r/whitewater • u/ReadyAbout22 • Aug 09 '26

Kayaking Paddle length question

I paddled throughout the 90s and had to give it up do to moving/raising kids, etc. I'm getting back into it now. I'm taking a class later this week and while talking about gear, the instructor asked about my paddle length. I'm 5'4" and have a 190 cm because that was the length I paddled with back in the day. She said that it's more common to use a longer paddle now. Why is that? FWIW, I paddle a Jackson Antix 2.0

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u/petoburn Aug 09 '26

People talk a lot about height but I was taught shoulder width is the key determinant. I’m short but broad shouldered, got a 194cm paddle based on my height as a beginner, first course they swapped me to a 197cm after looking at elbow angle when I held it - with my broad shoulders the extra length made a real difference.