SPORTS PADDLES AND PADDLE KITS

PRIORITY CLAIM AND REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[001] The application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 and all applicable treaties and national laws from prior US provisional application serial number 61/907,060, which was filed November 21, 2013, from prior US provisional application 61/907,062, which was filed November 21, 2013, from prior US provisional application 61/907,064, which was filed November 21, 2013, and from prior US provisional application 61/907,067, which was filed November 21, 2013.

FIELD

[002] A field of the invention is water sports equipment. The invention concerns water sports paddles, which are used in water sports activities such as surfing, stand up paddle (SUP) boarding, and kayaking.

BACKGROUND

[003] Various water sports utilize water sport paddles. Traditionally, there have been two different types of water sports paddles. [004] A first type is a kayak-style paddle that has paddle blades on both terminal ends of a shaft and is used by gripping the shaft in the middle. Experienced users employ a shoulder rotation to alternate power strokes between the two paddle blades, resulting in a semi-continuous motion. The natural motion of paddling from a sitting position moves the blade that is out of the water toward its insertion point while the blade that is in the water completes its stroke. The same motion is then repeated by inserting the paddle that is out of the water into the water and completing a power stroke that naturally moves the opposite paddle out of the water toward its insertion position. This is a highly efficient style of paddling. This style of paddle and paddling is most often employed from a sitting position on a kayak, but is also used by surfers when travelling longer distances to get past a break that is a fair distance from shore. This can be referred to as a kayak style stroke.

[005] A second type is an SUP paddle that has a single paddle blade on one terminal end of a shaft and a handle on the opposite end of the shaft. This style of paddle is used by gripping the handle with one hand with the shaft oriented so the handle is at the top (high side) of the shaft and gripping the shaft itself with the other hand. A stroke is completed with the blade. While a next stroke can be completed on the same side or an opposite side of a water vehicle (board, boat or the like), the single blade must be first moved from the point where the prior stroke was completed forward to its next insertion point. This can be referred to as an SUP stroke.

[006] The SUP style paddles are generally sold and used by stand up paddle board enthusiasts and also by surfers. The kayak style paddles are generally used by kayak style craft, namely any craft designed to be paddled primarily from a sitting position. Sometimes SUP users may wish to sit or kneel and conduct a kayak style stroke, but the SUP paddle is not well-suited for such a stroke. Paddling from the sitting or kneeling position with a traditional SUP water sports paddle is awkward, at best. [007] More recently, dual use craft have been introduced. These craft provide a defined seat position, but also resemble a board and provide a convenient stand up position. To benefit from both styles of operation, both a kayak and SUP paddle can be carried. The expense and inconvenience of carrying two paddles has inspired the industry to produce single paddle solutions.

[008] Many single paddle solutions are convertible paddle kits. The convertible paddle kits require exchange of a paddle blade and a handle at one end of the paddle shaft. An example convertible paddle is sold by Carlisle Paddle Gear under the brand name Taboo, and is shown in FIGs. 1A-1C. FIG. 1A shows the paddle assembled in its SUP configuration. This paddle kit includes both a handle attachment (FIG. IB), which forms the SUP configuration of FIG. 1 A and a blade attachment (FIG. 1C) that can be used to form a kayak paddle configuration. When the blade of FIG. 1C is attached, it is a kayak style paddle. With the handle attached as in FIG. 1 A, it is an SUP style paddle.

[009] Such a convertible paddle kit reduces expense compared to buying two paddles. However, it is not convenient for on-the-fly change in paddling style while on the water. Generally, the kit is modified on shore and one of the attachments is stored.

[0010] A similar convertible paddle kit is sold commercially under the Transformer

Foldable Travel SUP name. The kit components for SUP assembly are shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 2B shows the kit assembled in the SUP configuration. FIG. 2C shows an alternative to the handle that is a second paddle blade that is used in place of the handle to form a kayak style paddle. Like the Taboo brand paddle, this paddle thus includes separate paddle and handle attachments. The length of shaft associated with the attachments is longer and can be dissembled into three unitary parts, allowing the kit to have a smaller length when stored.

