Welcome to NorthPoint Paddles!

Welcome to NorthPoint Paddles!
- Putting the Beauty of Wood in the Hands of Kayakers -

NorthPoint Paddles is a family-run business in the Pacific Northwest with a passion for kayakers everywhere to experience the special benefits of paddling with a Greenland-style paddle. The blade design allows for less stress on your shoulders & elbows without sacrificing speed. Everyone, beginners & experts alike, appreciates being able to paddle longer with less fatigue. We believe whether you are paddling out on a lake, going down an easy flowing river or creek, heading out on a sea kayaking adventure or trying out your kayak roll, you will appreciate paddling with a Greenland paddle. Check out Our Paddles!

What Size?

How to Measure for a Greenland-Style Kayak Paddle

There are a number of ways to measure for a Greenland kayak paddle. We have settled on the following method to get you started—you can then make adjustments to suit your specific needs or preferences. Keep in mind that when it comes to using a Greenland kayak paddle, it’s all about comfort—a natural fit.

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MEASUREMENTS NEEDED  


There are 4 different measurements needed when fitting for a Greenland kayak paddle:

1) OVERALL LENGTH

2) LOOM LENGTH

3) LOOM THICKNESS

4) BLADE WIDTH
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Now, let’s take a closer look at each of these measurements.

Use the following guidelines to determine what will work for you.
 

1) OVERALL LENGTH  (Note: We do not recommend shorter than 82" or longer than 92”)

Measure your reach as you stand flat-footed and extend one arm above your head, measuring from the floor to the underside of the middle knuckle of your middle finger - where your fingers would curl over the top of the paddle.
(NOTE: You might want someone to help you with this)

Keep in mind that this is to give you a general idea of length needed. From there, consider the following:
  • If you are an average height person, the length that you come up with using this method can work fine - even another inch or two longer works well, too.

For example, I am 5’10” and I measure 86” using this method, but I use an 88” long paddle, which means my fingertips reach the tip of the paddle instead of curling over the top.


  • If you are a shorter person and you measure less than 82" for the overall paddle length, you would want to add 2" to 4". You do not want to go shorter than 82", because then you will tend to use a sliding stroke to paddle - like when using a Greenland storm paddle.
  • If you are really tall, we usually subtract from the overall length because… if the paddle is too long, it will cause a lot of drag, defeating the "less fatigue" factor when using a Greenland paddle. We usually do not go longer than 92" for the overall length.

NOTE: If you have a wider kayak or if touring, it is not uncommon to go with a longer paddle.

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2) LOOM LENGTH  (Note: We do not recommend a loom shorter than 16")

This measurement is very important so as not to put a strain on your shoulders, elbows, etc. You can vary a little, but keeping close to the width of your shoulders tends to be better. For example, my shoulders measure 19 1/2”. That is my ideal loom length, but I can also paddle with a 19” or 20” loom.

To come up with the loom length... (NOTE: You might want someone to help you with this)

a) Measure the width of your shoulders when your arms are relaxed at your side, measuring at the widest point (just below the shoulders on your upper arm).
 
b) Then, mark that measurement on a broom handle or something similar to a paddle.

c) Now, grip the broom (or your other paddle-like object) as if you were gripping a paddle, forming an ‘O’ (more like an oval) with your thumb and index (first) finger (like a relaxed ‘OK’ sign) — placing your hands so that the index fingers are centered over the measurement marks.

d) Stand with arms relaxed & elbows at your side, then bend your arms at the elbows to a 90-degree angle so that they are perpendicular to your body (like when paddling).

e) See if that distance feels comfortable to hold. You want it to feel natural to have your arms apart at that distance, with elbows not too close to your body (so that you can move freely) and not too far away from your body (so you don’t put a strain on your shoulders).

To help zero in on/confirm the most comfortable measurement for your loom, try an inch shorter and an inch longer than your shoulder width and see how those compare to your shoulder width measurement, making sure your index (first) fingers on each hand are centered over the measurement marks. When you settle on the most comfortable distance apart, this will be your approx. loom length.


NOTE: If you have a wider kayak, we generally suggest a longer paddle, not a longer loom. A loom that is too wide will put more of a strain on your shoulders. The key to sizing for a Greenland kayak paddle is for it to be a naturally comfortable fit, which translates to less strain on your body and less fatigue as well—allowing you to paddle longer.

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3) LOOM THICKNESS   (Note: We do not recommend smaller than 1 1/2" (w) x 1 1/8" (h))

I make my paddles with an oval-shaped loom, so it fits your grip comfortably. In turn, the loom transitions into what is called “soft, rounded shoulders” at each end (at base of paddle blades), adding to the comfortable grip of your paddle.

To determine the measurement for the thickness of the loom itself...

a) Form an ‘O’ (more like an oval) with your thumb and index (first) finger, by touching the tips of your index (first) finger and thumb together (like a relaxed ‘OK’ sign).

b) Then, measure the width of the inside of the oval. This will be the loom width—it is the longer measurement.

c) Next, measure the height of the inside of the oval. This will be the loom height—it is the shorter measurement.

NOTE: Keep in mind to measure the inside of the oval in such a way to maintain a
relaxed ‘OK’ sign, without pushing it. Most of our customers use a loom thickness of 1 1/2” wide x 1 1/4” high. For those with smaller hands, a loom thickness of 1 1/2” wide x 1 1/8” high works well.

For example, I have large hands and wear XL gloves (regular-type gloves) and I paddle with a loom thickness of 1 1/2” wide x 1 1/4” high. That same size can also work for someone with medium to large hands (wears Medium to Large regular-type gloves). My wife has small hands and a loom thickness of 1 1/2” wide x 1 1/8” high is more comfortable for her. By using the above method, it will generally confirm the most comfortable loom thickness for you.

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4) BLADE WIDTH  (Note: We do not recommend less than 3" wide or wider than 4")

When determining the width of the blade, the goal is to be able to grip the blade comfortably and securely, with the flat part of the blade in the palm of your hand—at the widest part of the blade (below the tip). You don’t want it to twist out of your hand. You want to have a good grip on it—especially while bracing or rolling.

Here’s how to measure for the blade width…

a) Form a ‘C’ with your thumb and fingers; as tall as you can make it comfortably. Don’t over extend—you are going for a comfortable, secure grip.

b) Measure the height of the space between the underside of the middle knuckle of your middle finger and base of the thumb.

c) Using that measurement, try one or both of the following methods of confirming your grip on the paddle blade…
  • Find something that is similar to the width and thickness of the blade, that would represent the flat part of the paddle blade against your palm, and see if you can grip it securely and comfortably, 
- AND/OR - 
  • Grip one hand with the other hand—palm to palm—and find where you get a secure, comfortable grip, whether it is the width of your palm or your four fingers together. Then, measure that width to get an idea of the blade width that will work well for you.

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Once you have come up with your Greenland kayak paddle measurements, compare them to the measurements for our Standard-size paddles to see if one of those sizes could work for you (see chart below).

NorthPoint Paddles - Standard Sizes Greenland Kayak Paddles

PLEASE NOTE
  • If you need a Custom-size or Special-Order paddle, the price is the same as for a Standard-size paddle.
  • All of our paddles are made with shoulders, but you can special order a paddle without shoulders at no extra charge.
(For more information, see ‘Definitions’ and our ‘Return/Exchange Policy’
on our ‘Important to Note’ page, as well as our ‘Cancellation Policy’
on our 'How to Order' page)

If you need additional assistance, please feel free to contact us.
We are happy to help!

To place an order, see our ‘How to Order’ page.