I’ve been getting tennis elbow in my left arm from paddling and am thinking about buying a bent shaft paddle to help address the issue. There’s a fair bit of discussion on this message board about tennis elbow, but what I haven’t been able to determine is whether I should be buying a low angle paddle to help with this problem (thus far my short kayaking career has been a hodge podge of high and low angle, but I’ve been trying to learn high angle lately).
Also, I have seen mention here and there of buying a “flexible shaft” paddle to help with tendonitis. Is this a meaningful distinction for touring paddles? If so what are some flexible shaft touring paddles?
I have the same problem plus a damaged shoulder. I switched from a wide bladed paddle to a Wind Swift which has a narrow blade. It puts much less stress on my joints. I can paddle longer with less pain.
I switched from a wing to a low angle bent shaft many years ago because of tennis elbow. I feel it aligns your wrists in a more neutral position.
I haven’t looked back.
GH
I agree fully with roym. I’ve had coaches tell me that I would get elbow issues if I continued with the way I ended my forward stroke on my right (strong) side. So far I’ve been on in the kayak.
I did get a repetitive stress issue in my right elbow from using poor technique trying to keep a Howler going straight on flat water. That was 12 years ago & still pops up on occasion.
Agree with Grayhawk, low angle, low area, bent shaft, carbon AT paddle really helped. GP is good also.
A primary issue for me was gripping the paddle tight with both hands all the time - try to fully relax the off hand while paddling, with fingers open pushing forward with the palm only.