The used paddle I got with my Jimmy Lewis M14 is a QB Kanaha AC90 (100 sq inch) SSI 36. I just want to make sure it is long enough as I could exchange it if I did so soon.

The total paddle length is 2012mm. I stand 1740mm tall. With one arm raised without stretching the main knuckle of my hand reaches to 2060mm. Including the fingers I reach to 2150mm at a comfortable reach. I weigh 92kg but intend to get down to around 82kg.

Is there any chance this paddle could be a tad too short? I will use it with the 6.3" thick Jimmy Lewis M14 mainly for downwind ocean and flat water paddling.

Here is how it fits me;


I ask the question as when I paddled for the first time I noticed little swirls of air being introduced around the blade as I pulled through the stroke. When paddling, the spot where the blade attaches to the shaft was about at the water level. As I consciously dropped the blade deeper in the water these swirls of air in the water (cavitation?) disappeared. Maybe it is all technique. While I admit to being a newb, it seemed I had to drop into a very slightly exaggerated squat to get the paddle deep enough to remove all surface cavitation.

Should I go and get the other paddle which was new (exact same paddle but fibreglass blade), allowing me to have it cut a bit longer?

This;

www.rspro.org/blogs/stories/10091589-the-definitive-guide-to-choose-your-sup-paddle-length

indicates maybe my paddle should be slightly longer, about 25 to 50mm longer.

EDIT - Have watched some paddling technique videos and maybe I am not bending over forward enough through the stroke. Someone told me not to raise and lower the head while paddling too much so this is what I was trying to do. These paddlers seem to bend at the waist quite a bit. That would get my paddle deeper.;



PS - Loving the board so far.

Sounds to me like your paddle length is fine. Post another pick with the paddle the other way up, handle end on the floor so we can if the entire blade in above your shoulder.

How heavy are you?

Looks about right to me.

DJ

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SSSimon said...
Post another pick with the paddle the other way up, handle end on the floor so we can if the entire blade in above your shoulder.

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SSSimon said...
How heavy are you?

92kg on the way to 82kg

I also noted that the sticker on the handle says AC90 and 100 sq inches. The blade is 210mm across so I was thinking it must be the 90 sq inch model as per the qb Website
www.quickbladepaddles.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=28 or maybe it is an older model. Does the sticker contradict itself? If it is 90 sq inches wondering if I should get a 100 sq inch model as this seems generally the medium size. As with the board I only want to do this once.



Went for another paddle on nice flat water and found I had to drop my shoulders into the stroke to bury the blade enough to completely eliminate cavitation swirls but was OK. I am thinking another 50mm would be ideal in flat water but would this become a hindrance in the ocean or in choppy flatwater downwinders?

I reckon your paddle is plenty long enough. Same advice that was given to me. Make sure you sink the blade fully into the water before you start pulling with your bottom arm.

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enuenu said...
I also noted that the sticker on the handle says AC90 and 100 sq inches. The blade is 210mm across so I was thinking it must be the 90 sq inch model as per the qb Website
www.quickbladepaddles.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=28 or maybe it is an older model. Does the sticker contradict itself?

Apparently was one of a very few stickers that were misprinted. It is a 90 sq inch paddle.

The wonderful DJ helped me with measuring a new paddle last week. We came up with 1965mm, which I decided to shorten to 1935mm because I had shoes on when we measured. 1935mm is basically 6'4", and I'm 5'4", so this is a full 12" more than my height. And well above the usual / accepted(?) 8" range that we see on most paddle cutting instructions.
Any way I re-measured, procrastinated, re-measured, thought about it, consulted the internet, and came up with (predictably) DJ's "eye measurement" article.
Re measured, thought about it, eventually deciding that longer is always better (despite the adage that "short 'n thick 'll do the trick"), and cut at 1935mm, again a full 12" taller then little 'ol me.
And so far it looks like the right measurement (for the Bay).
I can get right forward with my in-dip (is that a word?), without having to drop my shoulders too far, and despite my lack of experience I look a whole lot better than the 2 blokes I watched yesterday paddling with their blades backwards!!
So the moral of the story - there's two, really.
1. If at 5'4" I can cut at 12" above my height, then anyone taller should be able to go further than 12"(?)
2. I laughed to myself at the trepidation at cutting a $600 paddle. You blokes ought to try cutting to length a $4,000 carbon mast for a skiff, then drilling umpteen holes in it for stays, trapeze wires, spreaders etc etc. THAT'S when you get nervous...!!!

My thoughts are if you can afford it buy an ajustable paddle and try it at varying lengths till ya recon you have it right
Then cut ya carbon and ya have a spare paddle for the kids or freinds etc.
W

To me i would say your paddle looks a tad long BUT EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT!!! event the same height people can have different height paddles. Technique is a huge part in all this and if unsure start long on your paddle and work your way down until it feels about the right length. I measure my own paddle by just cutting it at yah height.

Jacko

I cracked today and swapped my paddle for an adjustable. After a lot of back and forth I ended up with the adjustable QB carbon as I could not settle on a paddle length at this early stage of my SUP life.

I now have a Quick Blade carbon adjustable 76" - 84" that I haven't used yet. I am homing in on 12" taller than me for flat water. Note I have a thick board. I can always bury the paddle deeper if I want to bend my back into it but if I want to stand up and take it easy I found the paddle cavitated at 10 1/2" taller than me.

I can also use the adjustable paddle when I take my "son's" Coreban Vibe into the surf zone as opinion seems to say that you want a significantly shorter paddle when surfing a SUP

I am loving SUPping. Where have you been all my life? I have been for a number of paddles now without receiving a single stink eye, having a blowfly snaking me or being among 6 blokes frantically paddling for the same wave. Feels like I have taken off a tight pair of shoes. Aaaahhhhh, the serenity.