Abstract: A multi-function oar has an oar blade, a large-diameter tube, and a small-diameter tube. The oar blade has a tube-connecting portion. The tube-connecting portion has a through axial hole. The large-diameter tube is movably inserted in the axial hole. The axial hole has an upper positioning portion and a lower positioning portion for positioning the large-diameter tube, thereby changing the overall length of the oar. The large-diameter tube has a first check valve. The first check valve has a bail opening. The small-diameter tube is provided with a second check valve and an operating member having a water outlet, so as to bail water and drain water.

Abstract: A watercraft paddle assembly for enhancing comfort while paddling a watercraft includes a paddle that has a handle portion is elongated and a paddle portion. A roller attachment is coupled to the handle portion and the roller attachment is distally positioned with respect to paddle portion of the paddle. The roller attachment has an attached section that is oriented at an angle with a roller section. A roller is rotatably integrated into the roller section of the roller attachment such that the roller can be gripped by the user. The roller is oriented to rotate about an axis that is oriented perpendicular to a lengthwise axis of the paddle to facilitate the user to grip the roller and the handle portion of the paddle in a preferred manner for paddling.

Abstract: A combined paddle and pump can be used to propel a small boat. The handle telescopes with a locking nut that may be loosened to allow extension and retraction of the handle. The handle is hollow throughout and a pair of check valves are provided. One check valve opens when the handle is extended and the other opens when the handle is retracted. When one check valve is open, the other is closed. When the distal end of the paddle is placed within a volume of water or exposed to atmospheric, extension and retraction of the handle results in a fluid first being sucked into the hollow interior of the handle and then propelled out of the handle. A seal assembly prevents debris from binding tubes of the handle.

Abstract: An oar apparatus configured to remain submerged under water during the power stroke and the return stroke. The oar apparatus has a sheath and a shaft rotationally disposed within the sheath. An oar blade is affixed to the shaft, such that the oar blade is rotational relative to the sheath. The oar blade has a deployed orientation, in which the oar blade is substantially perpendicular to the movement direction of the vessel, and a feathered configuration, in which the oar blade is substantially parallel to the movement direction of the vessel. The oar blade is asymmetrical relative to the center axis of the shaft, such that resistance of the water exerted onto the oar blade creates a first moment urging the oar blade into the deployed orientation during the power stroke and a second moment urging the oar blade into the feathered orientation on the return stroke.

Abstract: A collapsible blade equipped paddle device enabling an underwater return stroke includes a shaft, which has a blade engaged to a first end thereof. The blade comprises a frame having a panel engaged thereto and extending therebetween. The frame is selectively collapsible so that the blade assumes an open cupped configuration when a forward stroke is applied to the shaft and a collapsed configuration when an underwater return stroke is applied to the shaft. The blade provides thrust to a marine vessel during the forward stroke and minimal resistance during the underwater return stroke.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for propelling a watercraft. An oar has a blade and a shaft, the blade having a front side and a back side, the shaft having a longitudinal axis. The blade includes a plurality of openings which pass from the front side to the back side of the blade. In some cases, the openings are slit shaped openings oriented substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. In other cases, the smallest lateral dimension of each opening is 5 mm or less. The openings may influence the flow around the blade so that the blade is more efficient, and thus may produce more useful work in moving a boat than a solid blade with no openings.

Abstract: Implementations of paddles may include at least one paddle blade coupled to a shaft, a sleeve coupled over the shaft, the sleeve including a helical opening, a locator pin coupled to the shaft and extending through the helical opening, and a first handle fixedly coupled to the sleeve. The paddle blade may be configured to rotate from a first position corresponding to the locator pin positioned at a first location in the helical opening to a second position corresponding to the locator pin positioned at a second location in the helical opening.

Abstract: A water propulsion apparatus operatively connected to a body moving on or through a body of water, may produce a propulsive force by sweeping fins in an oscillating motion in a generally transverse direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the body. The fins may be mounted on opposite sides of a frame and are rotatable about a first axis coplanar to the center longitudinal axis of the frame. Drive members rotatable about a second axis that is canted relative to the first axis may be operatively connected to the fins. The oscillatory motion of the fins may be controlled by torque applied at the canted second axis by reciprocating the drive members in a generally vertical plane parallel to the center longitudinal axis of the frame. The oscillating fins may provide a propulsive force during both oscillating directions of the fins as they sweep back and forth.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gear system/reversing gearbox that allows reversing the direction of pivotal rotation between first and second shafts (i.e., about a pivot axis transverse to long axis of the shafts) while also translating at least some axial rotation between the shafts. In one exemplary application, the gear system is utilized in forward rowing system that allows a rowing motion substantially identical to a rearward rowing system.