[0011] US Published Patent Application US 20110027101 discloses a convertible paddle system in which the handle and paddle blade remain attached. The blade is mounted offset from the shaft with a mechanism that allows the blade to rotate and lock into place between operational and stowed positions. The stowed position has the paddle rotated into position below the handle adjacent the shaft and the operational position has the paddle rotated into position above the handle and offset from the axis of the shaft. The mechanism is mechanically complex. In regular use in seawater, the mechanism is likely to be prone to failure. It also is expensive to manufacture compared to normal parts for paddles. The offset of the paddle in the operational position creates an awkward and inefficient kayak paddling stroke. The stowed position with the large paddle immediately below the handle can interfere with the arm of a user during a normal SUP paddling stroke.

Ross et al., Patent US 8,100,733 discloses a dual use water sports paddle that permits but does not require detachment or displacement of the paddle or handle. In the '733 patent, one of the paddle blades includes both a traditional SUP handle and paddle blade on one end. The handle can be removed and stowed. In one variation, one of the blades has a substantial opening and the traditional SUP handle is accommodated in the opening. The opening removes a substantial portion of the blade, being large enough to accommodate a traditional handle, a portion of the shaft, and a user's hand. The substantial hole in the central part of the paddle blade makes the blade highly inefficient in practice as much water will flow through the blade during a stroke. Another variation maintains a paddle blade without a large hole by angling the handle and or paddle blade with respect to each other. The paddle shapes are not traditional in some of these variations and the angle of the handle of the handle with respect to the shaft is also not traditional. The handle positions are awkward for efficient paddling and the unique blade shapes are inefficient. The large handles and additional shaft and attachment sections also add weight at undesirable positions and can create an unbalanced feeling during kayak style paddling. In addition, the space between the blade and the handle provides poor aerodynamics. During a stroke in water, there will be fluid flow between the blade and the handle, creating additional forces that oppose the stroke.

[0013] US Published Application 20130230398 also discloses a dual use water sports paddle. One of the blades includes a mount for a traditional style handle/grip that is offset from the shaft. The handle is centrally located with respect to the paddle blade. The paddle blade includes a reinforcing spine to accommodate the forces generated during use of the handle in SUP style paddling. The mass of handle and its anchoring point creates imbalance during kayak style paddling. In addition, the aerodynamics of the handle, anchor and blade reduce paddling efficiency by creating fluid flow between the blade and handle and forces that oppose the paddling stroke.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The invention concerns water sports paddles, which are often used in water sports activities such as surfing, stand up paddle (SUP) boarding, and kayaking. The invention provides dual use, dual blade water sports paddles and paddle kits. Preferred water sports paddles of the invention can be switched from SUP to kayak paddling on the water with no need for changing any parts of the paddle.

[0015] A dual use water sports paddle of preferred embodiments includes a shaft and paddle blades at both terminal ends the shaft. A stand up paddling (SUP) handle is attached to, an integral part of or a unitary part of one or both of the shaft and/or one or both of the paddle blades. The SUP handle is substantially coplanar with the shaft. A first preferred embodiment provides a side handle that extends transversely from the shaft. A second preferred embodiment provides an inline handle with an opening for a user's hand. A third preferred embodiment provides a handle in the form of an opening in a paddle blade. A fourth preferred embodiment provides a folding shaft. Preferably, two handles are provided in preferred embodiment water sports paddles. Paddle kits are also provided to convert prior SUP or kayak paddles into dual use paddles. In preferred embodiments, one or both of the shaft or blade(s) is unitary with the handle, and in some embodiments the handle connects to one or both of the blade(s) and shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIGs. 1A - 1C (Prior Art) illustrates a prior commercially available convertible paddle;

[0017] FIGs. 2 A - 2C (Prior Art) illustrates another prior commercially available convertible paddle;

[0018] FIG. 3 A illustrates a first preferred embodiment dual use, dual blade water sports paddle with a transverse side handle;

