Measuring for a Greenland Paddle
These are some guideline for measuring yourself for a Greenland paddle. This is a starting place for your first Greenland paddle, with experience you may find that variations upon these measurement work well for your personal paddling style.

Determining the Correct Length
The length of a Traditional paddle is determined by standing up straight and extending your hand up over your head. Your finger tips should just be able to wrap over the top of the paddle.  With experience you may find that a longer or shorter paddle is best for your boat and body.   You will find there is geometry to the relationship between your body size, boat beam and paddle length that may come into play if your body indicates a very long or short paddle. I will make whatever size you want however I recommend that a Greenland paddle be no shorter than 82" and not longer than 92".

 

Loom Width
The loom width of a Traditional paddle generally ranges from 18-23". To determine loom width stand up straight with your arms at your side. Keeping you elbows relaxed and down, raise your fore arms to 90 degrees so that your hands are out in front of you. Make the "ok" sign with each hand as though you were holding a paddle horizontally in front of you. Then, have someone measure the distance between the between the outside of each of your first fingers.

Blade Width
The blade width should be small enough for you to grasp easily but not so small as to become ineffective as a paddle. The range is generally 3" to 3.5".

 

 

Loom Diameter
The standard loom size is 1 1/2" x 1 1/4". I can make large or smaller diameters within a degree of tolerances. Give me a call if you have a special size requirement

Please Keep In Mind
There are many methods for measuring a paddle. You will hear about using all kinds of body measurements to come up with the right size. In the end most of these measuring methods come up with about the same size you will get using the method given here. If you have a favorite sizing method, please use it. The method shown here is the easiest method I have heard of to get started. This method and every other one I have ever heard of works great if your 5' 10" tall. The farther from that average height you are the less accurate most methods become.

Measuring for a Storm Paddle: Length and Loom
Different people use different methods to measure for a storm paddle. I recommend 6’ as the maximum length for a storm paddle. However, a storm paddle is generally a spare or secondary paddle and spends a lot of time on your deck.  I recommend that you measure your boat to see what paddle length will fit nicely on the deck before ordering as storm paddle. There is no sense in having a spare that you can’t take with you. The storm paddle loom should be 6" or about 1 to 1.5 fist widths.

Measuring for a Single Blade Kayak Paddle
Coming Soon

Measuring for a Canoe Paddle
Coming Soon

Measuring for a Paddle Board Paddle
Coming Soon