Abstract: A paddle stick for propulsion of a recreational water craft utilizing the arms in an athletic sequence similar to that of cross country skiing, the paddle stick formed of a shaft having an upper handle end and a lower end having a flotation device secured thereabout, the shaft member further extending below the flotation device in a threaded configuration for receipt on the threaded shaft of a biasing means in the form of a coil spring and a threaded stopper cap superimposed over the biasing means to adjust the tension thereon, the lower end of the shaft in pivoting relationship with a paddle shaft angularly displaceable with respect to said handle shaft about said pivot point, said paddle shaft having a plurality of radially outwardly extending paddle blades freely rotatable on the paddle shaft.