single to double bend size change

GonePaddlin

Looking at trying out a double-bend paddle this season for OC1.
Unfortunately I'll be ordering blind without a demo. Is there a general rule of size change between a single-bend to double?
I currently use a 50" Kialoa Axel II for OC1 and a 51" Mana Ultra X3 for OC6.
What would you suggest I start with for size?
Many thanks.

Submitted by GonePaddlin on Tue, 06/01/2010 - 12:54pm

painteur

Should be the same regardless of bend.

#1 Tue, 06/01/2010 - 1:50pm

goto

Make sure that the length of your paddle shaft, or the distance between your hands where you grip the paddle is the same. Especially if your new double-bend is going to have one of those new bigger blades - a lot of the time the blades can be 19" - 20" long as opposed to your Axel, which has a 16" blade.
For example:
50" Axel = 16" blade length + 32" shaft length, which will feel a lot different for hand placement vs. a 50" big-blade, double-bend, which may = 20.5" blade length + 29.5" shaft length.

#2 Tue, 06/01/2010 - 2:41pm

Jim

What if your shaft is a little bit short but you just try harder?

#3 Tue, 06/01/2010 - 4:32pm

GonePaddlin

Thanks, Painteur. Good point, GoTo.
No worries, Jim; it's all technique...and a bit of smoke & mirrors.

#4 Tue, 06/01/2010 - 6:22pm