Thanks kcmx for the pictures. I'm guessing that you might be one of the CW/ITE girls who got the Seatec paddle on a discounted rate. I don't claim to be a paddle expert, but here are my thoughts.
The site of the breakage at the CF paddle is probably the weakest so I'm not particularly surprised to see that. I've broken a wooden SDBA one at that site myself and heard of recent Burnwater returns.
I can't say for sure on the scratches on the composite paddle. I'm holding onto my own Grey Owl and can see similar scrapes along the shaft length and chips along the edge of the blade. If these scrapes/chips weren't present when you first bought it, they might be the result of normal wear and tear, occasional careless drops and paddle "fights" during close competitive rowing.
If there's any consolation, I feel both cases look fairly "normal" unless there's an alarming rate of similar paddles snapping or splitting.
Anyhow I personally don't think an isolated case should sour this thread. Cynics will probably turn their noses up and misconstrue this, but this started as a well-intended newsworthy announcement which I'm personally quite enthusiastic about. Had Paddlezup, Sava, Frontcatch or other entrepreneurs produced their own paddles and got them IDBF-certified, I'll be equally enthusiastic and like to support local as far as possible (and as deep as my pockets allow)... =)
