C-Forum

Curious what length paddle peeps are usen for C-1. I've been using my same paddle I use in my OC which is 58". I'm 6'2" and paddle a Big Wheel, I'm finally buying a new paddle and need to size it. Thanks for comments and suggestions.

yeah I think you should cut the paddle to a 55.5 and adjust for the t-grip length but hey do what you want

i'm 6'1", paddle c-1's. i use a 55 for playboating and 57 for creeking. the longer paddle works for playboating too, but i do not like the shorter paddle for creeking. but then, i hear some people like short paddles for creeking. go figure....
best thing, as you know, is to try as many as you can. i have no problem asking another canoeist (whenever i see one) to switch paddles for a few minutes..

big help, eh?

Unfortunately we have a small C-boat community in MT and most of the paddlers are my friends and don't have a wide range of sizes of paddles as most are OC sized. I did try a 54 and it felt nicer than the 58. Thanks for the input. My original thought was 55, so again thanks.

brandon you can try my 55.5.
cheers
-isaac

...I paddle with 53 inch length right now. I like it. Easy on shoulders.
I paddle a Nomad and a Diesel, about 5 inch seat and am 6'1''
I don't playboat much...

I have tried all kinds of lengths and I like the short ones best for my paddling style.
Depending on how much you paddle an where you paddle, you'll wear out many paddles anyways (one lasts me almost a season), so try a few different things.

Cheers, Jan

I am 5'11" and use a 55" paddle for both disciplines. I determine length by crossbow stroke. If I hit the deck it is too long.
I met a c-1 paddler on the Tallulah that was approximately 5'6" and he used a 58" paddle. I think the formula is very personal. If it feels good do it.

speaking oc crossbow work. I was paddling yesterday, and i for the first time in owning my fink hit the bot grab loop twice, almost making me tip over due to the sudden inability to stabalize, and lack of upper body movement. it happened twice in a 2 mile run. i guess the fink is just alot taller than a race boat up there.
cheers
-isaac

To a certain extent you can estimate the desired length just by getting in your C-1 with your OC paddle. Take some strokes, concentrating on good form while keeping your grip hand at normal paddling height (somewhere between eye level and shoulder height depending upon personal preference). Allow your blade to go deep and let your other hand slip up and down the shaft until you feel that your hands are a comfortable distance apart. Your blade will probably be a little deep, with your shaft hand a little higher than normal above the throat. Measure the difference and subtract that difference from your OC length to arrive at a C-1 paddle length.

In testing this out note that most C-1 paddlers tend to end their strokes earlier than many OC paddlers, cutting off both the forward and J-strokes even with the hip while concentrating on maximizing forward extension and torso rotation at the catch. Also a slight forward lean to the torso is more common in C-1 than in OC. These differences in paddling style can affect desired paddle length, along with the more standard differences in seat height.

My OC paddle is 7 cm longer than my C-1 paddle, which is similar to the jump from 58" to 55" that you were considering.

John

58" C-1 and 59.5 open

chuck