Cracked Paddle

Can you crack a paddle paddling??

I got back from a paddle today, and noticed a crack running half way across the blade, about 8 cm from the neck, not the toe of the paddle.

I definitely didn’t bang it on anything. Don’t usually bang it against the cut outs when paddling either. Pretty sure it wasn’t cracked on Tuesday when I went out last.
So did it crack paddling today? I’ve had it about 4 years.

Second question, can I continue using it? Or is there a chance of the blade completely snapping off during a paddle?

Thanks guys. Pretty bummed about it.

Apologies Robin for sticking this in announcements page by mistake.

My experience says the simple answer is, yes. I have a paddle that developed cracks closer to the neck from what I would consider to be, maybe, harder than average use. I reinforced it with epoxy, fiberglass and cabasyl, but, as you can see in the picture below, the crack reappeared. So, this paddle is not might first choice to use on a serious downwind. I also snapped a blade, in the same area you are describing, while being drug toward the beach locked in my foot straps on a large wave.

My wing paddles have held up fine, but I've cracked various parts of my ZRE brand carbon canoe paddles on multiple occasions. I've crushed the grip, cracked the shaft just above the blade, and cracked the blade planting it down hard on a sand bar. All 3 times I've repaired it successfully.

If the crack has severed the threads of carbon, there is a weak spot and a catastrophic failure is likely to propagate from the small crack, as it has created a weak spot in the weave. Also, since its high up on the blade, there is a lot of amplified lever force on it, so I would say it is likely to fail without repair.

I'd repair the area with 1 layer of 6oz carbon cloth to ensure your paddle lives on. I attached my composite repair instructions for reference.

I'd avoid using fiberglass to repair carbon, because like Fath's experience shows, glass flexes a lot more than carbon and the crack may reappear because the carbon is more rigid than the glass. In general, I'd alwaus recommend repairing with like cloth (or in the case of Kevlar, use carbon because Kevlar cannot be sanded - glass and carbon can)

Thanks for the link and the detailed instructions MCImes.
If you saw my last attempt at an FRP repair, you'll know that I'll definitely follow that advice about practicing first on a bucket!
Those instructions are such a great resource though mate. Thank you very much for sharing that. My weekend job now.

"I also snapped a blade, in the same area you are describing, while being drug toward the beach locked in my foot straps on a large wave. "
If that wasn't enjoyable enough as it was! The broken paddle was the icing on the cake.

2 linear cracks from the inner edge to the base of the blade (right across from each other).
How would you suggest fixing this?