Abstract: Apparatus for rowing in the direction the rower is facing has a base frame. A main bearing for a lever with hand grip and another for a lever with oar are in the base frame. A linkage connects the lever with hand grip and lever with oar to form a counteracting four-bar linkage system. The oar lever is the driven arm of the four-bar linkage and is linked to a rotary drive that has a main axle and virtually coaxial actuator rod. The hand grip lever rotates about its axis and is mounted to a bearing body within the base frame. The hand grip lever actuates an actuator that is virtually coaxial to the main axle on the bearing body. The actuator engages with a seesaw mounted on the base frame to shift the actuator rod of the rotary drive to rotate the oar.

Abstract: A portable propulsion system for a watercraft may include a shaft, a propeller, an outer casing, and a flexible strap. The shaft may have a prop end section, a drive end section, and a rotational axis extending from the prop end section to the drive end section. The propeller may be connected to the prop end section of the shaft. The drive end section may be configured for removable connection to a driver for rotation of the propeller via rotation of the shaft about the rotational axis to propel the watercraft. The outer casing may be disposed around the shaft. The flexible strap may have first and second end sections connected to the outer casing in respective first and second regions.

Abstract: Disclosed are composite paddles that may be used in kayaking and other sports alike. A composite paddle may include a shaft connected to one or more blades. A paddle blade may include a spine having a distal end and a proximal end to be connected to a mandrel; and a body having a layered cross-sectional profile to enclose the spine. The layered cross-sectional profile may include at least three adjacent layers of unidirectional carbon fiber or unidirectional fiberglass. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: A kayak paddle has blades configured to generate forward kayak momentum in each one of the three paddling movements, being more effective than known paddles, using its hydrodynamic profile to reduce formation of turbulent and eddy currents when moved in the water both, during insertion and retrieval. The paddle is characterized by a blade with a cross section in which both edges are curved, the frontal face is convex, and the back face is either flat, concave or both, but not convex, so as to benefit from the water flow around the surface or “Bernoulli Effect”, specifically on insertion in deep water and retrieval from it, producing forward motion of the kayak due to such hydrodynamic forces.

Abstract: A paddle apparatus for standup paddling of surfboards or like water craft, having a plurality of hand grip portions rotatably mounted relative to the paddle shaft, and a means of paddling whereby the operator can ergonomically paddle with greater power and control on either side of the water craft without breaking either hand grip. A further improvement includes using the handgrip in the position perpendicular to the paddle shaft to determine the blade position by feel and steer with greater torque. An alternative embodiment includes rotation of the grip itself, further reducing the twisting of the wrists and other joints.

Abstract: A vehicle propulsion system having a mount; a rotation shaft oriented substantially normal to a plane of travel of a vehicle; a fixture coupled to the rotation shaft, the fixture being rotatable about a rotation shaft axis of the rotation shaft; and an oar assembly coupled to the fixture; wherein the coupling is coupled to the fixture, wherein the rotation shaft axis is substantially normal to the rotational axis; wherein the coupling is coupled to the fixture to permit rotation of the oar assembly about the rotation axis when the lock is locked.

Abstract: A kayak paddle has blades configured to generate forward kayak momentum in each one of the three paddling movements, being more effective than known paddles, using its hydrodynamic profile to reduce formation of turbulent and eddy currents when moved in the water both, during insertion and retrieval. The paddle is characterized by a blade with a cross section in which both edges are curved, the frontal face is convex, and the back face is either flat, concave or both, but not convex, so as to benefit from the water flow around the surface or “Bernoulli Effect”, specifically on insertion in deep water and retrieval from it, producing forward motion of the kayak due to such hydrodynamic forces.

Abstract: A paddle has a first shaft portion with a handle and a second shaft portion with a blade. The first and second shaft portions are telescopically engageable to provide a variable length paddle shaft. The shaft portions include engager connection features and engageable connection features that cooperate for selectively securing the handle and the blade in at least two different rotational orientations. The shaft portions also include two 90-degree offset locking cams that rotate between locked and unlocked conditions.

