The giant stork wants his leg back..

That takes the saying "getting inspiration from Nature" to a whole new level.

Looks like he is using a slower stroke for webbed paddle in the video

Interestingly enough, when others were discussing the v-drive paddles, I sketched up something similar to the above paddle with some differences.

Flexible/adjustable spines - so when more pressure is exerted on the paddle, the spines flex to reduce surface area & 'exhaust' excess water (similar to a twist at the top of a sail). This would allow an increased cadence with a smaller surface area, or for reduced cadence (ie; slower through the water), the area is increased. It could be made as one-size, but ideally - the tension could be adjustable.

Also mine had an angled blade with 4 spines and recessed slightly elastic (rubber-type) material & black, to look like batman's wing (ie;much cooler!)

Sailhack said..

Interestingly enough, when others were discussing the v-drive paddles, I sketched up something similar to the above paddle with some differences.

Flexible/adjustable spines - so when more pressure is exerted on the paddle, the spines flex to reduce surface area & 'exhaust' excess water (similar to a twist at the top of a sail). This would allow an increased cadence with a smaller surface area, or for reduced cadence (ie; slower through the water), the area is increased. It could be made as one-size, but ideally - the tension could be adjustable.

Also mine had an angled blade with 4 spines and recessed slightly elastic (rubber-type) material & black, to look like batman's wing (ie;much cooler!)

I see what you mean...
I had a paddle design in mind using flexible splines "embeded" in the paddle. These flexible slines would flex / bulge with more pressure, increasing surface area and reducing cadence, but producing more power.
So the surface area of the paddle was reactive to the pressure..