How Does Paddler Height & Weight Affect Shaft Flex Choice?
Too many paddlers are risking injury––because they’re using a paddle that isn’t tailored to their size and needs. And while paddle length and blade size get most of the attention when it comes to customization, shaft flex is just as important. Your height and weight makes a huge impact on the amount of shaft flex you generate, which in turn, makes a huge impact on your paddling comfort, board speed, fatigue and risk of injury. To better understand how to strike the optimal balance between paddle shaft rigidity and flex, this guide will explain some basic paddle physics concepts and answer your shaft questions. Learn more the benefits of smaller, shorter and softer paddles. How Does Body Type Affect Shaft Flex? Let’s start with a quick physics experiment. Take an uncut paddle at 87 inches, hold it at the top and feel the flex as your bottom hand applies force