Abstract: A propulsion device includes a shaft and a paddle-like blade connected to a first end of the shaft. An electric motor is mounted on the paddle-like blade, and a propeller is attached to the electric motor. A power source electrically connected to the motor is also provided.

Abstract: An improved paddle apparatus for standup paddling of surfboards or like water craft, having a plurality of hand grip portions rotatably mounted relative to the paddle shaft, and a means of paddling whereby the operator can ergonomically paddle with greater power and control on either side of the water craft without breaking either hand grip. A further improvement includes using the handgrip in the position perpendicular to the paddle shaft to determine the blade position by feel and steer with greater torque. An alternative embodiment includes rotation of the grip itself, further reducing the twisting of the wrists and other joints.

Abstract: An apparatus for floatation and propulsion of a user on a body of water includes a floatation device, a harness and a pair of paddles. The harness attaches to the user's torso and the paddles have upper ends that pivotally interconnect with the harness. The paddles have lower water engaging ends that may be moved in a paddling motion in a generally fore-aft direction relative to the harness.

Abstract: A paddle including a shaft having a distal end, the distal end ending in a protrusion; and a paddle blade having a proximal end joined to the distal end of the shaft, the proximal end having an inner surface and at least one internal longitudinal slot disposed adjacent to the inner surface engaged with the protrusion.

Abstract: Disclosed is an oar, which has a supplementary blade pivotally connected to one end of the blade adjacent to the shaft thereof to increase the area of the water expelling surface, enhancing the rowing efficiency.

Abstract: A paddle for a kayak, a canoe or other small boat has a shaft with a handle portion which extends from one end of a blade and a tongue portion formed by cutting away a section of the sidewall of the shaft to provide a chamber which extends along a surface of the blade. A filler member extending longitudinally within the chamber is adhered to the tongue portion of the shaft and also to the surface of the blade. This provides a light weight, high strength paddle construction which is economical to manufacture as the blade need not be formed with a bulky molded socket for enabling attachment of a shaft.

Abstract: A kayak paddle having at least one paddle blade is made by laying a first resin impregnated fiber preforms in a lower half of a split mold. The split mold has a bifurcated channel for producing a bifurcated rib in a back face of the paddle blade. One end of a paddle shaft is inserted into a cylindrical recess in the lower mold half, and a bifurcated foam core in inserted in the lower mold half over the bifurcated channel. A second resin-impregnated fiber preform is laid over the first fiber preform, and an upper half of the split mold is closed over the lower mold half from one end in clam-shell fashion. Heat and pressure are applied to press the molds together to create thereby a fluid wall of liquid resin which advances through the fiber preforms as the mold closes, driving air out of the fabric preforms as the resin advances through the fiber preforms, and curing the resin to produce a solid fiber-reinforced resin matrix paddle blade bonded to the paddle shaft.

Abstract: The invention includes processes and products made by the processes. The processes include making a two-part mold having semi-cylindrical openings for the paddle shaft so that the paddle blade may be molded and co-cured directly on the paddle shaft. The mold surfaces correspond to the ultimate outer mold line of the paddle, and also are designed to express liquid resin from the centerline of the paddle outward toward its edges as the mold closes or to fuse and consolidate thermoplastic resin such as polypropylene on glass fiber. The mold closing and heating schedule is designed to partially cure the resin so that it flows outward through the reinforcing fiber at a controlled rate, preventing resin starvation of the fiber reinforcement and ensuring complete expulsion of any air bubbles in the reinforcing fiber. The mold is opened and the paddle is removed from the mold for trimming by a high speed CNC router to produce a paddle that conforms exactly to the desired peripheral shape.

Abstract: A kayak paddle with improved performance features is provided. The kayak paddle includes a smaller diameter shaft than that generally used. This allows the placement of grips on the shaft. The rips have one or more finger and thumb indentations such that the kayaker can position his hand easily and securely on the kayak paddle. The grips may be rotated around the shaft in order to position them at a location which is comfortable to the user. Also provided are paddle blades which may be rotated around the shaft such that they can be positioned in the most beneficial location for the user and the particular activity. Also disclosed are structures on the blades, including ribs and compartments, which direct water flow across the blade to reduce cavitation.

