race paddle

[paddlesurfer75]

im approx 6'2 and just got a new paddle for races its approx 87" should i cut it down or leave it

cheers Dean

[DavidJohn]

IMO.. Cut it..  

But the right length depends on so many things.. like your board.. and race distance.. and even the conditions.. and also your technique.

I think about 10-12" overhead will give you the best results.

DJ

[Aiyah]

i think the general rule is like....10 inches over your head for flatwater? something like that? but i know i tried that and it felt too short to me, so i went longer. Really, just go what you're comfortable with.

[lee]

I'd say leave that long .I use 14" taller than me ,small blade .Downwind or Flatwater . But I have long arms and short Legs.
Leve it long cut it later. or not

[paddlesurfer75]

my board is 7" thick and the paddle will be for just flat water racing measured earlier and un cut it is 88" im 6'2

cheers Dean

[gorgebob]

I have found that measuring to the wrist above your head works well. This system adjusts for longer arms and taller people. Working with boards at 5" thick and add or subtract the difference.

[Tecpartner]

I'm 70" (5'10") tall and use an 82" bent shaft, so 12" longer than my height.   I'm starting to think it's not long enough.  It reaches my wrist, but I could go 2 more inches for it to reach my streched hand.  I paddle flat water mostly on a low profile board (Starboard Pin).

Pono Bill:  You still stand by your paddle length article?  Maybe I want to go even longer to extend my reach.

[motopilot]

I'm 70" (5'10") tall and use an 82" bent shaft, so 12" longer than my height.   I'm starting to think it's not long enough.  It reaches my wrist, but I could go 2 more inches for it to reach my streched hand.  I paddle flat water mostly on a low profile board (Starboard Pin).

Pono Bill:  You still stand by your paddle length article?  Maybe I want to go even longer to extend my reach.

I saw that bent shaft paddle and looked pretty cool.  You think you need longer because of the bent shaft?  I held it but did not use one on the water. Was wondering about the lenght if it would be longer with the bend?

Oh and how do you like the bent shaft with a raceboard?

[Tecpartner]

Motopilot:

I'm not sure if I need a longer paddle because it's bent, I think that the bent shaft just helped me realize I want a longer paddle.  The bent shafts are really length specific.  You can't just buy a long one and cut it down, or the bends won't be in the correct location for your lower hand.

But in general I like the bent shaft for racing, (although I'm not much of a racer.)  The bent shaft pulls through the water without any flutter, It's a litte easier on your lower wrist, it gives you a little extra reach.

[motopilot]

Motopilot:

  The bent shafts are really length specific.  You can't just buy a long one and cut it down, or the bends won't be in the correct location for your lower hand.

Thanks that is something I was wondering about with these paddles.  Going to try one out and see.

[XLR8]

Hey paddlesurfer,

I don't know if you already put the cut to it, but I would try the wrist overhead technique mentioned above.  I'm 6'1 or 6'2, depending on whether or not I'm playing b-ball, and my ZRE racing paddle is great at 86.5

You can always put some heat to the handle and reglue, but you can't make your shaft longer.