These paddles are all similar, of course.  So let me orient you a bit. I have round tip and square tip shapes and of the square tips there is a straight face and curved power face version.  Those are my racing paddles and meant to have a lot of grab.  Most guides and rafters prefer the round tip shape because it is so much easier on the shoulders. The square tip racing paddle is pictured on the right here and a round tipped shape is to the left below.

   Raft paddles usually have a full dynel sock over the shaft to keep the shaft maintenence free. 

The Lake/ Wildwater blade shape

From the perspective of an open Boater:

  “He custom makes each paddle for the user. Will even carve you a custom grip if you desire. The flex is to your taste you want stiff or soft he will do it. I can attest after 15 months with my first paddle they are not only works of art but very tough. While I only paddle up to class III/IV stuff, I love small creeks and as you know they can be tough on a stick. (I still push off of rocks despite having a woody). Having rolled off the bottom of shallow runs I know they can take it.

I have broken lots of paddles and worn out Bandits and Vikings in one season so this baby is tough.

Finally, they are very well balanced. The blades are designed to be light giving them a great swing weight.

Update - now almost 5 years on this paddle and its still going strong after a refinishing a year ago, I expect it to last 10 more years.   Lots of C boaters are stuck on the curved blades, I missed it for about the first hour, after that I did not miss it. Recently I have done a couple of raft guiding trips for non boating friends, no problems with pushing a raft around.”

Jim Pruit