Thanks, all, for your inputs!

I decided to go with the ZRE Medium (see:   (You need to Login or Register ), a "blemished" Factory Second, of course.  I managed to get stranded in their on-line system, somehow, so I phoned in my order.  I believe I was speaking with Bob Zaveral, himself.  Anyway, when I asked for Customer Service, I got "Bob."

Whoever it was certainly knew paddles... his paddles, competitors' paddles, etc..  After listening to the type of paddling I do and where I did it, etc., he recommended their best-selling ZRE Medium without hesitation.  He even suggested some modifications from standard specs, which I gladly accepted.  Anyhow, I got to spend those Christmas gift dollars that were burning holes in my pocket.  My leg would have been singed had I waited for CanoeCopia and, besides, this particular paddle won't be sold there anyway.

Can hardly wait to give my new 10 ounce paddle a try.  I guess this is pretty typical of the mental tricks we employ to get us through the hard water season.  For my next such trick, I suppose I should start my annual packing, unpacking, repacking routine.  I only have 5 more months to get it right, you know!

Later,

Jimbo   8-)