin to your course type, water state and board width.

For SUP surfing

Prioritise quick handling, lower swing weight, fast cadence and control. A surf-specific paddle is usually better than using a long-distance race paddle in waves.

For SUP foiling

Look for quick cadence, fast acceleration and a paddle that helps with take-off rhythm. Foiling demands rapid, controlled strokes rather than slow heavy pulls.

Premium carbon paddles deserve proper protection. A paddle bag helps prevent chips, scratches and knocks during travel, storage and van loading. This matters even more if you race, travel to events or keep several paddles in the same vehicle.

The Black Project Paddle Bag is the simple add-on if you want to look after a premium Black Project paddle properly.

View the Black Project Paddle Bag · Browse paddle bags and protection

Black Project kit is specialist, so small changes can matter. Blade size, shaft flex, paddle length and fin choice can all change how your board feels, especially if you are racing, paddling longer distances or moving into SUP surf or foil.

Where suitable demo options are available, our Woodmill SUP Test Centre is the best route for comparing paddles, boards and real-world feel before buying.

If you cannot visit, contact us with your height, weight, board model, board width, discipline and the Black Project products you are considering. We will help narrow the choice properly.

A Black Project paddle or fin works best as part of a properly matched setup. Think about board type, paddle length, fin choice, leash, rail tape, board bag, paddle bag and clothing for your usual sessions.

Paddle boards · Race paddleboards · Touring paddleboards · Surf SUPs

SUP paddles · SUP fins · SUP leashes · Rail tape

Black Project paddles and fins are considered upgrades, so it is worth asking before ordering if you are unsure about blade size, shaft flex, paddle length, fin type or discipline suitability.

For payment options, read more about finance at The SUP Company. For dispatch and delivery information, see our delivery information.

For product advice, paddle matching, fin recommendations or demo questions, use our contact page.