Kayak paddle measurement - get this length wrong and paddling will be tough

Your kayak paddle is an important part of your equipment.

It provides the propulsion to move your kayak and the means to turn it too.

The way it interacts with your body to efficiently transfer power and direction to the kayak is maximised when the kayak paddle measurement (or length) is correct.

Paddles are in varying lengths from approximately 190 to 230cm (75 to 91 inches).

A shorter paddle means that the paddle blade is closer to the kayak and the effective leverage on any strokes is reduced. However, a shorter paddle length can be moved quicker to new positions and can give a faster stroke rate.

Dave paddling with a 220cm long touring paddle. This gives greater leverage and makes paddling easier

A longer paddle length extends the blade away from the kayak and significantly increases the leverage and power that can be applied. The length does mean it is more cumbersome in some kayaks and for some strokes.

Getting the kayak paddle measurement (or length) correct relies on several factors:

The type of paddling you are doing
Your physical size
Your paddling ability

The type of paddling you are doing:

There are many different types of paddling you can do. Everything from long distance touring through to white water play boating.

A longer kayak paddle measurement is better for touring and paddle trips. A shorter paddle is better for general use, white water and play boating.

Your physical size:

Your physical size makes a big difference to the length (or measurement) of the paddle you should use.

If you are tall and with a wide arm span, then a longer paddle would suit you better. Using a shorter paddle will make paddling and strokes more difficult and may increase your chances of falling in.

The opposite is true if you are short with a narrow arm span.

The point at which your hands hold your paddle should be directly in front of your arms when they are extended forwards. Clearly, the length of the paddle and the width of your shoulders will affect this.

Your paddling ability:

How good you are at paddling and changing to differfent strokes will be affected by the length of the paddle. As you progress to more complex strokes, you may want to change the length of the paddle to make the strokes more efficient.

This may mean that you start with a shorter paddle than is best and then move up to a paddle that is a better length for you.

The best way to select the kayak paddle measurement for you is to

1. Use a measurement

Stand with you left hand in the air, curl over your fingers and ask someone to measure from the inside of your knuckles to the ground. This will give you a starting measurement for a paddle. This measurement should be in centimetres.

You can then compare this measurement with paddles you have or can purchase.

2. Try various lengths of kayak paddle out

Once you have the measurement above, you can try paddles that are this measurement, slightly longer and slightly smaller. You will begin to get the feel of which length suits you best.

You should try the paddles in the exact circumstances you want to use them in and with the same kayak. Use them as much as you can and test them doing:

Different paddle strokes
Paddling with a high cadence (stroke rate)
Paddling with a low cadence (stroke rate)
Kayak rolls (if you can roll)

Dave paddling with a set of general purpose paddles at 206cm length. These are shorter and easier to move to new paddle strokes/positions

You could time yourself too to show the difference the paddle length makes.

3. Check and adjust over time

Even with this approach, you might find that you want to change the length of the kayak paddle after a period of time. Cost aside, this is to be expected and doing it will improve your paddling.

As your skills improve, you will benefit from changing your paddle length (or measurement). Perhaps not much, a couple of centimetres, but it will make a difference especially if you are specialising in a particular area of paddling eg. touring, marathon, slalom etc.

If budget is a challenge, you might consider secondhand paddles or even just stick with what you've got until you can save up.

4. Use the right paddle

When you start out paddling, you may just get a mid-length general purpose kayak paddle. This will be suitable for most of the paddling you will be doing - general touring, short trips, sea paddling, white water etc.

As you progress, you may want to add to your paddles with longer or shorter measurements (or lengths) to cope with the specific paddling you are doing.

This is fine to do and will enhance your paddling strokes, power and ability.

In conclusion, do try out as many different paddle length/measurements as you can. You will soon find out which kayak paddle measurement (or length) is best suited to you and your paddling needs.

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