What is a perfect Polo Paddle?

[Simon Reid]

I know there's no substitute for trying it out yourself, but I'd be interested in comments/opinions about the specification of polo paddles. I've used a pair of (2nd hand) carbon/kev streamlytes with a glass shaft nearly every week for the last 8 years, but they've now given up.

1) Length - I'm thinking about going shorter than my current 204s, expecting to go get a faster paddling rate and less of the 'dumb-bell' effect so can generally to move the paddle about quicker. Any disadvantages? How much will make a significant difference? How much is too small?

2) Feather - I reckon 90deg is easiest to deal with when defending goal, and not much of a disadvantage elsewhere. Can anyone persuade me otherwise?

3) Construction - Are the lightness/stiffness benefits of full carbon best felt in the shaft or the blade? Are they more likely to break than cheaper, heavier constructions?

Any recommendations for particular blades?

[Ian Coleman]

First of all this is just my opinion but I think it would be agreed with by many.

In order to achieve higher speed, deep powerfull strokes are needed as apposed to short quick ones. A longer paddle will achieve this more effectivley. A shorter paddle is generally used to turn the boat quick (as most rodeo paddlers know/do), but in polo I think the speed is more of an issue. With a longer paddle you also have the added advantage of extended reach while blocking. All in all I would stay with the 204s mabee 203s (for turning).

With regards to angle, if you are predominatly a goalie leave the angle at 90.The flat face of the blade facing forward in goals to avoid spin offs is obviously the most effective (and used).
Otherwise change the angle to between as far as 60 and 80. Less angle means less wrist action on your stroke and also making bowrudders run more smoothly.

With regards to brands my advise is to try out friends and other paddlers paddles and choose for yourself. Every paddler is different !

Hope this helps - Best of Luck.

[michielv]

Apart from Ian's comment on length and angle the shape of the blades and, for me a very important issue, the feel of the shaft are very important.

Depending on your paddling style you might choose between kinetic style blades (used by paddlers with a more vertical style of paddling) or eclipse/tempest style blades (used by paddlers with a more horizontal style of paddling).

Then there is blade size: being a kinetic user I have found that the Double Dutch kinetics are slightly smaller than the Mega kinetics. I personally prefer a bigger blade area, although I have not yet tested the huge DB RVX blades. I'll be doing that shortly as some friends of mine abandonned theirs in favour of lighter weight DD kinetics.

(A lot of the top Dutch players went back from paddling the RVX to using the prepreg DD kinetic because of weight issues (the RVX is quite heavy)).

The there is shaft diameter. Depending on the size of your hands you might want a bigger or smaller diameter. Most manufacturers have different types so make sure you get the exact type you like because a wrong diameter can ruin a paddle for you.

Cheers,

Michiel

[tcrees]

Hi,

I'm currently using a full carbon Galasport Polo Elite. It's by far the best polo paddle I've ever used. FYI, here's my "polo paddle evolution":
1. New Wave: aluminium shaft, plastic blades, 208cm. Sucked across the board ;-) but was cheap
2. Kober competition: aluminium shaft, fibre glass blades with incorporated metal edge, 206cm. At the time I thought it was the cat's ass, but the blades broke all the time, and the shaft bent...
3. Streamlyte: carbon/kevlar diamond blade, 206cm.
4. Double Dutch: "PrePreg" carbon/kevlar asymmetric blades with edge tape, 204 cm.
5. Galasport: full carbon asymmetric blades with edge tape, 204cm.

I much prefer the asymmetric blade shape over the diamond. I haven't tried Streamlyte's asymmetric blades. The Double Dutch is super light, but I find that as a goalie, it's *too* light - I can get the paddle to the ball all right, but it still goes in the net. The Galasport is stiffer and although when you do a weight comparison, it is heavier than the Double Dutch, when you're playing you really don't notice. I really like the Galasport's stiffness, and the first time I paddles with it, it felt like a natural, whereas the Double Dutch took some getting used to.

I use a 204 with 88 deg of feather. Any shorter, and I can't reach the top of the net, any longer, and it's easier to get "tangled" in your paddle ;-)

As other people have said though, it's really a personal preference - just make sure you try all the options and don't just get what everyone else is getting.

Cheers, Tristan.

[scroll]

I also have a galasport peddel but the carbon/armid one. I must say it is a very good peddle but I find the double dutch polo kinetic just a little beter. I also like assymetric blades. But i think you schould try as much as peddles as possible.

[Grunt]

Streamlyte Blades, you never find a stronger Blade for Polo, Contact "pete@paddlesport.co.uk", or the website www.paddlesport.co.uk made to measure lenghts & feather (angle)

you will find nothing better !!""!!""!!

Have fun

Grunt

[Ken]

My streamlyte blade just broke into half.

Anyone had use Bracsa paddle?
http://www.braca-sport.com/paddle/polo.html

Fomr observation, it has the most kelvar in the construction. Is this good or bad?

[michielv]

Hi,

I've got no experience with Bracsa paddles but usually attacking players use paddles with more carbon in them
(because it is lighter and stiffer, thus more suited for fast sprints etc.) whereas defending players/goalies tend to use paddles with more kevlar in the blades. Kevlar is more felixble and can resist more impact. This helps keeping the paddle in one piece ;-).

Personally I prefer glass shafts such as the sky shaft.
Although these are slightly heavier than the Lendal HPS shafts they are a lot cheaper and more durable (nice feature if you're a goalie).

Cheers,

Michiel