Beyond the aesthetic considerations, there is also a point known as
"stupid light" where a paddle - or other gear - begins to sacrifice too
much durability and/or functionality for the sake of light weight. There
are several high-end carbon fiber paddles that fall into this category.
They won't stand up to contact with rocks and such and they cannot be
used for paddle float rescues. While this level of compromise for
weight's sake may be fine for a racer, it's a potentially serious
problem for a touring paddler. The paddle is one piece of gear that must
be up to the task when things turn ugly. IMO, a fragile paddle is a
worthless paddle, no matter how light it is.