Bending Branches - Choosing a paddle

Canoe Paddles
While many methods exist, a simple and accurate way is to measure your torso. Sit up straight on a flat surface and measure from the surface in between your legs to your nose. Follow the chart below:

Torso Size	Straight Canoe Paddle Size	Bent Canoe Paddle Size
20"	Youth 36	n/a
22"	Youth 42	n/a
24"	Youth 48	n/a
26"	51 or 52	48
28"	54	50
30"	56 or 57	52
32"	57 or 58	54
34"	60	56
36"	62	n/a
38"	64	n/a

An easy way to measure in the field is to place the grip of the paddle between your legs (while sitting) and mark where the shoulder is (where blade meets shaft). The shoulder on a straight shaft should be at your forehead; the shoulder on a bent shaft should be at your nose.

Note: this is only a guideline to sizing. Seat height, style of paddling, and arm length can all effect the size you need. Demo paddling is always recommended.

As with sizing, personal comfort and preference is key in determining which shape is right for you. Demo paddling is recommended.
	Touring – Injection molded Dream blade shape (6.75" x 18"): All around excellent recreational blade shape. Suitable for low and high angle paddling, the tip is offset for easy entry and power through the stroke and the dihedral eliminates flutter.
	Touring – Compression molded composite Day shape (6.8" x 19"): A wider blade shape suitable for all types of paddling. Ideal for high-angle paddling, rough water, shallow water, and rivers.
	Evening shape (5.75" x 21"): Sea touring blade is long and narrow; ideal for low angle paddling and cutting wind resistance. Popular for paddling in the ocean and on bigger lakes.
	Twilite shape (5.5" x 19"): Small, light blade is quick and easy to pull through the water. Similar to the Evening shape, but with less surface area to speed up the cadence of the paddle stroke - like riding a bicycle in low gear. Popular with small paddlers.

Kayak Paddles
Three things need to be considered when sizing a kayak paddle: torso height, boat width, and style of paddling. Lower stroke angles generally require longer paddles, as do wider boats. Taking that into consideration, measure your torso (see canoe sizing) and follow the chart below.

Torso Size	Low-Angle Stroke	High-Angle Stroke
20"	160 cm	160 cm
22"	180 cm	160 or 180 cm
24"	200 cm	180 cm
26"	210 cm	200 cm
28"	220 cm	200 cm
30"	230 cm	220 cm
32"	240 cm	230 cm
34"	250 cm	240 cm
36"	n/a	250 cm

An easy way to measure in the field is to hold a paddle horizontally in your hands with your elbows slightly inside a 90 degree angle (most paddles are ovalized in the area they should be gripped). Your hands should be about two-thirds of the way between the center of the shaft and the shoulder of the blade. Again, always take stroke angle and boat width into consideration, and demo the paddle whenever possible.