110%

I think about 10" overhead should be very close.

DJ

Cheers for the replys everyone :)

Darvio

Him Darvio,

My race paddle is about 8" above my head and my surf paddle is about head height too.

I was running about 10" above head height for the race paddle until recently when I took 2 inches off of it, which improved my paddling when I changed my technique slightly.

Recreational and race paddles should be about 110% of height and surf anywhere from 95-105% of height, depending upon board and skill level.

If you have a super floaty/tall board and stand a little higher above the water than usual, add an inch or two to compensate as required.

DM

Hey windinyaface,

You are right. I went away this winter up north with my normal race paddle and also a Quickblade Adjustable all carbon Kanaha. I had planned on trialling the adjustable for racing and also surfing to determine best length. I tried all different lengths in 2 inch increments from long to extremely short to find out what I was happy with in both disciplines.

Surprisingly, the adjustable didn't bother me. There was almost no play in the carbon pin setup of the QB and it was still nice and light and stiff. I really liked it and it didn't take long to find my optimum lengths. I have since cut my QB Magic by 2" for racing.

The new Fanatic 80% and 100% carbon 2013 paddles are very light and use a clamping system I think similar to Naish to give a good positive position and hold. They are very light and will be a popular paddle for sure especially at the price.

Clunky aluminium adjustables with plastic blades are HORRIBLE.

DM

One thing you can try cut it long and tape it on and try it , then cut an inch off each time. I've broken a few paddles lately , so with each new paddle I have gone down an inch each time . I'm now down to 2 inches above my head for surfing , seems about right for me.

I saw a newbie out in the surf on Saturday with a paddle at head height it really made him bend over paddling for a wave. It may be better to start a bit longer and then shorten it as you get better balance. IMHO

windjunky said...

ScarbsSUP said...


...
The new Fanatic 80% and 100% carbon 2013 paddles are very light and use a clamping system I think similar to Naish to give a good positive position and hold. ...
DM

I have an adjustable Naish paddle and find it great, but am wondering - has anyone else ever gotten small wounds on their hands from the clasp section? I find my hands hover around that area when paddling in the surf and find every now and then I've scraped off some skin, so am wondering if i need to put some sort of cover over the clasp - i was thinking about a cut off section of MTB tube... (would also double as security so the clamp doesnt open)

I have the same sort of issue, its just in an annoying height. But more importantly I have found when I race paddle with it, the clamp just isnt tight enough(and yes for all you do bees who say tighten the clamp, any tighter and I shear the bolt!) so the handle en swivells about 15 degs, just annoying, find I am always putting it back into place.

Decided to keep it for everyone else and bought a Ke Nalu, and on Annabel Anderson's recommendation, cut it so the top of my handle is at my wrist when outstretched, works for me

HumanCartoon said...

ShireSUP said...


...bought a Ke Nalu, and on Annabel Anderson's recommendation, cut it so the top of my handle is at my wrist when outstretched, works for me

That's about where I've settled for DW and training/racing...have 2 Ke Nalus with the adjustable extension handle*...went short to about 9" over...bit-by-bit went really long to about 12" over. I keep coming back to about 10 1/2" over, which for me coincides with the "flop-the-wrist-over" test. Surf paddle is about 4" over.

(* couple of minutes with the heat gun is all it takes to adjust length, flipside is it's so easy to tinker with length I've probably done it too much/often)

Yup, I never did measure how far, its just to the wrist thingy. And i dont differ in surf, either does Annabel, if I recall, good enough for me

ShireSUP said...

HumanCartoon said...

ShireSUP said...


...bought a Ke Nalu, and on Annabel Anderson's recommendation, cut it so the top of my handle is at my wrist when outstretched, works for me

That's about where I've settled for DW and training/racing...have 2 Ke Nalus with the adjustable extension handle*...went short to about 9" over...bit-by-bit went really long to about 12" over. I keep coming back to about 10 1/2" over, which for me coincides with the "flop-the-wrist-over" test. Surf paddle is about 4" over.

(* couple of minutes with the heat gun is all it takes to adjust length, flipside is it's so easy to tinker with length I've probably done it too much/often)

Yup, I never did measure how far, its just to the wrist thingy. And i dont differ in surf, either does Annabel, if I recall, good enough for me

Yeah but her canoe sits lower in the water than most surf SUP's.
BTW./ Talking to Starboard R/E your garment requests.
Sam.

Piros said...

One thing you can try cut it long and tape it on and try it , then cut an inch off each time. I've broken a few paddles lately , so with each new paddle I have gone down an inch each time . I'm now down to 2 inches above my head for surfing , seems about right for me.

I saw a newbie out in the surf on Saturday with a paddle at head height it really made him bend over paddling for a wave. It may be better to start a bit longer and then shorten it as you get better balance. IMHO

I started a with it a bit too long in the surf and thought that was the way it was
meant to be.
and just stayed with it .. since reading this forum I cut back to 1" overhead
Tried it today .. it rocks .. it all happens so much easier .. thanks chaps

WINDSURFnSNOW said...

ShireSUP said...

HumanCartoon said...

ShireSUP said...


...bought a Ke Nalu, and on Annabel Anderson's recommendation, cut it so the top of my handle is at my wrist when outstretched, works for me

That's about where I've settled for DW and training/racing...have 2 Ke Nalus with the adjustable extension handle*...went short to about 9" over...bit-by-bit went really long to about 12" over. I keep coming back to about 10 1/2" over, which for me coincides with the "flop-the-wrist-over" test. Surf paddle is about 4" over.

(* couple of minutes with the heat gun is all it takes to adjust length, flipside is it's so easy to tinker with length I've probably done it too much/often)

Yup, I never did measure how far, its just to the wrist thingy. And i dont differ in surf, either does Annabel, if I recall, good enough for me

Yeah but her canoe sits lower in the water than most surf SUP's.
BTW./ Talking to Starboard R/E your garment requests.
Sam.

Correct, her canoe does sit lower, but her surf sup does, but as I said in another post " know jack about SUP really but I do like the paddle"

As for the garments, I'm getting a Big Kev - EXCITED