Hi all!

The Werner website is recommending the 89 for a medium sized paddler but I'm wondering with the move towards smaller paddles should I be going with the 79?

I'm about 75kg.

Thanks

What are you going to be using it for, what have been your past experiences with blade sizes, and what kind of conditions do you paddle in?

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Area10 said..
What are you going to be using it for, what have been your past experiences with blade sizes, and what kind of conditions do you paddle in?

It's mainly for surf - UK South Coast usually so generally small and gutless but with trips to better conditions and a range of very choppy to smooth.

I only have a 10'6'' Laird Pearson Arrow but looking to expand on that.

Been paddling for about 5 years but really got into it this year. The paddle I have was bought used and is all I've ever owned, I'm not sure what size the blade is but it measures about 8'5'' at it's widest point and about 18'5'' from the tip to where it joins the shaft.

Thanks

In that case you could probably use either. The smaller blades are rather nice to use, but if your technique is poor you might find that a 79 blade might slip a little. Not that that matters a great deal. The choice really will come down to how fast a cadence paddler you are, how much you want a bigger blade for bracing, and how good your technique is. It sounds like either blade might be a step in the right direction from your previous one, so maybe you should be conservative and get the 89 one - going all the way down to 79 in one go is a very big leap.

I alternate between 86 and 91 blades, depending on how I feel and how much upwind I'll be doing, and I paddle the same conditions as you and am not that much heavier.

Select to expand quote

Area10 said..
In that case you could probably use either. The smaller blades are rather nice to use, but if your technique is poor you might find that a 79 blade might slip a little. Not that that matters a great deal. The choice really will come down to how fast a cadence paddler you are, how much you want a bigger blade for bracing, and how good your technique is. It sounds like either blade might be a step in the right direction from your previous one, so maybe you should be conservative and get the 89 one - going all the way down to 79 in one go is a very big leap.

I alternate between 86 and 91 blades, depending on how I feel and how much upwind I'll be doing, and I paddle the same conditions as you and am not that much heavier.

Thanks, that sounds like good advice.