My bet is that Matt is beyond tweaking
his Euro stroke. The high angle, chicken wing, all the force early, plus the restrictions on turning/support strokes will make it very hard to rehab his various tendon ailments no matter what sort of fine tuning he does–his body and the Euro paddle just may not be a good fit if he expects to paddle at a high standard. Maybe I’m wrong, but I’d bet he’d have a better chance of paddling at a high standard (BCU IV-V) with a GP that trying to force things with a Euro. For myself, getting to know Greenland technique was not only a good thing for the kind of paddling I like to do (which is a lot like Matt’s) but the technical aspects are a lot of fun. If he gave a GP a serious look, it wouldn’t feel like a fine tool not a toy.
All good points…
Greyak and Jsmarch are both right. My therapist said that the inflamation is of the tendon that controls the thumb, and she also said it controls the movement of the wrist from side to side as described in my post.
I think that my paddling technique problems are a combination of flexing my wrist (which may be a function of feather, cranks shaft, and/or gripping too hard), and gripping too hard.
The GP may help with all of these issues. I find gripping the loom of a GP to force a loose grip.
I guess I am just a Euro blade lover. I really like the precise turns you can achieve with a good bow ruder or side slip.
I am really thinking hard about “switching” over to the GP. I have been resistant to it but maybe I need to.
Perhaps I will stick with the Euro for surf and precise maneuvering. We’ll see.
Maybe trying a straight shaft may help also.
Matt
How MUCH are you paddling?
Did you do the multiday trips after a long absence from paddling?
Are you a weekend warrior?
You get my drift. Maybe you need to back off and build up gradually.
more thoughts
Hi Matt,
I agree with some of the advice you've received so far, but not all.
I wouldn't rush into a GP just yet. Like me, you definitely like the Euro better. I built myself a GP and gave it an honest attempt, but didn't like the feel.
Many paddlers use a feathered paddle for many years because it's the "correct way to paddle." Then they switch to a GP and find it relieves their aches and pains. Remember that GP's are unfeathered and usually have a larger shaft (loom) diameter. I think these two differences are the keys. With GP's, you usually have a higher cadence with less resistance. Less resistance might be good, but a higher cadence for someone with an overuse problem is definitely not a good idea.
I also built my own euro paddle and I absolutely love it. I has a pretty large blade, no feather, and an egg-shaped, large diameter shaft. I don't really notice the shape and larger diameter of my shaft (relax you perverts!) until I try a different paddle with a standard sized shaft. The standard sized shafts feel skinny and more difficult to grab/control.
I strongly suggest two things: go to zero feather, and increase the diameter of the shaft. Bryan suggested duct tape/foam on your shaft to increase the diameter. Also keep a light/loose grip and alow the shaft to pivot in your grip instead of bending your wrist from side to side. As a physical therapist, I have to strongly advise against using elbow lift to control your feather (sorry Greyak). Lifting one elbow more than the other in order to account for an asymmetrical paddle (feathered) will only transfer the overuse to your shoulder. Don't worry about your rolling skills, after a small amount of re-training, I'm sure you'll be able to roll with a non feathered paddle.
Good luck,
Pedro Almeida
PHD
I used post hole diggers for years and have problems with my shoulders, elbows, and wrists and began to worry it would end my paddling. Not advocating a Greenland paddle, just what worked for me and may work with a Euro Blade too.
I found when making the switch to the GP, I loosened my grip considerably and believe this eliminated the aches… I realize now I had a death grip on the previous paddle with a skinnier shaft.
Hold on loosely, but don’t let go
Next you’ll be quoting …
… Antoine de Saint-Exupery! L
If here were doing the Euro stroke as you described (ala Reitz/Barton) I doubt he’d have these issues.
Why are folks on this site so resistant to simple technique tweaks, and instead keep looking for magic gear solutions?
GPs are great - but they’re no panacea (and can allow some really bad/sloppy technique precisely because they are so forgiving).
I haven’t regularly used a euro for years - but I had no issues with them before switching to GPs (and Aleuts, hybrids, whatevers) and yet I did have some tendinitis for a few months not long after switching. Took a while to after that to totally shake it. Loose grip and straight wrists won’t fix it right away, but will keep it gone once it is.
He likes euros for now, which is fine as they’re not the problem. Technique is. Give him some credit, anyone can make adjustments and refine their technique. Keeping wrists straight and hands loose/open are not hard adjustment to make. Beats the alternative.
