Ainsworth Paddles Paddle Length Guide

Paddle Length Guide

Please a look at our paddle length guide before choosing your paddle it may help you decide on the right length for you based on the type of paddling you’ll be doing.

The most important factors in choosing the length for your paddle are your height and the type of kayaking, Canoeing or SUP’ing you'll be doing. We have tried to help you with this by creating a paddle guide, this is a guide only and there are other points to consider:

Personal preference is also an important factor.
People with long back require longer paddles.

A longer paddle gives you more support and makes it easier to learn to roll.
A floaty blade such as the AFT Classic range gives more support and the paddler uses less energy.
Children require a shorter paddle
In general, the longer the kayak, the longer the paddle.

General Purpose Kayaking		Touring and Sea Kayaking
Under 5’	194cm	Under 5’	205cm
5’ – 5’3”	200cm	5’ – 5’3”	210cm
5’4 – 5’7”	205cm	5’4 – 5’7”	215cm
5’8 – 5’9”	210cm	5’8 – 5’9”	220cm
5’10 – 6’	215cm	5’10 – 6’	225cm
Over 6’1”	220cm	Over 6’1”	225cm

Freestyle and Surf Kayaking		River and Creek Kayaking
Under 5’	185cm	Under 5’	185cm
5’ – 5’3”	188cm	5’ – 5’3”	191cm
5’4 – 5’7”	191cm	5’4 – 5’7”	194cm
5’8 – 5’9”	194cm	5’8 – 5’9”	197cm
5’10 – 6’	197cm	5’10 – 6’	200cm
Over 6’1”	200cm	Over 6’1”	203cm

Junior Kayaking
Under 4’	175cm
4’ – 4’3”	180cm
4’4 – 4’8”	185cm
4’9 – 5’	190cm

Polo Kayaking		Wing Kayaking
Under 5’	185cm	Under 5’	206cm
5’ – 5’3”	191cm	5’ – 5’3”	210cm
5’4 – 5’7”	194cm	5’4 – 5’7”	216cm
5’8 – 5’9”	197cm	5’8 – 5’9”	220cm
5’10 – 6’	200cm	5’10 – 6’	226cm
Over 6’1”	203cm	Over 6’1”	230cm

Touring Open Canoeing		White Water Open Canoeing
Under 5’	135cm	Under 5’	130cm
5’ – 5’3”	140cm	5’ – 5’3”	135cm
5’4 – 5’7”	145cm	5’4 – 5’7”	140cm
5’8 – 5’9”	150cm	5’8 – 5’9”	145cm
5’10 – 6’	155cm	5’10 – 6’	150cm
Over 6’1”	155cm	Over 6’1”	155cm

Rafting Paddle Guide		Dragon Boat Paddle Guide
Under 5’	145cm	Regulation Length	122cm
5’ – 5’3”	145cm
5’4 – 5’7”	150cm	For a custom length please call!
5’8 – 5’9”	150cm
5’10 – 6’	155cm
Over 6’1”	155cm

SUP Paddle Guide
Under 5’	72 inches
5’ – 5’3”	74 inches
5’4 – 5’7”	76 inches
5’8 – 5’9”	78 inches
5’10 – 6’	80 inches
6’1” – 6’ 4”	82 inches
Over 6’ 5”	84 inches