My 2 cents worth: Paddle length is determined by your stroke. Using your normal stroke, rotate your body fully and place the paddle at the catch. You need a paddle long enough so you are not smacking the blade against the hull. It doesn't need to be any longer. I started with a 220, went to a 216 and back up to a 218, when the 216 would hit the hull too much. I have a rather vertical stroke and principally paddle a VCP Pintail. I am 5' 10." Josh wrote: My teachers here have been encouraging me to go down to this length range, but I have my doubts. Brian Blankinship Yellow Pintail Yellow Millennium *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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