How to Measure Kayak Paddle?
Measuring a kayak paddle is quite necessary to ensure you will face no complexities during the journey. And yes, it’s crucial to avoid any emergencies. A paddle with the right length can enhance your performance, instead longer or shorter kayak paddles can cause fatigue or injury, or might disturb your control over kayak by adding unnecessary weight.
You can measure a kayak paddle by following dozens of methods, such as the “This is a Hold-Up” method, Sam Milne’s reach distance and grip width method, and the wingspan method. But you need to consider your specific requirements and conditions, such as your weight and the water condition where you are going to kayak, to find the right length kayak paddle.
Pay attention – There are factors including kayak width, paddling style, weight, and torso height that decide the ideal kayak length for you. For example, touring and sea kayaks, which are narrower, benefit from shorter paddles that range from 210 to 230 cm. In contrast, Recreational kayaks, which are generally wider, require longer paddles, typically from 230 to 240 cm.
To explore different methods for measuring the ideal kayak paddle for you and to understand the necessary factors and conditions while measuring, stay with this article, and let’s dive straight into this.
How to Measure Kayak Paddle?
There are various methods for measuring the kayak paddle length. You can opt for any method easier and more suitable to you.
1. The Hold-Up Method
By using this method you must grab the paddle with one hand, and place the other hand just above the blade at the throat. Observe if your hands fit comfortably without any hassle. If it is, then the paddle length is suitable for you.
2. The Wingspan Method
In this method you need to extend your arms outwards to measure your wingspan. Meanwhile, measuring the distance from fingertip to fingertip. If we talk about the ideal paddle size using this measuring method, it would be about a foot longer than your wingspan.
Such a paddle is especially beneficial for persons with shorter arms. Also, when you prefer a specific paddling posture – sitting high in the boat/kayak.
3. Sam Milne’s Reach Distance and Grip Width Method
Sam Milne’s method to measure the ideal paddle length focuses on two key factors; grip width and reach distance. For both reach distance and the grip width you need to promote different measuring methods. Here they are:
- For grip width measurement: To determine the grip width, experiment with push-ups to find the most powerful and comfortable hand position. With an adjustable paddle shaft, you can fine-tune these measurements to achieve a personalized and effective paddle setup
- For each distance measurement: To determine the reach distance, measure the width of your kayak at the catch zone, where your hand naturally reaches forward during a stroke. This distance typically ranges from 12 to 20 centimeters and helps set the paddle’s reach.
Which One is the Best Method to Measure the Kayak Paddle?
The best method to measure the kayak paddle is one that fits all your needs. Meanwhile, a single method cannot be ideal for everyone because everyone has distinct preferences, paddling styles, and needs.
Let’s discuss the ideal audience for each method described above along with its limitations.
The Hold-Up Method
Ideal Audience: The perfect audience for this method is beginners. Using the method, they can easily identify which paddle size/length is comfortable for them without any special measurement tools.
Limitations: This method is not precised for experienced kayakers because they have advanced needs.
The Wingspan Method
Ideal Audience: The kayakers with shorter arms who prefer a higher paddling posture can benefit from using this method. Meanwhile, the method provides them with a more tailored approach.
Limitations: This method cannot be a good choice for kayakers with average wingspan or paddles in varying positions.
Sam Milne’s Reach Distance and Grip Width Method
Ideal Audience: The professional kayakers looking to enhance their paddling efficiency by measuring the grip width and reach distance, and to optimize their kayaking postures.
Limitations: No beginner or average kayaker can measure the ideal paddle size using the method because it requires adjustments over time as you experiment with different paddle setups.
All the above methods are ideal for their specific/targeted audiences. Before adopting any method, consider your experience level, body weight, height, wingspan, and kayaking style. The ideal method is going to be the one that makes you feel comfortable.
How to Determine the Correct Kayak Paddle Length?
Determining the correct kayak paddle length isn’t a tough task, but adopting the right method is. You make powerful strokes without any extra energy loss, strain, or fatigue if your paddle length is right. If it is not, you might reduce the energy level, and can’t maintain the proper control over water.
Considering the height, taller paddlers generally require longer paddles, while shorter paddlers need shorter ones. However, the kayak’s width has a great role here. As per our research, sea kayaks or narrower touring ones might necessitate shorter paddles for easier handling and quicker strokes.
On the other hand, wider recreational kayaks typically require longer paddles to compensate for the additional width, ensuring that your strokes reach the water without excessive leaning.
Conclusion
Measuring a kayak’s paddle length is not a complex task if you follow the complete guidelines and the steps of each procedure described above in the article. After refining dozens of kayak measuring methods, we found the three best mentioned above. These methods are specific to different types of kayakers.
Meanwhile, if you are an experienced kayaker, measuring kayak paddle size by following Sam Milne’s reach distance and grip width method might be ideal for you. Similarly, if you are a beginner following the “This is a Hold-Up” method can be a good choice.
But you need to consider a lot of factors before adopting any method including your height, wingspan, style of kayaking, and much more. That’s how you can adopt the right method and measure kayak paddle length accurately.
FAQs
How can you get the correct paddle size?
You need to measure the width of your kayak and consider your height and the paddling style to understand which size is going to be the best fit for you. For measurement, you can go with any method suitable to you described above in the article.
What unit is used to measure paddle length?
The mathematical unit used to measure the paddle length is cm – centimeters. Sometimes, you see measurements in inches, but centimeters are more common.
Do we have to measure the length of the paddle shaft or the length of the paddle blade?
You need the length of the paddle blade and shaft to choose the perfect paddle size. This is because you are focusing on the overall length measurement.
How to measure kayak paddle length?
Measuring a kayak paddle length isn’t tough. You can opt for methods including the wingspan method, “This is a Hold-Up” and Sam Milne’s reach distance and grip width method. You can find more about them above.
How to measure proper kayak paddle length?
Along with the particular methods of measurement, you should also consider your height, weight, wingspan, and specific paddling style to measure for proper kayak paddle length.
How are kayak paddles measured?
They are measured from tip to tip along with the blades and shaft because you need the measurement of overall length.