Echo Paddles - custom, hand-made paddles for the discriminating paddler. Paddle Selection and Sizing.

Paddle Selection & Sizing

Echo Paddles offers several models to choose from depending upon the kind of paddling you do. The chart below is a guideline for matching your paddling style with an Echo model.

Paddle Model	Calm Water	White Water	Touring	Tripping	Play Boating	Creeking	Slalom	Rodeo
Reflection	x		x	x
Omega	x		x
Quest	x	x	x	x
Pursuit		x		x	x	x	x
Reaction		x			x	x		x
Creek Stick		x			x	x		x
Fusion		x			x	x	x	x

Canoe Paddle Sizing

There are many schools of though on how to size a canoe paddle. The best way is to go with what has been comfortable and effective for you in the past. If you are still unsure, the calculation below is about as scientific a measurement as we have seen.

Measure the length of your arm from your arm pit to your outstretched thumb. This is where you should grip your paddle. Now add the width of your closed fist (top of thumb to bottom of the heel of you hand). From here the blade of your paddle should be immersed in the water when your hand is resting on the gunwhale. Most canoes have approximately 8” of freeboard (the waterline to the top of the gunwhale), so adding 8” plus the length of the blade will give you your overall length of paddle.

An example of this calculation:

Arm pit to outstretched thumb length:	27”
Width of closed hand:	5”
Gunwhale to waterline	8”
Paddle blade (Pursuit)	21”
Paddle length:	60”

Blade Lengths of Echo Paddle Models:

Paddle	Blade length
Pursuit	21”
Reaction	19”
Creek Stick	19”
Fusion	19”
Quest	20”