: . . .I have "hoopled" up the end of my
: paddle badly for about 1.5" with pieces missing and delaminated. It
: is fiberglass on the blade. Anyone have any fixing trix?

My philosophy is: If you can't fix it with some epoxy resin and a few scraps of glass cloth, then you can't fix it, and it is tme to buy ( or make) a new one.

Use small batches of resin, and get it warm so it is thin. Put on a thin coat and let it soak into any cracks and crevices on the paddle, cover with a layer of glass cloth and wet out the cloth. Let this set up, then flip the blade over and do the same on the other side. You may get lucky wiht the thin resin flowing into the delaminated areas on its own, or you may have to use a syringe and/or a small drill bit (1/16th inch) to open holes into the delaminated areas to let the resin flow in. While you are at it, you may want to add some reinforcement to the edge of the paddle blade. A thin nylon rope saturated with epoxy resin can do the trick. Holding it in place while the resin hardens can be a challenge, but covering sections with saran wrap and sliding paper clips over these areas might work.

Assuming a double bladed paddle here, you any want ot add the same amount of resin and glass cloth the the other blade -- even if it is not as badly damaged. It will add reinforcement, and keep the paddle balanced about the same.

You'll want to lightly sand, and add a few fill coats to kill the weave. adn then of course a layer or two of UV blocking varnish, or paint.

Hope this helps.

PGJ