Perhaps this is a silly beginner-level question - not surprising, as I'm a beginner - but why is paddle length from blade tip to blade tip a meaningful measurement? Wouldn't it be more meaningful to measure the shaft length?
It would seem to me that one wants his hands to be in the optimal position for applying power, regardless of the blade that is below the water. The shaft length would correlate best with all the variables that are important in determining hand position during the pull... seated height above water in your ski, arm length, ski width, etc. The length of the blades would affect the entry and exit a bit, but the more critical parameter would be hand and arm position during the power phase, when the blade is submerged, which would be most affected by shaft length, not total paddle length.
The blade shape and length would seem to be more relevant to the paddler's strength, endurance, length of the race, etc. - But perhaps I don't understand???
