Black Project Hydro SprintX SUP Paddle
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Introducing the Hydro SprintX SUP Race Paddle
With a new year comes a new opportunity to shake up the status quo.
A first-of-its-kind SUP paddle designed for sprinting and short-distance racing, our all-new Hydro SprintX is the next evolution in our Hydro family of high-performance SUP paddles. Designed in collaboration with APP World Champion Arthur Arutkin, this is the fastest paddle we’ve ever created.
Starting with the DNA of our popular flagship paddle—the HydroFloX—we made several key adjustments to the blade, shaft and handle to maximise speed and acceleration over a short distance. The end result is a paddle that will launch you from the start line quicker, help you maintain a blistering fast cadence, and ultimately cross the finish line ahead of the competition.
Though we should warn you—this amount of power is not suited for everyone. Discover what makes the Hydro SprintX: the fastest paddle in the sport.
A NEW BREED OF PADDLE FOR SPRINTING & SHORT DISTANCE RACING
The Hydro SprintX was designed to help paddlers push their physical limits, achieve explosive acceleration and maximum top speed. It is the first paddle made specifically for sprinting.
Every feature of this paddle is optimised for acceleration, speed, and winning races. With a low 7.5° blade angle, a shallower power pocket, and a wider and more compact blade outline––your first stroke will generate an instant burst of acceleration. The blade volume was decreased to increase cadence and maximise the number of strokes you can take. To further enhance the new paddle, we designed a new tapered shaft and new handle.
“On that very first stroke, we want paddlers to feel instant feedback when the blade hits the water and instant power to get the board accelerating forward.” — Chris Freeman
DESIGNED, & TESTED IN COLLABORATION WITH WORLD CHAMPION PADDLERS
To ensure we were getting the most out of the Hydro SprintX and allowing paddlers to push their limits without restriction, we enlisted the help of APP World Champions Arthur Arutkin, Seychelle Webster and elite Maui waterman Bernd Roediger .
For 12-months, we worked closely with these athletes on Maui to refine every component of the Hydro SprintX. It’s our shared pursuit of performance—in all conditions and events—that drives our team to work collaboratively and push the boundaries of paddle science.
“I’m super excited. We’ve made huge progress from our first design and now it’s the best sprint paddle I’ve ever had. It’s amazing what we can do.” — Arthur Arutkin
SHALLOW 7.5° BLADE ANGLE
We reduced the Hydro SprintX blade angle to 7.5°, from 9.3° on the Hydro FlowX. This reduction in blade angle delivers an ultra-direct and instant feel and promotes and shorter, higher cadence paddle stroke – ideal for sprinting.
WIDER BLADE WITH FLARED TIP
We increased the width of the blade tip (when compared to the Hydro FlowX) to give paddlers instant bite and more power for acceleration. In Fig #2 the flared toe (or tip) is illustrated by arrow A and the widened dihedral edges are shown by arrow B, both these design features increase instant power. In Fig #3 the Hydro SprintX is compared to the Hydro FlowX which illustrates the wider blade with more concentrated surface area which speeds up power delivery.
SHALLOW POWER SCOOP (SPS)
This works in conjunction with the wider blade to further increase acceleration potential.
ADVANCED FLOW TECHNOLOGY (AFT)
Our proprietary Advanced Flow Technology (AFT)—a pronounced neck and spine of the paddle—significantly increases the efficiency of the Hydro SprintX and balances the forces created by the paddle.
Similar in theory to a performance cycling helmet, the AFT parts the water and brings it back together in an efficient manner, minimising turbulence around the blade and shaft. This reduced turbulence eliminates unwanted lateral blade movements so you can focus on paddling hard.
REDUCED BLADE VOLUME
We thinned out the blade to reduce volume, this helps with faster entry/exit and results in a higher cadence. The aim is that you can maximise the number of strokes that you take over a short distance.
POWER-TAPER SHAFT
We designed the PowerTaper shaft with a high kick point specifically for the Hydro SprintX. This innovative new shaft keeps stiffness in the lower portion of the shaft for instant power under extreme load, while the more flexible top section creates increased spring to reduce shoulder fatigue. The overall result is a paddle stroke that generates more power, while also being easier on your body.
POWER-GRIP HANDLE
The Hydro SprintX also includes our PowerGrip ergonomic racing handle—optimised for maximum power, increased efficiency, and better grip during rapid paddling.
The PowerGrip is triangular in nature, with a wider, flatter and more upright back than our previous handles. The slightly curved back fits naturally in your palm, while the indentation on the front adds comfort and security when wrapping your fingers and helps maintain grip when the paddle is rotated forward. This new grip will maximise energy transfer to promote efficient paddling and speed.
“We want our athletes to have a very secure feel so they can focus 100% on getting their paddle in the water, out of the water and back in the water. They won’t have to think about where the paddle is going—it’s almost like the paddle is on autopilot.” — Chris Freeman
ULTRALIGHT TEXCARBON 30T CONSTRUCTION
The Hydro SprintX will also feature our premium TEXCARBON 30T construction—the lightest, strongest, and most technologically advanced paddle construction we’ve ever used.
30T carbon is 25% lighter than 24T regular carbon – which is commonly used in paddles. This allows us to reduce weight and increase strength, resulting in a much more responsive and high-performance paddle.
Our innovative paddle designs would not be possible without the use of extremely expensive materials and complex layups.
HYDRO SPRINT-X AT A GLANCE
ADVANCED FLOW TECHNOLOGY (AFT)
- The pronounced neck and spine of the AFT significantly increases paddle efficiency.
- Eliminates lateral blade movements by reducing fluid turbulence around the blade and shaft.
- Increased efficiency leads to a smoother paddle stroke, reduced fatigue and faster speeds.
SHALLOW POWER SCOOP (SPS)
- Features a single shallow scoop design with dihedral shaped edges on the blade face.
- Increases stroke power and delivers instant acceleration from start line.
- Power Scoop Technology works in harmony with Advanced Flow Technology.
TEXCARBON 30T CONSTRUCTION
- The lightest, strongest, and most technologically advanced paddle construction we’ve ever used.
- Utilises 30T intermediate modulus carbon—25% lighter than regular carbon.
- High-end material allowed us to reduce weight and increase strength.
- Result is a much more responsive and high-performance paddle.
POWERGRIP ERGONOMIC HANDLE
- New for 2022.
- Optimised for maximum power, increased efficiency, and long-lasting comfort.
- Developed in collaboration with pro paddlers Arthur Arutkin and Bernd Roediger.
- Wider and flatter back creates a secure and long-lasting comfort.
- Hollow to help eliminate any excess weight.
POWER-TAPER SHAFT
- New for 2022.
- Tapered shaft with a high kick point flex pattern.
- Keeps stiffness in the lower portion of the shaft for instant power under extreme load.
- More flexible top section creates increased spring and reduced shoulder fatigue.
FLARED TIP
- Widened toe of blade.
- Widened and flatter dihedral edges.
KEY FACTS:
- Sizes: XL, L, M, S
- Advanced Flow Technology (AFT)
- Shallow Power Scoop (SPS)
- Flared Blade Toe
- PowerTaper Shaft
- PowerGrip Ergonomic Handle
- Available in TEXCARBON 30T construction.
- Available in 1-piece
- Weight from 375 grams (13.2 oz)
GET A FIXED BLACK PROJECT PADDLE BAG FOR £34.99 (RRP:£79.99) (DISCOUNT APPLIES ONLY AS PART OF A BLACK PROJECT PADDLE ORDER) CALL US AFTER PLACING THE ORDER ON 02920 711 946