What Size Kayak Paddle Should I Get?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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To measure a perfect fit, hold the paddle with your elbows bent at 90°. Your

hands should be about one hand’s width from where each blade begins

. For creek boating or general river running you might want to go longer and get a paddle at least 196cm. The extra length will provide more leverage and bracing for rolling.

Which paddle is best for kayaking?

  • Aqua-Bound Tango Kayak Paddle.
  • Werner Camano Kayak Paddle.
  • Bending Branches Whisper Kayak Paddle.
  • Aqua-Bound Sting Ray Kayak Paddle.
  • Wilderness Systems Pungo Kayak Paddle.
  • Perception Universal Kayak Paddle.
  • BKC KP224 Kayak Paddle.
  • Pelican Poseidon Kayak Paddle.

What size paddle do I need for kayaking?

To measure a perfect fit, hold the paddle with your elbows bent at 90°. Your

hands should be about one hand’s width from where each blade begins

. For creek boating or general river running you might want to go longer and get a paddle at least 196cm. The extra length will provide more leverage and bracing for rolling.

What happens when you use too long of a paddle for kayaking?

When using a paddle that’s too short or too long, you

‘ll end up over exerting yourself and working harder than necessary to build up speed and keep the kayak on track

. If the length isn’t right, your hands will tend to move along the shaft, resulting in the development of blisters.

Is it better to have a longer or shorter kayak paddle?

If you fall between two sizes, it’s

generally better to go shorter

. Either size would probably work, but you’ll save a few ounces with a shorter paddle. If you’re proportioned with a shorter torso, though, then the added reach will come in handy and you should go with the longer paddle.

How do you know what size kayak to get?

  1. Recreational class kayaks are less than 12 feet in length and are greater than 24 inches in width. …
  2. Light-touring class kayaks will range in length between 12 and 16 feet long. …
  3. Touring class kayaks are longer than 16 feet in length and will have a width of 22 or fewer inches.

What size kayak do I need for my weight?

What size kayak do I need for my weight? The right size kayak for your weight is

one with a maximum capacity rating that’s about 125 pounds more than your body weight

. Another rule of thumb is to find out the manufacturer’s maximum capacity rating and reduce it by about 30-35%.

Should I feather my kayak paddle?

Feathering

is most advantageous when paddling into high winds

. The higher the angle of your blade, the less resistance you will encounter. Alternatively, an un-feathered paddle can be advantageous when the wind is at your back, working as a small sail each time the blade is raised into the air.

What benefits can I get from kayaking?

  • Weight Management. …
  • Increased Upper-Body Strength. …
  • Toned Legs. …
  • More Core Strength. …
  • Improved Cardiac Health. …
  • Better Endurance. …
  • Mood Boost. …
  • Improved Focus.

Do kayak paddles float?

All kayak paddles float. … While kayak paddles float,

they tend to “float” slower than your kayak will

. As such, if you drop a kayak paddle into the water you’ll watch helplessly as you and your kayak drift away downstream.

Is a longer paddle better for kayak?


If you’re tall, you’ll need a longer paddle

, too. Recreational kayaks are wide and stable, so you’ll need a longer paddle to be able to reach the water easily. Touring kayaks are narrower, and sea kayaks are narrower yet, meaning your paddle can be shorter since you have less reach toward the water.

Is 240 cm paddle too long?

Some suggest

there is no reason to reach out beyond 220 cm

, while others prefer the laid-back long stroke of a paddle at least 240 cm. … A longer paddle is going to be affected by the wind more than a short paddle.

Why do kayak paddles have offsets?

The paddle blades on kayak paddles are

arranged asymmetrically to reduce wind resistance

. An alternative is to turn the paddle when it is lifted out of the water. In the long run, however, the turning movement proves to be unergonomic.

How do you size a paddle?

The best way to choose paddle length: On the water:

Sit inside the canoe and measure the vertical distance from your nose to the waterline

. This measurement should match the distance from a paddle’s grip to the throat, where the paddle shaft meets the blade.

Do Pelican kayaks come with paddles?


Most Pelican paddles come

with this feature. … Some Pelican paddles offer adjustment between 10-12 cm and could be a good option if you have multiple kayaks of different widths or the paddle will be used by paddlers of different heights.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.