Matt,
A shoulder safety reminder I was taught in my kayaking certification was; your elbow should not go behind your shoulder, rotate your torso to move the elbow to the rear. And, do not let your elbow reach above the line of your shoulders, as it opens the shoulder to injury. Probably you are already aware of this advice.
I resisted the pull of the GP for a long time. Curiosity got the best of me so I made one. It took a couple tries to get it right, but I quickly grew to love it.
Paul
Ovebeen a member of the forum for at least four years. Shoulder issues are a recurring complaint. So many kayakers undergo operations, then ask how long before I can resume damaging my shoulder again. The best kept secret to protect your shoulder from damage is adapting to the paddler’s box, low angle, and torso rotation. Think like a mule, work like a mule. Seems logical that if the shoulder joint and arms are locked in isometric tension, the joint can’t be damaged. I’m sure some professor or paddling coach can counter that logic.
I got scheduled for physical therapy…but my first appointment is not until November unfortunately.
In the interim I am going to do exercises and stretches that may help with stabilizing the rotator cuff.
I am thinking about ordering a carbon fiber Greenland paddle as well. I think I would prefer that to the wooden one I have from Superior Kayaks.
Matt
I think the Gearlab Greenland Paddles are pretty good (and getting better). I have three: Akiak, Aukunak and the Kelleq. The Kelleq is the second most recent. It’s really light with very thin edges. The recent IPIK is supposed to be lighter, thinner and with a oval (better indexing) loom. But, I’ll stop with the Kelleq. I prefer shoulderless loom to allow my hands to slide up and down as needed. The IPIK has the traditional shoulders (ableit “soft”) which I find distracting for me since location of the shoulders are individualized in the traditional wooded GP. The Kelleg is shoulderless as I prefer.
Despite having four GPs, I use my Euros far more than the GPs since, like you, I’m mostly in the surf zone or WW, rather than just “touring”, and like the power and quick acceleration of the bigger blades (at the ends of the paddle shaft).
FWIW… .01cent
-sing