I use to do that standard Shaka above but do you go shorter now for surfing
Say 6 above rather than 8
Most people do go shorter. Its up to you. There is no real answer to what length though. Everyone has their preference. I like from two inches below to 1 inch over.
You must be bent over all the time at that length , my is 7 above for surfing but though I might do 6
My surf paddle is 3" above head height but I'm going to cut it down again as I'm sure I can go shorter... It's personal preference though and everyone is different, I'm 5'9 but my arms are longer than my mate who is 6 foot!
I guess there is the different arm length thing etc yes, as my last one felt good at 7 I'm going to just go for 6 above this time , my reason for the little extra is to allow for stable up right paddling when out the back etc.
from what I read going very short is great for whipping the board in the surf but you must be prepared to be bent over all the time
Select to expand quoteWavesareus said..
You must be bent over all the time at that length , my is 7 above for surfing but though I might do 6
Not really, just lower your arm.
You must bend the knees to apply power, but it is actually beneficial anyways. But for casual paddling around, just lower your hand/arms and you can paddle without bending over.
Select to expand quoteWavesareus said..
You must be bent over all the time at that length , my is 7 above for surfing but though I might do 6
Its about technique
If you havent been shown properly you wont be able to.
Most paddlers are too stiff and this can be because of their paddle length.
6 inches is too long
i stand upright and paddle from my hips
It's a new paddle so if I cut is at 4 or 5 and it's too short I'm stuffed that's why I went with 6
It's a new paddle so if I cut is at 4 or 5 and it's too short I'm stuffed that's why I went with 6
I just cut about 3 inches of my paddle so now it is about an inch or 2 shorter than my height. Went for my first surf on it today and I
Liked it, easier to get a higher cadence and more torque out of the strokes. I find the shorter paddle isn't as good for the casual sort of paddling where you are standing fully upright but when your leaning over really getting into it it is way way better
I still want to be able to use mine standing about upright in the line up, what would be the best compromise!
maybe 3 or 4 above
I'm thinking 3 over ? This will be good for surfing but also allow for a bit of length for the choppy days ??
Head height for surfing works for me.....would go lower if I had consistent bigger waves.....but head high is pretty good.
Keep in mind, general surfing not big hollow surf, just 2 to 4 ft clean and mush days , I would of said still 6 above but I'm being proven wrong 
Nothing wrong with 3inch
just learn how to use your arms with your body as Colas said and its easy to stay upright and do less work paddling
3" overhead is a good compromise for better surfing and being able to cope with the choppy water sessions. I am about to cut it down to head height which will be better on the wave as it brings the paddle arm closer to your body which feels so much more natural. But it is hard to take a hacksaw to $500 of carbon paddle!
Yes a $500 cut is hard 
That's why I'm going with 4 as a compromise I can always do a extra 1 inch off down the track if need be I guess
Select to expand quoteStev0 said..
3" overhead is a good compromise for better surfing and being able to cope with the choppy water sessions. I am about to cut it down to head height which will be better on the wave as it brings the paddle arm closer to your body which feels so much more natural. But it is hard to take a hacksaw to $500 of carbon paddle!
Is that total length over head include the handle
So cut shaft at what ever height I am after, say 4 above and glue handle back on
Select to expand quoteWavesareus said..Stev0 said..
3" overhead is a good compromise for better surfing and being able to cope with the choppy water sessions. I am about to cut it down to head height which will be better on the wave as it brings the paddle arm closer to your body which feels so much more natural. But it is hard to take a hacksaw to $500 of carbon paddle!
Is that total length over head include the handle
So cut shaft at what ever height I am after, say 4 above and glue handle back on
3" overhead is the top of the shaft then add the handle. Not sure if this is the correct way to measure it but it is what I measure to cut down. You need a dedicated surf paddle to really feel comfortable chopping it down. I use a Niash paddle and the the handle spigot is 2.5" so that is the minimum I can cut. I am heading to head height for my next carbon incision...
Hang on. Isn't the main game being able to paddle well with power and without having to bend over and kill your lower back? And won't it depend on the way your boards sits in the water? That is, if you're on high volume boards you'll sit higher and need more paddle length, and if your board is underwater you'll need less. The different paddle lengths I need for my old walden 10'10" 200 litre behemoth and my 7'10 98 litre airborn is at least 4" between them. I don't think a standard rule applies and that you're better off seeing what board/s you're going to ride and having a paddle to suit. From what I understand about paddle mechanics AND lower backs, you don't want your top arm much past perpendicular to your shoulder as it enters the water. Othere's may disagree. Good luck.
Yes tang, the idea was with lower volume boards I.e naish x32 at 130 litres and boards of that litres or less I guess, but the idea was that a paddle no longer than 3 above was the best of both worlds for surfing.
at 3 above this gave stability and power in rough conditions, But also at 3 above no real need to be bent over too much vs head high ... I think
