On 6 Jun 2003 at 17:21, Gordon Snapp wrote: > But now I want to buy a paddle for my wife. I'm 6'4", she's 5'8". > I've never had a problem with repetitive stress injuries; she has > fibromyalgia and often endures painful flareups of her hands, wrists, > and forearms. What little I know of fibromyalgia (based on a recent web search) suggests that a paddle design can neither cause nor reduce the pain. However, a good paddle can reduce the likelyhood of a problem that is unknown becoming a apparent, so getting a good one is probably a good idea. She'll want a short paddle, possibly shorter than many kayak shops would recommend. Around here, they still recommend 230-240 cm for me, but I paddle with a 220 and wish I'd got a 215. She'd want possibly a 210 or even 200 - kayak size will be a factor so try before you buy. It's only too short if she can't get it into the water with all her favourite strokes. A carbon fibre paddle is pricey, but she'd appreciate the light weight. Similarly, a bent shaft will put less stress on her wrists. I'd recommend a variable feather so she can find a feather angle that doesn't require a lot of wrist flex, unless she has a prior preference for unfeathered. The other option that I'd have to recommend is a Greenland style paddle. You can make one for about $20 out of a premium quality 2x4. This will produce a paddle that's a tad less efficient but easy on the body. When I go out for a long day's paddle with mine, I end up with sore muscles rather than sore joints. You can buy one, but they tend to be quite pricey. There's even a carbon fibre version from Superior Kayaks that's quite light ($$). Mike *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri Jun 06 2003 - 19:24:29 PDT
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