Paddle length in waves

Do people lengthen their paddles a bit in chop or waves when air paddling is a possibility?

I believe that the majority of paddlers would shorten their paddles 1-2 cm in rough water because of the higher/choppier stroke rate, the frequent accelerations, and because a too-long paddle tends to clip/get caught on waves during the exit phase of the stroke.

Air strokes are a hazard in rough water and more likely with a shorter paddle, as you noted, but a longer paddle is the worse of the two evils.

Erik

Thanks, this make sense. I will leave my paddle length short. The air stroke certainly gets one's attention in cold water...

Tom