HYDRO TEXCARBON
SUP Race Paddle

Our lightest, strongest and most technically advanced paddle yet.

The HYDRO SUP race paddle is for paddlers who want more speed and reduced fatigue. Whether you are cruising your local lake or crossing the Hawaiian channels, the Hydro is designed to deliver speed and comfort. Lightweight and durable, the Hydro combines exceptional power, blade stability and dynamic flex to help you paddle faster for longer while protecting your body from injury.

The Hydro is the paddle of choice for 2019 world champions – Seychelle Webster, Olivia Piana, Christian Anderson, and Rai Taguchi as well as a growing number of worldwide athletes.

Scooped Dihedral Blade Technology

The Hydro blade is designed to correct poor alignment often associated with fatigue and injury. The deep Scooped Dihedral shaping holds the water securely through the power phase, eliminating lateral blade movement and delivering force in a smooth, efficient manner.

The extension of the tapered scoop towards the toe allows the paddle to remain stable and deliver power, even if you fail to get the full blade in the water. This toe shaping also ensures a clean catch and efficient blade release.

Overall, the Hydro blade design delivers a predictable, powerful and efficient paddle stroke that encourages the use of smaller blades.

Shallow Blade Angle Promotes Responsiveness

The shallow 8° blade angle results in a direct and positive feel through the power phase. The lower blade angle allows paddlers to enjoy a more aggressive and efficient paddle stroke. It also results in a slightly shorter paddle length.

Structural Blade Stability

The ridge along the front of the blade increases stiffness both vertically and laterally, resulting in increased strength. This structure helps the blade maintain better stability for a predictable feel you can count on.

TEXCARBON Construction

The most striking aspect of the Hydro paddle is the enhanced construction. Our Hydro paddle line is equipped with a Texalium and Carbon shaft. Developed in San Diego, over time this material has proven to be superior–particularly for SUP paddles.

The increased impact resistance of Texalium helps protect paddles both on flights and in the impact zone. The silver finish also reflects UV rays, reducing sun damage and keeping the shaft cooler on the water—an important aspect for paddlers in excessively hot climates. Meanwhile, the textured Texalium shaft also enhances grip, while still being gentle on the hands.

We paired the new shafts with blades and handles in a red kevlar and carbon construction for a unique and sleek aesthetic. On the inside, we reconfigured our laminates to increase strength and reduce weight, while maintaining an optimized flex.

Shaft Diameter To Suit Your Hands

The Hydro paddle is available with both STANDARD (29mm) diameter and SLIM (26.5mm) options. With a range of flex options, each Hydro paddle is custom tuned to suit your specific needs.

Lightest Race Paddle Available

Throughout the design process, all unnecessary weight was removed. This effort has resulted in the Hydro being the lightest SUP race paddle available. For example; a Hydro Pro 78 that’s cut to 75″ (191cm) is only 14 ounces (396 grams), approximately 25-50 grams lighter than any other high-end race paddle.

This reduced weight translates into an improved paddling experience, while also being easier on your body.

Reduced Board Damage & Increased Safety

We smoothed out all blade edges and incorporated our slim-line joint to make a sleek and efficient paddle.

The smooth blade edges increase safety, increases blade strength and reduces board damage. The slim-line joint system reduces drag through the water and prevents rail damage caused by hard edges.

Thanks to the design and construction, the Hydro paddle is also one of the strongest SUP paddles you will find and enjoys a near-zero failure rate.

Benefits of Smaller, Softer and Shorter SUP Paddles

Working closely with athletes and recreational paddlers alike, we developed the simple concept that when it comes to SUP paddles –– smaller, softer and shorter is better. Call it the Three S’s if you like, but the science behind this paddle philosophy is what inspires the paddles we create.

Unfortunately, far too many people in the SUP community are suffering from pain caused by paddling. At Black Project, we don’t want to be part of something that leaves people with back or shoulder problems, which is exactly why we’re spreading the word about size.

Designed and Optimized For Your Needs

At Black Project, we don’t think you need to be a pro paddler to enjoy the benefits of a custom paddle. In fact, it’s why we offer the Hydro in seven blade options and five shaft options to best suit your specific needs. Choosing the right paddle might seem daunting at first, but don’t worry, we made it easy to identify which is the best option for your optimal paddling experience.