[0019] FIGs. 3B-3G illustrate preferred embodiment kits that can be used to assemble the first preferred embodiment dual use, dual blade water sports paddle;

[0020] FIG. 4A illustrates a second preferred embodiment dual use, dual blade water sports paddle with an inline gap handle;

[0021] FIGs. 4B-4F illustrate preferred embodiment kits that can be used to assemble the second preferred embodiment dual use, dual blade water sports paddle;

[0022] FIG. 5A illustrates a third preferred embodiment dual use, dual blade water sports paddle with a unitary in-paddle handle;

[0023] FIGs. 5B-5C illustrate preferred embodiment kits that can be used to assemble the third preferred embodiment dual use, dual blade water sports paddle; [0024] FIGs. 6 A and 6B illustrates a fourth preferred embodiment dual use, dual blade water sports paddle with a folding shaft;

[0025] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a pin locked connection in a preferred embodiment dual use, dual blade water sports paddle of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] The invention concerns water sports paddles for water sports activities such as surfing, stand up paddle (SUP) boarding, and kayaking. The invention provides dual use, dual blade water sports paddles and paddle kits. Preferred water sports paddles of the invention can be switched from SUP to kayak paddling on the water.

[0027] A dual use water sports paddle of preferred embodiments includes a shaft and paddle blades at both terminal ends the shaft. A stand up paddling (SUP) handle is attached to, an integral part of or a unitary part of one or both of the shaft and/or one or both of said paddle blades. The SUP handle is substantially coplanar with the shaft. A first preferred embodiment provides a side handle that extends transversly from the shaft. A second preferred embodiment provides an inline handle with an opening for a user's hand. A third preferred embodiment provides a handle in the form of an opening in a paddle blade. A fourth preferred embodiment provides a folding shaft. Preferably, two handles are provided in preferred embodiment water sports paddles. Paddle kits are also provided to convert prior SUP or kayak paddles into dual use paddles. In preferred embodiments one or both of the paddle or blade(s) is unitary with the handle, and in some embodiments the handle connects to one or both of the blade(s) and shaft or is integral with one or both. Unitary indicates that it is formed from the same uninterrupted material as a single unitary piece. Integral means that it is permanently connected or joined in a manner not meant to be separated.

[0028] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be discussed with respect to the drawings. The drawings may include schematic representations, which will be understood by artisans in view of the general knowledge in the art and the description that follows. Features may be exaggerated in the drawings for emphasis, and features may not be to scale.

[0029] FIG. 3 A shows a first preferred embodiment dual use water sports paddle 10 of the invention. The dual use paddle includes a shaft 12. The shaft 12 can be made of conventional material and be of a conventional length. Paddle blades 14 are attached terminal ends of the shaft 12 via conventional techniques in the industry. The blades 14 can also be conventionally sized and made of conventional materials. The dual use paddle 10 of the first embodiment includes two transversely extending side handles 16 proximate terminal ends of the shaft 12. The side handles 16 can be a unitary part of the shaft 12 in specific preferred embodiments. In other variations and kits of the invention, the side handles 16 are a unitary part of the blades 14, and are configured with the blades 14 to attach to the shaft 12. In other variations and kits of the invention, the side handles are configured to be integral with or to attach to one or both the shaft 12 and the blades 14.

