Circle One Glass Fibre SUP Paddle | Lightweight 3-Piece Adjustable

The Circle One Surf glass fibre SUP paddle is a well-built, lightweight 3-piece adjustable paddle that sits in a genuine sweet spot for recreational paddlers who want a noticeable upgrade over heavy aluminium without spending carbon-fibre money. At 0.95 kg and £99.99, it gives you a shaft material that flexes less than alloy and transmits more of each stroke into forward movement.

The matt-finish glass-fibre shaft pairs with a teardrop nylon dihedral blade — rubber-edged to protect your board on entry and exit — and a solid ergonomic T-grip handle. It adjusts quickly from 180 to 220 cm via a cam-lock mechanism, covering every paddler height and board type in that range. One of the more capable options in the SUP paddles range for day-to-day use on flat water, open coast, or touring routes.

Who It's For

• Discipline: Flatwater paddling, coastal touring, surf SUP, all-round paddleboarding
• Level: Beginners through to committed recreational paddlers; excellent intro-to-glass choice for club and school use
• Best for: Paddlers upgrading from an aluminium paddle who want real weight savings without a carbon price tag; families sharing a single adjustable paddle; touring paddlers covering distance

Key Features

• Glass-fibre shaft, matt finish – meaningfully lighter and stiffer than aluminium, with a cleaner feel underhand and less flex-wobble during longer strokes
• Teardrop nylon dihedral blade – the dihedral spine down the centre of the blade stabilises the catch and reduces flutter, so each stroke tracks cleanly without the paddle wanting to twist out of line
• Rubber blade edging – protects the edge of the blade itself and cushions contact with the board rail; important on inflatable SUPs where a sharp edge can nick the PVC
• Ergonomic T-grip handle – positive, comfortable grip in wet conditions; keeps your top hand in the right position for efficient stroke technique
• Quick-release cam adjustment – squeeze, slide, release; no tools needed and the clamp holds secure once set
• 3-piece breakdown – splits into three sections for compact storage in a SUP bag, car boot, or carry-on luggage
• 180–220 cm adjustable range – covers paddlers from roughly 155 cm to 195 cm in height across board types from racing shapes to wide all-rounders
• 0.95 kg total weight – light enough that arm fatigue on longer sessions is noticeably reduced versus a standard alloy shaft

Real-World Feel

Glass fibre is the honest choice at this price. It is not carbon — you will feel slightly more flex in the shaft on a hard stroke compared to a £200+ carbon paddle, and it is a touch heavier than the full-carbon options up the range. What it does well is eliminate the dead, clattery feel of an alloy paddle and give you a quieter, more controlled catch through the blade's dihedral. On a flat estuary or sheltered bay session — the kind of paddling most of us on the Wirral actually do — the weight difference from an alloy paddle is tangible from the first stroke. The cam lock stays put; the T-grip is secure even with cold, wet hands in a UK spring.

Setup / Fit

The standard SUP sizing rule is to stand the paddle upright beside you and adjust until the handle sits roughly 15–20 cm (a hand's width) above the top of your head. For surf SUP, drop the length by 5–7 cm — a lower stroke angle works better in breaking water. The cam mechanism releases with a firm squeeze on the lever; slide the middle section to length and release. Repeat at the blade-section joint. Before paddling, give both clamps a firm tug to confirm they've seated — a clamp that hasn't clicked fully will slip mid-session. Rinse the clamp area with fresh water after saltwater use to keep the mechanism running freely.

Materials

• Shaft: Glass-fibre composite, matt finish
• Blade: Nylon composite, teardrop dihedral profile
• Blade edging: Rubber protective strip
• Handle: Ergonomic T-grip
• Sections: 3-piece breakdown

Size Chart

Pairs Well With

• SUP boards — match with an all-round inflatable or hard board to complete your setup
• SUP accessories — paddle leashes, board bags, and coiled SUP leashes to keep everything together on the water

Why We Stock It

We are a rider-owned shop on the Wirral. We stock things that make sense for paddling on the North West coast — conditions that range from millpond estuaries to lumpy open water and the odd cheeky shore break. Circle One built their paddle range for surf schools and outdoor centres, which means every component is designed to withstand constant heavy use and beginners who grab the wrong end. That durability, combined with a glass-fibre shaft that offers a real performance step up at a sensible price, is why this paddle earns shelf space. It is not a compromise — it is the right tool for where most of us paddle, most of the time.

FAQs

What is the difference between the Circle One glass fibre and alloy SUP paddle?

The main differences are weight and stiffness. The glass-fibre shaft weighs around 0.95 kg and is noticeably stiffer than an aluminium shaft, which means less energy is lost to flex on each stroke. The alloy version is heavier and has more flex — fine for occasional use, but you feel the difference on longer paddles. The glass-fibre paddle also feels quieter in the hand, without the hollow resonance you get from a metal tube.

Is this paddle suitable for inflatable SUP boards?

Yes. The rubber edging on the blade is specifically there to protect the rail and deck of inflatable boards on entry, exit, and the occasional accidental contact. It works equally well with hard SUP boards.

How do I know what length to set the paddle?

Stand the paddle upright on the floor beside you. For all-round and flatwater paddling, adjust until the T-grip handle sits roughly 15–20 cm above your head (about a hand's width). For surf SUP, lower it 5–7 cm. The 180–220 cm range covers paddlers from around 155 cm to 195 cm in height for most board types.

Can I take this paddle in an airline cabin or on a train?

The 3-piece breakdown design is the key advantage here. Disassembled, the longest section will be approximately 73–80 cm depending on length setting — check your specific airline's carry-on length allowance, but most overhead lockers and SUP board bags accommodate 3-piece paddles comfortably.

How do I care for the cam-lock adjustment mechanism?

After any saltwater session, rinse the two cam-clamp areas with fresh water and leave them open (un-clamped) to dry. Salt crystal build-up inside the clamp housing is the most common cause of stiff or slipping clamps. A very light spray of silicone lubricant on the cam pivot once or twice a season keeps the action clean. Avoid petroleum-based lubricants as they can degrade the plastic housing over time.

Is the Circle One glass fibre paddle good enough for SUP touring?

For recreational touring — day paddles, coastal routes, estuary and flat-water trips — yes, absolutely. The weight and stiffness are well suited to sustained paddling over distance. If you are racing or covering 20+ km sessions regularly, you may eventually want to step up to a carbon shaft for the marginal weight and stiffness gains. But for the vast majority of UK touring paddlers, this paddle will not be the limiting factor.