As a starting point, size your SUP paddle about 8 to 10 inches taller than your height, then fine-tune for how you paddle: closer to 8 inches over for surf and racing, up to 10 inches over for all-around cruising and touring. For most beginners on a flatwater board, around 8 to 10 inches above your head is the comfortable middle.
A quick way to find your number without a chart: stand the paddle upright next to you and reach one arm straight overhead. The handle should land around your wrist or the crook of your bent fingers. That puts the blade at the right depth so you can take a full, comfortable stroke without hunching over or reaching too far.
Why the range matters. A paddle that is too short forces you to bend at the waist, which tires your back and shortens your stroke. A paddle that is too long sits high and makes each stroke feel awkward and inefficient. Getting within a couple of inches of your ideal length is what turns paddling from a workout into a glide.
Your style nudges the number. Lower the paddle (closer to 8 inches over your height) for surfing and racing, where a shorter shaft gives a quicker, more vertical stroke. Go longer (closer to 10 inches over) for cruising, touring, and SUP yoga, where a taller paddle is easier on the shoulders over long distances.
This is where an adjustable paddle earns its keep. The NIXY G4 3-Piece Hybrid Carbon Fiber Paddle ($89) telescopes to your height, so you dial in your length and the whole family can share one paddle by adjusting it up or down. It is lightweight, breaks into three pieces for travel, and floats. Browse the full range in the NIXY paddles collection.
One caveat: if you only ever paddle in one discipline, a fixed-length paddle cut precisely to your size can be marginally stiffer and lighter than an adjustable one. For most paddlers, and for any household sharing gear, the flexibility of an adjustable shaft is worth more than that small difference.
You might also wonder
Can one adjustable paddle fit the whole family? Yes. An adjustable SUP paddle slides to different lengths, so one paddle can suit paddlers of different heights. Just reset it for each person before they get on the water.
Does paddle length change between SUP and kayak use? It does. A SUP paddle is sized above your standing height, while a kayak paddle is shorter and used with two blades while seated. Some NIXY paddles convert with a second blade for kayak-style paddling.
Get the length right and everything else about paddling gets easier.
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