[0030] FIGs. 3B-3G illustrate kits and example connection strategies for converting an SUP or kayak paddle into a dual use paddle in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 3B, the side handle 14 is configured to connect to both blades and shaft. The connection can be a simple through hole, for example, that permits a threaded or other connection between the shaft 12 and blades 14 to happen through a portion of the side handle 14. Preferably, some anti-rotation detents or structures 18 keep the side handle 14 in a fixed rotational position after mounting by interfering with a portion of the blade 14 or (not shown) with features on the shaft 12. In FIG. 3C, the side blade 16 kit includes a male extension 20 that fits into the shaft 12. The male extension 20 includes a taper 22 and can form a tight interference fit that slightly expands the shaft 12 when inserted. It can also include features such as detents to mate with a corresponding feature inside the shaft 12. In FIGs. 3D and 3E, the side handle 16 is a unitary part of a paddle 14 to form a kit that connects to a shaft. The FIG. 3E embodiment is also unitary or integral and includes a male extension 20 with threads 24 to form a threaded engagement with threads inside a shaft. Whether unitary or connected to the blade 14, it is preferably that the handle interface with or be an extension of a central structural rib 25 of the blade 14. In other embodiments the side handles are attached to an existing paddle having two blades by a simple locking strap set or clamp. The side handles 16 are preferably curved and have a wide base portion 26 that extends from the shaft and narrows to a narrow portion 28. As shown in FIG. 3F, an internal surface 30 of the side handle has a female curved surface that matches the outer diameter of the shaft 12 and preferably wraps at least half way around the shaft, and most preferably more than halfway around. A strap or clamp 31 can also lock around the shaft 12 and into the handle 16. With appropriate materials, a unitary side handle can define a mounting portion that extends more than half way around the shaft 12. The side handle of preferred embodiments, with rigid materials having some flexibility can be forced open to snap onto a shaft without any other mounting mechanism. Once snapped into place, the material and configuration make the side handle difficult to move or remove. Due to friction and elastic forces, the handle is mated in a fixed manner that permits paddling without slipping. Other mountings including providing a bolt or pin from the base of the side handle that extends through a hole into the shaft to aid its positioning. In other embodiments, a bolt or pin extends completely through a through hole in the shaft. A spring lock, nut or other conventional mechanism prevents the bolt pin from being removed from the shaft. FIG. 3F shows a unitary or integral shaft 12 with two side handles 16 that can be mated with conventional blades to form a dual use water sports paddle of the first embodiment.

[0031 ] In preferred variations of the first embodiment, the side handle 16 us a unitary part of the shaft 12 and is aligned in a common plane or a plane only slightly offset with a plane(s) of both paddle blades 14 and the shaft. This means that an extension transversely of the shaft 12 will encompass the side handle 16. Side handles 16 are preferably provided proximate both ends of the shaft 12 as show in FIG. 3A, to provide for convenient switching from left handed to a right handed SUP paddling stroke.

[0032] The handle 16 can extend a distance from the shaft that is commensurate with extension of the paddle blades 14 away from the shaft or slightly more than the shaft. A paddle side surface of the handles 16 is preferably slightly curved, and a lower surface more strongly curved, which aids palm and thumb placement for SUP style paddling. The side handles 16 are substantially coplanar with the shaft 12. In particular preferred embodiments, a plane through a center of the shaft 12 intersects a center line of the side handle 16. A slight offset is also permissible, but an extension of the shaft 12 in a transverse direction should encompass at least a portion of the side handle.

[0033] Testing of an experimental embodiment has shown that the side handles 16 are comfortable and efficient for an SUP paddling stroke. Because the grip provided by the handles extends directly from the shaft, the feel of SUP paddling is very similar to a traditional SUP paddle that has the handle at the end of the shaft. The relative position of the side handle(s) and the blade(s) with the shape of the handle curving away from the blade toward its terminal end avoid any interference of the paddle with a user's arm or hand during SUP paddling. [0034] The paddle blades 14 can be of any traditional shape and have an uninterrupted surface area. The blades can therefore be optimal from an aerodynamic position.

[0035] The side handle(s) 16 add little mass and provide a balanced feel during either SUP or kayak style paddling. In addition, both side handles 16 can remain out of the water during either a kayak or SUP paddle stroke while most or all of the paddle blade engages the water. Even when the side handles enter the water, the side handles do not create any significant forces that oppose the paddling motion.

[0036] Another embodiment of the invention is a side handle conversion kit for a paddle including two paddle blades at both ends of the shaft as in a kayak paddle or a SUP paddle with a handle at one end and a blade at the other. The kit can be formed of one of the variations of FIGs. 3B-3G, for example, and permits a user to mount a side handle to an existing paddle as described above to create a dual use side handle paddle of the invention from an existing paddle.

