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(Ryan Morin) wrote in message . com...
I want to buy some new paddles and was looking around and noticed that
there is a type that hasa bent blade.

Just wondering if it is a better way to go for fla****er lake and
river travel.

Hi Ryan,
FLA****ER:
Go bentshafts, particularly with less-than-accomplished paddlers
on-board....but the bow paddler in tandem, needs to know how to angle
their blade for efficiency in turning. Outside of that, the forward
touring stroke can be shorter and cleaner....with a more efficient
"catch" and "pull"..without the "end of pull" hangup for
newbies..making for a shorter stroke in tandem...will be appreciated
when/if you ever need that emergency power stroking (to shore...etc).
Straight-blades are definitely easier for newbies to get a grip on
tough/tricky current and are much easier to fend off a few rocks when
needed...as wood is the easiest on one's joints.

$.02
Steve