What Size Kayak Paddle Do I Need?

You’re finally standing in the kayak shop — the one you’ve dreamed about visiting for many months. The ideal kayak is just in front of you; you can’t wait to paddle through the clear waters!

When you reach the paddle that seems exactly like in your imagination, a sudden wave of confusion hits you out of nowhere.

“What size kayak paddle do I need in inches?” or, “How do I know what size paddle I need for my kayak?,” you wonder.

With so many sizes, choosing the right one that fits your needs can be daunting!

Remember that factors like width, height, and paddling style play a crucial role — so your kayak’s efficiency on the water and your comfort won’t be compromised.

So, if you’re eager to explore the size paddle you need, you’re in the right spot to clear all your doubts. Let’s start, shall we?

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How Do I Know What Size Paddle I Need for My Kayak?

A correctly sized kayak paddle makes all the difference on the water. No matter what model or brand you purchase, if it is too short of the paddle, it will possibly hit your hands on its sides.

Even an extra long kayak can put extra stress on your shoulders and create unbalance in the water — which is exhausting, of course.

But no worries! Here are the best methods you can use to determine what size paddle to get for kayak:

First, sit on something like a hard chair or bench. After that, measure it from the ground, between your legs to your chin, eyes, or nose. The shopkeeper might ask you to add a specific number of inches and then see their chart to see the size kayak paddle you need.

Some people also use a different approach to estimate the desired size. Yes, that’s right! Simply hold the paddle tight by the throat and the grip and rest it right on top of your head. Note that your elbows must be at or a bit less than approximately 90 degrees.

Another way is to see if the seat height fits into the equation. That said, if you have a low seat, you can subtract from that. However, if you have a high seat, you will want to add to that. As simple as that!

Try paddles of different lengths in the store or on the water (if possible) to get the most comfortable, effective, and easy-peasy fit for your style & kayak.

And there you have it, folks! All these fool-proof techniques will surely help you find your answer to the question, “What size paddle is for my kayak?”

Read on to discover a few rules for the selection of the paddle size – so that you can keep your adventure fun-packed and hassle-free!

Few Rules for Selection of The Size of Paddle

Selecting the paddle size always depends on what works best for you and what you’re using it for. And yes, you always have to follow a few rules given below:

Remember that the small blade area is the lower gear, and the large blade area is the higher gear.

Compared to car gears, the longer shaft is equal to the high gear, and the shorter shaft is like the low gear.

Your top arm must be leveled with the shoulder, especially when you’re in the center of the power stroke — so that you can paddle efficiently.

The traditional way to determine the proper hand spacing includes holding the paddle horizontally above your head & placing your hands so that your elbows form a straight 90-degree angle.

Start with these basic rules, and adjust for the specific type of paddling you’re doing!

Angling the Paddle of My Kayak

Body mechanics play an important role while angling the paddle for your kayak. Hold the paddle tight as if taking a forward stroke on each side by keeping the shaft vertical.

Moreover, the angle of your blade at the boat to the boat, generally 30 – 35 degrees, defines the paddle offset — influenced by shoulder width, posture, and length.

While the zero-degree offset is good for playboating because of its ease of control, we cannot deny the fact that a 30-degree offset is preferable for river running.

Avoid high offsets, such as 90 degrees, as it can be stressful for your wrist. Other than that, the adjustments to the new offset might feel awkward initially but will normalize with time.

Low/High Angle

Do you know that paddling style highly affects water efficiency and drip? Yes, that’s true! A high-angle style actually results in more drip and also offers better control in water, rivers, or surf.

Besides, low-angle paddling reduces drip, can be powered up anytime, and is more efficient for cruising. While drip guards aren’t really effective, carbon fiber paddles pick up less water.

So yes, paddle length is much more important than angle — so make sure you select it based on your preferred method.

What Happens If Use Too-Long or Too-Short Paddle?

If you use a paddle that is way too long or has a very large blade, it can cause injuries, especially to the elbows and shoulders, because of the high water resistance.