Lift one elbow more than the other?
Before switching to GP (and others) I always paddled feathered (@60R)- and still paddle wing feathered (@75R) and I have no idea what you’re talking about. One elbow higher than the other? Never done it, never seen anyone do, and whatever it might be - it’s not what I was talking about.
Feather has always seemed to me to largely take care of itself, and stroke is very even on both sides. Maybe I was just lucky enough not to be taught stuff like having a “control hand”.
Again, I’ll just defer to Reitz/Barton on stroke - and a host of ergonomics and medical specialists on the importance of neutral wrists.
Yes…
Greyak is definitely right on the neutral wrists. Part of the challenge that I am having is figuring out what is causing my wrists NOT to be neutral.
Whatever it is it is subtle, but enough to cause significant problems for me. It could be a function of the grip, the crank, or maybe the feather angle.
I would also agree with Greyak on the issue of feather somewhat taking care of itself. It is hard to determine without having someone else watch you but it seems to me that a slight feather angle is more neutral for me than zero degrees which seems to be a bit unnatural to me. Of course some of this may be a matter of adjustment.
As for working up to trips. This is not the problem. I paddle a lot, train hard, and am in good shape. I was paddling several days a week working up to this last trip which really did not even turn out to be as “multi-day” as planned.
My issues with tendonitis are not typical. I have some issues that are really making me more susceptible to these problems than your average person. I believe it may be at least partly a function of being incorrectly treated for a auto-immune problem with WAYYYY too much prednisone (steroid). I took it for about 18 months which is now known to be absolutely out of the realm of what is healthy. They didn’t know at that time. My guess is that it has weakened my connective tissue and is causing me to be more prone to tendon problems and joint problmes. This is also a symptom of my auto-immune disease (ulcerative colitis).
My physical therapist pretty much says she’s never seen anyone with so many simultaneous issues. She’s been treating me for tennis elbow, golfers elbow, the wrist problem, a partially torn bicep tendon which tendonitis, and multiple shoulder issues. Now I am having some arthritis issues as well.
I am not a hypocondriac (spelling) nor a wimp (Army Ranger) but my body is having some pretty persistent issues…and I am only 35 years old so I don’t think it is a function of old age.
Matt
treating tendonitis
i was just reading the post about tendonitis and underlying constitutional conditions (auto-immune, multiple joint pain, steroid use etc).
the best form of treatment would be Oriental medicine ie - acupuncture and/or herbs.
these practitioners take into account the big picture,
not just the body part that hurts.
i believe in it, i’m an acupuncturist!
(wanted to name my practice Kayakupuncture!)
good luck,
jean
Multi day trips?
Not being a doctor, i would cut back on the intensity of your paddling. You are exasperating a condition and the only way to help it heal is let it heal by not abusing it. I would try a different paddle and at least smaller blades and non feathered or a GP. You don’t have to stop paddling but something has to change to allow it to heal. No sense seeing a doctor if you are not going to change what you are doing. The condition can heal if you let it heal. In the meantime, over-the counter anti inflammatories can give great relief which I’m sure you are doing. Good luck, you’re not alone.
agree and don’t agree re: Euro
No Little Prince–how about Emperor’s new clothes. Matt is a very good paddler, who already has excellent stroke mechanics is my guess. Seems for Matt that the primary problem is that he unfortunately prone to inflammatory tenosynovitis. Tweaking a Euro (if there’s anything to tweak) will still give him a paddling stroke that looks like raking leaves, which is the classic definition of overuse for intersection syndrome. It may help, but it won’t be a big change and he has a big problem. Switching to a low elbow, canted GP stroke will fundamentally alter the stroke dynamic for wrists, elbows and shoulders and may provide significant relief–or not, a testable hypothesis. Clear that what he’s doing isn’t working, which is a real bummer, so IMO no point in continuing. Also agree with Jay Babina: need to slow down, then rebuild–great opportunity to pick up GP with a serious intent to get as good at GP as he is with a Euro. There’s no limitation with a GP re boat control strokes or much of anything except towing against the wind and tide in Penwyn Myr (sp?).
UC?
Been there, done (close to) that and have been mostly asymptomatic with Crohns for 25 or so years now. Of course the ostomy and skipping some of the plumbing didn’t hurt…
Above suggestion for accupuncture is good, you should also consider adding in some Yoga and/or massage focused on myofacial relief.
repetitive stress
Matt -
First and foremost get someone to analyze your stroke with video. I think you are down south now, perhaps Ben Lawry could do so. It seems that your stroke mechanics need to be observed, in observing yourself though video, you may be able to change.
