Animal tail paddle shapes were developed around their means of production; starting with an axe and finishing with a crooked knife.  There have been a few process improvements since, notably waterproof glue, powered shaping equipment and molded, composite, construction. 

Modern blades are wider than practicable with a single stick of wood, and tend to be shorter because width adds to surface area.

My S.O. uses old timey Cherry Muskoka sticks to great effect, although it preys on my mind that neither shape, material or construction are used anytime performance is important and measured or scored.

All that said, if ya gotta, fine and dandy, it can't hurt one.  Check out Badger Paddles from the Muskoka region of Ontario, the successors to Ray Kettelwell.  There was a smooth, transition from Ray to Mike Ramsey, the cherry as beautiful and beautifully shaped as always.  Lolk had a series of re-birthing pains; last I heard J.-M. LeLond was no longer making them, no info since.