When the big storms begin to form in the Aleutian Islands we begin to see the large NorthWest Swells begin to light up our coastline. The waves stand taller and this paddle will handle the size. The curved laminations symbolizing the isobars of the storms. We double up on the hardwood in the shaft of this paddle to add to the stiffness. Great in the surf or for someone who wants a stiff paddle with lots of blade in the flats.