Canoe paddle length

[Minna Ulmer]

I want to get a canoe paddle. Several friends have a ZRE and I really like it.Also the price is not as high as some. What length should I get? Standing up,should it come to my armpit,nose,or what? Any and all advice is welcome. Thanks,Minna PS,I like a strait paddle

[Owl]

Below are the sizing guidelines from Werner's website:

- Sit upright in a chair.
- Grab the paddle at the throat. (Where the blade transitions to the shaft.)
- Now turn the paddle upside down and set the grip between your legs. You should be looking ahead at your index finger.
- Add length for deeper canoes or reduce length for more shallow boats and decked canoes.
- NOTE: 56"+ 58" lengths fit 80% of all whitewater canoeists.

[Richard]

That's a good rule of thumb but everyone is different and each boat has its own characteristics. Consequently, it all boils down to what works best for you in the canoe you paddle most.

[Cowper]

Use the guidelines and discussions with the Manufacturer's customer service line to get a starting idea. But at the end of the day, you'll still want to borrow several to try - even though the feel will be different than your future ZRE due to weights, etc, you will be able to make some judgements about length.

And remember that if you want to shorten it, you can send it back to have about 1.5" or more chopped off (they can generally not shorten by smaller increments), but you can NOT send it back to have length added.

[Minna Ulmer]

Great advice,thanks to all!