When video’ing, take a marker and draw a thick line through the middle of your wrist down the backside of your hand to the middle finger. That will give you a marker for when you are observing and will allow you to see when your wrist is bending the wrong way.
Greyak has offered you the best advice - keep the wrist neutral. They are meant to be moved up/down not left/right. I think that you need to SEE when you are doing it in order to correct it.
Don’t let anyone lead you to believe that you can’t correct/change your stroke. If you keep doing what it is that you are doing, you won’t be able to paddle. Of course you can learn to roll with an unfeathered paddle, if you learned to roll feathered, you can learn to roll unfeathered.
One idea would be to use a GP for a month or so, to try and change your body mechanics using the euro.
Good luck to you!
Suz
another point
to mention - my pt gave me med length velcro wrist splints to use. She said most problems ie wrist/elbow stem from the bending of the wrist and move along tendons to the elbow (not sure on this one but that is what she said and I am not in the medical field) So i tried using the splints but they are too restrictive for much of anything as i feel i am in casts on both arms! but what i do which may or may not be good, i bought some of that ace bandage without pins that sticks with velcro and wrap my wrists to try to help them stay somewhat straight while paddling along with the plastic forearm braces from a previous pt (bet I look pathetic though but whatever…i am paddling!!) The bandages get wet but thats just part of paddling. not sure if this helps any but worth a thought.
Marilyn
Medication?
Matt,
I can’t offer any advice on how to tweak your stroke to help your issues as I don’t have enough experience. My question though is has your doctor prescribed any medication to assist you? I know medication is not always the best or right answer, but it can help provide some interim relief until you’re able to fix your issue. When I had sever tendinitis in my hand my doctor put me on Celebrex. I know some people can’t take this drug due to site effects or other interactions. I found it immensely helpful in reducing inflammation and pain. May not be the answer for you, or maybe you’ve already tried it.
Best of luck and I hope you start feeling better soon. My dad suffered bad carpal tunnel in both wrists for years before having surgery on both, so I am familiar with your pain.
Solving the problem
If you know that you grip the paddle to tight when paddling hard then why not practice this. I had the same problem and noticed it more when towing someone. Opening my push hand and beinging conscious of the pull hand solved the problem.
Will this help your tendonitis? I don't know.
Paddlin' on
Richard
shaft size
…or, try a smaller shaft size. It actually made a big difference for me.
Or maybe an Aleut…
… with even more interesting grip area shaping and overall ergonomics. 
GP might be the ticket, might not. Sometimes with this sort of thing you have to completely stop paddling for a few months (gasp!), then rehab (work + patience), then resume LIMITED paddling and reevaluate how you’re doing things. Otherwise it only progresses.
I’m certainly not disagreeing that a decent GP stroke will make major changes in what gets stressed and how - often for the better -I just don’t think it’s realistic the way people keep prescribing them for everything for everyone (and I make and sell traditional paddles! I’m also a product designer who has studied ergonomics and relevant anatomy of this).
A wrist brace is just going to be a cheaper, easier, and more reliably effective first step toward getting a handle on this than a GP. If his tendons are already damaged - making them change grip to a more open handed grip (on GP blade roots) could help - or the new hand positioning could do even more damage - particularly if he doesn’t already have good neutral wrist habits (and a lot of people we’d consider good paddlers don’t - but get away with it via greater tendon strength, resilience, wrist structure differences, etc).
Mixed bag led to this
Likely the whole package - not one cause. Sorry, but age could be in there too, 35 is an age many note some changes starting - poartucularly wtih recovery and healing times…
For sorting out the wrist angle stuff - brace should quickly show you what’s up in your paddling.
When I had a bout - using a computer mouse agravated it and contrubited to a slower recovery - so look at all your activities and wear the brace for all.
Tendons heal VERY slowly. Takes a good 6-8x longer than mucsle to repair, ofetn longer - and that’s if you leave them be do do so. A LOT longer if you don’t.
Also - take a bit of extra care with nutrition. I also might suggest a Cal/Mag/Zinc supplement for a while. Fish oils will also help the inflamation/pain. Unlike most things - you should actually feel some difference with these in a few days. Sometimes less with the minerals (slight deficiencies can contribute to this stuff - and generally overlooked).
Even up/down bad when pulling/pushing
Any deviation, not just to the sides.