I have a 2002 300ex, I am a new rider. I just rode a quad in the sand for the first time at pismo beach, but I was using the stock dirt tires. I realize this isn't the most powerful quad, so would paddles make much of a difference? The dirt tires seemed to get me around just fine; the motor would bog at slower speeds but it seems to me paddles would make this worse?
Any opinions?

If you do put on paddles get the Gliders by Skat-Trak on blue lable rims they will be lighter than your stock tires and rims plus the gliders have the lowest profile of any paddle.

ok, another thing I thought of is if I had aired down my dirt tires more they would work better? At least it works for my truck, 4 psi lower can help abunch.

Lower the pressure to about 3 psi and it will work just fine!