Patent ID: 8371886

Claim:
A paddle for propulsion of a human-powered watercraft through water, the paddle comprising: a shaft having a first end and a second end; and a deformable paddle blade having a proximal end, a distal end, and a paddle face, the proximal end coupled to the first end of the shaft; the paddle blade including a plurality of rods and a web spanning the rods, each of the rods having a first end coupled at the proximal end of the paddle blade, and a second end situated at the distal end of the paddle blade; each of the plurality of rods being formed from a material and having dimensions that create a corresponding individual spring constant, wherein the paddle blade has an aggregated spring constant of between 250 N/m and 500 N/m defined as the sum of the individual spring constants of the plurality of rods, whereby the paddle blade is constructed to have sufficient elasticity and stiffness and a geometry such that: during a power stroke, the paddle blade undergoes elastic deformation in response to water pressing against the paddle face whereby the paddle face changes from a generally flat form into a generally scoop-shaped channel that directs most of the water pressing against the paddle face to the distal end; wherein the elastic deformation stores a portion of the power stroke's energy; and wherein at the end of the power stroke the portion of the power stroke's energy that is stored is released with sufficient force to aid in the propulsion of the watercraft; and during a recovery motion, the paddle face takes the generally flat form.