C-Forum

Hi guys, Northeast paddlers sent me here because, "the guys at cboats talk about this subject all the time." So apologies if I'm bringing up a subject you guys have talked about all the time. But I'm setting out in my new Spanish Fly (love it by the way so far). I'm relatively a newb when it comes to OC whitewater in a playboat/creeker type like the fly. (Yeah, it's not really a playboat but it might as well be one for me right now!) It just "feels" to me like a shorter length paddle would work better for me. I'm 5ft 8in tall, (tall from the waist up- short legs ugh) and weigh about 190 if it counts). my old paddles are about 60 inches length and esp. when I cross over to paddle from the "other side" I feel like an absolute clutz. Would a shorter paddle be in order here or is it just a fantasy? Thanks, Tim

Yeah, you could definitely go shorter. But maybe you should go down just a couple of inches at first.

I also used to paddle a paddle that was way to long. I've cut it down, and now especially the cross mannoevres are way easier.

The reference I took: get in your boat, tuck in your blade and your grip should be about at eye hight.

Optimal for your body is grip at shoulder height. But you might need that little extra leverage at whitewater.

Jakkes advice is good, I second that.

But the main key to not feeling a clutz while doing crossover strokes is torso rotation. Turn to the offside with your whole upper body, as far as you can go.

Since paddle length is a highly personal thing, I would go about it like this:
-1) Get a really cheap paddle that is too long, paddle with it for a bit.
-2) Cut the shaft by an inch or two, then paddle it again.
-3) repeat step #2) until the paddle feels too short. The last length before it was too short is most likely ideal for your paddling style.
If you get a good paddle, make sure that you get one with the same shaft and not necessarily paddle length as the one that you determined to be right, as this is what you are really after.

Just my .02 cents.

TGG!

I used this advice when starting out. I went to a shop and they happened to have a broken plastic Carlisle type ducky kayak paddle. I got it for real cheap and just had to buy the T-Grip.

the great gonzo wrote:Since paddle length is a highly personal thing, I would go about it like this:
-1) Get a really cheap paddle that is too long, paddle with it for a bit.
-2) Cut the shaft by an inch or two, then paddle it again.
-3) repeat step #2) until the paddle feels too short. The last length before it was too short is most likely ideal for your paddling style.
If you get a good paddle, make sure that you get one with the same shaft and not necessarily paddle length as the one that you determined to be right, as this is what you are really after.

Just my .02 cents.

TGG!

I've done that with a cheap raft paddle to figure out the proper length for the boat I'm using. Keep cutting until it seems right... throw it away when your done if need be.

Alternate method - show up at an Armada and try every paddle you see. There will be somebody there with every size and configuration imaginable - from the 6' long racer stick with a mongo spoon blade to the playboater with a short Jimi Stick to a crazy squirt boater with a Carlisle Figure out which one you like and make a note of the length. Much less cutting and gluing involved!