> Then if you want a paddle to paddle all day, A greenland paddle
> would be fine. To get the right length measure fom the floor to the
> tips of your fingers straight overhead. AL

I've always heard of the above or similar methods for sizing a paddle. But I just have to say that I don't buy into it! Now this is just my opinion, and the results of the old rule of thumb and my analysis below might even come out with the same for most folks, but...

What the heck should your leg length have to do with the size of a paddle?!?! It should be a function of your sitting body height, boat beam, sitting elevation relative to the water line, and personal preferences.

I am in the process of deciding on a paddle myself and I think that the shaft portion should be measured separately from the shaft/blade combination.

The shaft should be at least long enough to just reach the water (accross your boats beam, with you sitting at your normal height relative to the water level) when held properly. I think a proper grip is one with your hands placed at a distance apart that is equal to your elbow to elbow length with arms outstreched. A normal paddling stroke might be one with the upper hand at shoulder hieght, and the lower hand at elbow height. This should create a pivot point right about your solarplexes. So I claim that the shaft should be at least twice the distance from your solarplexes (spelling?) to the water, considering seat height, and kayak beam. You may want to make it longer.

Then you have the blade decisions (size and shape) which is independent of shaft length.

I claim that paddle sizing should be done with very little consideration given to your standing height or leg length. You paddle from a sitting position and paddles should be sized accordingly.

I know that rules of thumb assume a somewhat standard ratio between leg length and overall height, or arm length to overall height. But I reject them as unnecessary indirect methods for measuring something that can be measured directly.

There, now I've said it. I'm done venting. I feel better.

Aloha,

Paul