(PeteCresswell) wrote:

of what they call "dihedral". Dunno precisely what that is, but its obviously
curvature in one plane or another.

Spoon is the curvature from root to tip. Dihedral is the angle between two
sides of the blade. Imagine a section cut through the blade at right angles to
the length of the blade - the angle (if one exists) will be seen on that section.

- How flat is "flat". Seems like the "flat" requirement relates to
using the paddle to initiate turns on the face of a wave by dragging
it in the water

That's a low brace and the paddle blade should be skimming the surface of the
water to support you while carving a turn. If you want more turning moment, you
can push the paddle down into the water. The deeper the paddle, the more the
turning moment but the more braking too.

I haven't seen too many flat kayak paddles around lately except for cheap ones.
This might be a special purpose paddle that you'll only find in a surf-mad
community.

Mike