How you set your paddle feather (the offset angle between one blade and the other) is shrouded in mystery. Traditionally feather was set at 90 degrees, the idea being that the blade out of the water would cut through the air more easily. Since the 1990s most people have progressively decreased this angle to improve wrist comfort. Many racing paddlers have feather set to around 60 degrees now but it’s difficult to find evidence showing this to be an advantage. A few well known paddlers advocate having zero degrees. It’s certainly less strain on the wrist and allows more intuitive bracing. The argument that the blade cuts through the air more easily has diminished since the advent of wing paddles as they naturally provide less wind resistance.

Having a feather angle means you need to have a control hand (right hand if you’re right handed, left if you’re left handed) which means having to articulate the control wrist to some extent. I think many people use a feather because they are simply used to it. If anyone can provide evidence as to why having your blades feathered is a benefit, I’d be really interested.

At the end of the day I think it comes down to personal preference.