Even strong and fit paddlers can suffer from such problems. For example, a paddler who is 6’2″ and fit experienced elbow issues with 700 cm² blades but found appropriate with 650 cm² blades

Smaller blades, such as 600 cm², usually suffice without impacting the control or speed. However, they need a higher paddling cadence, which also reduces fatigue.

In a nutshell, slightly smaller blades are perfect for most paddlers — ensuring efficiency and comfort without compromising on performance.

What Material Is Best For Kayak Paddles?

Choosing the best material for kayak paddles must be your utmost priority while considering the size. Keep these points in mind:

Carbon paddles are lightweight and still but can be tough for beginners because of their rigidity.

Glass paddles are less still and slightly heavier – making them more gentle.

Nylon paddles are usually the heaviest and least stiff, while nylon and carbon ones offer a nice balance of durability and stiffness.

For sea kayaking, carbon blades with a good shaft can be your best bet, though nylon/glass blades are preferable for rock gardening.

You can start with glass/carbon or glass shaft and then upgrade to carbon to gain strength!

Things To Consider Before Buying Paddles For A Kayak

While buying paddles for your kayak, don’t forget to consider:

1. Paddling Style

River Creaking/Running: Blades have high volume on the bottom to offer versatility in vertical strokes and shallow water, which generates more power.

Freestyle: Blades of this style are cut away on the bottom, which gives more volume on top – ultimately preventing risks during dynamic moves.

All-Round Paddle: This style comes up with the river blade style because of its top-notch versatility.

2. Blade Size

Small Blade: They are good for beginners as they are less resistant and allow a faster or steady stroke cadence. Moreover, you’ll feel less stressed while using them.

Large Blade: Ideal for experienced, well-conditioned, and larger paddlers. No doubt, they provide high power per stroke, which is amazing.

3. Shaft Design

Bent Shaft: It aligns with the wrist, bends perfectly, and lessens joint pain and fatigue. However, it is a bit more expensive.

Straight Shaft: This one is budget-friendly simple, but may cause more joint pain and fatigue.

Small Diameter Shaft: Accessible to paddlers who have small hands so that they feel less fatigue and enhance their performance.

1-Pience, 2-Piece, 4-Pience: You can select one depending on your convenience and travel needs.

4. Paddle Materials

Laminate Fiberglass Blades: They are stiffer and lighter and are available with carbon or fiberglass shafts.

Nylon Fiberglass Blade With Quality Fiberglass Shaft: This option is strong, pocket-friendly, and comes in straight shafts.

Form Core Carbon Paddle: Give the best performance with foam present inside the blade and also reduce flutter. But remember that they are prone to punctures.

Full Carbon Paddle: This material is lightweight and stiff, which provides better performance, but it can chip with time.

5. Budget Considerations

Match the paddle to your paddling needs and budget.

Higher-priced paddles provide excellent performance and more benefits, but even budget-friendly options work nicely for most users.

Some Mistakes While Paddling a Kayak

Paddling a kayak demands you to be focused and avoid the common mistakes every other paddler out there makes. So, make sure you don’t repeat the same mistakes:

Misunderstanding Paddle Angle

Do not misunderstand the paddling angle. Reducing the angle can still benefit you, but it must not affect your ability to paddle the straight way.

Directional Stability Issues

A common problem that you might face is not recognizing the reason the kayak is veering off the course, which causes stability issues.

In this situation, you may think about correcting and turning, which is completely incorrect.

Misconception About Pivot Points

Kayak typically veers because of skidding from the pivotal point near the bow, not actually from under the backside.

Strokes near the front will not correct the course rightly – often leading to more skidding.

Correction Technique

To correct veering, simply slow down your forward paddling. Plus, extend the paddle out more to the side & continue to the stroke back.

It stabilizes your direction and also corrects skidding efficiently.

Adjusting Paddle Angle on Composite Shafts

If you cut the shaft and use a spigot, it will be easier for you to change the paddle. Make sure that the spigot ideally matches the paddle gauge.

Now, glue it into one end of the paddle and join the halves to tape them. You should also experiment with the new angle before gluing the halves permanently.

Pro Tip: If you slow down paddling & adjust the stroke method, it’ll assist you in maintaining a straight course.

