By looking at some videos of me, I realized that I often move my lower hand down, close to the blade (nearly 6" in the below pic, with a paddle of my height). It allows me to apply a lot of force on the blade, on take off and turns without stressing my joints, a bit like getting on a lower gear on a bike/car. And you can fit the paddle better in tight places, handy in small hollow waves.

I guess that it is more adapted to small waves. But people feeling stress in their elbows / shoulders / arm muscles should definitely try it: (or if you suffer from the "chicken scratch syndrome" and do not manage to apply enough power on take off for an early entry)

I do this also when I'm going uphill.. Going downhill I have them closer together..

DJ

great way to hurt your back!
It also reduces your stroke length.

Belly2 said..wouldn't moving your hand down not only reduce your stroke length but engage your arms more ?

Yes, there is no free lunch, that's why I think it is like getting into a lower gear: you get more power but less stroke length. The goal of this post is to make people aware (if they didn't already know) that they have multiple "gears" at their disposal when paddling. DJ trick is a neat one for instance, to change gear uphill / downhill of waves (in downwinds I guess).

On the lower back, of course you must try to bend mostly at the knees and ankles to alleviate lower back strain, plus it is better for balance.

I also trained a bit paddling "Connor's style" (top hand gripping the shaft under the handle), to get familiar with it, so I can use this style in the waves in unexpected situations when I want to change hand very quickly.

colas said..

Belly2 said..wouldn't moving your hand down not only reduce your stroke length but engage your arms more ?

Yes, there is no free lunch, that's why I think it is like getting into a lower gear: you get more power but less stroke length. The goal of this post is to make people aware (if they didn't already know) that they have multiple "gears" at their disposal when paddling. DJ trick is a neat one for instance, to change gear uphill / downhill of waves (in downwinds I guess).

On the lower back, of course you must try to bend mostly at the knees and ankles to alleviate lower back strain, plus it is better for balance.

I also trained a bit paddling "Connor's style" (top hand gripping the shaft under the handle), to get familiar with it, so I can use this style in the waves in unexpected situations when I want to change hand very quickly.

Up hill.. [Up wind]... and.. Down hill..[Down wind]... I use it for grunt and accelleration.. even going down wind.

Doing this today proved to me that dropping your lower hand still lets you use core muscles [and not just arms].. maybe even more core.. and I don't think reach is reduced much if any at all.. You do feel a slight stretch.. but it's a nice stretch.. and the slight bit more bend in the back is fine unless you were to do it for long periods at a time when you're not used to it.. I've noticed that Jamie Mitchell and Jacko seem to paddle with their hands slightly more apart than most.. and more apart means dropping the lower hand slighty.

DJ

DavidJohn said..
This is what I'm talkin' about..

DJ

Agree Dj
but it depends on how long your arms are and your fittness level
the conditions as you mentioned uphill where you need grunt where downhill chasing runners short sharp stokes to get you on the next run works

as with ski paddling fittness and technique are the most important

its interesting to also throw in size of the blade and the lenghth of the paddle
as with ski paddling we seem to be using smaller blades and shorter lengths compared to 15 years ago
I think sup is similar as paddlers are placing there top hand lower on the shaft to increase the stroke rate
I wonder if we should be using even shorter paddles
or as in my case Im not as fit as I could be so when I fatigue I loose technique .
as the photo shows the bloke in the background is not fit and fatigued
the bloke in front fit and good technique imo