Following on recent threads trying to pin down a solid recommendation for paddle length I decided to ask the man himself - Blane Chambers what he recommends.
Blane is 5'7 and uses a 73" paddle - 6" above head height.
But when it comes to a recommendation, apparently there isn't one!
Here is what he says many of the top riders in Hawaii are using (inches above their head height).
Ikaika Kalama +14"
Aaron Napolean +12"
Mel Pu'u +6"
Leleo Kinimaka + 4"
Then there is Dave Parmenter, one of the founding fathers of the sport - here is what he has to say-
"Wherever we go in the world, the most common sight we see is people using paddles that are way too tall for them. From San-O to Sydney, all too many SUB paddlers are reaching over their heads like children straining to reach the cookie jar atop the ‘fridge.
Aside from squandering the mechanical advantage of the proper and efficient paddle stroke, using too tall a paddle sets you up for some sort of repetitive stress harm to your shoulders.
While a general guideline states that the paddle should extend 5 or 6 inches over your head, some variability exists due to the thickness of your board, slight differences in paddling styles, and even the shape and angle of the paddle blade."
So there you go - no definitive answer!
Personally I am trying to shorten up my paddle to reduce shoulder problems from extended sessions. I am at +7" on my Methane and after a solid 2 1/2 hr session today (in 5-6' clean uncrowded barrells of Manly - sorry, had to throw that in 
) - I am convinced shorter is the way to go!
Andrew.A
-
Dave Parmenter 6" MAX!!
The more I learn about paddle length the greater I am convinced its a personal preference more than anything. I just went from +11'' on my old paddle to to +8'' and the difference is remarkable. Partly no doubt because the new paddle is a lot lighter and has a larger blade but the position of my top hand is wildly different to what it was before and I've had to pretty much recreate my stroke.
I now have to concentrate on bringing my top hand forward rather than up. But the advantage I've given up in extra leverage I reckon I've picked up in stroke rate. Early days for the new paddle but and I havnt tried it in surf yet.
One thing I've noted (in my whole 6 months SUPing!) is that shorter is probably better for waves and longer for flatwater. As for ocean swells and downwinders I'm not sure but I presume pretty long as well.
Its not really aways about how tall you are, its more about how floaty yor board is also. If your a big bloke on a little board, you probally wanna go shorter i thinks. And versa visa.....
The whole paddle length thing and getting it right is a perplexity to me. I'm pretty sure my $300 (U.S.) Werner paddle is too long for me by maybe 2" but I can't bring myself to cut that $300 thing down to find out for sure. And I don't have any friends with appropriately shorter paddles to borrow. So, I'm sort of stuck ... though I am thinking about selling the paddle and buying a Werner adjustable ... then again, how much difference can, er, ah, 2" [}:)] really make?
HI Linter,
You may not have a local shop but if you do they should be able to organise a demo of different length paddles so you can get your head around the length you like. How far over head is your paddle at the moment? Are you purely surfing or a bit of a mix ?
If you shorten it up a bit it'll feel a bit weird early on but you do adjust pretty quickly with your technique. You'll love the extra acceleration it can give you once you get it together. Easier to pick up waves and easier to get through whitewater.
Its all pretty dependent on stroke isn't it....long enough to get the blade under the board but not too long so that you smash your shoulder gristle
Linter..... longer is zero problem - just cut it down - easy peasy japaneesey.
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=39056
I think the correct total paddle length also depends on the blade length.
I friend just bought a Laird board and I had a paddle of it the other day and the paddle (quickblade or surftech) had a blade that was a few inches longer than my Kialoa.
DJ
Everytime this topic has come up i've thought...and said...too many variables for one recommendation. Weight of paddler, length of arms, volume of board, surfing or distance. Truthfully I think a quiver of paddles is necessary. I need a different length and maybe more importantly shape/type of blade when I'm on my 9-8 at 146 litres of volume and surfing than I do on my 12-6 at 205 litres going for distance.
Linter...I just got a couple of Starboard alloy paddles. They don't feel the same as the spanker but I need to cut one down shorter. I'd be happy to lend you it and let you try cutting it to different lengths until you find what you like. I'm going to eventually cut it so that it fits someone pretty short so you'll be able to go much shorter than your spanker if you like. I've also got a couple of other paddles (Oxbow CF at 75" and a whiskey jack at 78") you can check out. We need to hook up again anyway.
yup, it's the same linter living just down south of you. have to change my location one of these days. stoneaxe: yes, let's get together. i missed the last swell here due to family stuff and i'm going to miss the one comiing up on thurs/fri as well. but after that let's try to convene. maybe i'll come up your way, see what's going on in your neck of the woods ... tho it sure is hard to leave these points and reefs ...
