The carbon-fiberglass blend shaft and carbon/plastic blade make the Aqua Bound Sting Ray the right choice for those who plan to cover some distance and want to reduce fatigue. I love the feel of this paddle in the water; it is high performing but allows for more of a relaxed paddle stroke, meaning I can still cover some miles with horizontal strokes. I usually recommend this paddle to those who want to upgrade from their first entry level paddle, but are not ready to invest $300-$400. This gives you the feel of high-end, with a middle of the road price. Hard to beat that!