Paddle width for 95 to 100 kg racer

The answer will lie in what you don't like about your current paddles. Do they feel too big or too small for you? 9" wide is pretty big by current standards. But paddle choice is a highly personal thing, and evolves over time. I used to use a 110 sq inch paddle, was happy with it and smaller blades felt wrong. Now I use a 92 and I'm happy with it, and bigger blades feel wrong.

But I suspect that most people would advise you to err on the side of a smaller blade than you think you might need, rather than getting a bigger one.

Go small. If you set your blade correctly, then there is no difference in "power" between an 84" and a 110". If set correctly neither move from their respective position in the water so size doesn't matter. I would play with shaft flex more then anything

I am 91kgs and 6'2. I have found that smaller blades don't seem to work quite as well for me At race pace. I have just bought a Starboard Bolt large on a stiff shaft and I am very impressed by it.

Don't worry about the width so much, as others have said different companies size differently. For example the Bolt blade is physically the same size as another company's 100sqin, but is officially 92sqin. I currently have a number of different carbon paddles and sizes. It also depends on the style of paddling power and cadence. I tend to work better at a higher power and lower cadence.

It is down to personal taste, a friend of mine at 100kgs loves a smaller 90sqin , 7.25 width paddle. I have the same paddle and enjoy using it, but find I am slower about 45secs over 5km.

Trial is the best approach if you can.

"Paddle width for 95 to 100 kg racer"

I'm that weight and I recommend a paddle around the 7.5" to 8" width.

Well I'm a bit lighter than you but I have both the v-drive and trifecta paddles (also a couple of Ke Nalus).

I like the small blade size Trifecta for upwind/DW stuff or for long endurance paddles. It is very smooth and easy on the joints and back. But it feels a bit small for me for flat water or downwind, and I'd use the 96 a Trifecta for that if I had one. The catch is very low shock and the main pull comes mid-stroke so it's great for people with shoulder or back issues.

The V-Drive is completely different. This is a paddle for people who like a firm catch, and derive a lot of their momentum from it. The 92 V-Drive is my favourite paddle of all for just about anything. I also have a 100 V-Drive but I am a bit slower using it, and it is harder work going upwind. I seem to have more difficulty in flat water getting good technique with it, for reasons I don't really understand. In good DW conditions it is great though. There are a complex set of interactions between paddler and blade that go on when someone strokes, which is why everyone has slightly different preferences.

Many paddlers who are far more powerful in their stroke than I will ever be, use blades around the 90 sq inch mark. I think that eg. at the PPG, the 92 V-Drive was probably the paddle I saw most often. So if you can't demo, I think safest choice would be between the 92 V-Drive and the 96 Trifecta. IMO if you do long and/or difficult paddles, or have joint/shoulder/back choose the Trifecta (Travis Grant won the M2O using the 86 Trifecta). But if you like a firm catch as is needed for sprints, catching waves, catching bumps, and shorter flatwater races then choose the V-Drive. If you are a high-power/low cadence style paddler then go for the medium or large sizes (like Danny Ching does) depending on how powerful you are, and if you are a high cadence paddler then go for the medium or small sizes, depending on how fast you paddle.

If you don't know which kind of paddler you are, then try paddling alongside other people to see how fast a cadence you use, or look at some videos of people racing and then try to match the number of strokes they have taken in say a 3 minute period in perfectly flat water.

Generally it is safest to err on the side of a smaller blade. They will also be easier to sell on if you find you do want a bigger one.

Hi Dean, as noted above, paddle width doesn't count for that much really, so I'd continue to try to find the blade area of the paddles you've already used if you can, or borrow some other paddles where you do know the area to get an idea of what you like. The trifecta hasn't got the usual triangle shape of a paddle. The tip almost seems narrower than the mid part of the blade. This is what makes the catch so forgiving and the mid-stroke pull so strong. It's a wonderfully buttery paddle to use. If you are a low cadence paddler and don't do crazy long races then personally I'd be getting the 96 and not the small one. Get the tapered oval shaft too - it is worth the extra money.

Ok, good, well do what Jim recommends then. Easy!