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Here is what Scott had to say:

I have been racing a bent shaft Werner paddle since the Hennesey's International Championship in San Diego September 2011 after you kindly loaned it to me. I placed third there on it. I also raced it at the Battle of the Paddle 2011 California  and placed 1st in the open 5 mile race and 6th in the 10 mile distance race.  I am 44 years old and have been SUPing for 4 years. I am also an Orthopedic surgeon with a physics background. I understand body mechanics and sports related injuries.  I have used many paddles (Quick Blade elite, C4 race, Werner surf, Hobie race) and the bent shaft is by far the best - here is why:

1. Reach - Dave Kalama eloquently points out something that I have always noticed - that the main difference between average and elite paddlers is reach (see Kalama's Journal "reach damn it reach") Watch any video of Ching, Thomas, Patterson or Rojas - they all get super human extension and reach.  The bent shaft gives the "normal" group of paddlers  this kind or reach.

2. Lift - paddling (especially in SUP which is more of a planning hull the other forms of paddling) is all about strength to weight ratio. In any water sport the enemy is friction. Water is 1000 times more dense than air and therefore "slipperiness" in water is the key. The less water you displace the less power you need to maintain your speed and the easier it is to plane. Therefore good  strokes will  make you lighter.  The greater the angle of the paddle as it engages the water the more lift you can create with downward pressure. The idea is is use your body weight to set the blade which unweights the board just prior to the main pulling phase of the stroke. Higher angle, more reach and the bent shaft all help towards this goal. Imagine standing on a scale as you paddle ( I have actually done this) As you place the paddle in the water try to make your weight as light as possible - the more weight you put on the paddle the lighter you become on your board - almost like you are vaulting yourself ( i also used to be a pole vaulter)

3. Neutral wrist angle - It is easier to pull something when your wrist is straight.  If your bottom hand wrist is bent into radial deviation (as is required when you reach and increase the angle of the shaft)- it is harder (especially for us no so young paddlers) to pull on it. The bent shaft accommodates this angle but allows your wrist to be straight which just flat out feels better when you place load after load on it during a long race. This also crestes less friction in the skin / paddle interface - less blisters, less need for gloves. The neutral wrist angle also leads to less elbow pain than a lot of paddlers struggle with.

4. Less shoudler pain. SInce the shaft does some of the reaching for you  you get less impingement in the shoulder and AC joint. This is something that is most apparent on long paddles. I struggle with AC joint and  shoulder impingement symptoms and I immediately noticed less symptoms with the bent shaft paddle.