Abstract: A paddle construction for watercraft applications, engineered to efficiently provide thrust and reduce form drag with other advantages inherent to the structure. The paddle has a means of actuation and a body. The body has at least one leading edge, at least one trailing edge, and at least one chord extending between the leading and trailing edges. The body has at least one thickness that varies along the length of the chord(s) from the leading edge(s) to the trailing edge(s), and therefore has at least one maximum thickness. The maximum thickness is located closer to the leading edge(s) than the trailing edge(s). This construction provides for at least one body portion tapered from the area(s) of maximum thickness to the trailing edge(s) to reduce form drag during use.

Abstract: An improved paddle for use with shallow draft watercraft, including kayaks, canoes, rafts, and the like, having a paddle blade with surface topography for geometrically channeling water across the surface of the blade when in use so as to reduce user fatigue and increase efficiency. A second embodiment of said paddle incorporates a crooked loom to increase leverage applied to said paddle blade by altering the stroke force from 90 degrees to 45 degrees.

Abstract: An improved propulsion apparatus for use in propelling shallow draft watercraft and adaptable for use as either an oar or a paddle, said apparatus comprising at least one split blade. The split blade has a front and at least one back blade section, each of which has surface topography on its working surface comprising channel dividers and fluted channels defined thereby for channeling water across the front surfaces of the front and back blade sections of the blade when in use. The paddle may be either single or double-bladed, suitable, e.g., for canoeing or kayaking, respectively. A second embodiment is adapted for use as an oar. In either embodiment, the front and back blade sections are preferably conjoined to form an oblique opening the two sections for advantageously channeling water.

Abstract: The invention is an ergonomic canoe paddle. The paddle includes a shaft having a shear side and an opposed drag side, a blade having a shear surface and an opposed drag surface, wherein the blade is secured to a bottom end of the shaft so that the shear surface of the blade is secured to the shear side of the shaft and the drag surface of the blade is secured to the drag side of the shaft, and a handle secured to a top end of the shaft. The handle includes a central grip bar secured to the top end of the shaft, a right grip stem and a left grip stem secured to opposed ends of the grip bar. The right and left grip stems extend away from the shaft in a direction that is both about twenty degrees from a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the shaft, and that is also away from the drag side of the shaft about sixty-five degrees from a plane roughly parallel to the shear surface of the blade.

Abstract: An improved kayak paddle for recreational or competitive paddling, which has handles affixed perpendicular to the shaft or shafts, which handles rotate on axles as the paddle is used, to reduce twisting of the wrists and other joints of the paddler and improve efficiency and comfort. The shape of the paddle blades is such that water falls off the corner of the blades and does not run down the shaft to wet the hands of the paddler.

Abstract: An oar lock device, comprising a socket member and an oar clamp member. The socket member has a bracket portion and a socket portion. The oar clamp member has a shaft, a shoulder portion and two oar brackets. The shaft is connected to the shoulder portion and rotates within the socket portion of the socket member. The oar is clamped between the oar brackets, which are attached to and rotate about the shoulder portion. The bracket portion of the socket member is attached to a boat. The oar can be rotated about a generally horizontal axis through the shoulder portion, and also can be rotated about a generally vertical axis through the socket portion. A preferred embodiment uses neoprene sealed ball bearings in the socket portion and the shoulder portion to greatly reduce friction and assist with a silent, smooth and rhythmic stroke motion.

Abstract: A blade for a paddle or an oar having a shaft and a paddling surface provided at a foremost end of the shaft, for enhancing paddling efficiency. The blade includes locking means provided on the paddling surface for locking water when the paddle or oar is operated with the shaft, the locking means comprising a plurality of circular, elliptical or polygonal hollows formed and arranged on the paddling surface in rows or in a grid pattern, each of the hollows having an area of 1/100 to 1/50 of an area of the paddling surface.

Abstract: A kayak paddle with a hollow wooden shaft featuring reduced weight and improved strength. The shaft is formed from lineal segments which run the entire length of the paddle shaft and are joined to form a closed shaft structure. A helical twist can be introduced in the shaft to establish desired paddle "feather." The hollow shaft can be formed having a closed cell foam core wrapped with a reinforcing cloth, such as fiberglass to further increase the strength of the shaft.

Abstract: A paddle for a narrow canoe or kayak-type boat has a crossbar the end portions of which extend downwardly to create an inverted U-shape, with the blades being at the lower ends of U. Handgrips, preferably including either forearm rests or wrist rests for the tops of the forearms or wrists as well as handgrips, enable the user to operate the paddle in a broad sweeping motion, with both blades being inserted into the water and pulled back simultaneously, eliminating the yaw effect of either double-ended kayak paddles or single-bladed canoe paddles.

