Abstract: A watercraft paddle has a composite structure of shaft components joined by adjustable joints enabling the shape of the composite structure and orientation of individual shaft components relative to other shaft components to be altered, a first paddle blade joined at a first outboard end of the composite structure, a second paddle blade joined at a second outboard end of the composite structure, opposite the first outboard end, and a first and a second grip region on the composite structure equally spaced to each side from center for a user to grip the composite structure to paddle the watercraft.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement to canoe and kayak paddles to reduce stresses to operator's joints, ligaments, and muscles by ergonomic design. The paddle has two symmetric blades. The blade shape may be any of the currently available shapes, or a new blade shape. The center of the paddle shaft has a bend shaped as an inverted “V” or “U”, wherein the two sides of the shaft extend from the center outward and upward to provide an unobstructed view. The next bend rotates the grip area downward so the top of the hand is rotated toward the center plane of the body that allows the hands to be held in a neutral position. Outboard of the grip area there is a further bend to the shaft, wherein the shaft end attached to the blade is positioned from the horizontal to angled downward from the horizontal. A grip structure is attached in the grip area of the shaft, wherein the grip structure allows operation with reduced grip force.