Maybe I have a paddle problem… here are six of my paddles, these are the important ones that show how my paddle length has changed, almost from day 1 of my SUP journey.
Despite this accumulated paddle experience, I do not know how long your paddle should be.
Let me explain.
I get very frustrated when I read social media posts where the original poster asks an innocent question, “How long should my paddle be?”. My frustration is not with the OP or the paddlers who reply; it is with the lack of information that I think is necessary to get close to an answer. A simple question with a potentially complicated answer, a paddle that is too long can cause damage to the paddler over time, and a paddle that is too short can make paddling difficult and less efficient. Getting the right length is important.
As far as I am concerned, there is no right answer to that question, not without seeing the padder in action, but I skipped ahead of myself, so let's backtrack.
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| Six paddles from the start of my SUP journey to today. On a spirit level, of course. |
How long is my paddle?
Today, 198,0 cm when paddling my 2026 NSP Carolina EVO 2026. Two months ago, it was 202,8 cm when paddling my 2022 EO SUP Nebula. Four years ago, it was 208,5 cm when paddling the prototype McConks Go Race Carbon.
Unsurprisingly, I am the same height I was 4 years ago, 193 (and a bit) cm, but my paddle is 10 cm shorter; height is only one factor in the length of my paddle.
And that is why I get frustrated by online advice. Setting your paddle length is complicated and is influenced by much more than paddler height.
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| The 2026 NSP Carolina Evo |
Factors for working out paddle length
1. The Board
The boards I paddle most have changed significantly in four years, and the distance my feet are above water level has decreased. On the McConks, my feet were further above water than they were on the EO SUP, and now, my feet are at, or slightly below, water level on the NSP.
2. The type of paddling
I like to paddle fast, and I like to cruise around and stop for coffee on islands. I rarely surf now, but if that were my focus, my paddle would be a different length. My primary focus on the water is speed, so my paddle is shorter than if I were touring.
If I were paddling whitewater, then my lightweight carbon paddle would stay at home and for SUP Polo, you need an entirely different setup!
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| Paddle too long, paddler too stiff. Nice board. Image Thomas Varcher |
3. The Paddler
The Paddler is the third factor, not just height, but body mechanics. I have worked at a desk all my life, and my flexibility is not great. For years, I was a decent swimmer, which helped a lot to counter the desk life, but that advantage has now started to fade; bad habits have eaten into that flexibility, and when you lose it, getting it back is hard work!
Injuries can also be a limiting factor for some and need to be considered when getting a paddle. Shaft stiffness and diameter can help reduce strain on the body.
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| Different styles of paddles through the years. |
4. Blade length
Obviously, the size of the blade matters for stroke and propulsion, but take a look at the images here, blades vary in design and, importantly, length. Given that one of the basics of a good stroke is to get all of the blade, not part of it, in the water, then the length of the blade has to be a consideration in the length of the paddle.
How long should your paddle be?
If you ask me, “How long should my paddle be?” you'll probably get bored and zone out before I finish trying to answer, sorry. I will try to explain (talking far too quickly and rarely pausing for breath) that the length of the components of the paddle are important and if you have a longer blade then be careful not to cut the shaft too short because that will hinder your stroke meaning you will over stretch which reduces power and don't forget about stance... within minutes you will fall asleep, and I will keep talking.
If you ask a stranger on the internet, their answer will probably be wrong; at worst, it will result in you cutting an expensive bit of equipment and then regretting it later. Sadly, I have met too many people in the real world with paddles that are simply too short for them, having taken advice from others who have never seen them in action or asked the most basic questions about their paddling ambitions.
The height of the paddler, the flexibility and fitness of the paddler and the board they are using. Without knowing that information, any answer supplied will probably be wrong.
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| From 2012 to 2025, and beyond! |
My Paddle Length Journey
As many paddlers do, I started with a 10’6” board and a cheap three-part paddle, with a plastic blade and handle and an alloy shaft. It was heavy at nearly 1,5kg and really not very nice to use. When I bought a more suitable board, I took the opportunity to upgrade my paddle with a Red Paddle Co carbon fixed-length paddle. Then, as I progressed as a paddler, I upgraded my paddle again, and I bought a different paddle for surfing, shorter with a smaller blade.
Then I moved to Sweden, I joined SUP My Race, and I started to run the group. Sponsorship followed, and my paddle selection grew with some beautiful, handmade works of art from EO SUP before the one and only SUP My Race paddle arrived 4 years ago. That is the Fortis in the images here, and despite my repair leaving it a little unbalanced and slightly heavier than when it left Maris’ workshop, it will always be a very special thing that will never go to another paddler.
Over time, I got faster, a lot faster. That is partly down to equipment, but mostly because I started to train with Booth Training, I learned how to use the equipment I have more effectively. I am fitter and as a result my stroke changed. Ironically, I think I am currently less flexible than I was when I started to train properly; something we are working on. I am considerably more powerful than I was, and my stroke is more efficient.
Paddle | Weight (g) | Length (cm) | Blade (sq in) | Year |
NSP Vivace | 441,5 | 198.0 | 84 | 2025 |
EO SUP Fortis | 496.0 (543,2*) | 202,8** | 95 | 2022 |
EO SUP Oti | 465.0 (474,1*) | 208,5 | 90 | 2021 |
Kialoa Insanity Carbon *** | N/A | 210,4 | 91 | 2016 |
Starboard High Aspect | 521,3 | 214,1 | 90,7 | 2015 |
Red Paddle Co | 751 | 220,0 | Large | 2012 |
*Both EO SUP paddles have suffered from rock impacts to the blade and have been repaired by me; the repair has added some weight, which is the figure in brackets
** The original length for my Fortis was 203,5 cm; it had a mid-life update with a new shaft that Maris wanted me to try, and was shortened a little.
*** This is the adjustable version of the fixed-length paddle I used for several years, and I have set it to the approximate height I was using for distance paddling. I do not have the weight for that paddle.
How should you set your paddle height?
Carefully! The one piece of advice I give new paddlers is to borrow a good adjustable paddle and get on the water. This allows you to try a shorter length without cutting. Then get a qualified coach to check your stroke, either in person or via the web using video. Obviously, this does not allow for differences in blade size but that is a whole different question!
My New Paddle - NSP Vivace 84
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| The 2026 NSP Vivace 84 with a standard shaft |
I now have the shortest paddle I have ever used for more than a few sessions, it is the lightest paddle I have ever used, and the blade is smaller than anything I have paddled with before.
Now the work begins to reconstruct my stroke, paddle further forward and with a higher cadence. And now that I have the length dialled in, you can count on a review soon.
Before that, here is Blue Ewer with his new NSP Vivace paddle.
Invest in Yourself!
Investing in yourself is the BEST upgrade you can make, with no exceptions. And that is what this series of blog posts are all about, investing in this paddler with the help of multiple World Champion Michael Booth.
You can find out more about Michael's training on his website Booth Training, from his Booth Training Instagram account and on his YouTube channel BoothTV.
You can find me running the Facebook group SUP My Race and now, occasionally, on Instagram.
You can read the previous training logs here Training Logs and you can get to individual blog posts using the labels in the sidebar.
See you on the water!