Abstract: An oar or scull is equipped with a movable sliding bushing or collar (2, 3) for adjusting the leverage while rowing. For this purpose a locking device (12) normally prevents the linear or axial movement of the oar shaft with a sliding sleeve (8) which is mounted on the oar shaft (1) relative to the locking device. By pushing a button (11) on the handle (10), the locking device (12) will allow a relative movement of approximately 2.5 mm at a time between the collar (3A, 3B) and the shaft (1). Releasing the button (11) allows again a movement of 2.5 mm, whereby a rower is able to adjust the leverage and thus the load while rowing.

Abstract: An apparatus for forward facing rowing of a boat is disclosed. An elongate outrigger support extends outwardly from a mounting point in the boat and has an end adjacent to the mounting point around which the elongate outrigger support pivots horizontally. An outrigger support and handle connector sleeve is slidably mounted over the elongate outrigger support. An elongate handle is pivotally connected to the sleeve to allow the elongate handle to pivot relative to both the sleeve and the outrigger support. A handle and oar connector attaches the outboard end of the elongate handle to an oar within the midsection of the oar. A rotation transfer mechanism in the handle and oar connector causes corresponding rotation of the oar upon rotation of the elongate handle. The handle and oar connector transfers, from the elongate handle to the oar, pivotal and rotational movement as the elongate handle rotates, as well as moves along and pivots around the elongate outrigger support.

Abstract: An improved storage container for a lifesaving device is provided herein. Such storage container includes the combination of an oar or paddle, the upper end of which is hollowed-out, to give a pocket of sufficient dimension to accommodate an inflatable lifesaving device which is in deflated form, e.g., an inflatable life jacket or life raft which is in deflated form. A quickly- and easily-removable cap is provided at the inboard end of the hollowed-out pocket to retain such lifesaving device therewithin.

Abstract: An aquatic sporting device, designed for use with one arm, is formed of three removably attached sections including a paddle blade, a forearm brace, and an elongate longitudinal shaft between the blade and brace. The brace is offset both longitudinally and transversely from a proximal end of the shaft, to permit placement of the brace against the forearm at the elbow, yet permit full bending of the arm at the elbow. A hand gripping area is provided along the shaft, and enables selective gripping along the shaft length to facilitate positioning of the elbow with respect to the brace for maximum paddling leverage, regardless of the size of the forearm. When removed from one another, the sections can be conveniently stored or transported. The removable mounting further permits substitution of other working implements, such as a fish net or gaff hook, in lieu of the paddle blade.

Abstract: An oar includes a blade portion, a loom including a grip, and a connecting member for connecting the blade portion and the loom together. The blade portion includes a frame and two blades. The frame includes two parallel vertical plates, a front plate, a top plate, a bottom plate and an open rear side defined by the vertical plates, the top plate and the bottom plate. A rectangular slot is formed between each blade and the front plate. A protrusion is formed on a top edge and a bottom edge of each blade. The blades are pivotally restrained in the rectangular slots with the protrusions engaging with corresponding holes formed on the top plate and bottom plate of the frame.

Abstract: A forward facing rowing mechanism (10) for a boat (11) having a bow (12), a longitudinal axis (A.sub.1) and both port and starboard gunwales (21). A mounting bracket (20) is adapted to be supported from each gunwale (21), and a tilting frame (25) is supported from the mounting bracket (20) for pivotal movement about an axis (A.sub.2) substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (A.sub.1) of the boat (11). A drive sub-assembly (31.sub.x) is carried on the tilting frame (25) to be pivotal about a first angular rotational axis (A.sub.3). A driven sub-assembly (31.sub.y) is carried on the tilting frame (25) to be pivotal about a second angular rotational axis (A.sub.4). A handle (14) is secured to the drive sub-assembly (31.sub.x) for rotation about a first feathering axis (A.sub.5). A blade (18) is secured to the driven sub-assembly (31.sub.y) for rotation about a second feathering axis (A.sub.6). A first drive (83 and 84) interconnects the drive and driven sub-assemblies (31.sub.x and 31.sub.

