Yeah, it was kind of a trick question because you wouldn't generally want a bent shaft for whitewater and perhaps a straight shaft would not be as efficient for flat water travel. I sized up a paddle at MWM here in the Twin Cities and came up with a 56in measurement. I'm shorter than you Jimbo so I must have measured that wrong....unless I"m kneeling for whitewater...then the measurement should probably be something closer to the 58 length. At least that's according to some whitewater folks that I was conversing with. However, since I'm an expert in neither, I'm going to look at the "power surge" line with the broadest paddle face. I was leaning that way anyway. I was just curious what others have.

On another note, I think "Sanborn"(?) makes paddles...for that day when I get serious about slinging a less heavy paddle ergonomically designed for my near-perfect body  ;D ;D