Need help getting a paddle

Hi All,
I'm returning to the game after a 15 yr hiatus. I used to play as a teenager, but the equipment has probably changed much by now. I used a brandless blade with the cheapest Friendship rubber I could find back then, but I'd like to get something a little better now.

I've been shopping around for a paddle and from what I've read it seems like the Butterfly Primorax/Sriver is the "can't go wrong" combo. Any thoughts on this?

At my local stores in Kuala Lumpur, the Primorax is sold out, but they do have the Primorax 2000. It is 14g lighter than the Primorax. How would that affect my play? Should I wait, or just get the 2000 now? The prices for both are the same (about USD33) so that won't be a factor for consideration.

The Sriver comes in a number of varieties. Will the regular one (non FX/EL) suffice? Also, any thoughts on speedgluing? Should I try to get used to it from the get go, or will it not be too much trouble to adapt my strokes at a later time?

To start off, I'll be training once a week for about 2.5 hours in a group class. If I find a training partner I would ideally like to train 3 times a week at least.

thetrystero wrote: Also, any thoughts on speedgluing? Should I try to get used to it from the get go, or will it not be too much trouble to adapt my strokes at a later time?

Speedgluing has been made illegal in the mean time. If you are just starting my suggestion is to not care about it. As a beginner it does not really help you (at least that's my impression), and when you advance you shouldn't use it for tournaments anyway. Just stay with the VOC free stuff.

/philipp