First carbon paddle recommendation?

[PonoBill]

BTW.  I bought a KeNalu wiki and xtufs shaft w extended handle.  really like it, works good for me as occasional paddler, compared to most here. Solved my shoulder irritations.
Seems like pros would use any paddle that was good if free. You think qb is paying big bucks to get them to use it?  Doesnt seem economical.

Depends on the athlete. Everyone does it some, Quickblade does it well. I suspect for the top guys it's more than just a few free paddles, but for many that's all it is. Some sponsorship programs include accommodations at feature events, help with travel, and purse matching. Some go further than that. It's a legitimate expense deduction, just like any marketing, and it's a lot more fun than buying advertising.

[zirkel]

Thanks for all the considered input (especially PonoBill). 

After paddling a local High Sierra lake this morning I sat in a nearby cafe and considered my options, while poking through the 107 pages of glowing comments in the infamous KeNalu thread.  There really is no reason to consider anything else if I can get a KeNalu for under $300.

[PonoBill]

Looks like the factory second elite paddles are under 200 right now. I'd double check, that sounds weird, but it's what the site says. Seconds typically either have tilted logos or dimples on the face. Most of my blades are seconds--doesn't do a thing other than apparently cut the price in half.

[TN_SUP]

The new blade graphics are shown in the stand up journal ad on page 79, they look great! That's why lane has the old graphic blades on sale.