Gurus - I'm sure this has been covered but I couldn't find the thread. How does one accurately get to a good paddle length. I've noticed more shoulder pain after downsizing my bosrd. I'm about 183-4 cm in height but longer than usual arms. Current paddle is 191cm approximately. Any full proof methods out there?
hey blue hawk ,what board are you paddling ..? as the volume will make a difference on how high above the water you are ,
for surfing ,head high is good ,for 14 sup either wrist high ,my 12 footer ,mid fore arm length ..if your paddle is very stiff ,you will get sore shoulders ..or if the area is too big
As Tardy said, for surfing start with your height.
On flatwater, a good solution I found was to use an adjustable paddle, and do some 100/200 meters runs:
- if you feel more stress/heat/strain in the shoulders than your lower back, reduce the paddle length one notch and repeat
- if you feel more stress/heat/strain in the lower back, lengthen by one notch
until you find the proper length that balance the efforts. For me it was 10cm overhead.
Note that it depends on your board and technique. Your "ideal" length may evolve in time.
Trial and error. Many variables, board, your build, paddle style, chronic injuries etc. Very individual!
As mentioned an adjustable paddle is essential for this in my opinion. Very generally for me shorter for less shoulder strain lower volume board, taller paddle for less back strain more upright position. The black project website has a nice table which makes a good starting point for estimating paddle length. There is no fixed rule because people have different length arms and everything else, as well as preference and injuries etc.
I don't know how accurate this is for others but I don't want my elbow coming above the height of my shoulder because I have some shoulder impingement.
OK , I am going to stir up a hornet's nest here I suspect. As for flat water paddling only. Surf paddling has other factors to consider like paddle tripping in waves.
I have come to the concluson that there is NO reliable method of determining optimal paddle length ( at present) from your body height.
All of the methoud I have seen ignore so mant real world varibales that they are just chaotic numbers.
All of the following will determine the length of the length of the paddle including the lenght of the blade that is useful for propulsion.
Height of shoulder of the paddler ( from base of neck to top of head has no bearing on anything and the ratio of that length to actual upright standing height is quite variable.
Length or width of persons hand when using those methods for paddle length.
How upright you stand when paddling.
How far apart you feet are , or if you have a biased foot stance.
The height of the standing deck above the waterline.
How lumpy the water is.
Your paddling style
You paddling stance relative to wind direction ( ie are you lower into the wind than downwind)
The length of the effective blade to total length
The mobility of ALL the joints between your top hand and you feet.
Every one of those will have an effect on the overall length of an optimal length for a paddle and even that will vary with the paddling you are doing.
At least Colas's approach bypassses many of the variables and gives you a useful empirical method, that is able to be experimented with and some possible metrics for evaluation.
Is there is true scientific method for paddle length ...probably.
Will it be simple...probably not for the above reasons.
Do we have such a method at present...probably not.
I reckon there is an PhD in there somewhere for an AIS person. Fun research with the possibility of a no conclusion.
I'm not a flat water paddler but I tend to agree. Also throw in the mix most people could probably easily adjust to a paddle +- a few inches given time. However I think there is getting to be a pretty good consensus of what a proper stroke and body position is like, and the paddle needs to allow that. I like how conner baxter chokes up on his grip when he is low for sprinting and then uses the handle for "normal" speed. I tried it but kind of awkward for me in the choked position.
For surfing, assuming the ~ the Goldilocks 1.2 Guild factor - deck more or less at water level, rails under water - a paddle equal to your height is a good common length. You can go a little bit shorter or longer but I doubt you will feel any real difference. Not much science in there.
Blade width and shaft stiffness
length is personal.. everyone has an idea what works for them.. but everyone is different
I now surf a 6.5" wide blade and it has really stopped any back and shoulder pain. Although the shaft is on the stiffer side, the narrower blade is easy on my body.
It actually made catching waves easier with a quicker stoke.
I finally got to head high on 1.2-1.3 l/kg surf sup. Maybe coincidence but golfers elbow fully went away around 2" overhead, smaller blade had helped a ton earlier but didn't knock it out.
still getting used to head high, feels short paddling out, great when low paddling for wave