Malama SUP

Manufacturer: Malama
Paddle Name: Malama SUP
Material, Shaft: Wood
Material, Blade: Wood
Handle type: Palm Grip
Blade length: Custom
Blade width: Custom
Shaft shape: oval shape tapered profile
Weight: About 2 pounds

MSRP $320.00
Features

Each of our paddles is handmade from wood by Malama himself.
Wood lasts longer since it doesn’t chip as much and can be easily refinished to new condition.

Wood is easier on your joints since it has a slight flex. Any wood paddle is more beautiful and traditional than a nonwood paddle. Shafts are triple fibreglassed and blades have koa edges. Custom exotic woods are avaialble by request.

Evaluators said:

“wow, who’s going to put this in the water, it’s too pretty”

“I’m a wood butcher, and I don’t know how he made this joint. I guess it’s the 32 years of paddle building”

“I love the grip, love the way this paddle feels in the water”

“No vibration, no flutter, lots of power, and the shaft flexes wonderfully”

“Makes my bad shoulders feel fine. Great paddle”

Summary: Top rated in all categories. Expensive for a wood paddle but worth it, especially if you have shoulder injuries or tendency for muscular problems. Paddles can be fully customized, including double bend shafts, paddle shape and size, exotic woods.

Added comments from Niclas:  Exquisite paddle, handmade, wonderful finish. I have no experience in SUP/SUP-paddles from before but everyone I’ve been in contact with recommended the Malama paddle which was “the best paddles money could buy”. Well, since the USD exchange rate is good, the paddle only cost me 10% more than a poorly made Starboard paddle would cost me in Sweden!

I’m using the paddle and my Starboard 12′2 for cruising only and I think I should’ve had the paddle made 4″ taller (it’s 84″ now). I’m 6′5″ but I think the paddle feels a bit short. The handle only reaches my chest if I tuck the blade underneath the rail of the board. And when reaching far forward, I need to bend. So that 4″ would’ve be needed for me and cruising. YMMV.

Karen and her husband was really helpful and like I said, the paddle looks awesome. Its got a nice flex, it doesn’t wobble the least and it’s SUPERlight! It first I didn’t tjhink it was possible to make such a long paddle so light. Friend of mine has commented it and thought it was made of carbon fibre with a veneer only. We have a small paddle (~36″) for our 15′ boat for emergancy situations (like the missus smacking my head with it if I yell at her when we achor in a bay… ) and it’s actually heavier than the Malama paddle.

I can only but recommend the paddle by giving it a “Highly Recommended” tag.

Check out www.malamapaddles.com

btw, I bought one for the missus too so she have a better reach to smack my head when anchoring that small boat of ours She loved the paddle too btw.