Methods for Selection of Right-Sized Paddle

Several methods can help you determine which size of kayak is the best for you.

One famous approach is to sit on a hard chair or bench and measure it from the surface of your chin, eyes, or nose. After that, consult the chart to find the right paddle size.

Another prominent method involves holding the paddle on top of your head with the help of your elbows at less than 90 degrees.

Moreover, seat height plays an important role. A higher seat might need a longer paddle, while a lower seat may require a shorter one.

You’ll be amazed to know that some paddlers even use the duct tape method. In this technique, you need to mark the junction on the dry and wet parts of your current paddle to estimate the correct length.

This can be easily done with any kind of paddle or even a branch or dowel.

Note that different manufacturers may have varying shaft lengths for a similar paddle size. Therefore, measuring in person will be the right decision.

Some Tips For Kayak Paddles

If you’ve decided to get a new paddle for yourself, make sure that you follow our tips & tricks to avoid size problems in the future:

Measure your height: Use height charts to examine paddle lengths. For instance, if you’re shorter than or upto 5 feet 5 inches, a kayak of 23 inches wide would work best for you. In this situation, try a kayak paddle that’s 210 centimeters long.
Match paddling style: As we mentioned earlier, high-angle paddlers always require short paddles, while low-angle ones benefit from longer kayak paddles for ultimate comfort.
Try different sizes: Don’t be ashamed to try different paddle lengths – so that you end up finding the most comfortable fit with proper blade placement and smooth strokes.
Keep in mind the kayak type: Know that Tandem kayaks need longer paddles than solo kayaks, and this can obviously impact your overall choice of paddle length.
Consider kayak width: Kayaks that are relatively wider need longer paddles to reach the water efficiently, so consider the one with good space and balance.
Adjust for personal comfort: That’s one of the most important factors to remember because the right paddle length enables efficient strokes without hitting your hands during the adventure.

Also Read: Types of Kayaks for Beginners – An Ultimate Guide

FAQs

Q1. What Size Paddle Do I Need For a Sit on Top Kayak?

If you want to choose the right paddle for a sit-on-top kayak, it’s important to consider your paddling style. In general, low-angle paddles are perfect for cruising, while high-angle paddles offer more power to help with surfing.

Note that a high-angle paddle must be shorter as the longer one can be tough to handle in high-angle stroke.

Q2. Is it Better to Have a Longer or Shorter Kayak Paddle?

Many people use the shorter paddle style for freestyling and playboating. In fact, it is even much better for high-angle strokes and works well in rough water or tight spaces.

On the other hand, a longer kayak paddle provides more efficiency and power for paddling in open water. Ultimately, your choice will depend on your specific kayaking environment.

Q3. Are The One-piece Paddles Worth Buying?

One-piece paddles are ideal, especially when it comes to finding paddles at reasonable prices. The joint is where most of them are likely to break. This is because people put a little weight on the paddle while getting in or out of the kayak.

Q4. What Size Kayak Paddle Do I Need In Inches?

Choosing the right size of paddles is essential for comfortable and efficient paddling. Skinner and longer blades are a go-to for casual use, and smaller paddlers, while wider, shorter ones offer more power but need more effort.

Paddle lengths range from 200 –250 cm in general. The key factors include the kayak width, the paddler’s height, and specific sitting position, along with adjustable paddles.

Also Read: how to paddle a kayak in a straight line

Q5. What Size Whitewater Kayak Paddle Do I Need?

Normally, the white water paddler will go with a bit longer shaft in order to allow troughs and waves. More precisely, 56-58 inches in length perfectly fits 80% of the whitewater canoeist.

And paddlers with longer torsos prefer 60-62-inch paddles and those with shorter torsos are more likely to go with 52-54 inches paddles.

Q6. How Can Dripping In a Kayak Be Avoided?

The low-angle style of paddling offers minimal paddle drip. You need to learn to use this specific style, and it’s pretty convenient for the joints of your shoulder, too.

To avoid dripping, you should also try to paddle at a lower angle. If that does not work, switching paddles would definitely help.

Also Read: Best Places to kayak in North Georgia