PaddleWise by thread

From: Peter Treby <ptreby_at_ozemail.com.au>
subject: [Paddlewise] Stiffness
Date: Fri, 15 Jan 1999 22:26:56 +1100
Matt Broze writes: "Energy from a paddle stroke that goes into flexing
the kayak is lost for propulsion."
Similarly for the paddle. Energy from a stroke that goes into flexing a
paddle blade or shaft is wasted. I have changed recently from a nylon{?}
Lendal "Archipelago" paddle, to a similarly shaped, stiff glass bladed
paddle. Noticeably less effort to maintain boat speed with the stiffer
paddle. It all helps.
PT

***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
From: Robert C. Cline <rccline_at_swbell.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Stiffness
Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2000 22:45:05 -0600
How about the increased stress to the tendons from a stiffer Paddle?

Robert

> Peter Treby wrote:

> Similarly for the paddle. Energy from a stroke that goes into flexing a
> paddle blade or shaft is wasted. I have changed recently from a nylon{?}
> Lendal "Archipelago" paddle, to a similarly shaped, stiff glass bladed
> paddle. Noticeably less effort to maintain boat speed with the stiffer
> paddle. It all helps.
> PT

***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
From: Peter Treby <ptreby_at_ozemail.com.au>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Paddle Stiffness
Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2000 17:52:09 +1100
| How about the increased stress to the tendons from a stiffer Paddle?
| Robert C. Cline

So far, the stiffer paddle has had a beneficial effect for me, and seems
less stressful to use. I'll try it for a while and road test it a little
longer. I am hopeful that the efficiency gain is not offset with other
stresses and tendon problems. I suppose paddlers are liable to be affected
by repetitive strain injuries like other sports people and musicians, not to
say computer keyboard users.
Regards, PT

***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
From: Kirk Olsen <kolsen_at_imagelan.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Stiffness
Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2000 10:42:54 -0500 (EST)
On Mon, 17 Jan 2000, Robert C. Cline wrote:

> How about the increased stress to the tendons from a stiffer Paddle?

My usual canoe partner screwed up his elbow (tendons) doing a race.
The only race he ever used a carbon paddle for.  He had done similar
length races in the past.  He blamed the injury on the paddle and hasn't
used a carbon paddle since.  I got a good deal on his, used once, paddle.

He is now prone to elbow problems.  The initial injury took about
6 months to heal.  While the tendons healed he had to stop golfing and 
playing guitar - he had a band prior to the injury.

I have some elbow tendon sensitivity from my carbon wing paddle (a 
brutally stiff club of a paddle).  I'm hoping that going to a slightly 
more flexible wing paddle reduces the stress on my elbows.  

kirk
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
From: CA Kayaker <cakayak_at_mindspring.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Stiffness
Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2000 19:09:34 -0800
How about paddling with shorter un-feathered wooden paddles such as the 
ones that Cricket makes.  From my experience there is less strain on the 
elbow and wrists (particularly the control wrist).   Having had Carpal 
Tunnel surgery as a result of too many hours playing college tennis I don't 
want to go through that again.  I highly recommend going un-feathered with 
wood.

Ca Kayak
Fred


Any thoughts?At 10:42 AM 1/18/2000 -0500, you wrote:
>On Mon, 17 Jan 2000, Robert C. Cline wrote:
>
> > How about the increased stress to the tendons from a stiffer Paddle?
>
>My usual canoe partner screwed up his elbow (tendons) doing a race.
>The only race he ever used a carbon paddle for.  He had done similar
>length races in the past.  He blamed the injury on the paddle and hasn't
>used a carbon paddle since.  I got a good deal on his, used once, paddle.
>
>He is now prone to elbow problems.  The initial injury took about
>6 months to heal.  While the tendons healed he had to stop golfing and
>playing guitar - he had a band prior to the injury.
>
>I have some elbow tendon sensitivity from my carbon wing paddle (a
>brutally stiff club of a paddle).  I'm hoping that going to a slightly
>more flexible wing paddle reduces the stress on my elbows.
>
>kirk
>***************************************************************************
>PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
>to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission
>Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
>Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
>Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
>***************************************************************************

***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
From: Kirk Olsen <kolsen_at_imagelan.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Stiffness
Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2000 14:11:51 -0500 (EST)
On Tue, 18 Jan 2000, CA Kayaker wrote:

> How about paddling with shorter un-feathered wooden paddles such as the 
> ones that Cricket makes.

I've got a cricket greenland style paddle that I REALLY like.  It's my 
favorite paddle to practice paddle strokes or go for a paddle cruise 
with.  I've also got a funky bow paddle that a friend with carpal tunnel 
problems designed, he has trouble with a straight shafted paddle of any 
kind.  I've got a write up and some weak pictures at 
http://people.ne.mediaone.net/jkolsen/html/paddle.html).

I also race so I'm not about to give up my wing paddle, or lightning 
ultralight.

>  From my experience there is less strain on the 
> elbow and wrists (particularly the control wrist).   Having had Carpal 
> Tunnel surgery as a result of too many hours playing college tennis I don't 
> want to go through that again.  I highly recommend going un-feathered with 
> wood.

I recommend trying lots of different paddles and finding what works for 
you...  For me what I use depends on what I'm doing and why.

kirk
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************

This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:33:07 PDT