Paddle Dimensions
Follow these instructions to determine the critical measurements for your custom paddle.
Blade width is one of the most important dimensions. Many of the traditional strokes require an extended paddle position. You need to be able to grip the blade at any point along its length comfortable and firmly.Blade width is measured by forming the letter 'C' with your thumb and first finger, as wide as you can make it. Or to put it another way, the widest blade you can grip comfortably and securely with one hand. Its important to be able to grip the blade this way because many Greenland style strokes and rolls use an extended grip on the paddle. Most common widths run between 3" and 3-1/2". |
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Loom length is also a very important dimension. The traditional sizing method shown here is based on Greenland-style skin-on-frame boats which are quite narrow compared to many production kayaks. If the beam of your boat is wider than the traditional method yields, you may want to use a wider grip on your paddle. It is much more important that the grip be comfortable to you than it is to be exactly as shown above.The loom is that part of the paddle between the normal grip position of your hands, or the length between the shoulders of a shouldered paddle. Traditionally, this is measured by standing with your arms relaxed. Then raising your hands until the elbows are bent 90 degrees, and holding the thumbs and first fingertips together. Measure the distance between these. This normally yields a dimension between 18" and 22". Here, I am measuring 18". I use a 20" loom length on my paddle. |
Loom thickness and width will be scaled to the blade width unless you have a specific need.Again it is much more important here to have a paddle that is comfortable for you to hold than it is to follow any particular guideline. Use these guidelines as a general reference tool and modify the results for your own comfort. |
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Overall paddle length is traditionally measured by one of two methods. One way is to stand flat-footed, and reach up as far as possible with one hand. You should be able to curl your fingertips over the paddle tip. Another is to use an arm span plus the distance from the inside of your elbow to your fingertips. Average lengths run from 84 to 90". Paddles shorter than about 83" will tend to be used with a sliding stroke. |
Sizing your first Greenland paddle: Measure the loom length and compare it to your boat width. Adjust it if it’s more than a few inches smaller than the boat’s beam at the cockpit. Measure the blade width so that it is comfortable to hold securely in one hand. A friend should not be able to twist the paddle out of your grip. Finally, Measure the overall length and compare that to the averages ( 84 – 90” ). For your first paddle, try to stay within the averages (84-90” long, 19 – 22” loom, 3 – 3.5 inch blade width.
If this is not your first paddle, start with one that you like and change the dimensions as needed.
Please contact me and we will discuss dimensions to fit you and your boat.