Stand Up Paddles (SUP)

Good looking paddles. Did you inlay a harder spline like rock maple or aluminum in the very tip of the blade to keep the end from being damaged? That’s where mine always start going bad first.

-- Hal, Tennessee http://www.first285.com

nicely done!

Here’s a video of one of those paddles in use. : )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA05XIX7Yh0

-- When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for

Great paddles.

p.s. Laird is a legend, He’s been know to fashion his own boards, paddles and other crazy sea craft. and i’;m sure these paddles would please him.

thanks for sharing

-- Anthony

Beautiful. I have to quit looking at projects now….too many good ideas!

-- Grace & peace, Chris+

Thanks for a the kind comments.

With regard to the construction, all the shafts are made with3 layers of ash and 2 layers of cherry then clamped in a form to get the angle bend at the end.

The paddle portions are a layup of mostly ash with other colored wood for affect. Tips do not have any metal added but thought about wrapping the edge with a thin layer of fiberglass but opted not to do that on these first three due to the weight consideration. Next ones may add the fiberglass wrap, we’ll see after they are used for a while.

-- Respectfully, Paul

Have you or your friend ever seen SUPs for wild rice harvesting? I currently use a 12’ painters pole with a duckbill hoseclamped on the end. (This must be one of the strangest questions ever.) Middle paddle is a dye stain? Finish coat? Thanks s.

-- Steve, 'Sconie Great White North

Middle Paddle is MW oil stain, one of those old MW colonial colors that I had laying around in the shop. I do not know if they even make it anymore.

Finish is Zar exterior poly, two coats sanded between coats. Has more UV protection in it.

-- Respectfully, Paul

I like the look of those paddles, I enjoy the reddish one the best, They look like they could be used for taking Pizza’s out of Restaurant Ovens, My Uncle Benny had one. I may get you to make me one for him.

-- Wildman, PA, http://www.lumberjocks.com/WildWoodMan.com

Thanks for the kind comments. I gave my friend the bending form and taught him the basics which he has now mastered and has gone on to change and perfect the construction techniques. He now makes them for personal use and has made a few for a local vendor not to mention has had them written up in some sort of magazine article. I wish Minwax would bring the colors back but since they were bought out by Sherwin-Williams, their small company quality and interests have gone by the wayside.

I just liked the challenge of the engineering behind the project and the idea of passing along the interest.

-- Respectfully, Paul