Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Free Shipping for Most Orders Over $49.95

The Bargain Basement & Rentals are closed today, 4/7/2023, at our Grand Ave location in Portland, OR.

Werner Paddle Size Chart

Kayak Paddle Size Charts

Shaft Diameter: Choosing the proper shaft size (diameter of the shaft) for your hands assures a more comfortable experience on the water. You'll maintain a lighter grip for better technique, allowing better control and reduced fatigue. Measure your hand size by placing a ruler at the base of your hand (at the joint of your wrist) and measuring to the tip of your middle finger. If you measure longer than 6.5" Werner suggests the standard shaft. Smaller, go to Werner's small diameter shaft. If you are on the line, it is suggested that you come into the Paddle Sports Center and try both to see for yourself. Paddlers with shorter, thicker fingers also gravitate to small shaft.

 

Low Angle Touring Paddles

 Paddler Height Kayak Width: Less Than 23" Kayak Width: 23-28" Kayak Width: 28-32" Kayak Width: 32"+
Less than 5' 210 cm 220 cm 230 cm 240 cm
5' to 5' 6" 215 cm 220 cm 230 cm 240 cm
5' 6" to 6' 220 cm 220 cm 230 cm 250 cm
6' and Taller 220 cm 230 cm 240 cm 250 cm

 


 

High Angle Touring Paddles

 Paddler Height Boat Width: Less Than 25" Kayak Width: Greater Than 26"
Under 5' 1" 200 cm 220 cm
5' 1" to 5' 4" 205 cm 220 cm
5' 4" to 6' 210 cm 220 cm
6' and Taller 215 cm 230 cm

 

Kids Touring Paddles

Age Height Range Boat Width: Solo 23" or Less Boat Width: Tandem
5 to 7 3' 7" to 4' 180 cm 200 cm
7 to 9 4' to 4' 3" 190 cm 200 cm
9 to 11 4' 3" to 4' 8" 200 cm 210 cm
11 to 13  4' 8" to 5' 2" 210 cm 210 cm

 

 

High Angle Fishing Paddles

Boat Style Boat Width Paddler Height: 6' and Under Paddler Height: 6' and Over
Kayak 28" and wider 220 cm 230 cm
Sit on Top 28" to 34" 220 cm 230 cm
  34" and Wider 230 cm 240 cm
Raised Seat Sit on Top 30" to 34"  240 cm 250 cm
  34" and Wider 250 cm 260 cm

NOTE: For raised seat boats with high and low positions Werner's extensive testing factors in a compromise for both.

 

Low Angle Fishing Paddles

Boat Style Boat Width Paddler Height: 6' and Under Paddler Height: 6' and Over
Kayak 28" and wider 230 cm 240 cm
Sit on Top 28" to 34" 230 cm 240 cm
  34" and Wider 240 cm 250 cm
Raised Seat Sit on Top 30" to 34"  250 cm 260 cm
  34" and Wider 260 cm 260 cm

NOTE: For raised seat boats with high and low positions Werner's extensive testing factors in a compromise for both.

 

Whitewater River Running Paddles

 Paddler Height Paddle Length
4' 8" to 5' 2" 191 cm
5' 2" to 5' 8" 194 cm
5' 8" to 6' 197 cm
6' to 6' 3" 200 cm
6' 3" and Taller 203 cm

 

*For inflatable or sit on top whitewater kayaks, you will need to go longer.
**Chat with us for suggestions based on your kayak model, call or visit our Paddle Sports Center (503-233-0706)

 

Whitewater Play Boating Paddles

 Paddler Height Paddle Length
4' 8" to 5' 2" 188 cm
5' 2" to 5' 8" 191 cm
5' 8" to 6' 194 cm
6' to 6' 3" 197 cm
6' 3" and Taller 200 cm

 

Whitewater Crossover Paddles

 Paddler Height Paddle Length
6' and Under 200 cm
6' and Above 206 cm

 

*To accommodate a width wider than the average whitewater kayak, you need extra length right off the bat. Next, you want a compromise of longer catch length on flat-water, while still being able to perform more vertical whitewater strokes.

