Review: Quickblade V-Drive Paddle vs. Quickblade Trifecta Paddle

I did as much online research as I could about the Quickblade V-Drive and Trifecta paddles. Here are the two best videos I found that gave useful info about the paddles. They both feature Quickblade's Jim Terrell and are 99% free of hype and marketing. Video links: V-Drive and Trifecta. I think you'll get more out of this review is you watch the videos first.

These paddles are expensive and they are top of the line equipment therefore I couldn't afford to make an uninformed choice. In addition to the online research I hounded Keith, the shop manager of Covewater Paddle Surf Santa Cruz with a thousand questions which he was only too eager to answer. Finally, I was able to "try before you buy" because the shop has two adjustable shaft paddles in each model to demo. Personally, I would never buy a paddle this expensive, with as many variables, without taking each for an intensive test paddle.

Why did I need to buy a new paddle? I left my other two paddles on Maui where I SUP surf and open ocean paddle. I wanted my new mainland paddle to be a two-fer, that is, to paddle well when surfing my shorter SUP surfboards or flatwater paddling, downwinding or just touring around on my longer SUPs, a 12' Bark Competitor and a 14' Angulo Shaka.

A little about me. I am a smaller (145-150 lbs.), older (68) guy in excellent condition. I've been SUP surfing in Santa Cruz since 2007. I stay in good shape but I'm not a big guy, and I don't like big paddles. I was looking for efficiency in a smaller blade and I think both sizes that are available in the V-Drive (81 and 91 sq. in.) and Trifecta (86 and 96 sq. in.) can provide that. It's a matter of finding the right size for the paddler.

Covewater provided the V-Drive 91 and the Trifecta 96 for my use. I took out the Trifecta 96 first, mainly because I really like the shape of the blade and because the Trifecta was reputed to have a soft, smooth catch and efficient but forgiving pull with power that wasn't hard on the shoulders. I wasn't expecting much in the way of swell but a little south ramped up while I was out and I surfed for almost three hours in consistent, fast and reeling point surf.

Part of my agenda included distance paddling. Even though I wasn't on one of my bigger boards, I knew I could get the feel of the paddle from paddling the smaller, slower surfing SUPs. I deliberately launched a mile from where I wanted to surf, and paddled to the break. Little did I know I would be waylayed but multiple reefs that were going off. This was an excellent opportunity to put the paddle to work.

The Trifecta. The 96 should have been harder to pull through. But it wasn't. It was in fact forgiving while being extremely efficient. It felt like a much smaller blade. It was also buttery smooth and quiet at the catch. Keeping the blade underwater while pulling through to the release yielded a whisper quiet stroke where the only sound was the water slapping the nose of the board. It made a mediocre paddler like me, better. Equipment that makes you better? I'll drink to that.

That session lasted almost three hours and I surfed a ton of waves. I covered a lot of ocean paddling from the shore to the line-up and when I was done I paddled a mile back to where I launched. I was tired and sore, but I didn't hurt anywhere. I was anxious to try the V-Drive next and make a comparison.

The V-Drive. Two days later I paddle out into the line-up on the same board with the V-Drive 91. From the first stroke at launch I immediately felt the difference between the two blades. Even though the 91 V-Drive's blade was smaller than the 96 Trifecta's, it was harder to pull through. The catch was noisy and I felt resistance from the V-Drive immediately upon placing the blade into the water at the catch. I surfed for two hours, again I caught a lot of waves and I did a lot of paddling. At the end of the session I was tired and I knew which paddle I wanted to buy.

Decision. I knew I wanted the Trifecta. The V-Drive 91 was too much paddle and was not suited to my style, body type and condition, and surfing/paddling preferences. At the same time I thought the V-Drive 81 would be too small and it wouldn't have the soft, quiet efficiency of the Trifecta. This doesn't mean the V-Drive isn't a great paddle. My friends John, Kali'a and Keith (the Covewater shop manager) all have the V-Drive. But they are competitive distance paddlers (and surfers) and I am not. So the V-drive was not going to be useful for my preferences and everyday paddling needs. The Trifecta was just a smoother all around paddle, the catch, pull and release was "softer" and overall the paddle felt easier on my body. But there was a caveat.