[0037] A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 4A. FIG. 4A is a dual use water sports paddle 40. Similar parts to the first embodiment are labelled with the same reference numerals. In FIG. 4A, inline gap handles 42 are disposed between blades 14 and ends of the shaft 12. The inline gap handle 42 is co-axially aligned with the shaft 12. For SUP paddling, this is a handle position directly on top of the shaft 12, which mimics a conventional SUP paddle. In preferred embodiments, the inline gap handle 42 is unitary part of the shaft 12 or the paddle blade 14 or both. In other embodiments, the gap handle 42 can be in a portion of the shaft slightly away from the blade 14. In other embodiments, a kit of one or two inline gap handles is provided as a kit to modify a previously manufactured paddle, with different configurations for parts of the paddle kit illustrated in FIGs. 4B-4E and labelled as in FIGs. 3B-3E. In preferred embodiments, an inline gap handle is provided as a unitary part of both paddles or both ends of the shaft 12 to provide handles at both ends, or is integral or attached. Inline gap handles 42 are preferably provided at both ends to provide for convenient switching from a left handed to a right handed SUP paddling stroke.

[0038] The inline gap handles 42 include connecting supports 44 that are rigid to support the forces generated during a paddling stroke but define a gap 46 in the middle to a accommodate a user's hand. The bulb general shape in the illustrated in embodiment shows the supports 44 as curved. This is a convenient shape to accommodate a user's hand. A base portion that connects to or is integral with or unitary with the shaft defines a comfortable grip for the palm and fingers.

[0039] In preferred embodiments, the base of the blade 14 and the end of the shaft

12 are kept close, within a few inches to enhance rigidity. The distance should be large enough to accommodate a hand and its movement during a normal SUP paddling stroke. A grip portion 48 of the handle 42 can have a traditional SUP shape. The grip provided by the handle(s) 42 preferably extends directly from the end of the shaft 12, providing the exact feel of a traditional SUP paddle, while also providing the on-the-fly ability to switch to a kayaking stroke without any conversion of the paddle. The grip portion 48 is substantially coplanar with the shaft. In particular preferred embodiments, a plane through a center of the shaft 12 intersects a center of the grip portion. A slight offset is also permissible, but an axial extension of the shaft 12 should encompass at least a portion of the grip portion 48.

[0040] In additional embodiments one or more inline gap handles are placed within the shaft at a distance away from the paddle blades. As shown in FIG. 4F, the inline gap handle 42 in that case connect two shaft segments 12a and 12b and can provide a grip 48, for example, mid shaft. A mid shaft gap handle also permits disassembly of the shaft to make it compact for storage. [0041] The paddle blades 14 can be of any traditional shape and have an uninterrupted surface area. The blades can therefore be optimal from an aerodynamic position.

[0042] The inline gap handle(s) 42 also add little mass and provide a balanced feel during either SUP or kayak style paddling. In addition, both inline gap handles 42 can remain out of the water during either a kayak or SUP paddle stroke while most or all of the paddle blade engages the water. Even when the inline gap handles enter the water, the inline gap handles do not create any significant forces that oppose the paddling motion.

[0043] In some embodiments, the inline gap handles 42 are formed as a unitary part of the blade 14 or the shaft 12 or both. In other embodiments the inline gap handles 42 are unitary stand-alone pieces and attach to an existing paddle to re-connect the blade 14 and the shaft 12. As in FIG. 3G, another variation has the handles 42 integrated or unitary with the shaft 12.

[0044] The connection between a shaft 12 or blade 14 and the inline gap handle 42 can be similar to those employed in prior convertible paddles, or as in the first embodiment as illustrated in FIGs. 4B-4E. The connection preferably extends a distance over the shaft and threads onto it or is positively engaged by other convention connection techniques, including threading, detents, pins, etc. In other embodiments, a bolt or pin extends completely through a through a portion of the incline gap handle and a hole in the shaft to secure the inline gap handle. A spring lock, nut or other conventional mechanism prevents the bolt pin from being removed from the shaft.

