Im interested in anyones thoughts on the paddle blade shapes being used in our sport.

SUP paddles seems to have copied the outrigger blade shapes, yet ignored some of the elite C1 Sprint canoe shape blades.

Paddle techniques and what is happening to the blade in the water is comparable for both Outrigger and C1 sprint racing, so why isnt their more C1 shaped blades, in particular with flat water or down wind design?

The main differences I see with the blades is that the C1 or C2 sprint blades are skinny and deep, whilst the outrigger blades are fat and short. The C1 blades are around 23 cm wide and 55 cm deep. The only technical benefit I can think of with the longer sprint blades is that they are "finding" cleaner water as they go deeper.






Braca make some of the worlds best Kayak and Canoe blades. They invented the Tear drop used by most sprint and marathon Kayakers today. Here is their version of a SUP paddle.


By comparision here is the popular Quick Blade shape




And here is a photo of the Werner Nitro.




Anyone paddle both outriggers and sprint Canoes whom may have some insight here?