Re: [Paddlewise] paddle recommendations

From: "PeterO" <rebyl_kayak_at_iprimus.com.au>

> Michael wrote:
> >I am one of those who thinks that the control hand
> >should only be used when paddling forward with a
> >regular stroke.
> 
> Does the idea of a control hand also involve the 'cocked wrist' technique?

It shouldn't have to but usually does.  

> Its arguable there is no need to use a cocked wrist whether the paddle is
> feathered or unfeathered. 

True! Ideally, you can get a paddle with a feather angle that matches your 
paddling style in such a way that wrist cocking is reduced to a minimum.  
To make minor corrections while paddling, some wrist cocking will occur.
If you're set up right, the amount of angle involved should be small.  

In general, you don't want to mess around with switching control hands in 
forward paddling, since it's confusing.  Switching control hands while 
bracing etc, seems more natural, since there's a significant "sidedness" 
to the action.

> Seems to me the cocked wrist 'control hand'
> technique is not appropriate to anyone with a wrist problem.

Agreed - in fact I'd go further and say it is not appropriate if you want 
to avoid future problems.

> Having suffered chronic stress induced arthritis in a previous life I'm
> forever grateful to the physiotherapist/kayaker (Buzz Powell) who showed me
> how to paddle without using a cocked wrist and how to reduce the effort in
> forward paddling. 

With the combination of a bent-shaft and variable-feather-angle paddle, as well
as a loose grip on the paddle in most conditions, I've pretty much eliminated
problems in my wrists.  With my Greenland-style paddle, the close hand spacing
eliminates the need for a bent shaft and the loose grip makes it comfortable.
I'm still dealing with elbow (chronic strained ligament [left]) and shoulder 
(rotator cuff) problems.  Rest for the former and specific exercises (which I 
don't do regularly enough) for the latter.  Old age is creeping up!*

Mike

* My sister informed me last night that I'm a great uncle.  It seems our
"baby brother" is now a grandfather!

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