SEE POSTED PIX!!!
Steve at Infinity wave skis has started cranking out a few
waveski-specific paddles, a bargain at $60, it is the black bladed
paddle in the pix I posted, 188cm, absolutely flat, blades with almost
zero flexibility. I had it out yesterday. It has no spring, curvature
flex, or dihedral in the blades, they are just Mohawk canoe paddle
blades. It is reasonably light. It feels like the right length. It is
a PERFECT rudder when riding in, the difference is like night and day,
the paddle just carves in and tracks a perfect straight line when
riding the wavce, and allows for very precice control. It has a grip
that falls under your right hand, which allows precise cntrol and
rotation. HOWEVER, when I paddle out it feels like a broom, no life,
no flex, no catch, no spring. It is made out of 2 pieces that snap
together, and you can set it at 0 degree or 90 degree feather. I would
arbitrarily rate it as 4/10 for paddling out, 7/10 for take offs, 9/10
for riding back in. It is NOT listed on the website,
http://www.infinitysurfboard.com/infinity/waveskis/
Steve is cranking a few out and would probably send you one if you ask
nice, probably $60 for the paddle and $20 to ship.

Steve Boehne
Infinity Surf Shop
24382 Del Prado
Dana Point, California 92629
Monday thru Saturday - 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Sunday - 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Phone: 949-661-6699
Fax: 949-661-6409
infinsurf@...

The also sell the beautiful Mike Johnson waveski paddles for $200-300,
if you want to spend the bucks.

The other paddle I am using is a Carlisle Magic 191cm whitewater
paddle, the orange balded paddle in the pix, one piece, light, nice
blades, but the blades are curved. "snappy" and have some dihedral.
A joy to paddle out, super for taking off, but the flex, dihedral and
snappiness of the blade. which makes it catchy and efficeint for
paddling FORWARD, makes the blade cavitate and wobble when you are
coming back in, using the paddle as a rudder. I catch maybe 10-20%
more waves with this paddle because I can paddle back out a lot
faster, and I can take off a LITTLE faster, but the whole point of
waveskiing is riding the waves, and I lose some control and ability to
do some of the more precise moves on the way back in. Comes in 45
degree feather. Arbitrarily, to me personally, 8/10 paddling out and
taking off, 5/10 riding back in... As usual a compromise. Anyway, a
great deal at $45! Only a few left at:
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,96365_Carlisle-Whitewater-Kayak-Paddle-Magic\
-.html

Note that there are about 10 paddles called the Carlisle Magic, this
is the whitewater plastic version.... The Carlisle Magic TOURING
paddle would be about the worst paddle you could find for waveskiing,
so make sure you are looking at the whitewater version.

Anyway that is about all I know, anything else regarding feather,
blade shape, etc. is Ford v. Chevy. Altho I am a sucky waveskier, I
get to ski locally with world champs and THEY argue all day long about
paddle length, seatbelts, fin placement, etc. so obviously there is no
"right" answer or "ideal" equipment. I also now use a nice Stohlquist
kayak pfd ($80) and a protec helmet ($40), also pictured in the pix I
am posting. After numerous near drownings and a few serious head
injuries, I am trying to be more careful LOL

SEE POSTED PIX