PADDLE CARE
Getting the best out of your Carbon paddle.
Without a doubt one of the nicest pieces of equipment, and one worth investing
$’s in, is your paddle. It as after all an extension of your body and a good paddle
is something you become very attached to. Here are some tips to keep your
paddle in one piece and live a long and happy life together.
DONT COOK IT!
It is a little known fact that you can ‘cook’ a Carbon paddle. By their very nature
(being black), they absorb a lot of heat. As your paddle was made with heat you
can well and truly ‘deconstruct’ it if you allow it to over heat.
You paddle is not covered under warranty if you overheat it, so here are some
tips to avoid ruining your paddle.
The blade is the most susceptible part to over heating as they often have a foam
core. The air inside, if hot enough, can expand and deform the blade.
The main culprit is leaving your paddle in your car with the sun beating down on
it through your windscreen or window.
Avoid constant exposure to direct heat and you will get a long life out of your
paddle.
IT’S NOT A GONDOLA POLE
Simple enough, but push off sand or a solid object and you risk creasing the
blade.
Your paddle is made for paddling in water, nothing else.
CARBON IS FICKLE
Just like a high performance short board or Mal, carbon paddles are a compromise
between durability, strength and weight. Carbon has a habit of hiding a
weakness for a few weeks and then catching you out when you least expect it.
More than 50% of all breakages happen when you are just ‘cruising’ along.
If you get rolled in a wipe out with your board and paddle, any part of the board
can hit the paddle shaft and weaken it.
Often it wont break at the time. The weakness will sit there, constantly being
weakened over time, until one day it just gives way.
Even the best carbon paddles can snap.
By their very nature, mixing a light, strong carbon paddle with mother natures
most powerful force, can have its risks.
To make a paddle ‘unbreakable’ would mean that it would be so stiff and heavy,
it would be very unpleasant to use.
Buy a good paddle and the risks are lower. But like your high performance surfboard,
there are forces that will break or damage any paddle.
WARRANTY
The Warranty is against manufacturers faults only.
Warranty does not cover accidental damage or accidents where equipment is
placed in situations out of the control of the manufacturer.
Surfi ng places huge demands on equipment; even small waves can create
suffi cient hydraulic pressure to snap a board or a paddle.
The ocean is a formidible adversiary. If you play inthe ocean you take the risk of
breaking your equipment.
If you have any questions on any of the info above, dont hesitate to contact
us.
So now you are armed with some good info, get out there and enjoy the ocean
or your favourite waterway!
GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR GEAR.