Here is what I was thinking, AND I agree with you that they should be allowed and incourage to carry paddles:

42 PROPULSION
42.1 Basic Rule
Except when permitted in rule 42.3 or 45, a boat shall compete by
using only the wind and water to increase, maintain or decrease her
speed. Her crew may adjust the trim of sails and hull, and perform
other acts of seamanship, but shall not otherwise move their bodies
to propel the boat.
42.2 Prohibited Actions
Without limiting the application of rule 42.1, these actions are
prohibited:
(a) pumping: repeated fanning of any sail either by pulling in and
releasing the sail or by vertical or athwartship body movement;
(b) rocking: repeated rolling of the boat, induced by
Part 4 OTHER REQUIREMENTS WHEN RACING
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(1) body movement,
(2) repeated adjustment of the sails or centreboard, or
(3) steering;
(c) ooching: sudden forward body movement, stopped abruptly;
(d) sculling: repeated movement of the helm that is either forceful
or that propels the boat forward or prevents her from moving
astern;
(e) repeated tacks or gybes unrelated to changes in the wind or to
tactical considerations.
42.3 Exceptions
(a) A boat may be rolled to facilitate steering.
(b) A boat’s crew may move their bodies to exaggerate the rolling
that facilitates steering the boat through a tack or a gybe, provided
that, just after the tack or gybe is completed, the boat’s
speed is not greater than it would have been in the absence of
the tack or gybe.
(c) Except on a beat to windward, when surfing (rapidly accelerating
down the leeward side of a wave) or planing is possible, the
boat’s crew may pull the sheet and the guy controlling any sail
in order to initiate surfing or planing, but only once for each
wave or gust of wind.
(d) When a boat is above a close-hauled course and either stationary
or moving slowly, she may scull to turn to a close-hauled
course.
(e) A boat may reduce speed by repeatedly moving her helm.
(f) Any means of propulsion may be used to help a person or
another vessel in danger.
(g) To get clear after grounding or colliding with another boat or
object, a boat may use force applied by the crew of either boat
and any equipment other than a propulsion engine.
(h) Sailing instructions may, in stated circumstances, permit propulsion
using an engine or any other method, provided the boat
does not gain a significant advantage in the race.
Note: Interpretations of rule 42 are available at the ISAF website
(www.sailing.org) or by mail upon request.