On 21-Jul-2003, "David J. Van den Branden" wrote:

This begs the question: Are there 2 piece paddle shafts out there that
offer variable length settings as well as offset? I think there are but I
don't know how within reach they are in terms of cost and availability.

There are several out there. However, they only vary by 5-10 cm or so.
That might be a useful tool for evaluating length preference, but they only
apply to the blade that the paddle comes with and that may be a factor
in preference.

240cm definitely sounds long nowadays. Canoe paddles are sized by
putting the blade in the water and then checking the shaft length to the
height of the shoulder (or on land by kneeling as in a canoe and putting
the hand grip of the paddle shaft on the ground and checking the blade
root position relative to the shoulder). Start there and move up or down
a couple of inches depending on arm length etc. Perhaps a similar sizing
should be used in the kayak so that we consider freeboard, beam, torso
length etc.

When paddling, there's no point in oversubmerging the paddle blade. If
the paddle blade is comfortably underwater, then that's the right length.
If it's too long, all you end up doing is putting the blade deeper. If you
compensate by using a shallower angle, then you just increase the
sweep and the stress on your body without increasing the forward
motion. If it's too short, you end up shortening the forward catch and
overreaching to the side on the stroke to get good blade penetration.

Mike