Paddle length?

External Since: Jul 21, 2003 Posts: 12

Okay,
I'm looking to get my first boat and I saw some paddles I really like.
Full carbon, beautiful job, can't remember th emanufacturer at the
moment, but I saw it in REI. Anyway, I'm looking to get a touring boat
and I'm 6'1" tall. I like a long paddle, but this may simply be a
matter of inexperience on my part. My question stems from a comment
Steve Cramer made in the thread about the used carbon paddle which I
quote below:

"Well, if you want to argue, 210 centimeters is not so awfully short
anymore. In the current Sea Kayaker, Greg Barton says "A paddle length
of 200 to 215 cm is best for ...paddlers...5'5" or less. Tall paddlers
should use a length of 210 to 225 cm...Paddles longer than 230 cm should
never be used." This puts PhotoBuff's 210 right in the middle of the
recommended range, suitable for short and tall paddlers both. "

So my question is If 240 is the "right" size for me based on the whole
90 degree arm angle above your head thing...but this Barton guy says
that's too long, why have people started changing their methods. Are
paddles just better now to allow for shorter length, or is it something
else? Could this quote be completely ridiculous and just one persons
opinion and not necessarily a shift in the "market" or thought of the
paddling community as a whole? Should I consider a 230 even though I
currently prefer a 240, in the expectation that with more experience I
will come to desire a shorter stick?

I guess that's technically a lot more than one question, but any
comments on any or all of the questions would be wonderful.

TIA
bkr

External Since: Jun 22, 2003 Posts: 32

"bkr" <bkr1_2k RemoveThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:_6SSa.69$612.1220@dfw-service2.ext.raytheon.com...
> Okay,
> I'm looking to get my first boat and I saw some paddles I really like.
> Full carbon, beautiful job, can't remember th emanufacturer at the
> moment, but I saw it in REI. Anyway, I'm looking to get a touring boat
> and I'm 6'1" tall. I like a long paddle, but this may simply be a
> matter of inexperience on my part. My question stems from a comment
> Steve Cramer made in the thread about the used carbon paddle which I
> quote below:
>
> "Well, if you want to argue, 210 centimeters is not so awfully short
> anymore. In the current Sea Kayaker, Greg Barton says "A paddle length
> of 200 to 215 cm is best for ...paddlers...5'5" or less. Tall paddlers
> should use a length of 210 to 225 cm...Paddles longer than 230 cm should
> never be used." This puts PhotoBuff's 210 right in the middle of the
> recommended range, suitable for short and tall paddlers both. "

In that article, Mr. Barton is talking about paddle length in the context of
trying the use of a "wing" shaped paddle blade using a very high angle of
entry that is frequently used by racers like him. Barton also typically
paddles boats that have an extremely low freeboard. The article gives no
indication what Greg Barton's position on overall paddle length would be
given a normal or low angle style of paddling with a dihedral or flat blade.

> So my question is If 240 is the "right" size for me based on the whole
> 90 degree arm angle above your head thing...but this Barton guy says
> that's too long, why have people started changing their methods.

I suspect a certain amount of the trend toward shorter paddles is influenced
by WW techniques as well as advances in the hydrodynamics of blade shapes
and materials.

> Are
> paddles just better now to allow for shorter length, or is it something
> else? Could this quote be completely ridiculous and just one persons
> opinion and not necessarily a shift in the "market" or thought of the
> paddling community as a whole? Should I consider a 230 even though I
> currently prefer a 240, in the expectation that with more experience I
> will come to desire a shorter stick?

Depends what you base your preference on? Is the new boat going to be
narrower, lower volume, sit lower in the water, will you sit lower in the
boat? The trend is definately toward shorter overall paddle length but that
doesn't necessarily mean you need to go to extremes. At 6'2" tall and
having no experience to go on, I began using a low cost 240 but later
switched to a 230 after changing boats and getting my stroke "together". I
found I had a hard time keeping my grip on the 240 centered on the shaft and
determined that there was always about 4" extra shaft between my hand and
the left blade (I'm right handed) Changing to the 230 made things a whole
lot more natural for me. During that process, I borrowed different paddles
of different types and lengths before spending a lot on a new paddle.

This begs the question: Are there 2 piece paddle shafts out there that
offer variable length settings as well as offset? I think there are but I
don't know how within reach they are in terms of cost and availability.
When I was into cycling, we used an adjustable length stem to help zero in
on the right frame dimensions before having a bike built. Something like
this would be a great thing for a paddle shop to have to lend out.

DV