john winters comment on paddle length is the best i've seen: "It seems to me that a paddle need be no longer than required for the job. For this it should be long enough to reach the water while using effective (and personal) biomechanical movements." it has been my experience that i have yet to meet anyone using a paddle too short for them. as observed by others, most shops stock longer paddles, and so people who are entering the sport without guidance or instruction choose from what is readily available. this is unfortunate because having an excessively long paddle makes it difficult to develop the most effective stroke techniques. it is only with guidance and the opportunity to try various paddle sizes that people have the chance to appreciate the benefits of a personally and appropriately sized paddle. lendal paddles come in stock sizes down to 214 cm so if there is a dealer near you you should be able to try such out, and i have shortened them further for people on occaision. it is very easy to do on a new paddle which comes in pieces for the dealer to glue up, not overly difficult on an older paddle - a heat gun applied where the blade and shaft meet will soften the epoxy, allowing blade removal, trimming of shaft to desired length, and reinstallation of blade(that's how a broken blade is replaced). george ruta northcountry kayak 518-677-3040 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri Sep 25 1998 - 08:19:25 PDT
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