Sizing a Paddle
Cautionary Note: An overly long paddle can and probably will, over time, cause rotator cuff - shoulder, damage because you are applying power to the stroke with your upper arm raised well above the level of your shoulder. Better to use a paddle marginally too short than too long.
Extract from Paddlers Guide to Outrigger Canoeing
Over time, paddle lengths have been shortening. For example, even a paddler who is 6’6” can be found using a 52” paddle. The most popular lengths for a wide variety of heights seem to fall between 50-52” which is only a small variation. Lengths 1” below this length are rare and beyond that, rarer again.
ZRE paddles USA, suggests sitting in a chair and measuring the distance from the chair seat to the bridge of your nose or eye-level. This equates to the length of your required shaft from neck to top of the grip. From here, add the blade length of the paddle model you prefer, in order to obtain the total paddle length from tip to grip. When choosing a paddle, its size; the overall length from tip to grip, is possibly the single most important issue you need to consider. Unfortunately, it is far from being a perfect science.
The fact is, the application of quasi off water calculations are largely hit and miss. The single best way to determine suitable paddle length is as follows:
"When exercising good technique, when the shaft has reached the vertical angle of the power phase of the stroke, your top hand on the grip of the paddle, should be level to your shoulder and certainly no higher than eye level."
If purchasing a paddle from the internet, and you genuinely have no idea of what paddle length you require, the best advice would be, avoid using any formula given. Try a variety of paddle lengths first, indeed try before you buy wherever possible and never, ever skimp on the quality of your paddle regardless of ability. Your paddle is the single most important piece of 'paddling' equipment you will own. Period.
1. If you have broader than average shoulders, go to the high end of the range.
2. If you have a longer torso than average for your height, go to the high end of the range.
3. When ordering a paddle to be used with a one or two person canoe, go to the middle or low end of the range. (Most people use a shorter paddle on an OC1 versus a six person canoe.)