Paddle both light weight and flexible

[newton333]

new starboard paddle with the flex. they look great i havent tried one yet but the blade is almost scooped looks pretty sick.

[Neki]

I wonder if any paddle manufacturers have experimented with tapered shafts? That would be the best way to control flex. If its because of cost , I believe they are robing themselves in advancments of the sport.  A rectangular pre-preg wrapped around a non tapered mandrel is the easier cheaper route, then triangular shapes on a tapered mandrel
look at a golf club shaft, flex is controled by the taper. Better yet if you have a big two piece surf rod, check out the butt section half and flex it like your taking a stroke.  One rod i have in particular seems to have a perfect, shock absorbing flex for a paddle shaft.  
 With a tapered shaft i think you could play around with blade angles too. Setting up the power phase of the stroke in relation to power output and  body mechanics.  What do y'all think?