What Length Should My SUP Paddle Be?
Step #5 – Determining The Correct Paddle Length
Paddle length is one of the most critical factors in stand-up paddling performance—but don’t worry, we’ll guide you through it. The right paddle length ensures proper technique, efficiency, and comfort while reducing strain on your body. Your height, board type, and paddling discipline all influence the best length for you. Whether you need a longer paddle for racing or a shorter one for surfing, this step will break down everything you need to know so you can confidently select the perfect paddle length for your needs.
Understanding the Key Factors in SUP Paddle Length
There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to SUP paddle length. The best length for you depends on a combination of factors, including your height, board type, and paddling style. A paddle that’s too long can cause unnecessary strain, while a paddle that’s too short may reduce efficiency and power. The table below provides recommended paddle lengths based on paddling discipline, paddler height, and board type to help you find the best fit.
Top Tip: The use of hot glue allows you to easily shorten your paddle. We recommend starting with a slightly longer length and trimming down if needed for the perfect fit.
WHAT LENGTH SHOULD ME SUP PADDLE BE?
Tip: This table is not designed to be a one-size-fits-all solution, and recommended lengths may vary by approximately 1″ (2.5cm) depending on the paddler’s preference. It’s easier to cut your paddle down than to glue on more shaft (especially with our hot glue construction, more on that below), so we err on the side of caution by recommending the longer end of the spectrum.
HOW DO DIFFERENT SUP DISCIPLINES AFFECT PADDLE LENGTH CHOICE?
While many paddlers will use their paddles for a variety of disciplines, it’s not always possible to have multiple paddles at different lengths. When selecting the length for a given paddle it’s important to consider what type of paddling you’ll be using it for most and how that affects your choice. Let’s look at the different SUP disciplines and see how they influence paddle length.
RECREATIONAL PADDLING & INFLATABLE ISUP BOARDS
If an iSUP (inflatable standup paddle board) is your paddle craft of choice, you’ll want to opt for a longer shaft. Due to the extra thickness and volume of iSUPs, having a longer paddle will enable you to stand more upright in a relaxed stance and lower the cadence of your stroke.
RECREATIONAL RACING & TOURING
If your main goal when getting on the water is fun and comfort, then a slightly longer paddle is the way to go. A longer shaft enables you to stand more upright in a relaxed stance and lower the cadence of your stroke. Also, recreational boards tend to be wider and thicker with higher volume and a longer paddle can really help here.
ADVANCED & PROFESSIONAL RACING
As your paddling skill progresses to high-level racing ability, you’ll likely develop a more aggressive stance with bent knees and increase the cadence of your stroke. Race-specific boards are also narrower, which translates to shorter reach in your stroke. Those factors combined make a shorter paddle most conducive to racing, but not so short that you’re straining your back excessively to submerge the blade.
DUGOUT BOARDS
If you’re paddling a dugout paddleboard—or a board with a recessed cockpit and sunken deck—you are effectively closer to the water, which means you should be using a shorter paddle. Depending on the extent of your board’s recess, you will need a paddle two to three inches shorter than you would on a flat-deck paddleboard.
SUP SURF BOARD VOLUME & RESERVE BUOYANCY
Let’s start by looking at the concept of reserve buoyancy: the board volume in liters minus the paddler weight in kilograms. The higher this number is, the more floatation a board has, meaning it’s usually more stable and sits higher out of the water.
BOARD VOLUME IN LITERS
MINIUS (-)
PADDLER WEIGHT IN KILOGRAMS
EQUALS (=)
RESERVE BUOYANCY
If your reserve buoyancy is ≥40 your board is highly buoyant and you will want a longer paddle.
If you answer is less than <40, your board size is smaller (you’re closer to the water) and you will want a slightly shorter paddle.
If you answer is ≤20, as it is in the case of many performance SUP surfboards, then your board is getting extremely small and you will want a considerably shorter paddle, which also helps when aggressive surfing.
If your answer is ≤10, your board is very small and you will likely want a paddle that’s shorter than your height.
SUP FOILING
The newest of all SUP disciples is foiling and depending on whether you are in the surf or downwinding your paddle length might change slightly. If you are downwind foiling then a slightly longer paddle will give you a little extra reach and help you make an efficient blade entry when riding on the foil and pumping. If you are SUP foiling in surf then you may not need the extra length as you are only using the paddle to get up onto the foil and doing less pumping.
HOW TO CORRECTLY MEASURE THE LENGTH OF YOUR SUP PADDLE
This one of the most asked questions we get from paddlers when choosing their new standup paddle. The key is to measure along the front of your SUP paddle, from the tip of the blade to the top of the handle.
