Tips for buying your paddle board oar
The most important choice when buying a paddle board oar is knowing what type of paddle board we want. Next we´ll talk about the different types of oars that exist for the different modalities of paddle board.
Parts of the rowing oar
The pommel is the upper part of the oar. It usually has a T shape, with a bit of a curve. There are pommels that are more ergonomic than others. This gives you the highest grade of comfort when grabbing and rowing. This will be reflected in more speed.
The pole is the link of the upper part, the pommel, and the lower part, the blade. It will help us row with more or less force. If it’s soft and flexible it will absorb our movements against the sea. These are directed more for fun and surf. Like people that weigh less and don´t have much muscle. If it’s hard and rigid it favors the rowing and gives you more speed. These are made for competition and for people that weigh more and have muscle.
The blade is the inferior part of the oar. There are a great variety of blades sizes. We can distinguish them for their width. The wider they are the more impulse we can give it but we will lose speed of row. If they are narrower you´ll gain more rowing speed but for each row there will be less strength. For fun we recommend wider blades and for competition we recommend a narrower blade.
Rowing material
Plastic oars are rows for kids. More of a toy. With this type of material you can´t row with a lot of strength, since we run the risk of breaking it since it´s fragile.
Aluminum oars are rows for beginners or paddle board initiation. They aren’t the best in the market, the other way around actually. They are heavy, it could be that they don´t even float on their own. You have the risk of bending it if you row too hard or even breaking it.
Wooden oars are the classically used rows. At first glance they are visually beautiful. Have good floatability, since wood floats with no problem. The bad part is their weight and low ergonomics.
Fiber glass oars are the most recommended when it comes to quality, aesthetics and price. They aren´t the most lightweight, since carbon weighs less. But they aren´t so heavy you can´t use them. They aren´t the strongest, since Kevlar has more resistance. But they´ll let you row with comfort and smoothness. The best value for you money.
Carbon oars are the most professional. If you are looking for quality and money is no object, this is your oar. They are expensive but have an impressive resistance and they are so lightweight.
Kevlar oars are the best in the market. That´s why they are prohibitive to most wallets. Stronger than iron and don´t weigh a thing. Not as fragile to impacts as carbon.
Types of oars by paddle board modality
There are 3 paddle board modalities, and each one of them has their own oar.
1. Paddle surf oar
To do this style you´ll need an oar that gives you the fastest acceleration in the shortest amount of time to catch waves.
Characteristics of the oar
Oar height: from 0 to 20 cm more than your height.
Width of blade: Narrow
Size of blade: Small
Shape of blade: Flat
2. Paddle race oar
For paddle race you need a combination of acceleration and speed. Since this sport consists in going faster than your competition but also being able to maintain a constant rhythm throughout the race.
Characteristics of the oar
Oar height: 15 to 30 cm more than your height
Width of blade: Narrow
Size of blade: Long
Shape of blade: Flat or dihedral
3. All round paddle board oar
This modality of paddle has nothing to do with the last two we´ve mentioned. This is directed towards fun. People that want a calm rhythm, with no worries of where they´ll end up.
Characteristics of the oar
Oar height: 10 to 27 cm more than your height
Width of blade: Wide
Size of blade: Long
Shape of blade: Dihedral
Now you know all you need to know about paddle board and before we show you how to practice Stand Up Paddleboard, we´ll give you some tips on which oar will fit you best.
Fixed oars vs adjustable oars
There are two types of oars. Fixed oars and adjustable oars. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages and we´ll list them.
1. Fixed SUP oar
The fixed oar just as its name says doesn´t have the possibility of changing sizes. Some are a bit less heavy. They don´t lose flexibility which is better if we have to do more effort. Some are recommended for Paddle Surf and Paddle Race.
2. Adjustable SUP oar
Adjustable oars are perfect for beginners in paddle board, regardless of Surf, Race or All Round- It will let you know which is your ideal size, and try out different sizes of the oar. If you want to practice the three modalities (Surf, Race and All Round), it’s a good oar for you. It adjusts itself to different sizes that each modality will ask of you. You can also share the oar with family and friends and change the size for them.
The best adjustable SUP oars
The Red Paddle Co brand is one of the best known in the world for inflatable SUPs. As we´ve said in the article Red Paddle Co: the board that has everything. The guys at Red Paddle Co have the latest on paddle boards. That’s why for people that are initiating, we recommend their adjustable oars.
Recommended reading: Tips for a paddle board fan
The best oars from Red Paddle Co
1. Red Paddle Co oar Glass Vario 3P
Pole: Fiber Glass
Measurements: 180 – 220 cm
Weight: 0.93 kg
Blade: Fiber Glass
Regulator: Lever Lock, Cam Lock
Price: 215€
From 22.91 €/month in Single Quiver
2. Red Paddle Co oar Glass-Nylon Vario 3P
Pole: Fiber Glass
Measurements: 180 – 220 cm
Weight: 0.93 kg
Blade: Nylon
Regulator: Lever Lock, Cam Lock
Price: 129€
Sold in Single Quiver
3. Red Paddle Co oar Vario 3P 170-210
Pole: Covered in EVA
Measurements: 170 – 210 cm
Weight: 1.07 kg
Blade: Nylon
Regulator: Push Pin
Pommel: T-grip (ergonomic design)
Price: 109 €
Available in Single Quiver
4. Red Paddle Co oar ALLOY MIDI 3P
Pole: Covered in EVA
Measurements: 180 – 220 cm
Weight: 1.09 kg
Blade: Nylon
Regulator: Push Pin
Pommel: T-grip (ergonomic design)
Price: 99.05€
In Single Quiver we have all the SUP models for sale. If you are thinking about gifting something to a paddle board lover, visit us or ask us your doubts.
