Current Designs Carbon SUP Paddle - 8'6”

I really had my doubts on this paddle as current designs doesn't have it it their catalog anyore (if ever). But the price dropped low enough that a figured a couldn't lose. It's not the lightest CF paddle i've ever had in my hands but it's significantly lighter than my Starboard Vision Enduro, and vastly lighter that any adjustable.

I did not see any flaws in the carbon lay up, and the shafts appears to be very thin walled graphite. The sparks when I cut it to size on my band saw would seem to support that. Paddle came with to shrink wrap sleeves to seal the handle after cutting and epoxy.

It paddles well. It's very stiff and had very little flex in the shaft despite my 225#. The blade did have some flex but did not flutter.

Now for the reasons it didn't get 5 stars, the paddle surface is too big for me to keep up a race pace cadence. It's actually identical in almost everyway to my Starboard paddle which is there 550 size which they say is 100cm, but seems closer to 110. The t handle is also a bit loose in the shaft. I used a bit more epoxy to snug things up.

All and all, this would be a huge improvement for some still using and adjustable of even a hybrid paddle. If you own a Werner or Quick Blade you probably wouldn't be impressed.

This is the first paddle I've owned, but comparing it to others I've looked at in stores, it feels really nice. I confirmed the weight with a kitchen scale and it came in at 1lb 4oz, nice and light. The shaft has kind of an oval shape to it and feels comfortable. It isn't polished and if you look closely it has the same look as a graphite fishing rod. Again, it's my first paddle so I'm not sure if this is a "carbon" shaft, but it's not the same carbon fiber weave as the blade. Web searches for Current Designs SUP came up blank so it's impossible to get manufacturers specs. I think this was a failed endeavor for CD and there is no branding anywhere on the paddle. The advertised length of 8'6" (102") is also wrong. It is actually 86" including the handle, which is not glued in. This is still long enough for me (5'11") and be a because the handle isn't permanently attached from the factory it is easy enough to cut the shaft to the length needed and epoxy it in place. Watch for the closeout sale on these. I picked up two at a great price of $78 each. Can't beat that for a carbon paddle. Thanks STP!

The one I rec'd has a carbon blade and handle, with a fiberglass shaft. It has black shrink wraps on both end cuts, as fiberglass vs. carbon, usually splinters when it's cut. I used a heat gun to seal the handle end wrap. The blade was likely a second, with blemishes in the laying of the fiber cloth, but no impact to the surface (finish coat), which was polished smooth. The blade shape was similar to a Werner Fuse with bit wider tip, maybe 1 inch. The width of the unpolished tubing, shaft, is noticeable thinner, than a similar board works paddle (hybrid), making the paddle lighter, but likely less durable. The price is good, and any flex is a benefit to my joints.