Hey Robbo,
I have a methane marginly smaller than the Shaka Pu (I think about 6%). I agree it takes a couple of sessions to get used to them as the flat blade can cavitate in the water on the power stroke, but that soon seemed to pass. In hindsight I should have gone the Shaka pu as it was only 6% bigger.
I have found the smaller blade gets the board on the plane much faster ( little bit like 1st gear in a car I guess) and the key is to use short sharp jabs at first to get the momentum going then take long solid strokes. I cant see i loose any power flat water paddling but I dont do enough or know enough about it to really comment.
My methane paddle has been given a huge amount of work in the last 5 weeks and no evidence of fatigue or damage to the board or the paddle at this point.
All I know is the change to the methane means I catch a lot more waves and far easier and can paddle for longer! The smaller blade with the greater angle seems to allow me to turn the board faster as well and I loose ballance less often doing it.
The methanes are also great for smaller paddlers, my daughter uses 1 shes 5'4 and 38kg with no prob. Before with the weight and blade size of the NEEEEEXT paddle she had used to wear her out in about 1hr.
Blade Size:
Something else I found about blade size was when I used the NEEEEEEEXT paddle with the big blade I found the blade was too big for me and I was straining muscles all the time. On the power stroke i would some times pull myself off the board. I spoke to Rich and Paul and a couple other guys and it seem I wasnt the only one having this happen.
The common thought is that you can generate so much force trying to get the board going with the paddle that the suction of the water to the board trying to keep it stationary is greater than the grip of your feet to the board and so you fling yourself of the front on take off!
Any way thats my 2 cents hope it helps
Phill
and I both have the methane and love it, they are an awesome paddle