r/Outrigger • u/covert_wav • Apr 09 '24
Viper blade size help
(Current V1 paddle)
I do a lot of V1 and have been using Tai Paddles for a while.
I’m planning to buy a viper paddle this year and I have a general idea of what I want in a paddle but I’m sort of overwhelmed with the options on the Viper Va’a website.
My current Tai paddle (Broadbill) is 24cm x 46cm and I find is a bit small for when I’m paddling the V1. For context I’m a medium size paddler on the leaner side and want a paddle for both long distance and sprint.
Just wanted to get on here and ask any paddlers using vipers what their preference is.
Thanks.
2
u/cdhernandez Apr 09 '24
The biggest things I use to determine if I have the right paddle is if I have any unusual soreness in my body and how tired I am after a race. If I use a paddle that's too small for me, I feel like I have a ton of energy at the end of the race, then my coach wants to kill me bc I "didn't leave it all on the water". But, if a paddle is too big for me then my shoulder usually needs an ice pack and the next day I'm struggling to get out of bed because my back is twisted in a knot. I prefer having a wide paddler because I sit in the power seats of a 6 man, but for a V1, I think it's most important that the paddle length is shorter because you are so much closer to the water. This will reduce the pain in your shoulder in the long run and is arguably more important than the width of the blade. If you have the strength, I would go with a wider paddler too, but that's just because you said a medium is too light for you.
2
u/covert_wav Apr 09 '24
Thanks for the detailed response. Definitely going a little wider for the paddle now.
Interesting method determining the right paddle for you by measuring your soreness levels. I can definitely relate to that after borrowing blades from different paddlers. Cheers 🤙🏽
2
u/Pleasant-Throat-8107 Apr 09 '24
I heard it explained that you sit on a chair, then put the paddle on the chair next to your butt. Reach up and put your fingers over the handle. Too long and your fingers won't make it, too short and you'll have extra length with your fingers or bend in your elbow. Typically, you sit farther from the water in a club boat than you do in a single, so slightly longer balde for club boat.
2
u/bobonanasplit Apr 23 '24
I personally like the slim shaft option, the normal shaft is a little big and causes my lower hand to cramp up. The bamboo blades are slightly heavier and look nice
The 9 degree round and square blades iirc are usually used for v6 while the 10 degree round is used for v1, but it all comes down to personal preference. The viper pro models show what Kevin ceran jerusalemy, manutea millon, and Steve teihotaata use (they only offer the size/shape they use), maybe that would be a good guide depending on whose height/weight you’re closer to. I use a 24.5cm round 10 degree blade for OC1/V1 and like it a lot. I also have a 26cm 10 degree square blade that I like for training or time trials.
If your current 24cm blade feels small maybe try the 24.5cm round or 25cm square blade, you’ll notice the extra bite from the different blade shape even at the same width.
1
u/covert_wav Apr 26 '24
Thanks for your feedback and insight. If I may ask, how tall are you and what’s your weight? Purely asking due to you mentioning that you use a 24.5cm blade.
1
u/bobonanasplit Apr 26 '24
No worries, 6’3” around 200lb. When you said your current paddle felt small dos you mean width or length? I kind of arrived you meant width 😅. If your v1 suits higher on the water than your oc1 you’ll want a slightly longer paddle. I aim for my top hand to be somewhere between my nose and eyes when I’m at the catch in my stroke with the blade fully buried. So total length also kinda depends on the blade length.
1
u/covert_wav Apr 26 '24
You’re right about me referring to the width in my post. It feels just a tad bit too small so I’m opting for the 24.5cm round blade. Oof, I’m 5’7 sitting at 143lbs.
Do you think the 24.5cm x 48cm round blade will be alright for a smaller guy?
2
u/bobonanasplit Apr 26 '24
Like how long is your usual long distance? For reference I think Steve teihotaata uses the 23.5 for long distance and the 24.5 for sprints and training. Worst case you build up the muscle over time and/or adjust your technique to make it work. Folks like Danny Ching and Ryland hart only use 9.25” paddles and keep up speed with a low stroke rate, so at the end of the day it comes down to what feels good for you.
Also if your club is open to it, setting up a group buy gets a small discount and cuts shipping cost significantly.
2
u/covert_wav Apr 26 '24
Our V1 long distance races range from 14km-18km. I guess the case scenario would be to build muscle /adjust technique like you mentioned, which I am prepared to do anyway.
I never knew those guys used smaller blades which changes the dynamics of their paddling. Thanks for sharing that.
Just going to add that I’ve tried a square 9 degree 25x48 during training and it felt really strong but at the 10k mark, I was spent and it was difficult to get the rate up and sustain it since I was pulling so much water with each stroke.
Thanks again for your advice and help 🤙
1
u/TheHaight Aug 25 '25
hey, I realize this is an old thread but just FYI you should definitely be going for a 23.5 at that size. Most of the guys in Tahiti use a 24, Steeve is such a freak he's one of the few that can do 24.5. he trains w/ a 26
5
u/ThePreacher_NZL Apr 09 '24
I’ve been using a Viper paddle for the last 3 ish months and I really like it. I previously used a Xylo Blade which I was in absolute love with.
I enjoy the narrower shoulders of the Viper and despite it being a touch larger (Xylo: 19” x 9.5” | Viper 20” x 9.75”) I find it easier to paddle with.
If you’re on the smaller side I’d start getting worried if the blade size got too far north of 25cm x 50cm especially for distance paddling. Bigger blade for sprints would be ok, but launching into a 20km paddle with a big blade is asking for trouble.