I have been using my Werner Cyprus bent-shaft paddle for over one year now. I still prefer it to my straight-shaft paddles (Werner Little Dipper and Shuna). Although had positions are somewhat limited, I find that I can paddle with it slightly off center to compensate for wind. I feel that I can brace better with my bent-shaft paddle, but I cannot compare directly since the bent shaft blades are foam-filled carbon (more buoyant) and the two straight shaft paddles are soled fiberglass.

At two recent sea kayak symposiums on the Great Lakes I observed that about one-half the coaches (class instructors) used bent shaft paddles.