i did a couple of 4-5 hr stints, on back to back days.

2 days later i got the worst 'after burn' pain in the abs area. (didn't think i had any!) which that lasted for 2-3 days . any movement was very soar and painfull...and any chance of paddling/windsurfing was out the window.


I'm using a homemade paddle, which is basically the top half of a prepeg carbon skinny mast with an naish paddle epoxed into it.

A very strong, slighlty heavy (maybe as much as 1kg) and VERY stiff paddle....so it has more power than a normal carbon paddles but hardly any FLEX at all.

Do u rekon it's the paddle giving me grief or do i need to exercise more or do some pre stretches around the mid region...if such a thing exisits.

i think if i did a marathon paddle like u vic boys are planning it would finish me of

should have read.........(maybe as much as 1kg) more than a typical sup paddle

Wendy, a light paddle makes a surprising amount of difference to the experience. You will never go back to your old paddle when you get something light.

You don't say whether what fitness base you are starting from. Pain after exercise is quite common if you are not used to it, or not used to a specific exercise.

If it's just after burn then it is nothing to worry about as long as you have not done damage to yourself. You can usually warm up the muscles and the pain goes.
If you had done damage the pain would be immediate and not come 2 days later.
ie. Don't be a wimp and get out there and paddle ya big wuss!

If you are paddling for waves and going hard for acceleration you can hurt your shoulder and lat muscles. That is a technique and paddle length thing. Use shorter, more gentle strokes and build speed rather than digging in hard. Maybe knock an inch or two off your paddle to reduce the leverage the paddle is exerting on you. You don't want to shorten your paddle if you are doing mostly flat water paddling.

If you are really worried about the pain go to a doctor, preferably a sports medicine specialist. You don't want to rely on a bunch a dickheads on the internet for medical advice.

Not sure what to say about this abs pain, but for sure, a good paddle will prevent after session pain and improve your surfing skills ; before to buy one, make sure you try different models, if it's too stiff it makes it harder for your body, too flexy and you can't lean on it when surfing, carbon is the best as those paddle are the most reactives, fiberglass is a cheaper option that suits to most of us (not a lot heavier, and only a bit less reactive ; a fiber glass paddle with a good shape is much better than a carbon one with a bad shape), aluminium is definitly good only for cheap beginner paddles.
Also, if you have the oportunity, try dihedral paddles, some riders like it better than flat ones.

I used to get cramps in my forearms after a long session ; I don't have any problem since I wax my paddle (you can't do that in any paddle tho, it depends on the shaft)

Last time I felt pain in my abs was last monday after spending 10 hours in the water during the w-e ; I had to rest monday and tuesday, and only went back in the water today !

And what we all should do (but I'm sure most of us skip it) , is warming up before paddling like crazy guys through the shorebreak, not only because it prevents injuries, but also because it helps you enjoying the first 10 minutes of the session ;
You will feel good as soon as you step on the board, which isn't the case if you're cold and feel stiff from a previous session (or from sitting at the office)

And the most important is the after session streching ; 10mn of streching before taking the wetsuit off and open the first beer will definitly help the body recovery, if it's not 10mn straight after the session, it will have to be 30mn before to sleep.

Personaly, I'm just unable to find enough motivation to do this, and only do it when I have a heavy session, or if there's big waves , but I'm taking Yoga lessons once a week, and it helps a lot.

Take care Windy !

I was already in it.

Greenroom said...

DavidJohn said...

You need to try a Werner or Kialoa paddle...

Why one of these?

Just my opinion...I've tried almost all of them and IMO the Werner and Kialoa are the best by far..and the C4 is also very good but a bit on the stiff side for me.

I like the Kialoa the best because of the shape shaft..It's thiner and more rectangle in shape near the center..and I like the shape of the T grip.

It really is amazing just how different all the different paddles are and yet they look very much the same...It's a feel or flex thing.

If you ever make it over here I'd love to lend you one of mine and I'm sure you would agree after using one.

DJ

The sup surf fiberglass paddle with carbon blade works well I do not get sore from using it, they are $299 i think not a bad compromise. Have a go on it next time I see you. I extended mine but you wont need to.
Try Owens again you might appreciate the benefits of carbon now. Paddling the smaller board will be making you work harder.

JB said...

Such a familiar story, Back in the day when paddles were hard to come by Quinny and I made our paddles out of top end carbon masts, but we actually made our blades also out of carbon, the result was very stiff and powerful with next to no flex. As we were paddling everyday up to 3+ hours, we very quickly found ourselves in Physio getting our shoulders, elbows and back reconstructed. Flex is definitely your friend, and what you will find is once you get your stroke perfected, a smaller blade with a whippy shaft is actually way more efficient. It is good to have a light paddle, but more importantly a balanced one. Even a heavy well balanced paddle will feel light after prolonged paddling. I was using the C4 paddle for about a year when I switched to the Naish Carbon paddle, although heavier than the C4, it is much more balanced, and feel heaps better in the waves. Then to up the level of paddle, I tried some protoypes of the new paddle coming out by Naish, at first I thought this is a nice paddle and didn't really go over board until I then went back to my paddle (which I previously loved), WOW! The new paddle is awesome, Thinner/stronger shaft, very whippy, smaller blade, Naish design blade shape to reduce drag, you get so much more power and speed out of this paddle. Unfortunately they are a little delayed out of the factory (as usual) and we won't see them before September/October.

But WM, get off that half mast, it really not good for your style, and your body.

Regards,

JB

Hey JB...I'm glad Naish have gone with a thiner and more flexy shaft on their new paddles..Do you have one..or have you used one of these?

DJ