[0045] Another embodiment of the invention is an inline gap handle conversion kit for a paddle including one or more parts in FIGs. 4A-4E. The kit permits a user to mount an inline gap handle to an existing paddle in accordance with FIGs. 4B-4E and create a dual use side handle paddle of the invention from an existing paddle. [0046] FIG. 5A shows a third preferred embodiment dual use water sports paddle 50 of the invention. The third preferred embodiment includes unitary paddle blade 14 that defines an SUP handle with a handle 52 formed as a hole through a base portion of the blade 14. When attached to one or both ends of a shaft 12, the blade 14 provides a dual use water sports paddle having a shaft 12, paddle blades 14 at terminal ends of the shaft 12, and an in-blade handle 52. The paddle blade handle 52 is preferably a crescent shaped hole in the thickest base portion of the paddle blade 14 such that the SUP paddle grip defined by the lower portion of the crescent handle 52 is immediately adjacent a shaft 12 when attached to the shaft. Accordingly, no special reinforcement of the paddle blade 14 is needed, and the paddle blade 14 can have a traditional shape and be formed from traditional materials. The crescent shape accommodates a user's hand including some movement during an SUP paddling motion and provides a comfortable grip from the material of the paddle blade itself, or with additional material such as soft polymers or neoprene. In additional embodiments, a separate grip can attach inside the handle, such as neoprene or other materials via Velcro or adhesive. The grips can be accessories and sold separately, to provide customization of the look and feel of the grip. Similarly, custom grips in various colors and styles can be offered as accessory covers for any of the embodiments disclosed herein. This provides an advantage of a custom look, which is valued by water sports enthusiasts.

[0047] Preferred embodiments also include dual use paddles having a unitary paddle blade with handle at one or both ends of the shaft. In other embodiments a kit of one or two unitary paddles with handles is provided as a kit to modify a previously manufactured paddle, as shown in FIGs. 5B and 5C using like reference numerals as used in FIGs. 3B-3E and FIGs. 4B-4E . Unitary paddle blades with handles formed as openings therein are preferably provided at both ends to provide for convenient switching from a left handed to a right handed SUP paddling stroke.

[0048] The preferably crescent shaped handle openings in the unitary blades are very close to the terminal end of the shaft 12 and transfer forces generated during a paddling stroke to the shaft. The crescent is large enough to accommodate a hand and normal movement during an SUP paddling stroke. The crescent shape is a convenient shape to accommodate a user's hand while also minimizing the amount of paddle surface area that is occupied by the crescent hole in the paddle. A base portion of the handle defines a comfortable grip for the palm and fingers from the paddle blade material itself or other material. The grip provided by the handle(s) is close to the end of the shaft and inline with the shaft, providing the exact feel of a traditional SUP paddle, while also providing the on-the-fly ability to switch to a kayaking stroke without any conversion of the paddle.

[0049] The paddle blades can be of any traditional shape and have a large portion of uninterrupted surface area. The blades can therefore be optimal from an aerodynamic position.

[0050] The paddle blade handle(s) add little to no mass and provide a balanced feel during either SUP or kayak style paddling. In addition, the unitary paddle blade handles, being located at the base, can remain out of the water during either a kayak or SUP paddle stroke while most or all of the remaining portion of the paddle blade engages the water. Even when the handles enter the water, the handles do not create any significant forces that oppose the paddling motion, but do reduce some surface area compared to an identical paddle blade that lacks the through paddle handle.

[0051] In preferred kits of the invention, the paddle blades of the invention are unitary stand-alone pieces that form a kit, as in FIGs. 5B and 5C and attach to an existing paddle shaft to replace one or both paddle blades of a kayak paddle or a paddle handle and/or a paddle blade of an SUP paddle to form a dual use water sports paddle of the third embodiment shown in FIG 5 A.

