[Paddlewise] Problem with Forward Stroke?

Hi, all.

I think I may have a problem with my forward stroke, or perhaps my grip, but I can't put my finger on it.  Recently, I've been experiencing some discomfort in the knuckle of my pointing fingers - both hands.  I'm using a feathered paddle with my right hand as the controlling hand.  Blade goes into the water near my feet, comes out around my hips.  I push the paddle forward rather than pulling it back.  When I push, I loosen my grip and do the "wave" with the pushing hand so that I'm not gripping to tightly or too consistently.

The width of my grip is pretty wide.  I use the method of extending  both arms out to the sides so that they are horizontal to the gound.  Then, I bend my arms at the elbow such that my hands are pointing straight up into the air.  That's equal to the width of my grip when holding the paddle.

My paddle is an Aqua Bound AMT Tripper - same one I've been using for three years.

For the past couple months, I'm feeling some discomfort after a hour or so of paddling, and sometimes it stays with me for a few hours after I get off the water.  On one or two occassions, I've been able to feel the discomfort for a few days after paddling.  It feels like my knuckles are being stressed sideways - that is, bending in a direction they weren't intended to be bent.  And to be clear, it's only the knuckles on my pointing fingers and it's on both hands.

I've been paying attention while paddling to see if I can spot smething I'm doing subconciously, or if perhpas the discomfort starts after a certian amount of time on the water, or after a certain event (only windy days, only hard paddling rather than a casual float, only when doing a lot of turning, etc) - haven't been able to make any sort of cause and affect connection.

I also considered that it may be caused by something other than paddling, but that the paddling just highlights the discomfort.  Haven't found any clues down that trail either.

Any ideas?

Rick - Poquoson, VA


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