Most people do go shorter. Its up to you. There is no real answer to what length though. Everyone has their preference. I like from two inches below to 1 inch over.

My surf paddle is 3" above head height but I'm going to cut it down again as I'm sure I can go shorter... It's personal preference though and everyone is different, I'm 5'9 but my arms are longer than my mate who is 6 foot!

Wavesareus said..
You must be bent over all the time at that length , my is 7 above for surfing but though I might do 6

Not really, just lower your arm.
You must bend the knees to apply power, but it is actually beneficial anyways. But for casual paddling around, just lower your hand/arms and you can paddle without bending over.

It's a new paddle so if I cut is at 4 or 5 and it's too short I'm stuffed that's why I went with 6

What do you recommend

I still want to be able to use mine standing about upright in the line up, what would be the best compromise!

maybe 3 or 4 above

Head height for surfing works for me.....would go lower if I had consistent bigger waves.....but head high is pretty good.

Nothing wrong with 3inch
just learn how to use your arms with your body as Colas said and its easy to stay upright and do less work paddling

3" overhead is a good compromise for better surfing and being able to cope with the choppy water sessions. I am about to cut it down to head height which will be better on the wave as it brings the paddle arm closer to your body which feels so much more natural. But it is hard to take a hacksaw to $500 of carbon paddle!

Stev0 said..
3" overhead is a good compromise for better surfing and being able to cope with the choppy water sessions. I am about to cut it down to head height which will be better on the wave as it brings the paddle arm closer to your body which feels so much more natural. But it is hard to take a hacksaw to $500 of carbon paddle!

Is that total length over head include the handle

So cut shaft at what ever height I am after, say 4 above and glue handle back on

Hang on. Isn't the main game being able to paddle well with power and without having to bend over and kill your lower back? And won't it depend on the way your boards sits in the water? That is, if you're on high volume boards you'll sit higher and need more paddle length, and if your board is underwater you'll need less. The different paddle lengths I need for my old walden 10'10" 200 litre behemoth and my 7'10 98 litre airborn is at least 4" between them. I don't think a standard rule applies and that you're better off seeing what board/s you're going to ride and having a paddle to suit. From what I understand about paddle mechanics AND lower backs, you don't want your top arm much past perpendicular to your shoulder as it enters the water. Othere's may disagree. Good luck.