These a C1 paddles , why do sup paddles have the tear drop shape and not this kind.
Some of the ew blades are coming out squarer.
The new Starboard for instance ( have a look at Beau's paddle)
C4 was similiar in a way....
The new starboard "High Aspect" paddles are shaped the same way. I've order one last week from Jacko & Angie, should be here anyday now. The Starboard Aspect 600 blade dimensions are 58cm long & 19cm wide and 93 in2 surface area. This is the largest in the high aspect range. I measured my QB Kahana 100 and it is 50cm long & 23cm wide and 100in2 area. Teatree happy for you to try when I get it. I think will prevent twisting and loss of power in the stroke imo.
Makes sense to me, gets the maximum amount of blade in the water as quick and deep as possible.
Yea they are going more that way, especially for flatwater paddles, this is the 2013 Starboard High aspect 550 
I used to paddle outriggers and dragon boats. Outriggers have a blade like SUP. Dragons are square and sharp. Outrigging is more about grace, gliding and creating lift through the stroke and lifting the boat up (I am guessing similar to SUP but I don't SUP). Dragon boat is about rapid rate and frantic exertion of brute power for 50 - 60 seconds. I'd say that blade wouldn't create the lift you'd want in getting a SUP to glide on... 10 degrees is ideal.
Just some of my thoughts on high aspect paddles.
I spent most of 2012 making testing High aspect paddles with paddle racing in mind.
A high aspect paddle blade is a blade that has the width of the blade less than half of the length of the blade. Although this could be termed a mid aspect blade.
The conclusion that I came to is that it takes longer for the blade to be completely immersed into the water so that a stroke can be applied and completed.
The time difference is even more noticeable when swapping sides.
I found that the shaft had to be longer to compensate for the extra blade length.
Because of this my cadence was reduced.
So my thoughts are for a lower aspect blade for quick immersion and higher cadence.
I spoke to a Dragon boat paddler the other day and the reason they are shaped like that is because the rules dictate it. No bend allowed etc.
To me that sounds like that design is stuck in an old rule-book so I doubt there will be any value in copying that.
