What size paddle to choose?

Choosing the right size of inflatable paddle will enable you to optimize your sessions according to your desires, needs and level. This will determine the way you sail and the pleasure you’ll have during your sessions.

The paddler’s weight is a decisive factor in choosing the right size. The larger and wider the paddle, the greater its volume, enabling it to support a greater weight.

Archimedes’ Thrust is the first criterion to take into account: any body immersed in a liquid undergoes a vertical upward thrust equal to the weight of the volume of liquid displaced. In other words, if you weigh 80 kg, you’ll need 80 liters of water to float to the surface.

However, a paddle is much bulkier. As a general rule, paddles have a volume of between 230 and 380 liters. This gives you plenty of room to float.

This criterion alone is not enough. It’s essential to combine the length, width and thickness of the paddle to determine its overall volume.

Here is a small table summarizing the ideal size according to your weight:

1. If you weigh less than 75 kg, you can opt for a 10′ x 31′ paddle with a minimum volume of 230 liters. Of course, if you choose a larger paddle, you won’t have to worry about a thing.
2. For those weighing less than 85 kg, a 10’6 x 32 paddle with a minimum capacity of 260 liters will do.
3. For those weighing less than 100 kg, opt for an 11’6 x 32 paddle with a 300-liter volume.
4. Finally, for those weighing over 100 kg, we recommend a 12’6 x 32 paddle with a volume of over 320 liters.

Choose wisely to get the most out of your paddling experience!

Below 9’5″, a paddle is generally considered small. Although such a paddle can turn easily, you will encounter difficulties in maintaining a stable trajectory. When you bring the paddle back to the right, it will tend to go to the left, and vice versa. So the longer the paddle, the more you’ll be able to row on the same side to maintain a constant trajectory.

For a reasonable paddle size, opt for dimensions ranging from 9’5″ to 14 feet. A 14-foot board will be perfect for long paddle rides, while a 9’5″ or 10-foot board will be ideal for beginners or paddle surfing waves.

Now let’s look at stability and handling:

1) Is a larger paddle more stable? Not necessarily. Board width has a greater influence on stability than length. A wider board is generally more stable. However, it should be noted that width can also lead to water resistance, which can slow the board down.

2) Is a smaller paddle easier to handle? Absolutely! A shorter paddle is more maneuverable. Take the example of a container ship: it needs kilometers to make a U-turn. By contrast, a 5-meter-long boat can make a U-turn with a distance of just 10 meters. The same logic applies to a paddle: the smaller it is, the more agile it is and the easier it is to turn.

Yes, as a rule, children are more comfortable on smaller paddles. The family paddle is around 10′ x 31″.

If you have any questions or need advice about paddling, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll be delighted to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by email, chat or phone 02 98 32 53 69.

Choosing the right size of paddle depends on your body type, your technical level and your goals.

Here are some recommendations based on your needs:

1. Easy, light and manoeuvrable family paddle:
   • Ocean Walker 10’4
   • Easy 10
   • Malibu 10
2. Paddle for a weight of about 85 kg :
   • Malibu 10’6 x 32
   • Easy 10’6 x 32
3. Paddle for sporty outings :
   • Easy 11’6 x 32
   • Easy 12’6 x 32
   • Alpha range (from 11’6 x 32 to 14 x 27)

If you have any further questions, or if you have any other requests, please don’t hesitate to contact us!