Ok for those on SB that have way more technical experience than me can you please help out.

The kids and I recently did an experiment with paddles.

Dont do this experiment on the kitchen bench with your Partner Wife or Girlfriend at home

The Kids

The paddle length we use for the kids is set so that all of the blade is immersed in the water when they are in parallel stance see pic



As the kids do not do a wide split in their surf stance this does not change the paddle depth significantly when they paddle for a wave see pic.



The question I have is how much blade should be in the water when driving for the wave?


Dad
When I am in parrallel stance my paddle length is set for the whole blade to be in the water see pic.



However on take off to gain maximum stability I do a wide split in parallel stance and this drops the blade an additional 7 inches into the water. See Pic.






This to me is excessively deep yet it is the only way on the shorter boards I ride I can get enough drive to get down the face.

Should I cut the paddle to allow for just the paddle blade to be immersed on driving for waves?

Phill

Geez DJ, Waffle waffle waffle ,come to the point man.

Brilliant!!!
We are doing exactly the same thing right now - kids on the kitchen table being sized for their paddles.
Ok question for the man of few words:

1: Ben & Joe are 12 and 10 respectively so they are still growing fast (costs a fortune in wetsuits!) so do I cut them to fit exactly or do I leave some "growing room"?
2: If the latter how much?

They are only basic ali/plastic paddles at the moment.
Cheers, Paul.

cool, thanks Oliver.
Will see how we get on.

Ok some pics - had Ben do as you suggested Oliver and he cannot reach the handle but when set up on the table on an old windsurfer (all that was immediately to hand) it is less obvious.
Is he too deep with the blade as he pull through? Any answers appreciated.

Hey There,

The length your showing with Ben on the board is the same I have set Kristianas and Neshas paddles too and it works fine for them even though it is way over their heads.

The difference with the kids is the blade length is more significant because the blade is a larger proportion of the total paddle length,

If you cut the paddle to the normal suggestions it will be way way to short.

The other thing I have found for the girls is I reduce the blade length of the methane by 2 inchs for the younger 8 and 11 so there is less surface area and easier to pull through water..

Phill

Hey Phil - top video.
Like the idea of trimming the bottom of the paddle, will take a small saw on our next trip to the lakes and see how they fare.
(on a more practical note a smaller blade will slow them both down - can't be seen to be out paddled by my kids now can I , may even put some holes in the blade to make it a bit lighter for them too!)

oliver said...

I determine a good paddle length by placing the paddle between my feet. If I can clutch the paddle by the handle fully stretched, without moving my heels above the ground, I've got the right length.

I've seen diagrams that say a paddle should be x inches above your eye level, but this doesn't account for people who may have longer/shorter arms.

ummm..... care to show a pic of what you mean? is it like the pic Rogerthecat posted?

if so i dont think that works.... my paddle is about 200mm above the top of my head...and i can reach alot further than that...i can touch a std ceiling with heels on the ground.

Serg

husq2100 said...

ummm..... care to show a pic of what you mean? is it like the pic Rogerthecat posted

Yes, if I was rogerthecats son, I earned my own money and was not being forced into sup because of my dad then I would cut the paddle down around 10cm - this method works for me, I'd even go a little shorter again for a paddle to use in the surf. Paddle length is a personal preference.

oliver said...

husq2100 said...

ummm..... care to show a pic of what you mean? is it like the pic Rogerthecat posted

Yes, if I was rogerthecats son, I earned my own money and was not being forced into sup because of my dad then I would cut the paddle down around 10cm - this method works for me, I'd even go a little shorter again for a paddle to use in the surf. Paddle length is a personal preference.

i wasnt trying to discredit your method, the way i read it, i would need an 8 foot paddle

but maybe you were talking maximum lenght and not optimum length

Serg

rogerthecat said...

Ok some pics - had Ben do as you suggested Oliver and he cannot reach the handle but when set up on the table on an old windsurfer (all that was immediately to hand) it is less obvious.
Is he too deep with the blade as he pull through? Any answers appreciated.

looking at those pics Ben is extremely up right. i would think when paddling he would have a slight bend in the knees and pivot at the waist on the first part of the stroke, which would put the paddle deeper in the water.

BUT, as he is shorter and narrower the paddle takes a greater angle to the vertical to the water to get outside the board, which basicly means he needs more length than a broard shoulderd adult (perpotionatly)

and like oliver said, hes a growing boy, so unless you get them for free maybe let him grow into it....one thing about youth is its easier to adapt. if he isnt having any pain or discomft issues and feels ok leave be i guess

just my views and im a kook novice.

Serg

There's an interesting vid on the Zone showing Dave Kalama doing the two different paddle strokes.. The Hawaiian stroke and the Tahitian stroke.

Check out how long his paddle is.. www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=4766.0

DJ

alot of it comes down to the power you have in your stoke im into a short blade for surfing because its better for my surfing at 6 feet my paddle is 6' 3'' probability because of my outrigger back ground i get away with it but for racing i'd go about 4' bigger. for me the lower my top hand is the less pressure i put on my shoulders. so for your kids i'd go short you cant treat them like adults because of the strength. that just what i think....