[Paddlewise] high and low braces

I've been taught by several different instructors that the high brace is done
with 


one's upper arms at one's sides or very near one's sides, elbows down,


bracing with the power face of the paddle. The arms and forearms form
something like a letter "W" if you can imagine your body as the upper peak of
that "W". 





Then the low brace is done with elbows **up** and at right angles to upper
arms, wrists in line with


forearms in "gorilla position", bracing with the non-power face of the


paddle.





People tell me that straight elbows and shoulders overhead, or way out to the
sides, are invitations to sudden orthopedic disaster by way of a dislocated
shoulder. Having seen that happen a couple of times, I believe it.





Bill Hansen


Ithaca NY






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