I suggest cutting them to half there size which will still work effectively to keep the blades straight. Then, the way I like to use them is to put the shortened lock part into the oar locks when I am running easy water or pulling plugs; and of course on anchor. If I want to 'feather' the blades, or when I need a stronger pulling ratio for hard whitewater manuvers I rotate the oars 180 degrees and the lock part won't go into the oar locks; and you have a little more power ratio by having more oar above the oar locks by about 2". This makes a suprizing difference for quick hard pulls. Easier on the back too.