I have used this paddle since the winter of 2006.  I have used it creeking and videoboating.  I have no complaints with the paddle.  It has a foam core with carbon kevlar blades and fiberglass shaft.  When I first got the paddle, I was told by some people that they would be nervous using a foam core paddle for creeking.  I thought the paddle was very durable.  No problems with it when I used it for creeking.  When I was videoboating, I sometimes had to get out of my boat quickly, and I would throw the paddle up on to rocks.  I am rough on paddles, and this paddle took the abuse.  I found the paddle to be flexible as well.  No strain on my joints, no wrist problems.  The blades have a fifteen degree offset.  They are large blades as well, and they did not wear down hardly at all over a year of hard use.  I also felt as though it was easy to get to a good speed with only three to four forward strokes.  This paddle definitly gets an A in my book.
 
 
Nate Freier