SUP Paddle Buying Guide

Your paddle is the engine of your setup. Get it right and everything improves — efficiency, balance, cadence, tracking, and how fresh you feel at the end of a session.

This guide is here to help you choose a paddle that matches how you actually paddle (and how often), with quick links to the right products and a few simple rules that stop you buying the wrong thing first time.

Shop SUP Paddles | Book a Demo (Woodmill Test Centre) | Email for advice | Call 02380 172189

Quick answer (what most paddlers should buy)

  • First paddle / family sharing: a 3-piece adjustable paddle — packable, robust, easiest to live with.
  • Regular paddler who wants an instant upgrade: a 2-piece adjustable carbon or glass — stiffer feel, quicker setup, lighter swing weight.
  • Touring / fitness / longer sessions: prioritise lighter weight + a medium blade (you’ll feel the difference most over distance).
  • Performance / racing: a fixed length carbon paddle cut to you — the most direct power transfer and the cleanest feel.

If you tell us your height, board type (inflatable or hard board), and where you paddle (sea/river/lake + style), we’ll sanity-check sizing before you order.

3-piece vs 2-piece vs fixed length

Type Best for What it feels like on the water
3-piece adjustable Inflatables, travel, sharing, first-time buyers Most convenient. Slightly more “forgiving” feel due to joins, but modern 3-pieces can still be genuinely high performance.
2-piece adjustable Regular paddlers, touring, fitness, anyone who wants quicker setup Stiffer, more efficient feel than a 3-piece. A great sweet spot for most committed paddlers.
Fixed length Racing, performance paddlers, “one paddle for me” setup Lightest and most direct. Best energy transfer, consistent flex, and the cleanest catch.

Shop by type: 3 Piece Paddles | 2 Piece Paddles | Fixed Length Paddles

Materials & weight (why carbon feels so different)

Most paddlers feel the biggest jump from upgrading materials rather than chasing a “fancy blade shape”. Lighter weight reduces fatigue, and a stiffer shaft/blade gives you a cleaner catch with less flutter.

  • Alloy shaft + nylon blade: tough, great value, ideal for sharing and first paddles — but heavier and less efficient over distance.
  • Glass / hybrid builds: a noticeable upgrade in comfort and efficiency (often the best value “proper” paddle).
  • Carbon (or carbon blends): light, crisp, and efficient. If you paddle often, this is the upgrade that makes every session feel easier.

Not sure if it’s worth upgrading? This is a good starting point: Time for a Paddle Upgrade?

Blade size & shape (power vs cadence)

Blade size is basically your “gear”. Bigger blades feel punchier per stroke, but they fatigue you faster. Smaller blades let you keep cadence high, stay smooth, and go further without blowing up your shoulders.

Blade size Typical area Who it suits
Small 80–88 in² (515–570 cm²) Smaller/lighter paddlers, high cadence, long distance comfort, shoulder-friendly paddling.
Medium 88–95 in² (570–615 cm²) The safest all-round choice for most paddlers — efficient cruising without feeling underpowered.
Large 95–105 in² (615–675 cm²) Heavier/stronger paddlers, sprint power, surfing acceleration — best if your technique is solid.

Dihedral (that centre ridge on many blades) helps stabilise the blade through the stroke, reducing flutter and making your catch feel calmer — ideal if you’re still refining technique.

Paddle length (simple sizing guide)

Paddle length is a key confidence lever. Too long and you’ll feel it in your shoulders; too short and you’ll feel hunched, splashy and inefficient. Use this as a starting point, then fine-tune based on comfort and board thickness.

How you paddle Starting point In metric
All-round / learning / casual Height + 8–10" Height + 20–25 cm
Touring / fitness / distance Height + 10–12" Height + 25–30 cm
Surf SUP Height + 6–8" Height + 15–20 cm
Racing Height + 12–16" Height + 30–40 cm

Quick fit check: with the blade fully buried at the catch, your top hand shouldn’t be miles above your head — you want reach without shrugging your shoulders up every stroke.

Touring vs surf vs race (what changes)

  • Touring & distance: lighter paddle, medium/smaller blade, comfortable flex. You’re buying “freshness at mile 6”, not just power in the first 5 minutes.
  • Surf SUP: slightly shorter length and a blade you can accelerate with. Durability matters too (paddles take knocks in the surf zone).
  • Racing: fixed length carbon, refined blade shapes, and dialled cadence. Tiny improvements add up fast over 5–10km.

These are proven options we regularly recommend (and see customers genuinely notice a difference with):

Browse all paddles | Finance options

Care, spares & protecting your paddle

  • Rinse after saltwater (especially clamps and join sections).
  • Don’t overtighten clamps — snug is enough. If it slips, we can help you adjust or replace parts.
  • Protect blades and shafts in the car/garage to avoid chips and scuffs (especially carbon).

Useful links: Paddle Accessories & Spares | Paddle Bags & Protection | Paddleboarding Accessories

Try before you buy

If you’re choosing between a couple of paddles (or you want to feel the difference between alloy, glass and carbon), our SUP Test Centre at Woodmill, Southampton is the easiest way to get it right.

  • Bookable sessions on the water in real conditions
  • Try up to 3 boards and 3 paddles in a single session
  • Friendly, practical advice — no pressure, just the right kit

Book your Woodmill Test Centre session

Helpful reading & videos

FAQs

Should I buy a 3-piece, 2-piece or fixed length SUP paddle?

If you want the easiest “do-it-all” option (especially with an inflatable), choose a 3-piece adjustable. If you paddle regularly and want a stiffer, quicker setup, choose a 2-piece adjustable. If you want maximum performance and it’s just for you, a fixed length paddle is the best-feeling option.

What length SUP paddle should I use?

As a simple start point: all-round paddling is usually your height + 8–10" (20–25cm). Touring often likes a touch longer; surfing a touch shorter. Board thickness matters too — thicker boards generally need slightly more length. If you send us your height and board model, we’ll recommend a starting length.

Is carbon really worth it for paddleboarding?

If you paddle often, yes — it’s the upgrade you feel every single stroke. A lighter paddle reduces fatigue and a stiffer shaft gives you a cleaner catch, which makes paddling smoother and more efficient. If you’re not ready for full carbon, a quality hybrid/glass build is a brilliant “value performance” step.

What blade size should I choose?

Most paddlers are best on a medium blade. If you’re lighter, shoulder-sensitive, or doing lots of distance, a smaller blade can feel easier and let you keep cadence high. Bigger blades suit stronger paddlers and short powerful sessions, but they can fatigue you faster over distance.

I share my paddleboard with family members — what should I buy?

Go adjustable. A 3-piece is the most convenient for sharing (and packs away neatly). If you want something that still feels really efficient, choose an adjustable paddle with a lighter shaft material.

Can I try paddles before buying?

Yes — book a session at our SUP Test Centre at Woodmill. You can try different paddles back-to-back and actually feel what weight, blade size and stiffness do for your stroke.

What else should I buy with my paddle?

If you’re building a proper, safe setup, look at a suitable leash and a comfortable buoyancy aid. Start here: Paddleboarding Accessories and Buoyancy Aids. For peace of mind on the water, a waterproof phone case is a great shout too: SUP Accessories.

Need a quick recommendation?
Email help@thesupco.com or call 02380 172189 with your height, board type, and what sort of paddling you do — we’ll point you to the right paddle (and the right length) first time.

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