Kayak paddles may not be the most interesting piece of kayaking gear, but that doesn’t make them any less necessary than, say, your ‘yak.
It’s what gets you from point A to point B, after all. You’ll just drift around aimlessly without a way to get there if you don’t have one. Furthermore, an improperly sized kayak paddle is a surefire way to turn an enjoyable kayaking experience into an uncomfortable, blistery, and exhausting nightmare.
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Take a measure of your kayak’s width
Knowing your kayak is the first step in kayak paddle sizing. Measure your kayak’s width at its widest point for the most accurate measurement. The longer your paddle must be to reach into the water on both sides without placing too much effort on your body, the wider your kayak must be.
Search for your body measurements
It’s time to write down your measurements now that you’ve measured your kayak. You can measure yourself for kayak paddles in two ways: the height of your torso and the height of your entire body. You can use only one measurement system, but for the best results, we recommend measuring your body height and supplementing it with your torso height to find a comparable size that fits both height ranges on the kayak paddle size chart.
Measure the height of your torso
To determine your torso height, follow these steps:
- Bend your head down and find your top vertebra, where your shoulders meet your neck, with your hands.
- Measure your lumbar area to find the bottom of your torso. Rest your hands on your hipbones, index fingers and thumbs pointing backwards.
- Examine the space between your thumbs visually.
- Stand tall and have someone measure the distance between your top vertebra and the imaginary line across your lumbar region with a soft tape measure.
Measure the height of your body
To the closest inch, round your height. After that, compare it to the width of your kayak to get the exact measurement.
If you are under 5 feet 5 inches tall and your kayak is…
- Try a paddle with a width of 23 inches or less and a length of 210 cm.
- Widening from 24 to 32 inches: Use a paddle with a length of 220 cm.
- 29-33 inches in width: Use a paddle with a length of 230 cm.
- 34 inches broad or more: Use a paddle with a length of 240 cm.
FAQs:
Which kayak size do I require for my height and weight?
Your height has no bearing on the kayak you choose, just as it has no bearing on your paddles. You should be fine as long as you’re utilizing your kayak for its intended purpose – fishing, whitewater exploration, or recreational touring. Your weight, on the other hand, should be considered when choosing a kayak. Each kayak has a maximum weight capacity.
Are there kids’ kayak paddles?
Kayak paddles that are suitable for children are available. Weight, paddle length, and comfort of holding are all important elements to consider when choosing a paddle for your youngster.
Where should I learn to paddle a kayak?
Paddling a kayak can be done in a variety of ways, including low and high angling, and feathered and unfathered blades. Maintain a healthy posture. Make sure you’re not clutching your paddle too tightly. Allow your torso to handle the heavy lifting.