US Patent 8491349
Product Information
Everything You Need
to Know About
LeverLock®
How the patented adjustable mechanism works, how to use it correctly, how to maintain it, and where to find the best video resources — all in one place.
Video resources
The best videos explaining how the LeverLock® system works, how to use it, and how to maintain and repair it.
Basic Use & Maintenance
How To Use & Maintain Your LeverLock® Adjustment
The most comprehensive overview — covers how the lever, cable, and rubber plug work together, plus ongoing maintenance.
Watch on YouTube →
Sizing & Maintenance
How to Size & Maintain Your LeverLock® Paddle — Aquaglide
Aquaglide's official guide to sizing your paddle correctly, plus maintenance tips to extend paddle life.
Watch on YouTube →
System Overview
LeverLock® SUP Paddle Adjustment — Green Water Sports
A streamlined introduction to the system and how to adjust your paddle on the fly. Great starting point for new owners.
Watch on YouTube →
Tension Adjustment
Adjusting Cable Tension on an Accent LeverLock® Paddle
Step-by-step: tighten a loose handle by turning the hex nut and re-seating the cotter pin.
Watch on YouTube →
Repair instructions
Ready to do the repair yourself? These step-by-step guides walk you through the most common DIY fixes.
Kayak & Travel Paddles
How to Replace the Lever — Kayak & Travel Shafts
The official LeverLock® walkthrough for replacing the lever on 2-piece kayak and travel paddle shafts.
Watch on Vimeo →
Written Guide + Video
How to Assemble the Lever, Cable & Lever Pin
A written guide with an embedded video walkthrough for connecting a replacement cable to the lever using the new pin.
Read the Guide →
Cable Replacement
How to Replace the Cable on Leverlock® Adjustable Handle
A full cable-replacement walkthrough on a LeverLock® Adjustable handle, start to finish.
Watch on YouTube →
Care & maintenance
A few simple habits keep your LeverLock® system working like new for years.
Rinse After Every Use
Separate the Leverlock handle from the paddle shaft and rinse both with fresh water. Prevents salt, sand, and mineral deposits from building up on the rubber plug. Air dry separately before storing.
Store Out of Direct Sun
UV exposure degrades the rubber plug over time. Store in a shaded area or bag. When storing long-term, leave the lever open so the rubber plug is not under compression against the shaft wall.
Tighten the Cable if It Feels Loose
If the handle rotates slightly when locked, the cable needs tension. Remove the Leverlock handle from the paddle shaft, find the hex nut and cotter pin on the rubber plug. Remove the cotter pin and rotate the nut a quarter turn to tighten the nut. Reassemble and test the tension. Repeat process until the handle locks into place.
Never Use WD-40 or Petroleum Lubricants
Petroleum-based products cause the rubber plug to swell, making the shaft impossible to separate. For sticking issues use warm soapy water (1 squirt dish soap per pint of water) poured into the lever cavity instead.
Troubleshooting
Common issues and how to fix them yourself — no tools required for most.
01
Handle Won't Pull Apart (Stuck Shaft)
Open the lever fully. Secure the blade end and gently twist the handle back and forth while pulling upward. If still stuck, pour 1 pint water + 1 squirt dish soap down the lever cavity and repeat. Last resort: wrap an ice pack around the shaft 22" below the top of the handle for 10 minutes, then twist and pull.
Most Common Issue
02
Handle Rotates Slightly When Locked
The cable has loosened — normal after extended use. Remove the Leverlock® handle from the paddle shaft and find the hex nut and cotter pin at the rubber plug. Remove the cotter pin and rotate the nut a quarter turn to tighten. Reassemble and test the tension; repeat if needed.
Easy DIY Fix
03
Lever Won't Close or Feels Very Stiff
The rubber plug may be swollen from petroleum lubricants, or debris is in the shaft. Clean both shaft surfaces with warm soapy water or denatured alcohol. If the rubber plug looks swollen or cracked, order a replacement part.
Check the Rubber Plug
04
Cable Visibly Twisted or Broken
A twisted or broken cable needs replacing. LeverLock® sells an affordable DIY cable kit with full instructions. The job takes about 15 minutes — watch the cable replacement video before ordering.
Order Replacement Parts
How to use it — 3 steps
01
Open the Lever
Flip the lever with one hand. The shaft releases instantly — no tools, no buttons, no clamps. You can do this mid-paddle session without stopping.
02
Slide to Your Height
Slide the upper shaft to your ideal paddle length. Infinite adjustment within the range with no detents or click stops — total freedom to dial in exactly where you want it.
03
Close & Lock
Push the lever down to lock. The rubber collar expands inside the inner shaft with one-piece rigidity — zero slip, zero rattle under full-power strokes.
Inside the mechanism
What's Actually Happening
Inside Your Paddle
No external clamps, no push buttons. Everything happens inside the shaft — three simple components that create a rock-solid lock every time.
Component 01
The Lever
Ergonomically recessed into the grip with no protruding edges. Opening it loosens tension on the internal cable. Closing it pulls the cable tight.
Component 02
The Cable
A marine-grade stainless steel cable runs the length of the inner shaft. When the lever closes, the cable pulls taut, compressing the rubber plug against the outer shaft wall.
Component 03
The Rubber Plug
An expandable rubber collar at the bottom of the inner shaft. When tensioned it expands outward, locking the shaft and creating a watertight seal — your paddle floats if dropped.
Result
One-Piece Rigidity
When locked, the assembly behaves identically to a fixed paddle — no flex, no creep, no rotation. All your stroke power transfers directly to the blade.
Key features
Easy Adjustment
The SUP lever is recessed into the grip with no protruding edges. Flip it open and close it easily — no stopping your session, no putting the paddle down.
Infinite Range
Fits all paddlers. Unlike button-lock systems there are no preset positions — slide to exactly the height you want and lock it there.
Zero-Slip Lock
The expandable rubber collar creates a bond with no rattle and no rotation. Performance is indistinguishable from a fixed-length paddle under full stroke power.
Watertight Seal
The rubber plug seals the inner shaft against water intrusion. Drop your paddle in the water — it floats.
User-Serviceable Parts
Extend the life of your paddle with easy-to-source, low-cost replacement parts. Repairs are simple and straightforward—visit our Parts Direct site for individual components and DIY instructions so you can repair your paddle instead of replacing it.
Trusted by Top Brands
Werner, Accent, Cannon, Kialoa, Global Surf Industries, Quickblade, SIC, Sawyer, and more specify LeverLock® Adjustable across their lineups.
More Resources
Replacement parts and support from LeverLock® direct — everything you need to keep your paddle on the water.