How to Order a Custom Viper Va'a Paddle

How It Works

Order your custom and get exactly what you want. Once you place that order with us, we turn around and place it with Viper. We place orders about once a month. The total turn around time can be anywhere from 3-6 months depending on Viper's volume. We communicate all updates via email.

Save $30 on all Custom Orders

We have you pay for the entire order up front, helping us with cashflow. This allows us to order more frequently - so we want to help you in return. All customs are sold at $30 off retail.

Shipping & Cancellations

Shipping

Custom paddles to take 3-6 months. We place custom ordered paddles with Viper once a month, and then the paddles can take 2-4 months to make and get delivered to the US.

Cancellations

Custom orders can only be cancelled prior to being sent to Viper. Once the order is sent to Viper Custom Orders can not b canceled, returned, or exchanged.

We will email you 3-5 days before placing the order with Viper. At that time you will have 48 hours to cancel your order. We will treat no response as confirmation that you would like to move forward with the order.

CHOOSE YOUR

Shaft Flex

Bamboo has a decent amount of flex, where carbon has very little. For a stiff paddle with quick response choose the Hard (100% carbon) option, this is best for sprints. For a blade that is more forgiving on your joints choose the Soft (100% bamboo) option, this is best for long distance. The Medium (50% bamboo, 50% carbon) is a great middle of the road option.

CHOOSE YOUR

Shaft Bend

Bend is a matter of personal preference. A Double Bend is a more ergonomic design that aligns the shaft angle with the natural angle of your lower arm's wrist. Where a Straight Shaft offers a more traditional feel.

CHOOSE YOUR

Shaft Diameter

Viper offers 2 shafts diameters, both of which are oval for a more ergonomic grip. The standard shaft is 32 mm x 26 mm (1.26 in x 1.02 in) and the thins shaft is 29mm x 25 mm (1.14 in x 0.98 in). Choose the shaft you prefer based on your hand size.

CHOOSE YOUR

Paddle Length

Choose your paddle length in increments of a 1/2 inch. If you aren't sure on the length it's best to guess a little longer than a little shorter. You can always trim a paddle down, but you can't size it up.

Blade Shape & Size

Which blade shape and size you want will be the most overwhelming choice, with 12 options in total. If you aren't sure we recommend the following hierarchy of making your decision.

Surface Area

The most important factor will be your blade surface area. Each option has the surface area included in the size so you can compare the blades across the different shapes.

Shape

Once you choose a range for the surface area you want, the shape will determine how it is distributed along the blade. A square shape moves the widest area furthest away from your bottom hand creating a more concrete grab at the catch, but also less forgiving if your technique isn't correct. A round shape moves the widest part of the blade slightly higher allowing for a more forgiving, gentler catch and is better for varying stroke rates.

Blade Angle

Blade angle options are 9° and 10°. It is such subtle difference the average paddler wouldn't notice a difference. The change in blade angle will adjust where the critical "sweet spot" is in the stroke. Comparing the 10° to the 9°, it will...

  • move the sweet spot further back
  • sacrifice power at the catch, but add more lift
  • allow for a longer stoke

We recommend the Square 9° for OC6, the Round 9° for OC1, and the Round 10° a V1 where you have a longer stroke for steering corrections. If you're narrowing it down to one then go with the square 9°. There is a reason why it was Viper's first shape and still their best selling shape to this day.

Contact Us for Advice

Pick Your Design

Get started with your custom order by picking your design.