Rev, I've pretty much given up with specific advice on paddlechoice, because it is so individual. However, if, as Tom Joyce alludes, you might have current or incipient shoulder problems (or elbow, or wrist, or ...), I'd suggest you back off a step in blade size or shaft length. I've been using a 220 cm medium-area Euro paddle for the last 14 seasons after I encountered serious tendinitis my second season from "stepping up" 10 cm when I was using a high-area blade on a 240 cm paddle (Werner San Juan). Being young(er) and definitely dumber, I figured if the 240 was good when I was just building up my muscles, the 250 would make it possible to keep up with my stronger buddy. Needless to say, the 250 broke down my wrists, partly due to poor wrist posture during the power phase, and partly because there is a limit to what those tissues can take in the way of repetitive stress. When I began using the 220, most experts I consulted at that time felt it was too small for my frame size and boat width (24 inches). I notice that nowadays folks are recommending shorter paddles, even some in the 210 range, for guys like me, and boats as wide as my cargo barge. You might also want to check out some of the crank paddles, which do ease some of the issues with wrist posture. However, if you are not experiencing any trouble there, could be a crank would just be an expensive luxury. That's sort of how my fiancee regards me, anyway! Good luck with the search. BTW, you know Craig Warren? He is a contemporary of my son's, and did Scouts, etc., with him. Craig went to Sheldon Jackson, and I believe he has remained in Sitka. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** 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 Sat Nov 24 2007 - 07:52:00 PST
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