The caveat. I still wasn't 100% sure that the 96 was the right size blade and this is where some guess work, along with intuition and research knowledge needed to be applied. The 96 Trifecta was easier to pull through than the 91 V-Drive. But I still felt like it put too much resistance and too much load on my muscles and joints. I felt like it would tire me out sooner and possibly lead to stress injuries. I just didn't think I would be getting the best bang for my buck, or the overall efficiency in a paddle that I was looking for. The Trifecta 86 was only 5 sq. in. smaller than the 91 V-Drive but I thought that the easy, soft feel of the Trifecta would translate better in the smaller 86 sq. in. blade than what I experienced with the V-Drive 91.

Leap of Faith. Sometimes you just have to go for it. Everything I had researched, learned and put into practical application was in my head. So, I let all that sit for 24 hours before making a decision. Like the Magic 8-Ball answer that comes floating up from the inky black, my mind provided the right answer. Trifecta 86. I ordered it. I waited. Was my decision the right one?

Shaft. While the Trifecta and V-Drive demo paddles did not have the EVA wrap and tapered oval shafts, there were several in the shop I could play with. The oval shape and tapered shaft, along with the EVA wrap felt really good to hold. The shaft is feather light, so light it makes you laugh. My decision making process on whether to spend the extra $60 was basically...if you're gonna spend five hundred bucks on a paddle why not spend an extra sixty and get exactly what you want? So, I did and I have not regretted one penny of that decision. The oval shaft is easy to grip and is not slippery. The EVA wrap handle fits nicely in my hand and gives me a sure, fast and reliable grip upon contact. Rarely do I lose the handle on side changes or in turbulent conditions.

Regarding stiffness this was a variable that I felt I didn't have a lot of control over. My choice was to select the oval tapered shaft which has it's own stiffness index (see above videos) depending upon length of shaft. I felt confident that the materials used, technology and the integrity of the company would provide a shaft with acceptable stiffness for my needs.

Something new with these two QB paddles is that the blade is glued to the shaft once it's been cut to the desired length. No longer is the handle glued to the shaft after proper sizing as it comes already installed on the shaft. The blade inserts into a diagonal cut on the paddle shaft, and is then glued. I like my paddles a wee bit long and the length I used on the adjustable demo paddles was perfect. So, Keith and I cut it that long and affixed the blade to the shaft. The bond from shaft to blade is so secure and snug that I electrical taped the blade to the shaft just in case I wanted to change it later. No problem and I doubt that I'll glue it at all in future.

I picked up my new QB Trifecta 86 a week after I ordered it at the shop and was stoked. I got the orange logo with white border. Olivier, the new owner of Covewater comped me with a very nice paddle bag and the rest is history.

Postscript: I've used my new Trifecta 86 for a couple months now and love it more each time I use it. It has in fact met all my expectations and I did get what I was looking for, a two-fer. This paddle is two paddles in one and works well in the surf or for distance paddling. The new technology and design of the paddle leaves my old Infinity otter tail and QB Kanaha 90 in the dust. Now my biggest problem will be talking myself out of getting one for Maui.

First Maliko to Kanaha Run of 2014

Saturday June 14 2014 F14 Wide Glide - First Maliko to Kanaha DW of 2014 about 1.5h - I studied Google maps and thought hard about what I learned last year re coming in over the reef at Kanaha in preparation for today's run. I chose a spot Bill Boyum showed me on a no wind, no waves paddle from the canoe hale to the keyhole in the reef. (Channel #1). That was my primary choice as I was able to note the obvious landmarks and the channel itself quite

easily on G-maps. (Seeing it from the water, especially if the swell and wind are up, isn't nearly as cut and dry.) On the day of the Olukai last year, the swell was

up and Bill told me an alternate route through the reef that he thought was safer. (Channel #2). It was good advice. I tried to take that channel during the race but I didn't have the experience to know exactly where it was and though I think I was close, I wasn't on it. I learned where it was from Kim today.

As much planning as one does in the abstract, does not always account for what often happens in reality, both good and bad. The shuttle was packed and instead of just me waiting at Kanaha, there were three others who had booked. While waiting I chatted it up with a woman (Kim) in her 50's who was paddling an SIC Bullet 16 with steering. Over the time it took to pick up the rest of the paddlers at the harbor, and then drive up to the gulch we got acquainted enough to know that we were fairly equal in paddling strength (I'm giving myself the benefit of the doubt here) and paddling/downwinding views. Of course she is a faster paddler than I (who isn't) but she generously offered to show me her favorite channel at Kanaha. (The second one Bill told me about.) We paddled together for the entire run, she waiting for me when I couldn't keep up, and then went in first, showing me the way at the "Camp One Channel". The channel was very wide and very distinct and is located about a half mile north of Channel #1. It was the best choice today and perhaps because it is so easy to find, the best choice overall. Once again, God comes through with a blessing that confirms the 23rd Psalm..."surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life..." (It always helps to have a positive attitude, and inspiration, whether it be personal and Providential or blind "luck", comes from wherever it finds you.)

