I remember when I started kayaking whitewater I paddled with a 206cm, 90
degree paddle and I'm 5'6". That was the norm then but that was also a long
time ago. When I got big into playboating my paddles got shorter and
shorter and my feather went down. I now paddle with a 191cm, 30 degree.
For me the shorter the better but I can understand others liking the longer
paddles too. It's funny though to see someone that's tall paddling with a
really short paddle. Usually their hands are right at the blade. I don't
see how they do it.

Courtney

Andrew, Bill paddles inflatables, which make a longer paddle not such a
bad idea. I'm too old-school and too tall (6'8"/201.5cm) to bother
trying out a shorter paddle. Right now I'm using a 206cm, and I can
cartwheel quite well with it without the length feeling like it gets in
my way.

Wilko