Abstract: A resin and transfer molding technique is used to fabricate, in a unitary fashion, a synthetic oar that has as a core, polyurethane and a longitudinal rigid rectangular spline preferably sitka spruce which transverses orthogonally and extends along the longitudinal axis of the shaft of the oar, the shaft handle therefore and opposite paddle end being unitarily molded according to the resin transfer molding technique. Prior to such molding a green oar substructure is made of the shaft and handle on the one hand, and the paddle on the other hand where a multi-layer wrap of synthetic material is formed over the spline in relation to the shaft and in the paddle mold in relation to the paddle and the cavities are cores thereof filled with green polyurethane. The two components so formed, being the green paddle, and the green shaft, are merged together and further wraps of synthetic material overlaid.

Abstract: An oar and oarlock arrangement comprising, in combination: a handle loom and a structurally separate blade loom having a hydrofoil blade mounted to its outermost end, the handle loom and blade loom being hinged for sweep action about a rockable oarlock. The handle and blade looms are interconnected by a motion reversing linkage such as a pair of gears, for example. A feathering linkage is provided between the main frame of the oarlock and the hydrofoil blade for changing the angle of attack of the blade in the water.

Abstract: A rowing apparatus comprising, in combination: a boat having a hull with fore and aft ends and an outrigger frame movably mounted onto the hull and having opposite ends projecting laterally outwards from each side of the hull. The apparatus further includes at least two oars located one on each side of the hull, each of the oars comprising an L shaped oarloom including two legs joined at an elbow, one of the legs constituting a handle loom having a generally athwartship position at mid-stroke and the other of the legs constituting a blade loom lying generally fore and aft to the boat hull at mid-stroke and having an outer end. A sweep hinge member is mounted onto each opposite end of the outrigger frame and is adapted to rotate about a substantially vertical axis, the sweep hinge member including an oarlock frame adapted to mate with the L shaped oarloom of one of the oars at about the elbow.

Abstract: A rowing apparatus comprising, in combination: a boat having a hull with fore and aft ends and having an outrigger projecting laterally outwards from each side of the hull and at least two oars located one on each side of the hull, each of the oars comprising an L shaped oarloom including two legs joined at an elbow, one of the legs constituting a handle loom having a generally athwartship position at mid-stroke and the other leg constituting a blade loom laying generally fore and aft to the boat hull at mid-stroke and having an outer end. A blade having a hydrofoil shaped surface is mounted to and below the outer end of each blade loom, the blade lying in a generally vertical plane which at mid-stroke is located at a divergent angle with respect to the plane of the blade mounted to the oarloom on the opposite side of the hull.The rowing apparatus further includes a seat for the oarsman which is movably mounted to the hull and foot restraints for securing the feet of the oarsman.

Abstract: A high-efficiency paddle construction having a blade and a stem extending therefrom, and wherein the blade has a pair of opposite, longitudinally extending edges, with flanges extending along the edges. The arrangement is such that there is provided resistance to flow past the side edges when the paddle is being used. There is thus realized improved efficiency, with a consequent reduction in the efford required by the user.

Abstract: A handle for attachment to the shaft of a paddle to improve the efficiency and comfort of paddling. The handle having a grip portion and spaced outwardly extending arms on the grip portion. The arms are coupled to the paddle shaft so that the handle is swingable about the paddle shaft and positioned at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A watercraft propulsion device having a forward and a rearward foil in nested relationship for reciprocal oscillating movement in opposite directions having a foil angle greater than 0.degree. and less than 60.degree..

Abstract: An oar or paddle comprising a shaft having two parallel grooves of circular cross-section extending throughout its length, each groove pivotally supporting a blade. The grooves have a peripheral extent which permits the blades to pivot between a position in which they are parallel and a further position in which they project in opposite directions in a common plane. The blades are located axially of the grooves by retainers which are mounted in the grooves at opposite ends of the portion of the blades disposed within the groove.

Abstract: A wood kayak or canoe paddle having a rubber-like shock-absorbing abrasion-resistant flexible strong strip of urethane rubber adhered to the tip of each blade, and preferably extending also along the opposite edges of the blade, to strengthen the blade and reduce the likelihood of damage to the blade by rocks sand or other solid abrasive material during paddle use. Each paddle face is reinforced adjacent the rubber-like strip by a thin layer of carbon fibers lying parallel to the strip and each entire paddle face is covered with a thin layer of glass fabric embedded in a water resistant flexible coating. The paddle shaft is laminated of ash and sitka spruce with reinforcement by high tensile strength fibers at the lamination interfaces and added ash laminations adjacent the shaft extension in the paddle blade.