“When we talk about the paddles being handcrafted, what most people don’t realise is how many times a human touches the paddle in the course if it being made,” said David Smart, Founder of Blackfish Paddles, the Canadian SUP brand designing, manufacturing and distributing premium, handcrafted SUP paddles.
That tactile aspect of a paddle is at the very core of the brand’s ethos, as it’s what connects us to the water, creating a seamless interaction between the paddler and their environment.
Staying true to its origins and honouring local ecosystems from which the brand draws inspiration, Blackfish Paddles reveal the brand new Yukon 520 paddle.
Photo by Brendon Prince
Based on the best-selling Blackfish Andaman paddle and its easy paddling outline, a progressive scoop has been added to the face to provide a solid and forgiving catch with power and stability throughout the length of the stroke with a clean release.
Designed with adventure paddlers in mind, the new Yukon sits well with race athletes looking for that added power during the catch phase to gain a competitive edge.
Peter Allen winning the Red River Paddle Challenge with the Yukon paddle and setting a new course record
Peter Allen, Sales Director at Blackfish and ultra-endurance paddler, said:
“After over a year of working on the Yukon, we’re excited to add it to our line. We wanted to develop a paddle that was stable and powerful but still friendly enough to be used by paddlers of all levels and abilities.
We took the easy paddling outline of the Andaman and added a progressive scoop to the power face to give a solid connection to the water at the catch.
I have been using the Yukon as my main paddle for the last 6 months and am stoked with how it performs in all conditions, whether racing or touring, flat water or open ocean, it is solid and reliable. Whether you are racing, touring or just ‘out for a paddle’, the Yukon has something to offer.”
Photo courtesy of Brendon Prince
Brendon Prince, 8x World Record Holder, Adventure Paddler & ‘blue mind’ crusader, said:
“The Blackfish Yukon paddle is truly in a league of its own – built to perform in any conditions and water. It’s aptly named, as this is the paddle I’d trust if I were paddling the Yukon itself! This paddle is crafted with precision, delivering an uncompromising blend of power and stability that lets you anchor each stroke with confidence.
Bold and innovative in design, the Yukon is engineered to elevate any adventure, becoming my ‘go-to’ for reliable, high-performance adventure paddling. Its superb craftsmanship and intuitive usability make it an ideal choice for anyone looking to push the limits of where their paddle can take them.”
Photo courtesy of Kirsten Marina Lefeldt
Kirsten Marina Lefeldt, SUP Coach and pro SUP Athlete, said:
“Yukon is a powerful paddle with a clean catch! Quick enough for sprinting and forgiving enough for distance. Absolutely my go-to paddle now!”
Norm Hann captured by Bruce Kirkby
Bruce Kirkby, Acclaimed Wilderness Adventurer and Blackfish Team Rider, said:
“The Yukon offers an incredibly solid catch coupled with a forgiving, easy feel. It has become my go-to for everything from sprints to multi-day expeditions.”
Norm Hann, Extreme Adventurer, Coach and multi-day SUP, Surf and Wildlife Guide
“Up until most recently, the Andaman has been my workhorse paddle for all of my multi day expeditions but this past summer I started using the new Yukon 520. On my first few paddle strokes the blade felt noticeably locked in. The new progressive scoop found on the powerface of the blade provided a very strong catch right out of the box translating to better speed and distance per stroke. The flex characteristics of the shaft combined with the new blade technology created a balance of paddling efficiency and forgiveness on the body after long days. The adjustable Yukon 520 will be my go to blade for the upcoming expedition season.”
Elias Nebel | Photo by @joonrho
Elias Nebel, Blackfish Team’s young gun, said:
“The Yukon 520 has proven itself time and time again over more than 250km in recent months. It was a vital tool in winning Board the Fjord and is elevating my training on the road to the ICF Worlds in Sarasota. It features a teardrop shape allowing it to catch water quickly deliver power instantly. The Yukon’s reliability and stability gives me the confidence I need in every stroke.”
Photo by Brendon Prince
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