best sprint paddle/cover for bailer handle

What would be your favorite top end paddle for "short" distance racing 1.5 miles to 5 miles?
Best suggestion to cover an Epic bailer handle so can easily open/close w/ bare feet? Squash ball keeps slipping off...

No help on the bailer, I like my Braca XI 705 for shorter races, 9 miles and under, but I plan to get a Braca VII 710 for actual sprints, like 200, 500, 1000.  I would get a stiffer shaft as well.

 If you are stronger than me you might want larger blades but Ivan Lawler, world champion and top coach says that larger blades don't really help once you are up to speed.  Maybe if I actually lifted weights I could handle larger blades.

For the Epic bailer, I place a mini tennis ball on it. The kind they use for dog toys. For example:
  www.amazon.com/Midlee-Mini-Tennis-Balls-12-Pack/dp/B00VAN04KM .
Cut an X on one side a shove it over the handle. Comfortable to kick open and closed. Cheap too.

Ivan was a marathon paddler, not sprint. He is a big, powerful guy, famous for having a very strong fast finish in races.

You can't compare sizes directly from one paddle model to another. The shape can have a huge effect on the 'grip' on the water. 
I use a Jantext Gamma Rio medium minus, which has an area of 740cm2 (bought from Ivan, incidently). That paddle has incredible grip and feels like it is planted in concrete. Before purchasing the Jantex, I tried about 6 paddles. Some, with bigger surface area, were 'sloppy' in the water (I think because of twist in the blade). Twist, to some extent, depowers a blade (but makes it easier to get a smooth, non-plopping catch).

If you can, (beg, hire) try multiple paddles. What is perfect for one person might feel terrible for you. Don't rush into buying a paddle. 
I paddle a variety of club boats (K1) and find it much, much easier to adapt to a different boat than a different paddle.

McNally wrote: ""Ivan was a marathon paddler, not sprint. He is a big, powerful guy, famous for having a very strong fast finish in races."

I did not know that, but since the OP is talking about short distance races 1.5-5 miles, his advice might still be sound in that case.  I find that  I can pull as hard as my muscles will allow with a Braca XI 705 during a 6 mile race.  I might be slower with a larger blade.

I do notice that sprint paddlers use larger blades, like one top woman uses a 745 in the Braca VII and the top men use larger blades  than that, but since I don't have the muscle or training for that a smaller blade makes more sense to me. YMMV.

trying as many as possible makes sense to see what is best for you, there are many different sizes and shapes out there.

'Sprint' in kayaking is 200m, 500m, 1000m

'Marathon' tends to be 15 (juniors) to 40+ km (with exceptional races from 70-350km).

I didn't know (until you mentioned it) that Lisa Carrington uses a Medium Minus.

To put some perspective on that, her warm up includes 30 chinups - with a 20kg weight to give it a bit of challenge. 

That really does bear out the suggestion that large blades are not necessary. She's a 200m specialist.

He competed in three Olympics as a sprinter. Had a sixth at Seoul in the 500. Just saying.