Black plastic-clad, super strong aluminum shaft that extends fully into the blade's length for internal reinforcement and pre-installed drip rings. With our unique take-down coupling feature, our Kayak paddles can have the blades run parallel (in-line) or they can be feathered 90 degrees by simply depressing the spring-loaded button and turning the shaft 1/4 turn. It's like having two Kayak paddles for the price of one.