Traditionally, stand up paddles are single bladed construction following the pattern and design of traditional Hawaiian outrigger canoe paddles.
However, this convention has been challenged by experimentation of double-ended stand up paddle designs.
Anyone who makes their own stand up paddles at home or in their workshop, has had the thought cross their mind, "What if I could efficiently put a blade on each end?" Some ventured to tackle the challenge while others let the though pass through their minds and simple revert back to perfecting more popular designs.
Weight is a big factor in designing a double ended paddle.
Wooden paddles that are single bladed have a reputation for being heavier than desired by most.
Adding the bulk of an additional paddle blade to a wood paddle is unfathomable for some.
However, using advanced materials such and carbon fiber that has an excellent strength to weight ratio, the weight problem could be solved.
Wrist action is another challenge for double ended stand up paddles.
Making the transition from one hand on top to the other is an engineering problem that would require an high tech solution.
The transition from left to right would need to feel natural and without excessive strain on the wrists or joints.
The future looks promising for such advanced developments.
As engineering professionals become hooked on the great sport of stand up paddling, their minds often wander to dreams of developing the most efficient equipment for the sport, and it looks like double ended stand up paddles are in the future.
One such company that is experimenting with double-ended standup paddle design is Race Hawaii.