Double Blade Paddle

A while back I was soloing when the wind picked up. Wasn't to bad but I was tired and didn't feel like I was making much progress. Both of my paddles have long flat grips so I tried holding them together and using them like a double blade paddle. It worked pretty well so I decided to try to make a couple paddles that would clip together. Here is what I came up with. The cam locks are deer antler. Paddles are sassafras.
Too much time on my hands I guess.
Just polishing up my skills before I start in on that American Chestnut I got from Andre. Thats next.

 

Just a bit of genius in that. Well done!

I've lashed two paddles together, to get the same effect, but that was simple. This is a whole lot more solid...

 

Lovely Project

What a beautiful paddle! Do you think I need one of these? Or should I concentrate on the J-stroke -- using a longer slimmer blade?

 

Thanks Millie. Stick with learning to control a canoe with a single paddle, a double blade is a poor substitute, although useful in some circumstances.

 

As skills are developed with the single-bladed paddle, the perceived need for the double-bladed paddle decreases. You reach a point where the only time you might need a double-blade is going upstream, and against the wind. But a canoe pole works better than a double-bladed paddle...