Lincolnville, Maine — Method Behind the Madness: An Interview with Quickblade's Jim Terrell

A life-long passion for paddling, top level experience in international competition and a healthy obsession for innovative design and construction methods.  These are just a few of the traits that have helped California based Jim Terrell make Quickblade Paddles a leading paddlesport manufacturer, and a driving force in the world of stand up paddling.

Affectionately nicknamed “The Mad Scientist”, a moniker he earned over his relentless testing and analysis of construction methods and materials, Terrell began tinkering with carbon fiber and paddle designs as a young canoeist growing up in Ohio.  Born into a family of paddlers and craftsmen, Jim’s paddling career and his hobby of building the paddles he competed with followed the same trajectory.  As he achieved greater success on the international canoe racing circuit, including multiple Olympic teams, his teammates and competitors began to take notice of the homemade paddles Terrell raced with.  And they wanted one.

Terrell’s canoe paddles had earned a reputation for being light, efficient and strong – it was the foundation for his company, Quickblade Paddles, which continues to set a high standard of quality and performance for canoe, kayak and SUP paddles.

Founded in 1989, it was Quickblade’s early entry into the stand up paddling market that has really shaped its identity.  The high visibility and wide spread appeal of stand up paddling, especially when compared to traditional canoeing, has exposed Quickblade’s high performance paddles to droves of new watersport participants.

Terrell’s infectious enthusiasm and commitment to the sport have made him, and his company, among the most recognizable names in the industry.  We were able to ask Jim some questions about how some of this has developed, and where he sees it all going.

Q&A with Jim

Thorfinn:  Quickblade was well known for its canoe and kayak paddles when you ventured into SUP. As one of the pioneers and innovators in the sports recent surge in popularity, what was your inspiration/motivation early on? Were there any particularly important paddlers or surfers influencing your first SUP paddles?

Jim: Yes there were.  Drew Aiello was the first to find my website and order some, and he referred my paddles to Laird Hamilton and shortly after Dave Kalama.  I was quite interested in what they were doing, even though I was not a frequent surfer at the time.

Thorfinn:  Was the early focus on designing paddles for the surf zone or open water? Or have you always felt the disciplines are not mutually exclusive, and fostered an "all-around" approach?

Jim: Originally I designed for both surf and flat water, but I kind of had a feeling, especially after sitting down with Laird, that this was going to be a rivers and lakes sport in the years to follow - with a lot of focus on the paddling.  It really is a paddle sport, not just a surfing offshoot.

Thorfinn:  What is your guiding philosophy when it comes to designing and building paddles?

Jim: A clean fast catch, good stable power phase, with an effortless exit from the water and a nice balanced, lightweight recovery.  There are 4 phases to the stroke, and I try to have the best of all worlds.  We pride ourselves in making the lightest yet strongest paddles on the market.

Thorfinn:  There has been rapid growth in the sport over the last five years especially. One of the best aspects of the growth has been its inclusive nature - there doesn't seem to be a demographic or geographic region that doesn't want to stand up paddle. How has Quickblade adapted and evolved with the fastest growing water sport in the world?

Jim: My background is canoeing and particularly canoe racing. My main focus is to bring the discipline from that background into all the paddles we are making, whatever the paddler type or water type.  It’s important to me that our paddles are well suited for the great variation we see in the sport today.

Thorfinn:  Racing seems like a huge part of your business, not too surprising given your background as an Olympic canoeist. But have you been surprised at the mass appeal of SUP racing? How is the racing culture influencing your focus, and in your opinion, the sport as a whole?

Jim: The racing side of this sport is what I love.  I was somewhat retired from canoe racing when I was introduced to SUP.  I knew the racing would be popular after my first couple SUP races in 2006. It is just too fun.  I find that I can be competitive now at the age of 46 - yet I know the level of competition is improving fast and when the European flat water paddlers get into it you will see a new bar raised for sure.  Paddlers in Europe train like professionals and have years of scientific experience and knowledgeable paddling coaches to help them get there.  What they lack is surf experience, which will take time to learn, but for river and lake races etc. watch out for them on podiums in the next two years.

Thorfinn:  In addition to your paddle design/production and racing, you've spent more time giving paddling clinics around the country. Are clinics an important part of your personal focus going forward? Are Team Quickblade paddlers becoming more available for clinics as well?

Jim: Yes, I enjoy teaching people who are eager to learn.  I am still learning a lot myself about SUP, as it is different from sit down and high kneel paddling.  Several of our QB Team riders are also excellent teachers and are doing so already.  Dave Kalama has been doing both clinics and camps, Larry Cain (the 1984 Olympic Gold medalist canoeist) is also an excellent paddling technician, Anthony Vela and Candice Appleby have started “Paddle Performance” camps and are focusing on a youth team, and several other QB Team Riders are all helping folks get better, it’s great.

Thorfinn:  How much time do you spend on the water these days? Do you have a pretty structured training regimen?

Jim: Not really, when I was training seriously in the 1980’s and 1990’s we would be on the water about 15 hours per week.  I am lucky to get in 5 hours a week these days.  I paddled more just this past season than in the previous couple years, but the paddle business keeps me pretty occupied.  My schedule does not allow me to plan too far out, I know what I need to do when I get out there and go from there.

Thorfinn:  When it comes to racing, what's your favorite type of event?

Jim: Sprints of course.  My best distance in canoe racing was the 200 meter, which is now an Olympic event in canoe.  It takes just over 40 seconds.  I think the future for SUP will see more of these types of races.  There are unbelievably beautiful regatta courses worldwide with grand stand seating that would be perfectly suitable for spectator friendly events: SUP sprints, technical courses etc… it will come.

Thorfinn: Have you always been a surfer, or did you take it up as your SUP paddles took off? How has surfing helped with downwind paddling on open water?

Jim: I probably surfed less than 20 times before SUP.  Now I love to do it when I can, however I am far from being real good at it yet.  Surfing has improved my balance and wave negotiating skills for sure.  I still am very inexperienced when it comes to downwind Hawaii type conditions.  I’m average at best.  I hope to get to Hawaii more this year to get some practice in.  I feel like a road cyclist on a technical mountain bike trail when I do it.

Thorfinn:  What do you see in stand up paddling's future? Do you steady and sustained growth - a silencing of naysayers who wrote the sport off as a fad? What kinds of developments can we expect from Quickblade?

Jim: I truly believe SUP will continue to grow at a decent rate for several more years.  It will take a new sport that is more exciting and user friendly to come along and take the wind out of the sails of SUP.  That day will come, and I welcome it.  In the mean time, we will continue to make better paddles as I know we still can improve and evolve.  I have few other ideas in my head for paddle sports and water sports and they will be unveiled over the next few years for sure!

More about Thorfinn Expeditions:

Thorfinn Expeditions is an outdoor adventure/education business based in Lincolnville Beach, Maine that specializes in water-based activities (sailing, stand up paddle boarding, high-performance kayaking). Thorfinn outdoor programs range from day adventures to multi-day expeditions that seek out adventure and provide technical skill training. In addition to outdoor programs, they are a paddle sports retailer, selling the product lines used in their programs and expeditions.

Thorfinn Philosophy

People need to adventure. Thorfinn Expeditions facilitates challenging and inspiring programs that foster technical skill aquisition, physical fitness, and environmental appreciation. With our exceptional staff and equipment, we have the adaptability and experience to run adventure-based programs for any individual or group. From our retail shop to our outdoor programs, we embody fun, teamwork, learning, and perspiration.

Visit the Thorfinn Expeditions website