Thought I would throw up another two bobs worth on the paddle length debate.
Had my first surf with the shorty yesterday and found it interesting to say the least. I stand close enough to six foot and my go to paddle up until now has been my Dean Snow custom which is around eight inches overhead. Can't say enough good things about this paddle, have had it for four years and in that time it has been to Fiji two Aussies and generally been thrashed mercilessly. Its still light as and has not failed me once, in short bomb proof. But.......over the last six to eight months my shoulders have been giving me stick and I have had two bouts of tendonitis in the elbow. I reckon it's a combination of length and lack of flex that are the problem.
The new paddle is a relatively inexpensive full carbon model from China sourced through Trigger Brothers and is cut to just on two inches overhead. It also has a heap more flex in the shaft. My reasoning for taking this option is cos I want proof of concept before I either shell out big bucks for a name brand or take the hacksaw to the Snow custom.
Below are some pics of both old and new.




Now on to the pros and cons
Yesterdays surf was pretty bloody fun at my usual left hand rip bowl haunt, although the wind did get into it after a couple of hours
cons
Requires a complete rethink on knee flexion, I need to get down into my stroke more.
Thought initialy the paddle blade was not penetrating enough to be effective ie not enough grunt.See above
The extra flex and lack of length requires a rethink during certain moves and certainly through the recovery phase. With more flex you cant use the paddle so much as a crutch!!
Similarly when applying brace and support strokes the flex and length really messes with your head.
pros
Absolutely zero pain after a two and a half hour session!
Hand to hand transition easier by far.
Enjoyed the whip out of turns that the extra flex gave.
Above all had the overriding impression that with time I would be able to shake out the afore mentioned bugs and the lack of joint pain alone validates the concept.
Cheers and stay tuned for vid
Sparx