Hey all,

Just curious if anyone else has had problems with lower back pain while paddling??
If i paddle hard for about 15 strokes my lower back starts to ache and by the 20th stroke i have to stop paddling and stretch my back.

Im not sure if its technic, paddle length, poor core strength or old age.

Anyone encountered this problem and been able to fix it??

tomo77 said...

Hey all,

Just curious if anyone else has had problems with lower back pain while paddling??
If i paddle hard for about 15 strokes my lower back starts to ache and by the 20th stroke i have to stop paddling and stretch my back.

Im not sure if its technic, paddle length, poor core strength or old age.

Anyone encountered this problem and been able to fix it??

Hey mate, sorry I did not get a chance to say hi on Sunday. I am pretty sure I saw you there in the distance. After that paddle i am not surprised your sore :)

It seems for me to be tight hammies and glutes..More stretching the chiro says.

I did the RPS race on the weekend, retired with similiar lower back strain, full on head wind, maybe I was leaning to far over? with legs to straight/ lack of prep stretching etc and age or all of the above, sort of ok now

A good technique clinic would help... If Travis or Pete are down your way I wouldnt hesitate.

Everyone is different, I wont venture in making a diagnostic and I will only speak for myself but I've had lower back pain for ages due to paddling and all it was was me locking my hips, not relaxing, and not allowing them to rotate during the stroke.

Disclamer: I'm not your doctor!

Hi guys,

I also suffer lower back issues (like 95% of middle aged blokes). I found the secret is to do some good deep stretches. I started with yoga as a basis and then worked out which stretches seemed to work the areas needed most and modified them to be a little deeper in the areas necessary. If I do my version of yoga every day, my back issues evaporate.

As a cyclist my hammies and calves are always tight. A good stretch before and more importantly after a work out is key to happiness.

DM

Don't paddle so hard. Your technique and your fitness are probably not up to it and it's not the right way to paddle anyway.

You should be effortlessly slicing through the water with a light/moderate load on your muscles.

The only time you should paddle hard is when catching a wave or in a sprint.

Spend a heap of time "stealth" paddling where you paddle along gently without splashing and without excessive exertion. Go for duration and build up your technique and overall fitness.

Read this:

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/SUP/Three-Common-Mistakes-Paddle-Tech-by-Dave-Kalama/

While you're doing that you can investigate all the yoga/pilates/stretchy stuff and see what works for you.

siny said...

sounds like shaggers back . i used to get that but ive been hitched for a while now ,so im cured

gold