QB UV Hex Flex - Handmade in California
The SUP paddles we at Kona have chosen for serious training and competition are Quickblade's new model UV. Quickblades paddles are hand-built in California by the legendary Olympic canoeist Jim Terrell, which guarantees both their performance and quality. We have chosen the UV models for two reasons, partly because they are proven to be the world's best SUP paddles and therefore complement our training and competition boards extremely well.
Uncompromising grip - Double Dihedral Scooped V
If we take a closer look at QB UV Hex Flex, we see e.g. that the blade is built in a hybrid construction where the back has a distinctive and unique U / V-shaped concave. This gives a very good grip in the water and thereby maximum effect during the paddle cycle's so-called drive or power phase. The relatively evenly narrow leaf contour also provides an easy and smooth insertion or m.a.o. “catch”. On the front of the blade we see a bulge which helps to stabilize the blade and gives a compliant recess or "exit". The blade on UV Hex Flex has an edge in ABS that increases impact resistance if you happen to hit it.
Controlled power - Diamond Elite
If we go on to the shaft, the UV SUP paddles come with Quickblade's new Diamond Elite shaft. These shafts are conical, i.e. that they taper from blade to handle, partly to save weight but also to control the shaft's bend or flex and that you then also get a firmer grip on the shaft if you usually "grip down" when you want to increase your paddle frequency, i.e. that you hold the handle with your upper hand instead of on the handle. The shafts are also slightly oval to provide increased precision when inserting and steering.
Ergonomic
The handle on the UV models is also completely in carbon fiber and ergonomically designed to minimize incorrect loading on the wrist when you put pressure on the paddle. The hybrid construction of the Hex Flex blade can also contribute to a more gentle load on the body.
Construction to taste - All carbon & HexFlex
The QB UV SUP paddle comes in two variants, All Carbon and Hex Flex. The difference between these is that All Carbon has a stiffer blade than Hex Flex, where the blade is built in a hybrid construction of carbon fiber and fiberglass which can be experienced to give a slightly softer paddle grip but also a different type of flap in relation to the All Carbon blade which can serve individual SUP paddling style. Hex Flex also has a really favorable price due to the slightly smaller proportion of carbon fiber in the blade.
The right size for the right effect
The QB UV Hex Flex SUP paddles are currently manufactured in three blade sizes, so for those of you who are an above paddler or have never used a carbon fiber paddle before, we have the following recommendations. For people weighing less than 60 kg (132 pound), we recommend 77 inches2 / 497 cm2. For people weighing between 60 - 75 kg (132-165 pound) we recommend 82 inches2 / 529 cm2 and for people weighing over 75 kg (165 pound) we recommend 88 inches2 / 568 cm2