My wife and I have seen lately a lot of canoe renters using bent shaft paddles backwards (the manner in which they were not designed)... so the paddle "scoops" the water, not push the boat.

My wife uses a bent shaft, and I've borrowed it for a lake or two. Using the paddle as I've described above, the paddle doesn't move straight in the water and offers very little in terms of power.

Anyway, considering how many renters (and some non-renters) I see using bent shafts incorrectly, I'm wondering:

1. Are outfitters instructing paddlers to use the paddles incorrectly?

2. Is there a new convention of thought that using a bent shaft paddle "either way" works, and I've just missed the boat on this? (I use a straight shaft Sawyer that I've had for 35 years.)

3. Do people maybe assume that the paddle should be used in the incorrect manner... it looks counterintuitive to use it in the manner in which it was designed.

I don't care how people use their gear, I just find it curious. Just wondering what others think.

Mike

Yup, see them used backwards all the time. When I mention it to those "backwards" paddlers, they seem surprised and relieved to switch it around. Explain the theory behind the bent - they get it. I just think outfitters don't educate them very well.

quote MikeinMpls: "1. Are outfitters instructing paddlers to use the paddles incorrectly?

2. Is there a new convention of thought that using a bent shaft paddle "either way" works, and I've just missed the boat on this? (I use a straight shaft Sawyer that I've had for 35 years.)

3. Do people maybe assume that the paddle should be used in the incorrect manner... it looks counterintuitive to use it in the manner in which it was designed. "

#1 - I doubt it. More likely is that they are forgetting to instruct their clients. Maybe they should use a checklist as a reminder to tutor the clients and not assume that they know how to use the bent-shaft paddles.
#2 - There is no new school of thought on using bent-shaft paddles backwards. They were designed to be used one way only.
#3 - Without instruction it seems that people do assume that a bent-shaft paddle is designed to be used like a scoop.

I think it's number three

some paddlers in the stern dont like bent paddles, for doing J & C strokes. but i love mine. got mine from burger brothers in the mid 90's for about $70 each

c strokes in the stern?

quote DanCooke: "c strokes in the stern?"

For paddling circles around your bowman. ;)