Long sold on the benefits of bamboo for a wide variety of applications, I’ve been watching Grass Sticks grow their presence in the ski scene with their bamboo ski poles. If I skied, those would absolutely be my poles. So when it came time to upgrade my SUP paddle from the stock 3-piece paddle that came with my Sol paddle board, Grass Sticks was at the top of only one on my list.
Beautiful imperfections. It’s what I enjoy most about this paddle. It’s not perfectly round, and each node along the paddle’s shaft has a subtle bump. Carbon plays a supporting role here, with appearances in the handle and blade. That’s more than enough carbon fiber for me.
This paddle feels great in the hand, those subtle imperfections providing a natural feel that just can’t be matched by carbon fiber or aluminum. The clear coated bamboo extends the natural beauty of this paddle.
The SUP Stick is available in custom lengths, with blade material (fiberglass or carbon), size (88in² or 110in²) options. Ordering on the Grass Sticks website was quick and easy. My custom paddle arrived within a few weeks of ordering, and Andrew was available to answer any questions via email. Hand made in Steamboat Springs, CO and comes with a lifetime warranty and 30 day money back guarantee.
My SUP Profile: Paddling for two years, exclusively flat water, preferably alpine lakes, sometimes slow, sometimes not as slow, sometimes beer on board, sometimes dogs on board, sometimes kids on board, usually music on board, will most likely never be strong enough to flex a SUP Stick in the water.
BOTTOM LINE
For me, selecting the SUP Stick came down to much more than specs and performance. No other paddle comes close aesthetically, or matches its eco-friendliness. And it just makes paddling that much more fun.
On board shenanigans for the camera. Littleton, CO
Paddling with Ozzy at Woods Lake, near Telluride, CO.
Post-paddle beers at Woods Lake.
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