Don Beale, I'm sorry to announce the demise of one of your "children". The long-shafted cedar Greenland paddle you let me take home from R2K1? Alas, I overstressed it.

I had taken in out to see how it behaved in rough water, crossing from Sausalito to Angel Island (San Francisco Bay) then returning during a big ebb. There's some entertaining tide rips around the point where Raccoon Strait meets Richardson Bay. The paddle was a pleasure to brace with, although at times I missed my big-bladed euro paddle when trying to crank the bow around to control broaching. But that's a technique question.

Once back in the shelter of the marina, I figured it was time for roll practice. Stayed upright through the bouncy stuff, so I had to get a snootful of the bay somehow!

Anyway, after the first successful roll, I tried my off-side. I've never yet been able to roll on the left. Blew it this time too - the paddle dived, and I had gotten into shallow water near the beach. So I tried to push off the bottom. Oops. Snap - right at one blade/loom joint, about an inch from the shoulder. That'll teach me to try to cheat.

Anyway, I think when I carve my next paddle, I'll do a laminate with some hardwood. Might add a few ounces of weight, but I think it's worth it.

So what are folks' opinions - is it better to laminate hardwood strips on the face sides of the paddle blank, or right up the center? Preference of wood?

Thanks in advance for the advice.

Val