Hi I have just got a new race Paddle to use on my 12'6" fanatic fly race. My surf paddle is about 6' which is about the same as my height 5'11" and feels good in the waves. I feel like I need longer on the big board but not sure how much to go? Any tips on what to cut?

All personal choice but I have different lengths for different applications even on the long board. If it's downwind or just cruising, I use about 13" overhead. For racing, it's 10" overhead.

For me I use about 13" over for flat water and down - winders.. and about 8" over for surfing.. and for racing I like something in-between.. (about 10" over)

DJ

I'm around 5'11 and I use the quickblade elite racer, Jimmy set my paddle up at 82' from tip to top, that was last year and that's the lenght I've used since in all races, from flat water training to Molokai downwinding

I am experimenting a bit with length. For cruising on the raceboards I prefer about 12" above my head as it allows me to remain a bit more upright and more relaxed paddling position.

If racing or paddling hard, I get more power to the water with less effort with a shorter shaft. I only shortened the shaft by about 2 or 3 inches and the difference is quite amazing but requires digging a little deeper with a bit more back bend. I use this same paddle for surfing but am thinking of dropping another inch or two as the surfy sits lower in the water than the race board.

I'm still experimenting with paddle length but am happy with my stroke and technique thus far.

I'm around 6'3" tall and 90 kilo.

DM

Does a longer paddle mean more leverage?I guess it would mean less back bending too , which cant be a bad thing.

too long paddle = shorter stroke + shoulder injury

Select to expand quote

petedorries said...

too long paddle = shorter stroke + shoulder injury

I was thinking longer paddle longer stroke , less back bending = less back injury.

Thanks for setting me straight

Select to expand quote

petedorries said...

too long paddle = shorter stroke + shoulder injury

Hey Pete,

What length overhead do you recommend ?
I am 6'2 and use a QB which is 8" overhead (as per QB website when oredered) however I have always felt an additional 4/5" would feel more comfortable. Paddling flat water that is.

Select to expand quote

petedorries said...

too long paddle = shorter stroke + shoulder injury

Not an expert by any means and I don't surf but I prefer a longer paddle for bay cruising and running with the wind behind (yet to do a true DW) and a bit shorter for going hard and when it's choppy. Currently my paddles are 12" and 10" OH respectively. Have tried shorter paddles and liked it, I'm thinking of shaving another inch off the 10". I seem to be able to get more weight over the shorter paddle with more core involvement and can run a higher cadence (can't do it all day though...).

My surf paddle is 2" OH. Must have it all wrong, but shoulders feel a lot better ! Maybe thats why Im never getting as many waves as anyone else!

Select to expand quote

KellyM said...

I'm around 5'11 and I use the quickblade elite racer, Jimmy set my paddle up at 82' from tip to top, that was last year and that's the lenght I've used since in all races, from flat water training to Molokai downwinding

So if my math is right that's 20" over head?

Select to expand quote

Human Cartoon said...

I seem to be able to get more weight over the shorter paddle with more core involvement and can run a higher cadence (can't do it all day though...).

I feel the exact same way, bit of a trade off as you can't carry multiple paddle on board for when conditionss change slightly.

Select to expand quote

surf4fun said...

KellyM said...

I'm around 5'11 and I use the quickblade elite racer, Jimmy set my paddle up at 82' from tip to top, that was last year and that's the lenght I've used since in all races, from flat water training to Molokai downwinding

So if my math is right that's 20" over head?

Human Cartoon said...

I seem to be able to get more weight over the shorter paddle with more core involvement and can run a higher cadence (can't do it all day though...).

I feel the exact same way, bit of a trade off as you can't carry multiple paddle on board for when conditionss change slightly.

I think the paddle is 82 inches which is 6ft 10". 5ft 11" is 71". Therefore 11" overhead.

Never was my strong point at school. I did 5.11 x 12 when 11/12 isn't .11 of a foot, makes more sense.

my paddle is 11.5 " overhead for everything, however i would like a short surf paddle. i kinda don't understand going 2" or so less for a race. why change your stroke from what you are used too

Thanks for all the great info guys..much appreciated!

Probably a good thing I asked, it looks like everyone wanted to have a yak about this again...LOL

I'm 5'11 3/4 ( a shade under 6 ft) and my paddle is 79.5 inches.
I look at about 6-7 inches over head for racing. With my technique style of coaching that is about the norm for my paddlers. We really are experimentinting a lot with it.
2-3 inches for surfing seems to get the job done.
All comes down to technique and AGAIN no stress on the joint.

Peter

My 2 cents -

My race paddle is 7inch above my head. And it's the new QB Flyweight 83! Love it

My surf paddle is 4inch above my head. And it's the Fanatic elite full carbon 8"

I had my race paddle about 10inch but when i chopped it down to 7inch i loved it!!

XX angie

Reading through the range of personal preferences, one thing becomes kind of clear - the measurement overhead is not and can never be a uniform ideal value for everyone because of the inconvenient truth that people have different length arms.

Select to expand quote

laceys lane said...

my paddle is 11.5 " overhead for everything, however i would like a short surf paddle. i kinda don't understand going 2" or so less for a race. why change your stroke from what you are used too

For me? Because my race boards have sunken hulls whereas my downwind board doesn't. And whether it's right or wrong technically, I seem to have a whole different technique for downwind paddling or cruising than I do for pure racing.

Select to expand quote

PTWoody said...

...the inconvenient truth that people have different length arms...

Select to expand quote

PTWoody said...

laceys lane said...

my paddle is 11.5 " overhead for everything, however i would like a short surf paddle. i kinda don't understand going 2" or so less for a race. why change your stroke from what you are used too

For me? Because my race boards have sunken hulls whereas my downwind board doesn't. And whether it's right or wrong technically, I seem to have a whole different technique for downwind paddling or cruising than I do for pure racing.

i didn't think about those canoes- fair enough

Select to expand quote

PTWoody said...

Reading through the range of personal preferences, one thing becomes kind of clear - the measurement overhead is not and can never be a uniform ideal value for everyone because of the inconvenient truth that people have different length arms.

do you mean some paddlers are more evolved while others are still dragging their knuckles along the ground

Select to expand quote

laceys lane said...

PTWoody said...

Reading through the range of personal preferences, one thing becomes kind of clear - the measurement overhead is not and can never be a uniform ideal value for everyone because of the inconvenient truth that people have different length arms.

do you mean some paddlers are more evolved while others a still dragging their knuckles along the ground

Very good.
The longer the paddle, the more likely that paddler has close relatives living in trees. Did I say 10" overhead? Sorry, got my measurements confused - it's 10cm.

We will probably soon measure more from the height of shoulders.
It won't matter how long your arms are.
The important thing is not having your hand too high above the shoulder or
even better even with the shoulder on the catch and set-up.

hope this helps

Select to expand quote

petedorries said...

We will probably soon measure more from the height of shoulders.
It won't matter how long your arms are.
The important thing is not having your hand too high above the shoulder or
even better even with the shoulder on the catch and set-up.

hope this helps

If this becomes the accepted wisdom, at least we won't all have to buy new paddles...



these are much cheaper

Always gotta buy the latest and greatest....

When I get a paddle I start cutting it down till its at the right length.
Experiment experiment.
If not sure borrow another paddler's and see how that goes....