Abstract: A paddle blade adapted to be mounted to a tubular handle for use as a kayak or canoe paddle. The paddle blade is replaceable and includes a blade body with an elongated recess having a cylindrical end cavity adapted to receive the handle. A tubular element is located within the recess and the space between the element and the recess is filled with reinforcement material. The blade is curved and the tubular element is bent to fit within the longitudinally angulated portions of the recess in the blade body. The bend in the element is located against the inner wall of the recess and the adjacent end of the handle so that operating forces upon the paddle blade are transmitted directly to the handle in these areas.