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Starboard and Blue Chip take a
giant step for paddles by offering the first performance paddle
that can be supplied in component form. Blue Chip can even
assemble your paddle for you. This means that you could have one
complete paddle for flat water and also have a smaller length
shaft for waves and a 3 part shaft for travel. You will be able
to change your blade size for differing conditions.
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The blade's size can be compared to
the gears of a bike: the higher the gear or the smaller the
blade, the less effort each stroke consumes with less
forward motion generated. The lower the gear or the bigger
the blade, the more energy will be expended and the more
forward motion generated.
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Smaller blade sizes are recommended
for long paddle sessions; lighter people, or those with a
high cadence stroke. Larger blade sizes provide immediate
power, with only a few strokes enabling fast and late drops
into waves. A large blade also gives more area to "lean on"
while wave riding.
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The angle of the paddle blade;
through the water and the blade's size dictate the power and
efficiency of your stroke. Our blades are foiled to minimize
drag and maximize power transfer throughout the stroke. A
well-balanced paddle blade squanders little energy.
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A blade's weight is the most
important factor in the paddle's weight; as the blade is
furthest away from the body, thus requires the most energy
to move. A lighter blade translates to less energy
consumption per stroke and a longer more enjoyable session
or better race results.
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Starboard have reduced the Carbon
blades weight by 35% since last year by developing lighter
carbon laminates and you will feel the difference
immediately when paddling.
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Our complete High Aspect adult carbon
paddles start at just 408g
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A longer, narrower blade with a
flatter profile; which combines power with a forgiving feel
perfect for racing; the choice of champions.
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The High Aspect is a very efficient
deeper; narrower blade designed for the most demanding
racers. Its high aspect ratio shape offers more torque for a
similar size blade, resulting in better thrust and higher
speed over distance. The blade feels like it provides more
power for less effort. Biaxial Carbon provides greater flex.
Blue Chip tests the High Aspect Bolt Paddle design
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You will feel the extra length of the
High Aspect Bolt blades right away. You will immediately feel the
benefit of the extra reach with the high aspect blade as
well as superb catch on the blade entry coupled with a
seemingly effortless recovery phase of the stroke.
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The narrow blade profile provides a
comfortable connection from the moment the blade enters the
water. Bolt blades slide effortlessly into the
catch phase with no big snatch of load on the blade as you
power up compared to the “tear drop”. As you progress into
the “power” phase and squeeze the blade further below the
surface the catch remains positive throughout the “power”
phase.
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A not insignificant benefit of high
aspect Bolt blades is the lack of effort required for the
recovery element. The Bolt will just slip out
of the water sideways with very minimal resistance
Dihedral or no Dihedral – that is the question.
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Lower aspect blades: These seem to
work best with a dihedral to help stop the feathering during
the power phase, however, the dihedral should only be slight
as the objective of the blade is to remain stationary in the
water, therefore a dihedral should not come in to play until
the blade is pulled through the water.
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High Aspect blades: These seldom have
dihedrals designed in. High aspect blades typically have
very subtle design features like rebound scoop tips which
negate the need for dihedrals and allow the blade to catch
and remain static in the water.
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