The Angle Oar systems look like they’d be helpful for some of us (cough) ‘old folks’ still wanting to kayak. I see this system on this site, but with only one review. I am considering their ‘Gamut’ system, that supports a normal paddle. Does anyone have any experience using these systems? I’m wondering if it could be used to keep me on the water a little bit, without aggravating an irritated stressed rotator cuff. Anyone?
I tore my left rotator cuff in May 2018. The injury developed sepsis that resulted in sepsis induced porosity (arthritis in the joint), two of the four tendons that hold the joint in place are detatched, and couldn’t be reattached due to the advanced stage of the sepsis, and successful reattatchment is not viewed as having a high rate of success. Consequently, my left arm doesn’t raise above level and my reach (forward and back) is limited. That makes high angle paddling out of reach. I had a PIC delivering high doses of antibiotics for 5 weeks, as well as higher concentrations of specific antibiotics.
No physical therapy recommended for 8 week, which resulted in muscle atrophy in that left arm; I couldn’t lift a one pound weight with that arm. Physical Therapy started in July through February starting five days a week, then three days a week for eight months.
I entertained no illusions that I would return to kayaking. While assisting my nephew in repairing his used kayak, the forum proved to be a valuable asset, especially threads about other paddlers who experienced similar trama. So I joined.
A full year after starting therapy, my first trip was abysmal, not only in reduced speeds, but in terms of recovering after a trip. I was luck to manage 2.9 mph avg speed over 8.5 miles, and the shoulder remained painful for at least a week. After 20 trips between July and November, my average trip speed improved to 4.1 mph. Each successive year, average trip speeds for the season improve to 4.5 mph, 4.7 mph and last season, I finally achieved a 5.03 mph avg trip speed over a measured course that matched speeds that were best averages from 20 yrs ago over the same trip course.
I used a 240 cm Werner Kalliste (99.7 sq in blades) and switched several years ago to a 250 cm long version. My kayak is either a 145 Tsunami (24.5 inch width), or a 175 Tsunami with rudder (24 inches wide), depending on the weather conditions.
My first trip average each season typically starts at around 4.1 or 4.2 mph. This season, I switched up to a 260 cm Kalliste paddle in the 175 Tsunami and completed the 8.5 mile test course with a 4.71 mph average speed. Unfortunately, other commitments and weather have limited my time on the water to one trip so far this season. However, it’s noteworth that the longer paddle enable me to start the season with a .5 to .6 mph average speed advantage, despite a drop in my typical cadence of 72 - 80 spm to 64 - 68.spm when using the 260 cm paddle. It’s still too early to tell if I prefer the longer length.
Before resorting to a contraption, you might try low angle paddling technique. What helped me was isolating the shoulder by locking the grip on the paddle shaft in a rigid paddlers box. That reduces most articulation of the shoulder joint which eliminates the pain.
My canoe partner had a rotator cuff repair in 2018 after doing the Ausable Canoe Marathon. We competed for a few more years, culminating with the Texas Water Safari in 2024. Never pain free but managed…. After Texas he had had enough,; He elected for a full total shoulder replacement in Oct 2024, stayed on top of his PT and 7 months later completed the Suwannee 230 mile race, completely pain free
Some day I’ll adapt an replace. In the meanwhile, i use what I got. If I get two new knees and a new keft shoulder, I’ll have to worry that I might drop dead and have to focus on healthy living.