Know of a good paddle for kayak surfing?

Hi all! I'm trying to learn to surf with my 8' Ocean Kayak Yak Board, but I keep breaking my paddles on viscious enders and other ugly wipe-outs.   Has anyone here found a really strong paddle that would be suitable for high-impact kayak surfing? I figure I should try to wear out my Yak Board learning all of the mistakes, but at the rate I'm going I'll be buying several paddles each year! Thanks so much!  -WW

Just for reference, what paddles have you broken?  And how?

-Allen

I'm curious too. I've surfed a Cobra Wave Witch for several years, and i have yet to break a paddle. I've seen it happen before, but never experienced it. I've wiped out badly a few times but never hurt the paddle. I'm using a cheaper model white water paddle with thick plastic blades. Seems to work and only cost about $70.
Sean

 What paddles have I broken and how have I broken them?

So far I've broken two AquaBound 2-piece alumininum shaft paddles. The breaks happen when I get flipped forward and the kayak and I are on opposite sides of a dumping wave. I use an O.K. paddle leash, but even with the built-in shock cord the force of the kayak and wave trying to accelerate me up to their speed rips the paddle center joints in two. Surfing without a paddle leash is not a good option to me, because I'd rather not be responsible for a run-away kayak mowing down any surfers. That would feel a lot worse than breaking any amount of equipment.

Move the leash to the outside of your hands so it will slide to the end of the paddle when you dump.  It'll keep the pressure off the center joint weakpoint.  Also consider getting a one piece paddle, perhaps one made for WW or surfing, which usually come as one piece anyway.

-Allen

I use a one piece fiberglass paddle for surfing. The aluminum aqua bounds are notorious for breaking exactly as you described. I think the thin walled tubing they use just can't handle the stress. They work well for rental fleets where folks generally won't be surfing. I'd go to your local paddle shop & tell 'em what's been happening. A good shop should be able to set you up with something tougher.

Move the leash to the outside of your hands so it will slide to the end of the paddle when you dump.  It'll keep the pressure off the center joint weakpoint.  Also consider getting a one piece paddle, perhaps one made for WW or surfing, which usually come as one piece anyway.

-Allen

Thanks for the good advice, Allen! Yes, I now believe I should be using a one-piece whitewater paddle. I guess I've proven that the two-piece recreation/fitness paddles just aren't suitable for my particular kayak surfing style and skill level. I'll definitely try rigging the leash on the end of the paddle and see what happens. I expect that it might result in more strain on the wrists, but then again, a guy can always let go of the paddle if he really has to....!

-Paul

I use a one piece fiberglass paddle for surfing. The aluminum aqua bounds are notorious for breaking exactly as you described. I think the thin walled tubing they use just can't handle the stress. They work well for rental fleets where folks generally won't be surfing. I'd go to your local paddle shop & tell 'em what's been happening. A good shop should be able to set you up with something tougher.

Thank you for your replies and your advice, Sean! A one-piece fiberglass paddle definitely sounds like the right tool for the job. I'll get one ASAP!

Surfing with the Wave Witch must be the absolute best! Once I really know how to get on and off waves I'd like to surf one myself. Hopefully I'll survive long enough to deserve the experience!

-Paul

I started kayak surfing in SoCal, near Santa Barbara, and the long beach breaks down there are a lot more forgiving than some of the reef and point breaks in Central Cali. The water is "softer" when it slams you.  The 1pc whitewater paddle is the way to go for surfing. You'll get more bite with the paddle blade and more maneuverability with a shorter paddle. I'm not sure of the dimensions of the yak board but as long as the paddle doesn't hit the sides while you're paddling you're good to go.

If you learn to lean away from the beach (flash your but to the beach), and stick your blade in the wave (with your elbow in), your boat will never hit your paddle because you won't be flipping over at all. By the way everybody, this weekend at Davenport is a butt surfers convention. The U.S. West team recently won the world championship in Costa Rica and they will all be there. If you are interested in trying it, this is a good time. The forecast is for small waves. Demany Smith organized the event, he's in the kayak business.
       norcalsurfkayak.blogspot.com  Go A's.

If you learn to lean away from the beach (flash your but to the beach), and stick your blade in the wave (with your elbow in), your boat will never hit your paddle because you won't be flipping over at all. By the way everybody, this weekend at Davenport is a butt surfers convention. The U.S. West team recently won the world championship in Costa Rica and they will all be there. If you are interested in trying it, this is a good time. The forecast is for small waves. Demany Smith organized the event, he's in the kayak business.
       norcalsurfkayak.blogspot.com  Go A's.

Depends on the wave and how big it is^

As for a paddle, strong and large blades, you want to be able to accelerate as fast as possible. As for breakage, I've broken two, I learned not to lean too hard on the paddle and that eliminated breakage. The main issue is SOT fishing kayaks tend to be long which causes the yak nose to hit in front of the wave as the rear rises. THis causes the yak to endo in large steep surf or the nose catches and the rear gets pushed past the nose. If you try to steer the yak you will over pressure the paddle. So only steer until the yak gets turned a little bit then let it go sideways and try bracing into the wave.