**For bent shaft users, 200cm is the max length for mid-size blades and 203cm is the max length for full-size blades.

 

Whitewater Racing Paddles

 Paddler Height Paddle Length
4' 8" to 5' 2" 191 cm
5' 2" to 5' 8" 194 cm
5' 8" to 6' 197 cm
6' to 6' 3" 200 cm
6' 3" and Taller 203 cm

 

Whitewater Kids Paddles

Age Height Range Paddle Length
5 to 6 3' 7" to 3' 10" 179 cm
6 to 9 3' 10" to 4' 4" 182 cm
9 to 11 4' 4" to 4' 8" 185 cm
11 to13 4' 8" to 5' 1" 188 cm

 

Coastal Play Lumpy Water Paddles

 Paddler Height Boat Width: 21" to 25"
Under 5' 1" 200 cm
5' 1" to 5' 4" 205 cm
5' 4" to 6' 210 cm
6' and Taller 215 cm

*These lengths factor in the vertical strokes of high cadence needed to perform in lumpy conditions.

 

Coastal Play Rock Garden Paddles

 Paddler Height Boat Width: 21" to 25"
Under 5' 1" 197 cm
5' 1" to 5' 4" 197 cm
5' 4" to 6' 200 cm
6' and Taller 203 cm

*These lengths factor in the vertical strokes of high cadence needed to navigate rock gardens.

 

Stand-up Paddle Size Charts

 

SUP Paddles

 Paddler Height Paddling Style: Surfing or White Water 8" above your Height Paddling Style: Touring, Yoga, or Racing 10" above your Height
4' 10" 66" 68"
4' 11" 67" 69"
5' 68" 70"
5' 1" 69" 71"
5' 2" 70" 72"
5' 3" 71" 73"
5' 4" 72" 74"
5' 5" 73" 75"
5' 6" 74" 76"
5' 7" 75" 77"
5' 8" 76" 78"
5' 9" 77" 79"
5' 10" 78" 80"
5' 11" 79" 81"
6' 80" 82"
6' 1" 81" 83"
6' 2" 82" 84"

 

 

SUP Kids Paddles

Age Height Range Versatile Use Surf
6 3' 8" to 3' 11" 54" to 57" 54" to 57"
7 4' to 4' 2" 58" to 60" 56" to 58"
8 4'3" to 4' 4" 61" to 62" 59" to 60"
9 4' 5" to 4' 6" 63" to 64" 61" to 62"
10 4' 7" to 4' 8" 65" to 66" 63" to 64"
11 4' 9" to 4' 10" 67" to 68" 65" to 66"
12 4' 11" to 5' 69" to 70" 67" to 68"

 

 

Canoe & Raft Paddle Size Charts

 

Canoe Touring Paddles

 

DIRECTIONS

Locate your torso length to pick the perfect paddle.
To best measure torso height, sit straight in a hard, flat chair.
Measure from seat (between your legs) to your nose.

 Torso Length Paddle Length
26" 48"
28" 50"
30" 52"
32" 54"
34" 56"
36" 58"
38" 60"

 

 

Canoe Whitewater Paddles

Due to the variety of seat/saddle heights in both OC1 and C1, there is more to consider in sizing a whitewater canoe paddle. We strongly suggest talking to fellow boaters, your local clubs, instructors or the manufacturer of your boat. Below is what we are certain of and may give you some guidance. 

80% of all whitewater canoe paddles Werner sells at 56" and 58".

If you need help sizing your paddle, you can give our Paddle Sports Center a call at 503-233-0706.

 

Raft Paddles

Due to the variety of seat/saddle heights along with different tube sizes, there is more to consider in sizing a raft paddle. We strongly suggest talking to fellow boaters, your local club, instructors, or the manufacturer of the raft. Below is what we are certain of and may give you some guidance.

80% of all the raft paddles Werner sells are 66" and 69".

If you need help sizing your paddle, you can give our Paddle Sports Center a call at 503-233-0706