MT,

Many years ago, a friend of mine employed your method of using the paddle to keep flies at bay. The unfortunate outcome was that some of the flies were getting through this defence and one started biting him on the back of his head. Without a thought, he swated the fly with his paddle. The unfortunate outcome was that he knocked his glasses off into the drink. This was at the top of Curtain Falls. Since then, I use a strap for my glasses. ;D