Hi I have just got a new race Paddle to use on my 12'6" fanatic fly race. My surf paddle is about 6' which is about the same as my height 5'11" and feels good in the waves. I feel like I need longer on the big board but not sure how much to go? Any tips on what to cut?
All personal choice but I have different lengths for different applications even on the long board. If it's downwind or just cruising, I use about 13" overhead. For racing, it's 10" overhead.
For me I use about 13" over for flat water and down - winders.. and about 8" over for surfing.. and for racing I like something in-between.. (about 10" over)
DJ
I'm around 5'11 and I use the quickblade elite racer, Jimmy set my paddle up at 82' from tip to top, that was last year and that's the lenght I've used since in all races, from flat water training to Molokai downwinding
I am experimenting a bit with length. For cruising on the raceboards I prefer about 12" above my head as it allows me to remain a bit more upright and more relaxed paddling position.
If racing or paddling hard, I get more power to the water with less effort with a shorter shaft. I only shortened the shaft by about 2 or 3 inches and the difference is quite amazing but requires digging a little deeper with a bit more back bend. I use this same paddle for surfing but am thinking of dropping another inch or two as the surfy sits lower in the water than the race board.
I'm still experimenting with paddle length but am happy with my stroke and technique thus far.
I'm around 6'3" tall and 90 kilo.
DM
Does a longer paddle mean more leverage?I guess it would mean less back bending too , which cant be a bad thing.
My surf paddle is 2" OH. Must have it all wrong, but shoulders feel a lot better ! Maybe thats why Im never getting as many waves as anyone else!
Never was my strong point at school. I did 5.11 x 12 when 11/12 isn't .11 of a foot, makes more sense.
my paddle is 11.5 " overhead for everything, however i would like a short surf paddle. i kinda don't understand going 2" or so less for a race. why change your stroke from what you are used too
Thanks for all the great info guys..much appreciated!
Probably a good thing I asked, it looks like everyone wanted to have a yak about this again...LOL
I'm 5'11 3/4 ( a shade under 6 ft) and my paddle is 79.5 inches.
I look at about 6-7 inches over head for racing. With my technique style of coaching that is about the norm for my paddlers. We really are experimentinting a lot with it.
2-3 inches for surfing seems to get the job done.
All comes down to technique and AGAIN no stress on the joint.
Peter
My 2 cents -
My race paddle is 7inch above my head. And it's the new QB Flyweight 83! Love it 
My surf paddle is 4inch above my head. And it's the Fanatic elite full carbon 8"
I had my race paddle about 10inch but when i chopped it down to 7inch i loved it!!
XX angie
Reading through the range of personal preferences, one thing becomes kind of clear - the measurement overhead is not and can never be a uniform ideal value for everyone because of the inconvenient truth that people have different length arms.
Very good.
We will probably soon measure more from the height of shoulders.
It won't matter how long your arms are.
The important thing is not having your hand too high above the shoulder or
even better even with the shoulder on the catch and set-up.
hope this helps
Always gotta buy the latest and greatest....
When I get a paddle I start cutting it down till its at the right length.
Experiment experiment.
If not sure borrow another paddler's and see how that goes....
