I just did my first solo trip for 9 days this summer.  I brought a kayak paddle and a bentshaft single-blade paddle for my backup.  The plan was to use the kayak paddle for travelling and the single-blade for fishing.  Less than a mile into my trip, I stowed the 'yak paddle and it became my emergency backup, never to get used again.  

I have never done any kayaking and I found the yak paddle used a whole different motion and different muscles than a regular paddle.  For me, that motion was awkward and uncomfortable.  I paddled in some pretty crazy winds on that trip, coming at me from all directions and never once was I tempted to use the yak paddle again.