The run on the inside of the reef from the channel to the canoe hale felt like a ride on a conveyor belt. From what LPB wrote below on the Zone re today's run, there was a strong east to west current flowing, which augmented the wind and the small bumps that were omnipresent. I was having so much fun running those small bumps that

I ran all the way to the lifeguard station instead of watching where Kim took out. It was a treacherous, board tossingly windy, but short walk from the water to the tree lined, wind sheltered path to the hale. Since I overshot the landing, it was a fairly long walk to where our cars were parked in the lot. Kim of course had it dialed and she landed right in front of the showers and her parking spot. We met up at the cars and made some plans to paddle and shuttle together using our own cars in the future.

Prior to this first run I was concerned about finding people of equal skills, ability and paddling speed to make the runs with. Although I don't mind paddling solo, it's always best, safest and most prudent to be at least within a couple hundred yards of someone else and for them to know you're around and vice versa. I didn't stop to think that Kelly's shuttle service might be a great place to meet fellow paddlers. And today was a full van which provided the opportunity to meet folks.

Re the run itself I was surprised at how quiet it was paddling out from the mouth of the gulch. While there was the usual bump and chop, the sea surface was almost glassy and there were practically no whitecaps. This was in vivid contrast to what I had seen at Baby Beach and on the shuttle ride up to Maliko as we drove along the stretch of north coast we would be paddling, . But as we paddled west, the wind slowly began to pick up, the gusts got stronger and somewhere just past Ho'okipa it got good. I hadn't done a downwinder since May in Santa Cruz. There has been some small but fun south swell here and I've been surfing the SNAz every morning that there's been waves. So it felt good to get out on my first DW run. It was perfect really because the wind was decent, blowing good but not nuking. There were plenty of bumps which gave me a chance to work on, and really think about what I was doing out there to get better at catching and riding bumps. It's amazing how much more relaxed one is in 78 degree water vs. 53 degree water. Falling is almost desirable.

The F14 is a very forgiving and stable board, and no slug when it comes to getting glides or surfing waves. I surfed in through the channel on a small wave which just kept going. I didn't want to go into the beach so walked back to the tail and just tried to weight the nose up enough to ease out of the whitewater, which it (finally) did. Then I knee paddled parallel to the beach and surfline to get clear of any incoming whitewater before jumping back up to my feet and making the super fun and fast mile run back to the lifeguard station.

The run today was really exactly what I was hoping for. Nothing too radical, but definitely not just a hot, windless, dirge of a paddle to Kanaha. Wind should be good again Sunday and I'm booked on the shuttle out of Kanaha. I'm a little tired, but not too sore. I think I've got another run in me for today but Monday may be a rest day. We'll see. I'd like to go every day but that may only be something I could have done 20+ years ago. But one never knows the day or the hour when this earthly ride will be over. So I say, go for it!

(From La Perouse Bay on the Zone re today's run: "Today was a blast. Excellent current running all down Kanaha. Inside line at .7 miles out at the airport. Pier one snuck up on me. I heard it coming and was glad I looked back. Not a dangerous wave, but enough to knock me over for sure. Barely made it. I won't wear music for that reason. Super fun day.")

Postscript - A couple well deserved shoutouts to Scott Ruble at Covewater for hooking me up with Kevin at Second Wind in Kahului. Without Elua Makani, no SIC F14. And thanks to Kevin for stocking SIC downwind boards. (Scott has 'em too in Santa Cruz for rent and to buy.) Thanks to Kelly for providing the shuttle service that gets so many people on their way to so many good downwind runs. Thanks to Bill Boyum for all the good advice I got from him last year re the Maliko. And finally thanks to Kim for adopting this mainlander and getting him oriented in 2014. Mahalo to all!

Jeremy Riggs and the SIC Bullet 14

Thanks to the generosity of John Griffith (SIC) and Scott Ruble (Covewater SUP Santa Cruz) I was able to arrange an interview and coaching session with Jeremy Riggs (paddlewithriggs.com) almost immediately upon my arrival in Maui. After our first meeting and interview we headed up to Maliko for what turned out to be an incredibly fun and informative downwinder with one of the best riders in the world. Many thanks to John, Scott and Jeremy (and Maui) for making it happen.

