I got a CD Solstice and the paddle the guy had was a Werner Shauna fiberglass. I was frustrated as I needed more bite it seemed for some speed. Ilkeos was good I did a 11 mile trip fairly fast. When coming home I think I averaged 6 mph for 45 minutes on the way home. I liked the paddle and will probably order one. The one I borrowed might have been a tad to long as I seemed to be reaching to high to not really bury the paddle near the boat. New at this so any tips are appreciated. My hand was over my head when paddling. It was about 88" the other paddle I have is 87" I guess the other length is better for me. I'll have to go back to the Werner chart and see what the recommend. Guy I borrowed it from is about 6'-3". Nice paddle and it really brought the Solstice alive where I thought I was going some where. Can't wait to try my Nomad CD when I get it restored.

edit
I see now recommended paddle for me is 210 and 88" converts to 223.5 cm so I guess I had a 225 cm? I measured it closely so it is 88". 210 would be 82.7" I see your hand is not supposed to be over your forehead in high angle paddling. If I didn't go over my forehead the blade would have been really buried. Guess I'll get a 210 as recommended or a 215 cm.

I'm thinking that you will find the paddling style that works best for you and then you'll find the paddle that fits that style. I would only caution you to not go at it too hard and strain something. My experience is that paddling can sneak up on you and cause some long lasting debilitating pain and suffering if you let your enthusiasm get ahead of you.

Everyone is going to have a different level of tolerance for the repetitive physical exertion that paddling is and it will most likely change as you go along. I think I've strained just about every part of my body in one way, or the other from paddling, but somehow I've survived it and unbelievably I think I'm better able to do distance paddling now than I was when I was much younger.

I've tried to teach myself to use what feels like a proper paddling technique (rotation, core and such), but there's always room for improvement. Most important for me is to constantly remind myself that moderation is key.

The style I use these days is mostly a lower angle, where I try to keep my pusher hand about shoulder height with my arms bent at about 90 degrees. I find it easy to maintain good rotation as long as I'm moving right along, but I kind of slip into a much sloppier mode when I'm just taking it easy.

I'm 6'-2" with fairly long arms and I've found that a 230 mm works well for all around paddling and good bracing ability in my sea kayaks. I've got ten paddles to choose from and they vary in length and style. I use different paddles depending on which boat I'm in.

I guess my main point is don't overdo it and learn what your body can tolerate.

I felt it a bit this morning but by 11 am I was good to go. I do need to watch and not over extend myself. I am in decent shape from flipping in brick and block though the years. I really feel good tonight and want to go again this week.

I thought for sure that I had paddled a bit too hard last Saturday, but I'm fine. I was on the Columbia River and the current was fairly strong, because of a little runoff and the tide was ebbing for most of the time I was out.

One thing I have learned about myself is that I usually don't feel the results of a strenuous day of paddling until two, or three days later, so if I go regularly it's all good. The worst thing I did Saturday was to pick the Sirocco up and carry it to my vehicle without emptying the extra weight out of it first. Normally I would empty the boat before carrying it, but that particular day there was a very good reason that I didn't. Anyway, apparently I didn't strain anything.

By the looks of the weather I won't be going paddling today.