An IN-DEPTH Discussion on Multisport Paddle Length

[@harrymeyen5089]

I am not a paddling instructor, but I have been helping friends get the right length paddle with a less complicated way of getting the same results. Most of my friends have kayaks, and are not going to buy a new one to adjust their reach. I have them find their grip width by doing push ups as you do, and mark a longer than ideal paddle borrowed from another paddler. We wrap some tape on the shaft a centimeter wide with centimeter spacing next to the blades. Go out on flat water on a calm day, and i have them close their eyes and slowly paddle comfortably. Note by the tape how deep they are dipping the paddle at the catch, and the distance between the water marks is how long the shaft should separate the blades. Add blade lengths, and you are there. For my own paddles, I figured out several years ago that my high angle paddle needed to be a lot shorter than my low angle paddle, and came up with this system.

[@stevew3788]

Awesome video. Thank you for explaining all of this. I'm going to try it all.

[@manderssteve]

I began kayaking in 1967 when you had to make your own fiberglass kayak, and paddles had wooden handles. Anyway, I now have carbon fiber boats and paddles. All the commentator said is correct but I like a shorter paddle for white water, for more torque at low speed, and a longer paddle for the sea kayak at higher speed to get a longer slower reach per stroke.

[@tw6955]

I like your applied approach as paddlers bodies, boats, and techniques are all a little different so utilizing a more holistic approach in establishing size, length, reach etc. makes perfect sense to me. I ran into so many rigid rules on paddle size and paddle technique with SUP and ultimately the best advice was thinking of yourself as a pole vaulter launching your body forward through the paddle stroke. It's about piecing together all the elements size, length, reach, craft type and width in relation to ones body mechanics and level of physical conditioning. It takes lots of little tweaks, and lots of time on the water until you ultimately find yourself in the most effective and efficient zone. A continuous evolving process. Thanks. Well done.

[@stateroute74ranchomirage80]

Keeping the arms low below the shoulders is an ideal power stroke, notice the video of him paddling the kayak that doesn't have a scoop to allow the paddle drop which would probably not be used in racing.

[@gadgetman_nz4092]

Yeah, I've come to the conclusion that the old method was just the first best guess. It depends more on torso length, arm reach, seat height, front deck height and yak width. I tend to pick up a different paddle for each yak I paddle. Good to see you guys at the lake the other day.

[@Canterburykayaking]

100% agree 👍

[@peterdouglas4073]

Great video. I'm newish to paddling. I'm paddling a stellar 16 surfski and a galasport metax 520. I definitely notice the boat width, but I'm already max out on shaft adjustment. 😢 problem is. I've gotten stronger since I bought my Stella wing paddle. So I think my blade size is now a little small for the ski. But it's ok for the kayak. Shaft length, catch length is ok for the ski, but too narrow for the kayak. I extend the shaft 3 or 4 cms past factory marks🤞. Spouse ideally I need two new paddles. Big problem is money and what paddle. Probably new ski paddle and I will keep using the over extended paddle for the kayak.

[@Mr.Bryan1234]

The size of a wing blade is not a problem you can use a small / medium or large . Small is good for beginners and long sessions medium and large will tire you quicker but more acceleration for racing.

[@sgvern1]

Great videos, this and your one on setting the feather. Finding a way to personalize the fit of the paddle is so very important for long term comfort and maintaining the correct stoke as well as the strength of the stroke. Bravo to you. I have subscribed to your channel. If if didn’t live half way around the world from you, the Eastern Shore of Maryland, USA, I would traveling to you for information and instruction. Let me know if you would to try out paddling around Jane’s Island and the Chesapeake Bay some time. I have a place on the water there.

[@lancebenn1638]

Great video, please could you explain how you calculate "reach length" from the "kayak width"? not sure what to do with the "kayak width" measurement.

[@jordanhamer6087]

Yea I’m confused how they are connected

[@michaelsauer9129]

How diod you arrive at the 16 cm reach, based on height, and catch zone 47 cm?

[@Canterburykayaking]

Hi Michael, good questions. I honestly don't have a precise formula yet... I simply measured my own reach length and boat width, and compared that to a couple of elite athletes in narrower boats + novices in wide boats. I concluded that a reasonable range was between 12-20cm. I think the most important element here is the width of the boat where you place your forward stroke (what I call the "catch zone"). A professional athlete I measured in a narrow elite boat (Flow Rush) was using a 12 cm reach (without any input from me). And for most of my novices in the widest boats like the Barracuda Beachcomber, 18-20cm seems right. It's clear that I still have some work to do in order to create a quick and easy guide for people. I hope that clarifies it somewhat. Sam Milne.

[@bakkew02]

Thank you!

[@robertmarteli5979]

You give lot of details to think about. Thank you! To me trainers also told universal paddle lenght receipe as to you... Like every person walks differently, also each person has different paddling movement. Kayak size and type, blade size and paddle length are bundled together. I am 171 cm and had 55kg with 18 years. Able to make maximum 80kg on bench which is considered very good weight-power ratio for not professionals. For me kayak size, blade size where smaller then for someone with height 185cm and more power. But we changed for paddle on training and then I feel big blade is breaking my back. Too long paddle I had too much load on my back. I always want longer becouse of better control of water path of paddle. So your body just confirms theories. I could know who is paddling on water in distance only by his paddle movement, before we come closer and I could recognize friends kayak, cloth or face. I was training kayak flat water and white water for national competitons in Croatia. (In nearby Slovenia, Austria and Italy is lot white water avaiable) In Croatia there is lacking white water for professionals... For white water shorter lenght and smaller blade is needed to stay in your kayak on white water. Bigger stroke number is needed to resist power of white water which wants to turn kayak upside down.

[@paddlingfool64]

Isn't it great how Yutube has all these information videos on virtually everything. The trouble is, most of them are from people that do not know enough about the subject they are talking about.

[@Canterburykayaking]

I agree with you. Do you think in this video I come across as one of the people who doesn't know enough, or does know enough, to upload a video to KZbin on this subject? Cheers, Sam.

[@Wings_of_foam]

@@Canterburykayaking You made me listen.

[@baerenbart]

its nice to think about what effects paddling but your video misses to explain conversion from beam width measured at your described catch area to the paddle reach meassured from outside grip.

[@Sp-nd6uj]

No idea how any of those measurements was used to calculate paddle length. What was the point of any of those measurements?

[@gustavojavier2353]

one cm really matters 😂

[@Canterburykayaking]

Haha yes, hard to feel 1cm, but I’d immediately know if you snuck another 2cm into my paddle adjuster when I wasn’t looking. Makes a bigger difference than you might think.

[@terryrandell5723]

@@Canterburykayaking I would notice 1cm on a seat post length ,so paddle length is just as critical

[@johnpawlow]

What a waste of time, talk about something you know.

[@Canterburykayaking]

I honestly wish I knew more on this subject - or could find someone who genuinely does. Once I do, I will be sure to update this video, and make it a lot shorter. I am sorry for wasting your time.