Important note: If you are upgrading from an adjustable paddle, do not assume that the markings on your paddle are accurate, always measure.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask for assistance either via the chat option or via our contact page.
WHEN & HOW TO SHORTEN YOUR SUP PADDLE
We suggest that you shorten your paddle over time, feeling out the adjustments and keeping the increments small. 1cm or 0.5″ will make a much bigger difference than you might imagine, so take it slowly and gradually find the perfect length for you. We strongly recommend the use of our extra-strength hot glue when reconnecting your paddle handle after changing lengths. This enables you to not only swap out parts but also to take off your handle, shorten and re-glue. Check out this great video by ambassador Luke Tipple.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY PADDLE IS TOO LONG?
If you paddle is too long you may notice some or all of these symptoms:
- Pain in shoulders
- Awkward feel when paddling
- Hard to make paddle swaps
- Over-extension in power phase of stroke
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY PADDLE IS TOO SHORT?
If you paddle is too short you may notice some or all of these symptoms:
- Lower back pain
- Loss of power on strokes
- Blade not fully submerged during stroke
- Loss of stability
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We have collated some of the most frequently asked questions about paddles. If your question is not covered, on this page, in the 5-step guide or in these FAQs, you are encouraged to reach out to us for a personal consultation or support.
Thanks to our innovative designs, quality manufacturing and attention to detail, our paddles have a very low failure rate. For your peace of mine, we have a standard 1-year warranty to cover faulty manufacturing. Thanks to hot glue assembly it is possible to replace any damaged parts. If you feel that you have an issue which you feel should be covered, please contact us for support.
We want you to be 100% satisfied with your new paddle. If something goes wrong, we are here to help resolve any issues in a fast and effective manner. Please contact us for support.
We ship from our Maui workshop via FedEx 2-Day shipping to all 50 states, we do not charge for this service. We also offer low shipping rates worldwide via FedEx International Economy.
For maximum paddling enjoyment and performance, it is extremely important to choose the right paddle for your needs. At Black Project we pride ourselves in providing first class support and offer you a 1:1 paddle consultation via email, text, phone, or in person at our Maui workshop.
Ask a questions and arrange a consultation
Yes, if your local SUP store is an official Black Project retail partner they will be able to arrange your new paddle. If they are not currently one of our retailers you can either buy online or ask them to get in contact with us.
Refer to our Dealer Locator Map to find your closest store.
Paddle length paddle depends on your height, the type of standup paddling you are doing and the board you use. The correct length will protect your body against injury and maximize your performance. For recreational paddling and inflatables your paddle will be longer while for SUP surfing paddlers use shorter paddles. Use our paddle length guide to determine the correct length. Refer to the paddle specific guides on each product page.
Yes, our 1-piece paddles are assembled with hot glue. You can heat up the shaft just below the handle to remove it, and then shorten the shaft. We have a number of guides on our YouTube channel which explain the process. Be sure to use quality extra-strength, high temp, hot glue and not hobby grade glue. This is particularly useful if you move to different board or change focus.
We offer paddles for all types of standup paddling, racing, touring, foiling, surfing, and all-round recreation. Finding the right paddle which best fits your needs in terms of performance, price and preference is extremely important. Check out our guide to determine which paddle is best for you.
Choosing the right paddle for your experience, budget, and needs
Blade size depends on paddler weight, height, the type of standup paddling you are doing and any prior medical issues. Bigger blades offer more power and are suited to heavier paddlers while smaller paddler will want to select a much smaller blade size. Many paddlers are using the wrong size blade and that is reducing their enjoyment of the sport. Use our blade size guide to determine the correct size for you.
All Black Project paddles have carbon reinforced edges and can withstand a good amount of abuse. The use of protective tape is not needed for general consumer use.
When ordering via our website all paddles except the Lava Adjustable, are supplied complete with our Paddle Bag, bags can also be purchased separately. It is not a free bag and many US and international retailers do sell our paddles without a bag at an adjusted price. We strongly recommend that you protect your investment with a quality padded bag, ideally a Black Project one.
Paddles are very expensive to design, produce and ship, hence the price which you pay for your Black Project paddle is extremely reasonable. We have cut out a number of business layers and work directly with customers and smaller independent retailers to ensure that markups are reasonable. If we operated a more traditional business structure paddles would be 50-100% more expensive. Standup paddling is a small sport so it is hard to produce enough units to benefit from mass production and gain significant economies of scale.
Yes, our componentized paddle system enables you to swap or replace parts. If you decide that you want to change blade, shaft, or handle, due to preferences or damage, thanks to our hot glue assembly, this is possible and saves you needing to buy a completely new paddle. This is especially important for SUP foiling.
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