I'm with you on the go with what your comfortable with. I look at the sizing "rules" as a "rule" of thumb - ie a good starting point. That having been said, I prefer a longer shafted paddle, based on trying out several different lengths. Have absolutely no idea if the length of the shaft maps to anything significant w/ regards to my personal physiology...but I sure can paddle the whole d*** day with it! Lastly, I think you should match up the blade style with your paddling style, and barring no style, what you feel most comfortable with.

my .02 worth

>

> I've always heard of the above or similar methods for sizing
> a paddle. But I just have to say that I don't buy into it! Now this
> is just my opinion, and the results of the old rule of thumb and my
> analysis below might even come out with the same for most folks, but...
>

> What the heck should your leg length have to do with the size
> of a paddle?!?! It should be a function of your sitting body height,
> boat beam, sitting elevation relative to the water line, and personal
> preferences.

> I am in the process of deciding on a paddle myself and I think
> that the shaft portion should be measured separately from the shaft/blade
> combination.

> The shaft should be at least long enough to just reach the water
> (accross your boats beam, with you sitting at your normal height relative
> to the water level) when held properly. I think a proper grip is one
> with your hands placed at a distance apart that is equal to your elbow
> to elbow length with arms outstreched. A normal paddling stroke might
> be one with the upper hand at shoulder hieght, and the lower hand
> at elbow height. This should create a pivot point right about your
> solarplexes. So I claim that the shaft should be at least twice the
> distance from your solarplexes (spelling?) to the water, considering
> seat height, and kayak beam. You may want to make it longer.

> Then you have the blade decisions (size and shape) which is independent
> of shaft length.

> I claim that paddle sizing should be done with very little consideration
> given to your standing height or leg length. You paddle from a sitting
> position and paddles should be sized accordingly.

> I know that rules of thumb assume a somewhat standard ratio between
> leg length and overall height, or arm length to overall height. But
> I reject them as unnecessary indirect methods for measuring something
> that can be measured directly.

> There, now I've said it. I'm done venting. I feel better.

> Aloha,

> Paul