Dragon Boat West

Hi,

I notice that some paddlers tape up the sides of their OC and DB blades using colored electrical tape.  What are the pros/cons of doing this?  I'm not sure if I should do the same to my blades so I thought I'd get some insight first.

Thanks!

one problem we had last year was that it'd bring water up when people exit causing the person infront of you be rather p***ed off.  though it varies with some paddles...we only experienced it with a few people, but once removed no splashing.

 We tape them up just to protect the edges of the blades on wooden paddles ( you'll notice club paddles are beat ) and to lesson the blow on the side of an outrigger or oc1 if you own your own .Also it helps protect the edges from impact with things underwater ie: rocks,logs because you don't always see them and.Those of you that have done that know exactly what I'm talking about .....it can be brutal on a edge

i have never heard of that problem with taped up blades causing water to be tossed, unless you taped it up pretty bad with edges and overlaps hanging everywhere.  my guess is kicking up water is probably attributed to doing something wrong in the water (technique wise).

i tape up my CF paddle and OC blade.  it really protects it from accidental beats on the gunnel, paddles clashing or as paddle boy said... rocks during low tide (stupid north side cambie bridge). 

i had a conversation with an OC paddler from another club and he brought up a point that taped up blades often trap water on the edges or under the seams which could rot the wood.  personally i don't believe that bull cause i rince my paddle off with fresh water every time i finish paddling.

trapping moisture is a legitimate problem, but it's mostly irrelevant in this case, unless the 'lacquer' layer which can sometimes peel away like thick plasticy rubber, has worn away from the wood.

the tape is simple for protecting against little bangs and scrapes, end of story.