Your height sets the number. How you paddle adjusts it.
Length is the first decision. Shaft material is the second, and it changes more than people expect over a two-hour session.
We don't publish prices here: nothing on this site keeps them fresh, and a stale price is worse than none. Check the figure on the product page before you order.
| Rider's height | Paddle length |
|---|---|
| Under 5'3" (1.60 m) | 175 – 185 cm |
| 5'3" – 5'7" (1.60 – 1.70 m) | 185 – 195 cm |
| 5'7" – 5'11" (1.70 – 1.80 m) | 195 – 205 cm |
| 5'11" – 6'3" (1.80 – 1.90 m) | 205 – 215 cm |
| Over 6'3" (1.90 m) | 215 – 225 cm |
A starting point, not a verdict: two people the same height can have very different arm lengths. Measure barefoot and you'll want 2 – 3 cm more to allow for boots.
| Discipline | Adjustment | Why |
|---|---|---|
| All-round / flatwater | base size | The base length from the height band is the efficient one for general paddling. |
| Touring / distance | base size | Base size is optimal for efficient propulsion over long distances. |
| SUP surf | shorten by 5 – 10 cm | In waves you want a compact, responsive stroke and quick direction changes. |
| SUP racing | base size, or +2 – 5 cm | A slightly longer paddle adds efficiency per stroke, at the cost of extra effort. |
| SUP yoga | base size | The paddle is mostly used for balance and the occasional stroke, so no adjustment. |
Stand the paddle upright beside you, on the ground, and raise one arm over the handle. The handle should sit in the crook of your wrist. If it reaches past your fingertips the paddle is too long — you'll tire your shoulders and lose efficiency. If it sits below your wrist it's too short, and you'll lean forward and load your lower back on every stroke.
Do this in the shoes or boots you'll actually wear. Measuring barefoot on a warm afternoon is how people end up 2 – 3 cm short in a wetsuit in October.
Aluminium is heavy and cold in the hand; it is what comes free in a package. Fibreglass is the sensible middle. Carbon is noticeably lighter, and over an hour of paddling that difference is the difference between finishing strong and finishing your session early. The full comparison is in our SUP paddles guide.
If you paddle one discipline, buy fixed-length and get the weight saving. If the board is shared across a household, an adjustable paddle is worth the compromise — a paddle the wrong length by 10 cm is worse than an adjustable that is slightly heavier.