X-Paddle Race 12K Fixed Paddle

X-Paddle ‘Race’ 2016

These paddles are aimed at all flatter water, downwind and racing  riders looking for a great paddle with a light and crisp feel, delivering excellent performance for both racing and recreational use!

The ‘Race series’ features 2 completely new blade shapes, Round and Oval shafts and 3 New Handles for 2016 onwards, with further refinements to comfort, performance and versatility over our previous ‘Glide Light’ and ‘Ultralight’ series.

Featuring 2 different 3K Full Carbon ABS edged blades, a 29mm diameter 100% 3K Carbon shaft, 100% 3K Carbon Handle (something you will find on very few other brands, regardless of price), with Blade, Carbon Shaft and Handle in Gloss finish. On the adjustable models, the Matt finish sliding shaft has contrasting White calibration from 70” to 94”

I addition, we offer both Blades in 12K Carbon with a 27 x 31mm Oval 12K Carbon Shaft and the same shape ‘Full T Handle’ also supplied with the Carbon/Kevlar’ Wave’ models, but with the 12K Race, it of course comes in 12K Carbon.

Our 100% Round Carbon 29mm is our ‘very fast return’ shaft. This gives both blades a more responsive and crisper feel than ‘Glide’ series - this step up in performance Is aimed at most benefitting the heavier (70kg>) or more experienced rider, and while beginners also revel in all that these shaft and blade combinations deliver, and we have tested them with riders as light as 50kg with great success, we do advise caution regarding paddling hard, if you are not ‘paddle fit’.

The same things apply with 12K Race series with the Oval shaft – These paddles are slightly lighter and even stiffer, but just  like the Round Shaft range, we have retained some critical  flex to ensure the retention of safety and comfort over the very long distances that some paddlers cover, both Racing or Cruising.

We could make these paddles even lighter, but have deliberately optimised to give a light, crisp and balanced feel with an optimum ‘strength to weight ratio’. You also benefit from an outstanding price for such great paddles, especially when you consider that the fixed model cut length for most riders will easily be in the 400 to 500g class, which is plenty light enough for most riders to be very happy!

The Race encourages good technique and rider effort with a very dynamic feel, while still having the right flex characteristics to reduce the risk of strain, fatigue or even injury for all paddlers, but these paddles will work you harder than say the ‘Glide’ if you choose to paddle hard, so if you are new to this and have fallen in love with our Race paddle, treat yourself gently while your fitness comes up to match that of the paddle!

The 7.28” wide blade excels in flat water/coastal performance, while the 7.8” is aimed at  a more all round user, with more uniform steering feel due to flatter blade face, but both will work fine in either environment, and it’s more a matter of personal choice so we encourage you to try both if you can.

Of special note should be our desire to accommodate riders from 5’ to 7’ tall with the adjustable/fixed models in the full Life, Cruise, Glide and Race Range. Please take this into account when looking at weights, as many makes of paddles are a foot or so shorter, and for fixed models, many companies quote their weight’s when cut to just 78”!

The Race is available in 8 different models to suit every riders needs.

’FIXED LENGTH’ Round shaft model with Rounded ‘T’ Handle - max 2350mm/92.5”

’FIXED LENGTH’ Oval shaft model with Full ‘T’ Handle - max 2280mm/89.5”

’SNAP LOCK’ model with Palm Grip Handle - 1780mm/70” to 2388mm/94”

Blade widths - 185mm/7.28” or 198mm/7.8”

Blade Areas - 7.28”approx. 95 Sq”/612cm² or 7.8” approx 88 Sq”/570cm²

Blade Angle - 7.28” =10° or 7.8” = 8°

Weight fixed Round shaft at max length - 7.28” approx. 580g, 7.8” approx. 580g

Weight fixed Oval shaft at max length - 7.28” approx. 560g, 7.8” approx. 560g

Weight Adj. 2pc - 7.28” approx. 600g, 7.8” approx. 600g

Weight Adj. 3pc - 7.28” approx. 640g, 7.8” approx. 640g

Shaft Stiffness - stiff - Dia. 29mm for Round and 27 x 31mm for Oval

Available fixed length, ‘SNAP LOCK’ adjustable 2 Piece and 3 Piece.

Our Mission in designing the new range was to further enhance the entire paddling experience for every rider.

The Race Series has been a favourite of many demanding paddlers since we introduced ‘Light’ models 2010, so these new paddles had to really deliver in order to uphold our reputation for great value, nice handling, light, high quality paddles - Thanks to our design team, production team and all the work from our ‘real world testers’, who have spent many hours helping us to fine tune our prototypes - we are confident we have produced another SUPer X-Paddle which all riders will love.