# Paddle length beginner? **URL:** \ **Category:** Downwind Foil\ **Created:** [March 3, 2026, 7:13pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/paddle-length-beginner/14436 "2026-03-03T19:13:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![wayneox](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.progressionproject.com/wayneox/32/15039_2.png) [@wayneox](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/wayneox)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2026, 7:13pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/paddle-length-beginner/14436/1 "2026-03-03T19:13:15Z")
what’s the latest advise for (beginner) paddle length? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Eriefoiler](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.progressionproject.com/eriefoiler/32/7741_2.png) [@Eriefoiler](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Eriefoiler)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2026, 7:17pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/paddle-length-beginner/14436/2 "2026-03-03T19:17:05Z")
head high works well for me ---
**Author:** ![Bido11561](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/90ced4/32.png) [@Bido11561](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Bido11561)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2026, 8:10pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/paddle-length-beginner/14436/3 "2026-03-03T20:10:40Z")
You can always cut it shorter, you can’t add length back ---
**Author:** ![Steve](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.progressionproject.com/steve/32/6617_2.png) [@Steve](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Steve)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2026, 9:10pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/paddle-length-beginner/14436/4 "2026-03-03T21:10:14Z")
Depends the paddle, I’d go 1-2” overhead with something similar the the Bp foil x, or closer to 4-6” with a shape similar to the code paddle, you can always cut it down later and fine tune but the slight extra length gives you considerably more forward catch so you can keep your blade at a positive angle easier with bad form. It’s very helpful in the early days, you can also stand a little taller while you’re balancing so to some extent you could argue that it will preserve cardio a bit as well. I’ve done a lot of experimenting, you can learn with anything but there are slight advantages imo to longer paddles. Check James Casey’s video or, Jeremy rigs, both legit paddlers with longer paddles. Worst case you hate it, cut it down ---
**Author:** ![gone\_foiling](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.progressionproject.com/gone_foiling/32/8475_2.png) [@gone\_foiling](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/gone_foiling)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 12:12am UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/paddle-length-beginner/14436/5 "2026-03-04T00:12:24Z")
As others suggested start with a longer paddle. I am personally using 3-4” above my height. Seems to work great for me personally. If you go too long your shoulders will start bothering you- if you go too short then mid-lower back will start killing you. So length will depend on your physiology, technique. ---
**Author:** ![beavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7993a0/32.png) [@beavis](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/beavis)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 12:49am UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/paddle-length-beginner/14436/6 "2026-03-04T00:49:13Z")
I am in the shorter paddle crowd. Head high. My .00000002 cents from my experience. Shorter paddles allow you to stay lower. Does several things. Allows a lower center of gravity for better balance. Longer paddle keeps your core extended rather than compressed for this effect. Longer paddle makes you more upright. In choppy water this works against you. Also with the lower center of gravity and better balance, you can apply more power to your stroke. Also shorter paddle allows for a higher cadence.