Bent shafts are designed and find there greatest advantage on the recovery
part of a stroke the angle of the blade allows the paddle to avoid the pull
down effect caused by the angle of a straight paddle at the backend of a
stroke. As the paddle comes to the rear of the stroke the blade angles back
while the handle moves forward in line with the body of the canoe. At this
point the paddle instead of focusing its energy in a forward motion for the
canoe it actually causes a pulling down of the canoe once it passes the
point perpendicular to the paddler. A bent shaft decreases the angle at
which the pulling down effect occurs. With a straight paddle one has the
advantage of adding different levels of effectiveness to the paddling style
through different strokes which may be more difficult to explore with a bent
shaft. Plus if your bow person is bothering you your reach with a bent shaft
is cu short usually of making them. Good luck with your choice of paddles.

--
Abe Elias
Diving Sparrow Paddle Co,
http://home.cogeco.ca/~aelias
"lcopps" wrote in message
news
A Bent shaft allows your hands to take a more natural position and
reduce strain on your wrists. However, a strait shaft allows the
paddler to shift hand positions on the shaft. A bent shaft provides
benefits if hands are placed on a specific place. Therefore, it is more
important when selecting a bent shaft paddle to choose proper length
shaft. During a stroke, your dry blade hand should not rise above the
height of your shoulder. Otherwise, shoulder injury can occur. So one
could cite good reasons to choose either. I paddle more with a bent shaft.

Ryan Morin wrote:
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.