[0052] The connection portion to connect to the shaft can be the same or similar to those employed for prior normal or convertible paddles, or as described with respect to other embodiments and/or as shown in FIGs. 5B-5C. The connection preferably extends a distance over the shaft and threads onto it or is positively engaged by other convention connection techniques, including threading, detents, pins, etc. In other embodiments, a bolt or pin extends completely through a through a portion of the incline gap handle and a hole in the shaft to secure the inline gap handle. A spring lock, nut or other conventional mechanism prevents the bolt pin from being removed from the shaft.

[0053] FIGs. 6A-6B shows a fourth preferred embodiment dual use water sports paddle 60 in respective kayak and SUP paddling positions. The paddle 60 is a foldable dual use water sports paddle that folds a locks into two positions about a pivot point 62. An SUP handle 64 with a grip is provided in the folded position of FIG. 6B with an effective single blade 14 on the opposite end. In the extended position, dual blades 14 are provided at opposite ends of the shaft. The dual blades 14 are close together in the folded position of FIG. 6B to form the single effective blade 14. In the extended position and folded positions the blades 14 and handles 64 remain attached, permitting on-the -water conversion of the dual use paddle from an SUP paddle to a kayak paddle and vice versa.

[0054] The handle 64 is preferably a two-portion handle that aligns two portions 64a and 64b in the folded position of FIG. 6B to provide a comfortable grip 64 on one end of the shaft 12 in the folded position. The two paddle blades preferably closely align in the folded position of FIG. 3B to minimize distance between that could lead to inefficient fluid resistance during paddling. [0055] In other variations, the pivot point 62 is not in the center of the shaft 12. In other embodiments, the pivot point is moved close to one of the paddle blades. In those embodiments, the paddle blades will not align in the folded position. The paddle will, in that case, align with a portion of the shaft slightly below the handle. The position can be selected to avoid any interference with a normal SUP paddling motion.

[0056] The portions of the shaft 12 between the handles in the extended position are preferably shaped to form a full shaft when folded but form half-shafts (half cylinders) when in the extended position. The remaining portions of the shaft are preferably full shafts in the extended position to provide a traditional on- shaft grip for kayak style paddling. In the folded position, these portions of the shaft are adjacent one another, but can be small enough in diameter to provide a practical grip for the hand that holds the shaft during SUP paddling.

[0057] The paddle blades 14 can be of any traditional shape and have a large portion of uninterrupted surface area. The blades can therefore be optimal from an aerodynamic position.

[0058] The pivot mechanism can be realized with conventional mechanical assemblies for rotating and locking shafts. For example, a fixed pin at the point of the rotation provides the pivot point. Locking can be provided with detents on the shafts or a second pin that is spring loaded and can be retracted to permit changes between the extended and folded positions. In the extended and folded positions, the second pin can extend into holes provided on the portion of the shaft. Locking can be provided also with a sliding sleeve that is retracted during a folding or extending movement to permit rotational movement and then is slid and locked into place over the pivot point and portions of both shaft sections to prevent rotation of the shaft portions with respect to each other. The sleeve can lock into different positions with detents or other conventional means, such as threads. [0059] FIG. 7 shows an example pin lock mechanism that can be used in any of the four embodiments above. In the FIGs, 6A and 6B embodiments, it can serve to lock the folding shaft in either of the FIGs. 6A and 6B positions, though the portions of the shaft will not be concentric, but will be mated half cylinder shafts. The principle of the pin lock is the same. In other embodiments, it can fix a portion of a kit onto a shaft and hold it in place. As seen in FIG. 7, a pin 70 extends through a hole in the shaft 12 and another component 72, which can be a portion of the shaft in FIG. 6A or one of the portions of a handle and/or blade assembly in the other embodiments. A spring 74 locks the pin and permits its release by retraction, such as by squeezing. Other forms of removable locking are also permissible, such as spring loaded detents.

[0060] While specific embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it should be understood that other modifications, substitutions and alternatives are apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Such modifications, substitutions and alternatives can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which should be determined from the appended claims.

[0061] Various features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.