Re: [Paddlewise] (PaddleWise) Bent-shaft paddles?

Brian,
  I paddle with a crank (Lendal) and simply love the feel of it.  BUT
whether it is any better for my wrists than a straight shaft I cannot tell
you.  Best thing to do is find someone who has one and paddle with it for 30
minutes or more.
  That said, I believe that the best advice anyone can give you about your
wrist is to cultivate an open-hand forward stroke.  As you push forward with
the offside (upper) hand, open your hand and let the shaft rest between your
thumb and forefinger.  With the pulling hand, open up your thumb and let the
other four fingers, bent into a hook, pull the paddle.  Holding the paddle
shaft as loosely as conditions allow, and frequently opening your grip, will
gradually alleviate wrist problems attributable to paddling.
  Best,
    Bob V

----- Original Message -----
From: "Brian Kelley" <briankelley25_at_hotmail.com>
To: <PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net>
Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2002 12:17 AM
Subject: [Paddlewise] (PaddleWise) Bent-shaft paddles?


>     I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with bent shaft
paddles.
> I'm new to paddling and I have a wrist injury that I don't want to
aggravate.
> In theory, they seem like a logical way to reduce strain on the wrists,
but I
> wonder if they work in practice.  Do they reduce the strain on your wrist?
If
> so, does this paddle design have any problems that wouldn't be apparent to
a
> neophyte like myself?  Thanks in advance for any opinions.


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