On 13-May-2005, Bill Tuthill wrote:

3. If you paddle with a feathered paddle (as all top sprint racers do),
a bent shaft makes the stroke asymmetrical. While the pushing (top hand)
position of the control hand is in a favorable position, the pushing
position of the off-control hand must turn in the opposite direction -
resulting in a more awkward push on the off control side.

This is a 'problem' with high feather angles, but less so with low feather
angles. The degree of feather will change the degree the off-hand is off
the centerline of the paddle. Regardless of feather angle, it's not a
problem when paddling with little force.

4. Bent shafts do not allow the paddler to adjust the spacing between
the hands - they must hold the paddle only in one place.

This is partly true - the hand grip part of the shaft will allow you to
move your hands in or out a couple of inches in total. In general, you
can get used to sliding your hands all over a bent shaft - it's not as
onerous as some would make it seem. It's easier to move your hands across
a bend than to slide it past a drip ring.

Mike