Great comments.

I have read all and came to the conclusion that i need 3 paddles and that will be my personal standard.

1 long 230-240 cm with not so big bite for cruising in moderate/calm seas paddling all day without any big strain really. I like this paddle.

1 220 cm with more bite in mostly moderate and heavier current or for when i want to go faster and get a harder workout and put some distance away. Best all around paddle.

1 201 cm with fat blades for surf/current..anything...strongest bite..high cadence. I have yet to try one.

: As the other respondents have said, there isn't a "right" length,
: nor is there some sort of standard formula for determining length.
: Everyone has their opinion and a paddle or paddles that work well for
: them, but no two people are alike so one shouldn't expect someone else's
: "best" paddle to be perfect for them too.

: I like to use a variety of paddles, but I have not been able to make any
: determination as to any one being better than others. All are pretty equal
: (overall) and have certain characteristics that makes them worth keeping
: and using.

: I don't use Euro paddles (simply because I don't have one) but I've paddled
: with them a couple of times. They seem to have more 'bite' than what I
: normally use, which is good (quick acceleration, low cadence) but also bad
: (my shoulders hurt for days afterwards!).

: I have several "native inspired" paddles, ranging from 244cm to
: 208cm in length, from Baffin Island to Aleutian Islands in shapes (no
: Greenland though!). I use the longest one most of the time, only because
: its the lightest of the bunch and allows a bit more relaxed paddle stroke
: for cruising. The shorter paddles work just fine, except they need an
: increasingly vertical paddle stroke in my 25" wide retrieval as the
: length decreases, which is more tiring (i.e. I'm a lazy bastard, too ).
: A narrower, lower-freeboard kayak would be a different story, I think. I
: haven't gotten my skinny low-volume boat built yet, so I can't say for
: sure.

: At any rate, I find that the loom size and texture, and overall weight of the
: paddle influence confidence and enjoyment more so than the 'bite,' length,
: or blade area. My speed and acceleration are limited by the size of kayaks
: I own as well as personal strength and ability. I guess that's the case
: with any paddle, really, no matter what type, size, weight, manufacturer,
: material, etc.