Choosing the Right Size Kayak Paddle | How Long Should Your Paddle Be?

One of the most common questions I get is "What's the right length of paddle for me?" In this video, I answer that question, whether you paddle a recreational kayak, touring kayak, sea kayak, fishing kayak, sit-on-top kayak, sit-inside kayak, folding kayak or inflatable kayak.

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[victorwanders]

Using aquabound whiskey for seakayaking past year, reasonable price and very solid. Only buy what you can afford, work on skills and more than anything, enjoy yourself! Have fun on the water 🌊

[G.I.JeffsWorkbench]

Very helpful. Thanks for discussing all of the criteria. I believe that I can now select the correct paddle(s) for our family’s needs.

[seantran]

Hi Ken, thank you for sharing this video about understanding the right paddle. I found your video very interesting and thoroughly enjoyed. I am looking forward more video about outdoor activities. Which's why I like to give you a "thumb up" and chose subscribed your channel.

[Annie-jeyh]

Thanks for ALL of your thorough and informative videos! You are the best!!😊

[michaelskalin]

Just came across your site and your doing a great job with sharing information. I'm new to kayaks and live on some great water. Bay of Fundy with two tidal rivers close by. I'm going to go back and find some strong current videos. Once again thanks for sharing 💯🍻🇨🇦

[mrcanoe]

Good video - I fully agree with trying a few before spending the cash for a good paddle, but also that it's worth spending the cash for a good one once the size is known. I have several Aquabounds, a couple Werners, some greenlands, and an old Lendal, and all of them are great in their own way. Do you have any thoughts on high v. low angle?

[KayakingBubblehead]

I have a Vibe Shearwater 125 which is 36 inches wide and I'm 6'2", I started wit a Bending Brach's angler classic 250 to 265 cm and I kept it at 265. I bought the Bending branch's Navigator at 270cm. I probably could have gotten away with the 260 but I'm very happy with the 270, I'll get a smaller version of the Navigator if I get the Eddyline Sandpiper 130. I think if people getting into the sport would get a better paddle than what some places give with a cheaper kayak they would have a better outcome and better time on the water. Another great video and topic, thanks.

[danareed]

i went by thier size chart so i hope i picked right! im new to kayaking and different sites have different charts and its confusing!

[jeffreyelliott]

I'm 5 10 and the canoe is going to be 32 1/2 in. wide and I'll be sitting on the floor almost so I went a 250 cm kayak paddle with the smaller blades at a budget minded price point to be perfect for me since the canoe these days are not cheap !!!

[LetsGoPaddling]

Main kayak: Itiwit x500 Strenfit: 64cm (25") wide beam, sitting low.
Me: 162cm tall (5'4").
210cm wing paddle, 735cm2 blade area, high angle aggressive paddling. 🙃
A perfect match for me. 😁

[larrygoodman]

Have you ever kayaked around Maurelle Island in the Discovery islands? We’re considering doing a kayak trip there this summer.

[ChopperChad]

Seems like torso length would be a better measurement instead of height since you're sitting in a kayak. Just like when fitting for a bicycle or a backpack, manufactures use torso length. Seems like something the paddle industry should adopt because when sitting, leg length has nothing to do with how high you sit in a boat. Torso on a 6' person can vary 5 or so inches.

[usngunr]

Ken, what's your ratio for Baileys to water for the thermos?

[BrodyToYou]

When does the Christmas gifts for kayakers video drop??

[AboutRain]

I have a Dagger Zydeco 9.0 kayak, which is 28.5 inches wide. I’m 5’2” (short torsoed) and the seat is low.
What size paddle should I go with?

[BoomVang]

I only buy paddles on closeout sales, and they are always limited to the worst possible length.

[milanbastaa]

Greeting. I would like to ask for help in determining the length of a kayak paddle. The kayak is 90 cm wide Aquamarine steam, my height is 185. Thanks in advance.

[MysticalDragon]

Um kinda silly at the 1:40 mark saying they come in ranges from 200cm to 250. It should state they COMMONLY come in this range but there are longer ones, especially for fishing kayaks. There are ALOT of kayak paddles that are in the 260, 270, 280cm range and many people need these longer paddles. For instance I am 6'2 with long arms. I often paddle a Jackson big rig loaded with chainsaws and winches. I need the 270CM paddle.

Interesting the aquabound is introducing a versa lock system when bending branches is doing the same thing currently. This makes wonder if aquabound and bending branches are part of the same company? I tend to think of aquabound as cheap walmart type of paddles. Not something as a quality mid or high range paddle.

When I got into kayaking, I got spoiled with using a carbon bladed paddle. Once I got it i never used my werner powerhouse again. Now I struggle to use anything else. I HATE feeling blade flutter, especially when taking a powerful stroke when urgency is needed. So after being spoiled my a carbon bladed paddle for so many years. its difficult to use even a quality fiberglass bladed paddle. However I cringed when I broke my accent crank bait paddle when I got it jammed on a tree and pushed off it.

One thing that should never go cheap on is a paddle, pfd, or seat. Yes while trying to determine what length to get try an inexpensive paddle or two. Then once you know what length you need, have that as a backup paddle (especially if you can store it inside your boat) There is such a massive difference between a cheap paddle and a quality one. Nylon infused just means a plastic blade. At the minimum get a fiberglass blade. Ive paddled with others on the river. They used my carbon bladed paddles and were amazed by them. Both with how light they were, and how much better they performed. But then the moment they heard the price they tossed it back as they didnt want to get attached to it. Though they admitted how much nicer it was and more effective.

[jezmarshall]

Another excellent analysis!
I've found having a versa lock paddle on the longer side is ideal . I used the brilliant Manta Ray 230-245cm for for a wider inflatable (Gumotex Seawave), but found when I transfer to the much narrower Itiwit X500, the longer paddle, set to the full 245cm was still much faster and easier to paddle than the supplied 210-220 cm carbon version. Unless you really need a high angle action for sprinting, I think longer paddles win every time.

[themoontoonshines]

Da Vinci’s Vitruvian man: “The length of the outspread arms is equal to the height of a man”