Choosing your kayak paddle type and length - a paddle sizing guide.

There are many myths and false or missing information circulating about the best way to size a paddle and there are paddle size charts circulating lately that might use the appropriate jargon but do not necessarily justify claims with a breakdown of fundamental factors and their implications nor are they anchored in first-hand experience using different paddles or advising different setups for a wide range of paddler body types and circumstances.

We’d like to clarify a few things to give you the best advice we can, short of a phone or in-person consultation.

In our experience at Northern Explorer Supply—with nearly 30 years of professional and personal kayaking experience—we have found there is a plethora of unsubstantiated manufacturer paddle size guidance, too. There are business reasons for this that we will avoid getting into; for now, we are going to home in on what is truly best for the paddler.

We discovered that many paddle manufacturers, marketers, retailers, and lots of new paddle consumers are generally advising paddlers choose a paddle mostly based on the user’s height (torso, overall height—you name it) rather than focusing on the kayak’s architecture, seating/standing position, and paddling style intended as the main driver of length determination.

As a general rule—and this goes against nearly everything you may have read—a taller than average paddler should not necessarily have a longer than average paddle and a shorter than average paddler should not necessarily have a shorter than average paddle. Why? Proportions.

A taller person has longer arms and therefore longer reach. Their height above the water and reach to the water is the same as someone shorter. Therefore, the kayak paddle should be based primarily on the kayak’s width; the kayak should be chosen by the intended use, and the intended use is directly associated with the intended paddling techniques needed to make the kayaking experience most enjoyable and useful.

We decided to (re)write the “book” on how to decide the right paddle length without getting too deep into body mechanics, kayak geometry, and various paddling techniques. However, we have touched on all of these factors in our sizing guide below.

Choosing the correct kayak paddle length comes down to four factors: your kayak’s width, its deck architecture, your paddling position, and paddling style. Get this right, and you will prevent fatigue, shoulder and hip strain, inefficient kayak handling, and prevent your hands from getting beat up.

Generally, taller paddlers require wider kayaks and it is therefore why a wider kayak requires a longer paddle, while narrower boats and high-angle strokes require shorter ones. If a taller paddler is in a narrow kayak, well, chances are he or she will most benefit from the same length of paddle a shorter paddler will use if using the same kayak.

1. Kayak Paddle Size Chart

Use this standard reference guide based on your paddler height and the width of your kayak at its widest point.

Paddler Height	Narrow (<23")	Standard (23"-28")	Wide (28"-32")	Extra Wide (32"+)
Under 5'0"	200 - 210 cm	210 - 220 cm	220 - 240 cm	Not recommended
5'0" – 5'6"	210 - 215 cm	215 - 225 cm	225 - 240 cm	240 - 250 cm
5'7" – 6'0"	215 - 220 cm	220 - 230 cm	230 - 240 cm	240 - 260 cm
Over 6'0"	220 - 230 cm	230 - 235 cm	235 - 245 cm	245 - 260 cm

2. Determine by Kayak Type

Your primary paddling activity dictates the type of boat you are in, which naturally alters the required paddle length.

Recreational Kayaks: These are typically wide (28-34 inches) with higher seats. You will need a longer paddle (230-260 cm) to comfortably clear the sides without hitting your knuckles on the cockpit coaming, deck, or any raised hardware or accessories.
Touring & Sea Kayaks: These are narrower (20-24 inches) built for speed and long distances. A shorter paddle (e.g. 220 cm) provides more forward-efficient and powerful strokes for fitness and race activities, however for distance touring, a medium length paddle (e.g. 230 cm - 240 cm) will provide more efficiency by promoting a shallower paddle angle (approach) and less “lunging” side to side to preserve paddling energy and muscle use.
Whitewater Kayaks: These are short, highly agile boats. Paddle lengths are short (188-200 cm) to allow for the quick, high-cadence strokes required to run rapids. The kayak’s design includes a shallow deck and a round narrow midsection which enables a short paddle to be used.

3. Consider Your Paddling Style

How you move through the water will affect the optimal length of your shaft and shape of blade:

Low-Angle Stroke: Your hands stay below your shoulders, and the paddle enters the water at a shallow, relaxed horizontal angle. Choose a longer paddle to accommodate this reach and to reduce your overall effort. A longer length paddle helps preserve your body’s energy and prolongs your paddling time on the water, unless the length is excessive. A length of 240 cm to 255 cm is ideal for almost any sit-on-top kayak and adult paddler looking for a balance of control, efficiency, ergonomics, and adequate reach.
High-Angle Stroke: Your upper hand goes above your shoulder, and the paddle enters the water almost vertically. This high angle technique increases forward speed calling for a shorter paddle. It however causes more shoulder and back strain and the shorter paddle length hinders turning. A paddle less than 240 cm will work well for most sit-inside recreation (230 cm - 240 cm), touring (220 cm - 230 cm), and whitewater kayaks (e.g. 210 cm).

4. Final Adjustments

Adjustable Seats: If your kayak has a hi-lo seat, or if you plan to frequently adjust your seat from a wider hull position to a narrower one (like in the Crescent Crew 2+1 kayak), use an adjustable paddle (like a Versa-Lok extendable length style).
Stand-up Paddling or Poling: for many “fishing” style kayaks out there like the Crescent Kayaks we sell and rent, they can be paddled for limited distances while standing up. Choose an adjustment length paddle that can extend up to 255 cm or 265 cm for comfortably reaching the water while using a kayak paddle to propel while standing—or when using it to push against the floor of the water body you are on.
If You Are Between Sizes: If you fall right between two paddle sizes, it is generally recommended to go longer to ensure your angle toward the water is shallower for reduced shoulder fatigue and to prevent your hands from hitting the sides of your kayak. A shorter paddle is lighter, but it can also cause you to work harder due to the steeper approach to the water that it creates and lower leverage.

Other topics we will cover in this write-up include how to choose:

the right blade shape, shaft type, ferrule type, and their respective materials for lasting durability, reliable function, optimal efficiency, and minimal impact on your muscles, joints, and tendons (reduced weight, especially when swinging the paddle).
Materials also play into whether your hands get cold, whether you can use the paddle to push off rocks or self-rescue with it (outrigger technique), and whether the paddle will flex too much to push you immediately forward through the water without hesitation.

So many nuances make up the caliber of a paddle so please do yourself a favor—because it is the transmission of your kayaking setup—to treat your paddle purchase like an investment and not an afterthought. Your body and mind will be much more thankful for it.