: For engineering purposes I would design to withstand more than you can bench
: press. You will probably never apply that much pressure, but if you are
: trying for a "hole-shot" from a standing start, you will apply
: more than 30 lbs.

I broke a paddle doing about that much. At least I know it wasn't over-engineered, and know how much stronger to make it. If it's over-engineered, it's hard to figure out how much less strong you can make something.

: Going for super light weight you may design a little weaker, but you should
: plan on about twice what you will reasonably expect to apply just so you
: have some margin of safety.

I'm a paddler, not a lifter....with that said, I could make a 20-lb. paddle!

Seriously...60 lb. is probably a decent figure to shoot for....100 lb. for super aggressive guys.

Shawn