Jeremy Riggs
Where do you reside: Wailuku HI
What was your first/best experience on an SIC: My first experience on an SIC was on an F-16 during a Maliko run. It was my first time using a rudder. I learned a lot that day about following the bumps and about the advantage of having complete control of the board. It changed the way I approached downwind racing in a very productive way. My best experience on an SIC board was completing my first Molokai to Oahu channel crossing with my partner Nabil Vogel back in 2007. We trained very hard for the challenge and when it was over there was just that amazing feeling of accomplishment. I knew right then that this race was something I wanted to be a part of for many years to come.
What does the name SIC mean to you: A company that's committed to building the fastest and most innovative boards available and having fun while doing so.
Paddling background: I started doing Maliko runs back in 2002 on a prone paddle board. I remember catching these really long glides and wishing I could stand up for some of them but the boards were just way to tippy. Then I heard about the stand up boards in 2004 and I had to have one. I got my first SUP in 2005, made myself a paddle with a broken canoe paddle and an old windsurf mast and entered my first Maliko race that year. I was the only SUP in that race and there was close to 100 canoes. Those guys thought I was crazy and honestly I didn't know what to expect because this was my first time going all the way to the harbor. As I got closer to the finish there was a lot of canoe paddlers cheering me on. It was a great feeling and a great day. Gotta thank the Maui Canoe and Kayak Club for making that day such a fun and memorable experience for me.
What do you think SIC name means in the world of SUP: Proven race boards and if you want to do well in the channel races, you better order or reserve one well in advance.
What is your best crazy Dutchmen story: Mark has shown up to so many races with a board that he just finished making and the race ends up being the test run. We've done a couple of channel crossings together and in 2009 we partnered up for the Molokai to Oahu. I thought we were going to use the F-16 because that's what we were training on. When we met up on Molokai, sure enough Mark had built a new prototype for the race. We decided we would try it out in the biggest race of the season. It worked great! We ended up taking 2nd place that year.
How long have you been surfing and paddling: I grew up in North Carolina and spent most my time at the beach on a bodyboard. I didn't own a surfboard until after college and I moved out to Maui with dreams of becoming a professional bodyboarder. I was humbled right off the bat once I felt the power of the Pacific Ocean and saw the level of talent out here in Hawaii. I started surfing in the upright position in 2000 and I've been hooked since then.
Background text courtesy of the SIC website.

Downwinding The Maliko

Met up with Jeremy Riggs at Kanaha for the shuttle up to Maliko. We strapped the boards down on Justin's truck and were enroute in no time.

Jeremy is perhaps the most gifted downwind teacher/coach in Hawaii with bookings from folks that circle the planet. Sandwich Islands Composites (better known as SIC) has recently (and wisely) contracted with Jeremy to represent their company and use their boards. A good move. Great teacher, great boards.

It is not an exaggeration to say that I learned more from Jeremy in an hour and a half about downwind runs than in the last year and a half on my own. Jeremy is gifted with the patience, insight and skills to teach. The world needs more good teachers, the world gained one in Jeremy.

I paddled the 7 mile Maliko to Kanaha run on the SIC 14 ft. Bullet which Jeremy brought with him. I'll be writing more (including a video interview with Jeremy) on this board (and the unique Maui developed fin that was installed) but for now let me just say that this board is a competitor. Fast, maneuverable, durable and light, it will get you where you want to go in a hurry. That said, it is not a beginner's board. But more on all that later.

We made the 7 mile run in under 90 minutes, which for a dedicated downwind paddler is slow, but we stopped three or four times for some "classroom instruction" and pep talks. If only all our educational experiences could include a classroom environment sitting in emerald seas over a multicolored reef with big turtles poking their curious heads at you at random times, we'd probably all be a lot smarter.

The take out at Kanaha was classic Hawaiian culture. We're carry our boards in, and a hoard of youngsters and their teachers are hauling their outrigger canoes out, to the sea from which we have just departed. The never ending cycle of spiritual and physical sustenance the ocean has provided since the beginning of time, is on display, now, in real time, for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear.

Jeremy needed to get going, time to pick up his beautiful girls from school. Mariposa arrived right on time to pick me up for the ride back to the Sugar Ranch. It was all over too soon. But then, it's only day two. Stay tuned.