Give it a chance. I keep selling my favorite and pick up a new one I've made. When I try the new paddle I've made (about 50 - no kidding) they never feel quite right. But after paddling a few days, they get to be just as good but different. less bite, more bite is easier to get comfortable with that loom changes - at least for me. Use those abs.

: Tried out my new paddle and as pretty as it is, I don't like it. It
: preforms well, probably my best paddle yet but I couldn't figure out what
: was different. Finally realized that it was shorter than the one I was
: using. It has less resistance (bite) and I found I was paddling with a
: faster cadence. That made my shoulder hurt.

: So I am thinking about trimming the ends square and adding a hardwood tip(s)
: which will add some length to it.

: I was really surprised at the difference too. I sized the paddle by standing
: and stretching the fingers over the tip. So it should be right. But I am
: guessing that since I have used one longer that I have just gotten used to
: that.