For racing and touring: The new SUP paddle Starboard Velocity put to the test

The Starboard Velocity SUP paddle presents itself as a sophisticated lightweight right from the first contact. At just 502 grams for blade size M and as a Vario version, it is significantly lighter than many comparable paddles. Even when handling it on land, it is noticeable that the centre of gravity is mainly in the shaft, while the blade itself is surprisingly light. The M version has a blade surface area of 83 cm², which is designed in a rather long, narrow shape. Particularly striking is the pronounced, deep double concave on the pressure side as well as the strong curvature towards the tip with a clear angle to the shaft. As a design detail, the lateral edges of the blade are slightly angled backwards over a width of around one centimetre. The transition from the blade to the shaft is elegantly designed - you hardly feel an edge when gripping. The shaft itself offers a pleasant grip thanks to its light structure and ends in the ergonomically designed Starboard clamp, which secures the Vario tube.

Ergonomics and handling

The adjustment mechanism of the Starboard Velocity works particularly smoothly, but when fixing the clamp, paddle nerds have to make sure that the alignment is accurate to the last half degree - which is not a problem in practice. The handle at the top end combines elements of a palm grip and a T-grip.

This hybrid shape convinced all test subjects, regardless of hand size - the Starboard grip is regularly one of the most popular shapes in all tests. The wide T-shape offers good lateral control, while the ergonomic shape allows for a comfortable grip with a comfortable hand rest. A particularly positive aspect is that this handle shape means you always know how the paddle is orientated in the water, which makes precise steering strokes easier. Overall, the paddle is extremely high-quality, lightweight and ergonomically designed down to the last detail - a solid basis for practical tests on the water.

Performance on the water

In direct comparison with a Black Project Flow X, which was taken along as a reference and was very popular with the test team (although it has a slightly larger blade area in size L), the Starboard Velocity was also convincing in all test scenarios. It is characterised by a very good catch, which can be achieved without splashing even with less than perfect paddling technique. After diving in, the pressure builds up immediately and evenly - remarkably, the Velocity even offers slightly more power than the larger Flow X despite its smaller blade area.

Full power is available immediately after immersion and remains constant throughout the entire pull phase. When exiting at the end of the pull, the paddle glides out of the water sideways as light as a feather. The three-dimensional structure is less pronounced here than on some other models, which makes the exit easier. According to the manufacturer, the Velocity should offer an early pressure build-up compared to the Lima model - which our tests were able to confirm. This pressure build-up is not aggressive or abrupt, but powerful and yet easy to control. The low swing weight gives the paddle a playful feel, while the pull phase is very stable. The paddle shows no tendency to wobble sideways, but can be pulled through the water in a straight line. Due to the elongated blade shape, a little more stroke and immersion travel is required than with more compact blade shapes, but you soon get used to this.

Test summary of the Starboard Velocity

The Starboard Velocity convinces with impeccable equipment and a very harmonious, stable paddle pull with lots of power already at the catch and in the middle pull phase. The best prerequisite for distance races or touring paddling.

Technical specifications:

General data:

• Weight: 502 grams (measurement by the test editorial team)
• Blade size: 83 cm² (size M)
• Leaf shape: long, narrow
• Version: Vario paddle
• Price: 485 Euro

Design features:

• Pressure side: pronounced, deep double concave
• Special feature: lateral edges angled backwards to a width of approx. 1 cm
• Curvature: strong towards the tip with a clear angle of projection towards the shank
• Handle: Combination of Palm-Grip and T-Grip