paddle sizing

I've tried using the two most commonly use techniques for paddle sizing, and found that neither works well for me. I'm referring to sitting in the chair with the palm grip on the chair, and using the other method which has you raise your paddle above your head and looking for both arms to be at a 90 degree angle.

After some discussion with others on another forum, I'm thinking there has to be a better way. Would measuring the distance from the waterline to roughly the middle of my head be a decent alternative? The thinking would be that this would determine the approximate shaft length up to the throat as it enters the water.

Just to make a distinction when talking about paddle sizing, you are actually just determining the shaft length. The blade is not part of the determination.

Personally I use the hands up elbows at 90 degrees, but the caveat is that is only supposed to be a starting point to get you in the ballpark of what works for you.

If you find the measure feels long or short, adjust the number till you find the best solution for you .... that length then becomes your "go to" shaft length when you acquire a paddle. When I do the "hands up elbows 90" measure it comes out at ~32" ... but I like it better a little shorter at 31", so when I build personal paddles, the shaft is 31" ...

Brian

Bending branches recommends estimating size by measuring from your torso. Here are there instructions:

Sit up straight – don’t slouch – on a flat chair. Measure the distance from the surface of the chair between your legs to your nose then they have a table that you go off of (https://bendingbranches.com/blogs/resources/how-size-canoe-kayak-or-sup-paddle-home)

Whether this is better than the other methods I don't know.

For what it's worth, I've found the overall length of my paddle is based on the canoe I'm in. Years ago I used to be part of a group that paddled a 24' long Voyageur canoe. We sat pretty high above the water so needed a longer paddle to reach it. When I moved back into my solo boat, I was a lot lower so the paddle length was much shorter.

On average, the blade length will remain pretty much the same so you need to determine the length of the paddle shaft that's needed. Based on how many canoes you might paddle, that will determine your overall length.

That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.

snapper

It seems that torso length, arm length and sitting height can all vary the "best" paddle length. I use a 54" to 56" straight paddle for solo paddling most of the time, a 50" to 52" bent shaft for speed and tripping, and a 58" to 60" for whitewater paddling. As the canoes differ, so do my paddles.

If you paddles with others, one of the best ways to try different lengths is to swap paddles with your paddling partners. This way you not only get to try different lengths but to see how different paddles feel with their different grips, materials and blade sizes. It is also an inexpensive way to see which paddle puts a smile on your face.

Yeah, you're not gonna like this, but having different canoes effects your ideal shaft length. And this is why I have similar paddles of more than one length. And the more different canoes one has, the more the paddle collection also tends to grow. It's a little embarrassing.

Also - I've been lucky to find several used carbon bents, as well as wood straights. All the carbon paddles (and some of the wood) came to me excessively long, but cutting them down to size was easy. Doing the same with the wood paddles is a lot more involved and tricky - but there's a cheap and easy way to experiment. Very early in my paddling career, I picked up an aluminum shaft paddle for next to nothing. It was way too long, and I simply cut it down an inch at a time as I got close until I found where I was comfortable. The plastic grip was easy to reinstall each time.

There are adjustable paddles for that, but this method was way cheaper.

I've found the rules of thumb get me close, but nothing beats testing on the water with your actual boat. I kneel, so that changes the ideal shaft length vs sitting. I also found that about a 2" shorter shaft fits me better in my new Phoenix vs. my previous couple boats. But at the end of the day, I'm a river paddler and 9-12 miles per day is typical so nailing the optimal length is probably less critical than for someone paddling across lakes from dusk to dawn. I doubt I'd notice much difference if I were a few inches off from optimal.

All great advice. For kicks, I tried both the 90 degree method and the chair method for torso height, as described on the BB website. My favorite paddle has a shaft length that perfectly matches my torso. It looks like 57 is perfect.

I have a WW paddle that is a 59 or 60, which should be a perfect length since it gives more power for draw strokes.
My beavertail paddle is a 61. I'm considering selling this for a shorter paddle, or trading for perhaps a bent shaft.