There are any number of adjustable SUP paddles available, from super cheap to super expensive and some work better than others. I needed a new adjustable and as a long-term user of the fixed length Kialoa Insanity Carbon what better choice than to buy the adjustable version of the same paddle.
The Insanity is the mid range paddle in the Kialoa Range with a round carbon shaft, a choice of carbon handles and a choice of blades, there is a full carbon version available but I went for the Fibrlite version, partly because it's blue (and there are too many all black paddles in the world) but mostly because the blade I've been using for 10 months still looks like new. Fibrlite is a composite that's made partly from recycled plastic, more on that from Kialoa can be found here YouTube link. It's used to make a light and extremely durable blade, very handy when paddling in shallow waters with plenty of rocks and equally handy for a paddle you lend to friends ....
Out of the box the stats for the Kialoa Insanity Carbon adjustable paddle are;
The fixed Insanity Carbon paddle shaft is very,very long and most paddlers will need to cut that down, the adjustable version is exactly the same shaft and blade combo which will need to be cut before use, unless you're the Jolly Green Giant. That shouldn't put anyone off as cutting a paddle is pretty straight forward, measure several times and use a good quality blade, best not use the junior hacksaw that's been in the bottom of the toolbox for a few years. Having a full length shaft to start with is a really, really good thing as it lets you set the paddle up for the range of adjustment you want, I typically find that all the adjustable paddles I've used flex a lot because I have them set at their maximum length, not a problem with this one.
One of the reasons that Kialoa can do this is because their clamping mechanism is internal, there is no external clamp fixed on the shaft. In the beautifully shaped handle is a 'lever lock mechanism'. There is a lever and a pivot in the handle and an expanding rubber O ring at the bottom of the extension, they are connected by a stainless steel cable. Pulling the lever out releases the tension in the cable allowing the O ring to slacken, push the lever back in place and the cable is tensioned compressing the O ring.
The entire locking mechanism is exquisitely built, this is made to last. Long term it will probably require occasional maintenance but that should be easy enough, it's a simple and elegant design held together with one split pin.
The extension and the paddle shaft are a very snug fit, so much so that they make a lovely noise when pulled apart. That snugness combined with the clamping mechanism mean that this adjustable paddle doesn't feel at all flexy in use and that there is no way that the handle will twist in normal use.
The extension has guide markings printed on it, these line the handle up with the blade and show the paddle height with a suggested paddler height. The are a reminder that once the paddle was once supplied with a shorter shaft and although the figures printed on it are now redundant they are still useful.
So what's it like on the water?
It's exactly like the fixed length paddle that sits beside it in the garage. When paddling there is no unwanted flex despite the blade being made of a flexible material and the blade shape means no flutter in the water. In use, both on flat water and surf sessions there has been absolutely no slippage regardless of how long I was paddling. This is exactly what a paddler wants with an adjustable paddle and is the exact opposite of several that I've tried recently. The only time you need to change the length is when you want to fine tune things, for instance set it longer when paddling out to a break away from the crowds then drop it down when the fun starts.
Overall
Kailua have a great set of SUP paddles with their Insanity range and their take on the adjustable paddle is an excellent bit of kit. It is well worth trying one if you're looking for a lightweight, durable paddle to use surfing, cruising, racing or even lending to your (shorter) mates.
 |
| Kialoa Fibrlite Blade |
 |
| Kialoa Insanity Carbon Adjustable SUP Paddle |
Construction
|
Carbon
handle & shaft, Fibrlite blade
|
Length
(max)
|
2555mm
|
Shaft
|
2150mm
|
Extension
(max)
|
405mm
|
Weight
|
685g
|
Shaft
|
488g
|
Extension
|
197g
|
Blade
Size
|
Small
|
The fixed Insanity Carbon paddle shaft is very,very long and most paddlers will need to cut that down, the adjustable version is exactly the same shaft and blade combo which will need to be cut before use, unless you're the Jolly Green Giant. That shouldn't put anyone off as cutting a paddle is pretty straight forward, measure several times and use a good quality blade, best not use the junior hacksaw that's been in the bottom of the toolbox for a few years. Having a full length shaft to start with is a really, really good thing as it lets you set the paddle up for the range of adjustment you want, I typically find that all the adjustable paddles I've used flex a lot because I have them set at their maximum length, not a problem with this one.
 |
| Kialoa Fibrlite Blade and Lever Lock Handle |
 |
| Kialoa Lever Lock |
The extension and the paddle shaft are a very snug fit, so much so that they make a lovely noise when pulled apart. That snugness combined with the clamping mechanism mean that this adjustable paddle doesn't feel at all flexy in use and that there is no way that the handle will twist in normal use.
The extension has guide markings printed on it, these line the handle up with the blade and show the paddle height with a suggested paddler height. The are a reminder that once the paddle was once supplied with a shorter shaft and although the figures printed on it are now redundant they are still useful.
So what's it like on the water?
It's exactly like the fixed length paddle that sits beside it in the garage. When paddling there is no unwanted flex despite the blade being made of a flexible material and the blade shape means no flutter in the water. In use, both on flat water and surf sessions there has been absolutely no slippage regardless of how long I was paddling. This is exactly what a paddler wants with an adjustable paddle and is the exact opposite of several that I've tried recently. The only time you need to change the length is when you want to fine tune things, for instance set it longer when paddling out to a break away from the crowds then drop it down when the fun starts.
Overall
Kailua have a great set of SUP paddles with their Insanity range and their take on the adjustable paddle is an excellent bit of kit. It is well worth trying one if you're looking for a lightweight, durable paddle to use surfing, cruising, racing or even lending to your (shorter) mates.