Paddle for water sports

Abstract

A paddle includes a paddle shaft having a longitudinal axis and first and second ends. A first paddle blade is coupled with the first end and includes front and back faces. A second paddle blade is coupled with the second end and also includes front and back faces. A first grip is coupled to the second paddle blade front face remote from the paddle shaft second end while a reinforcing spine is provided to the second paddle blade back face. A method is also disclosed.

1 . A paddle, comprising:
 a paddle shaft having a longitudinal axis and first and second ends;   a first paddle blade coupled with the first end, the first paddle blade having front and back faces;   a second paddle blade coupled with the second end, the second paddle blade having front and back faces; and   a first grip projecting from the second paddle blade front face remote from the paddle shaft second end.   
     
     
         2 . A paddle, comprising:
 a paddle shaft having a longitudinal axis and first and second ends;   a first paddle blade coupled with the first end, the first paddle blade having front and back faces;   a second paddle blade coupled with the second end, the second paddle blade having front and back faces; and   a first grip operatively coupled remote from the paddle shaft first and second ends.   
     
     
         3 . The paddle of  claim 2 , wherein the first grip is coupled to the second paddle blade front face near a center of the second paddle blade front face. 
     
     
         4 . The paddle of  claim 2 , wherein the first grip is removably coupled to the second paddle blade. 
     
     
         5 . The paddle of  claim 2 , wherein the first grip is a knob, a handle, or a loop. 
     
     
         6 . The paddle of  claim 2 , wherein the first grip is an opening in the second paddle blade. 
     
     
         7 . The paddle of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a second grip operatively coupled remote from the first grip.   
     
     
         8 . The paddle of  claim 2 , wherein a projection is formed on the front face of the second paddle blade and the grip is coupled with the projection, and wherein the blades, the grips, and the paddle shaft are formed as an integral, single piece unit. 
     
     
         9 . The paddle of  claim 8 , wherein the projection further comprises:
 a lumen configured to receive a portion of the first grip.   
     
     
         10 . The paddle of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a sleeve configured for receipt within the lumen and for receiving the portion of the first grip.   
     
     
         11 . The paddle of  claim 8 , wherein the projection comprises an anchoring spine. 
     
     
         12 . The paddle of  claim 11 , wherein the anchoring spine tapers into the front face from a height spaced apart from the front face. 
     
     
         13 . The paddle of  claim 2 , wherein the first grip further comprises:
 a grip shaft portion extending within a first plane containing the longitudinal axis of the paddle shaft.   
     
     
         14 . The paddle of  claim 13 , wherein the first grip further comprises:
 a grip handle portion extending approximately perpendicular to the first grip shaft portion.   
     
     
         15 . The paddle of  claim 14 , wherein the grip handle portion extends within a second plane containing the longitudinal axis and spaced apart from the second paddle blade front face. 
     
     
         16 . The paddle of  claim 14 , wherein the grip handle portion is spaced apart from the projection. 
     
     
         17 . A method comprising:
 providing a paddle shaft having first and second ends;   providing a first handle remote from the paddle shaft first and second ends;   providing a paddle blade on the paddle shaft second end; and   wherein pulling the paddle shaft and paddle blade moves a watercraft relative to water.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein a user's palms are oriented in orthogonal plans when grasping the paddle shaft and the first handle, respectively for each of the user's palms. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising positioning the paddle shaft with the paddle blade below the first handle. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein a user operating a paddle:
 changes from gripping the first handle with the first hand to gripping the paddle shaft with the first hand;   alternately places the paddle blade provided on the paddle shaft second end and a paddle blade provided on the paddle shaft first end partially underwater; and   alternately pulls the paddle shaft with first hand when the paddle blade provided on the paddle shaft first end is partially underwater, and pulls the paddle shaft with the second hand when the paddle blade provided on the paddle shaft second end is partially underwater.