I’m not sure what to expect from Diadem’s new Blucore paddles, which are a handful of new paddles that have replaced the standard cellular polymer core with closed foam – they sent me a sample that looks like you could make a gas station cooler from. This foam is much more durable – it actually comes with a lifetime warranty – for a long time if you’re in the summer, when you grab the patio, if you leave the paddleboard in the car on a hot summer day, it won’t be layered in extreme temperatures.
Given the fact that the paddle is out of standard and the fact that the price is on the upper end of the range, I would like to put it in real time before recommending it. I found Blucoll took some time to get used to it, but now it is the paddle I play the most. The foam core gives a softer, more forgiving feeling, just like the suspension on an old Cadillac coupe. While I don’t feel like I’m getting the most out of it, I especially like this kind of paddle targeting better players in defensive situations. It always goes from edge to edge and has a nice big spot.
Whether foam eventually dominates the pickle market remains to be seen, but those who play almost every day will also like this paddleboard using aromatic carbon fiber faces that are more durable than raw carbon, and the foam absorbs more vibrations.
★One other foam core paddle: Selkirk Labs 008 also left a deep impression on me. The 008 has a more traditional feel, and there is a smaller but more poppy sweet spot. Because this paddle uses T700 original carbon fiber instead of more durable aromatic carbon fiber, I worry that the face will lose its effectiveness even if the core remains strong.
