We’ve got our hands on something exciting! Last month, the awesome team at Aqua Bound kindly sent us a sample of their brand-new Tetra Ultralite paddle—and we couldn’t wait to take it for a spin. Ever since spotting this paddle at the Paddlesports Show, we’ve been itching to see how it performs on the water.

If you haven’t come across the Tetra yet, let us fill you in; this is no ordinary paddle. Designed for high-end sea kayakers and those looking for something a cut above, the Tetra is Aqua Bound’s first foam core paddle, and it’s the lightest in their lineup. Crafted from stunning spread tow carbon, its foam core blades not only reduce weight but also deliver exceptional performance. Thanks to Aqua Bound’s cutting-edge Lam-Lok technology, these blades gain enhanced strength, structure, and durability, ensuring the paddle lasts longer even with regular use. And as if that wasn’t enough, the paddle is decked out with eye-catching holographic designs that are as striking as its performance. But first, let’s talk specs. The paddle we’re testing is a 220cm straight-shaft version with Aqua Bound’s super-reliable Posi-Lok ferrule system. It weighs in at a featherlight 602 grams, with a blade surface area of 632 sq. cm. Curious about what makes the Tetra so special? We were too, so we reached out to Aqua Bound to learn more.

WWTCC: What sets the Tetra Ultralight paddle apart from other paddles in Aqua Bound’s lineup? Why a foam core touring blade?

AQUA BOUND: The Ultralight Tetra was engineered to be our lightest paddle while retaining durability. Its reinforced full foam core, low-angle blade provides superior buoyancy, making strokes effortless and efficient, ideal for long days on the water. Aqua Bound’s proprietary Lam-Lok™ technology (Patent Pending) protects the blade edges, significantly enhancing the paddle’s lifespan. Incorporating high-tech spread tow carbon weave, the paddle is stronger, stiffer, and more impact-resistant while maintaining its ultralight profile. The high-visibility graphics not only add to the paddle’s aesthetic appeal but also improve safety by making paddlers easier to see on the water. A 100% carbon shaft with a grippy not sticky overcoat, ovalized at key hand-placement points, ensures a comfortable and secure grip for optimal performance.

WWTCC:  Can you tell us a little about Lam-lok and how it works / any challenges on a foam core blade?

AQUA BOUND: Lam-Lok™ is patent pending edge protection technology that dramatically extends the life of your paddle. Lam-Lok™ mechanically bonds the laminated blade layers together with over 33 feet/10 meters of aramid thread (per blade). Protects blade edges by resisting delamination, impact, and abrasion. Lam-Lok™ is over 5 times more effective at fighting delamination than blades without it And YES – the Lam-Lok does go all the way through the layers of the blade, including the foam. It is not only on the surface layers but stitched completely through. Pretty cool!

WWTCC: What kind of testing and development went into the Tetra’s design? What feedback did you receive from paddlers during the Tetra’s development, and how did it shape the final design?

AQUA BOUND: Aqua Bound has strived to offer a full foam core touring paddle in the premium market for quite some time. We worked with professional paddlers and retailers across the globe to develop the Tetra over sever iterations to make it premium option worth bragging about. We began with extensive surveying and interviews with folks of many paddling backgrounds. We continued with prototyping and rounds of field testing in a vast array of conditions, locations, and with paddlers of different skill and strength levels. Testers considered performance, weight, durability, feel, and aesthetics/ visibility. Along the way we completed video interviews with the field testers to incorporate their feedback into product updates. Our testers have been thrilled with the final version and are loving sharing their paddle with other folks out on the water.

WWTCC: If someone is upgrading from a say Aqua Bound Tango, what immediate differences will they feel with the Tetra?

AQUA BOUND:

1. Weight. While the Tango is already a fantastic lightweight option for kayak touring, the Tetra is noticeably lighter. (Tango = 26-28.5 oz vs Tetra = 21.25-22 oz)
2. Buoyancy. The reinforced full foam core blade offers exceptional buoyancy and even more effortless stokes that our field testers rave about.
3. Lam-Lok™. Currently only two paddles within the Tango family offer Lam-Lok™ tech. We intentionally chose to move the Tango/Whiskey/Malta lineup to Lam-Lok™ one color at a time to give retailers a chance to sell through product and switch over gradually.
4. Grip. The Tetra has a slight grip texture on the shaft that is getting fantastic feedback from sea kayakers. It is grippy but not sticky and won’t open any hand calluses.
5. Monolithic construction. There’s no joint between the shaft and the blade, which means there are fewer connection points at risk of failing. It also means the paddle can ‘knife’ through the water more, as there’s no drag created by a joint.

WWTCC: Will we see a high angle foam core blade in the future? 😉

AQUA BOUND: We are exploring this and has begun seeking input on what it might look like, but it will not be available for the 2026 season.

If you’re as excited about the impressive new Tetra as we are, why not give it a try? Get in touch to borrow our demo paddle and experience it for yourself! We’re happy to announce that the Tetra will be available to order from January, in both straight and bent shafts, with your choice of Posi-Lok or Versa-Lok ferrule systems.