# Paddle length for DW SUP? **URL:** \ **Category:** Downwind Foil\ **Created:** [September 20, 2022, 12:30am UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/paddle-length-for-dw-sup/634 "2022-09-20T00:30:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ozi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/74df32/32.png) [@Ozi](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Ozi)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 12:30am UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/paddle-length-for-dw-sup/634/1 "2022-09-20T00:30:48Z")
I’m about to break out the hacksaw, so what’s the latest advise for (beginner) paddle length? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![difficultyocean](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.progressionproject.com/difficultyocean/32/281_2.png) [@difficultyocean](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/difficultyocean)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 1:14am UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/paddle-length-for-dw-sup/634/2 "2022-09-20T01:14:48Z")
seems to me its a personal preference. currently i’m liking just a couple of inches above my head. several of the other guys local to me go 1 shaka above head. ive heard some go an inch below height. i like having a comfortably straight front arm when i paddle. i also like having the little bit of extra length so i can still reach the water when i’m up on foil. at least so far… ---
**Author:** ![FoilTheGreatLakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@FoilTheGreatLakes](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/FoilTheGreatLakes)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 1:14pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/paddle-length-for-dw-sup/634/3 "2022-09-20T13:14:17Z")
I think mast length comes into play a bit as well. When I was learning on a 65cm mast with my paddle at just a couple inches over head hight and my ape arms I was hitting my foil regularly. Once I went to a 75cm then that paddle is perfect. Your front wing is a paddle guillotine. Shorter mast about head hight, longer mast and you can add a bit.