I had an index on my straight-shaft paddle to make sure I could feel that
the blades were in the correct position to roll. I've never bothered to put
an index on my BS paddle; it just naturally falls into the correct position.

Padeen


"Bill Tuthill" wrote in message
...
Could someone please summarize for me the arguments in favor of
bent-cranskshaft kayak paddles? I already know some arguments
against them (below) but am trying to understand the issue.
Maybe it's due to upper body rotation, but when I tried out a
bent-shaft in a store, my wrists rotated just as much.

. break more easily due to deformed shaft
. make sculling and draw strokes more difficult
. higher cost
. are harder to tie onto the roofrack
. cannot be made of wood

The advantages of bent-shaft canoe paddles are obvious to me,
but not the advantages of bent-shaft kayak paddles. Searching
old messages I found some points about easier rolling and
less RSI, but if I don't have problems with a straight shaft,
how would switching help me?