[Paddlewise] Paddle Length

I have been fighting the paddle length issue and as I
become a better paddler, I find I need a shorter
paddle. This has been true for both canoing and
kayaking.

I also need narrower boats but that is another issue.

I'm currently about 5'2" with a woman's narrower
shoulders and shorter arms.  I paddled with a 220 for
several years and then borrowed a 215 and realized
the extra length was slowing down my stroke rate.  And
since a fast stroke rate lets you cruise without
strain - you never let the boat slow down enough for
inertia to become an issue- a faster stroke rate
makes life easier and you can go a lot faster with less
work.

I expect we all get paddles that are too long at
first.  But it would pay to use a paddle and see how
fast your stroke rate is with it compared to a longer
or shorter paddle.

I'm very kinesthetic and can feel when I'm moving
better or closer to most efficient.  But I hadn't
even tried a shorter paddle, thinking I needed the reach.
Now I have learned to slide my outside hand in and push
my paddle out to do large sweep strokes.  And ruddering
and bow draws work just as well with a little shorter blade and a good lean.

And its true that you can get a paddle with too large a
blade area.  Again paddling gets very slow and hard.

Marilyn Kircus


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Who dares to teach must never cease to learn.
John Cotton Dana




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