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Stress Relieving Paddle Design
- Thread starter Black_Fly
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My first beavertail was as tall as I was, that's a mistake you only make once!
Another vote for yoga: makes you feel great, both immediately afterwards and over time. Depending on the practice, it’s harder work than you might think and yields a very functional strength in analogous ways to paddling. Yes, it certainly helps stretch you out, but you’re working hard to maintain those positions, so you get stronger, especially in your core. But also shoulders, legs, hip flexors, etc. You know who had a strong and lithe core? Bill Mason 
Just like anything else, there’s a huge range in the styles and quality of classes/programs. So it’s worth trying a few different ones and not assuming that your first example is emblematic of all. You need to search around for the right fit.
Just like anything else, there’s a huge range in the styles and quality of classes/programs. So it’s worth trying a few different ones and not assuming that your first example is emblematic of all. You need to search around for the right fit.
Just like picking a paddle.
Yeah, my nominal shaft length is 30.5”. With a river paddle, I like a couple extra inches. Don’t know if that will hold true with a longer blade length. My guess is maybe. 
FYI, the blade length on Badger otter tails is 27 inches.
Whether in loonshite shallows or rock garden boulderdashes I'd go easy on any treasured piece of timber. You needn't expose your best in the worst conditions, or to look at it differently, you could simply have 2 "lifestyle options" to choose from.
Over the many years of working in peoples homes I've encountered many babas and nonnas who kept a spartan second kitchen, often in the basement where summers were cooler and made snug in cold winters, where wine would be savoured and meals lovingly made. The "best" kitchen upstairs was always shiny and new, sometimes nearing opulent in decor, and reserved for only special occasions. At first this seemed bizzare until I compared it to owning a Sunday best pr of slacks (weddings and funerals) as well as my everyday worklife pr of jeans. Okay, now I get it. That sounds less presumptuous and more practical. Go figure.
Seems likewise an option for tripping, having a spare beater paddle for those casual occasions in loonshite shallows and rock garden boulderdashes. The economy Carlisle (https://www.nrs.com/carlisle-economy-paddle/pm9d) won't hurt the wallet, comes in different sizes and I'm sure the plastic blade can be DIY modified to suit. I know, I used to own one as a backup. Not very pretty to look at but entirely practical. I trimmed my blade width a tad with a jigsaw and sander. And like so many lunches spent sipping homemade wine and sampling the simple fare on offer in those basement kitchens that beater paddle ushered me thru some fine memories of those days gone by.
Over the many years of working in peoples homes I've encountered many babas and nonnas who kept a spartan second kitchen, often in the basement where summers were cooler and made snug in cold winters, where wine would be savoured and meals lovingly made. The "best" kitchen upstairs was always shiny and new, sometimes nearing opulent in decor, and reserved for only special occasions. At first this seemed bizzare until I compared it to owning a Sunday best pr of slacks (weddings and funerals) as well as my everyday worklife pr of jeans. Okay, now I get it. That sounds less presumptuous and more practical. Go figure.
Seems likewise an option for tripping, having a spare beater paddle for those casual occasions in loonshite shallows and rock garden boulderdashes. The economy Carlisle (https://www.nrs.com/carlisle-economy-paddle/pm9d) won't hurt the wallet, comes in different sizes and I'm sure the plastic blade can be DIY modified to suit. I know, I used to own one as a backup. Not very pretty to look at but entirely practical. I trimmed my blade width a tad with a jigsaw and sander. And like so many lunches spent sipping homemade wine and sampling the simple fare on offer in those basement kitchens that beater paddle ushered me thru some fine memories of those days gone by.
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My wife the yoga instructor would caution that you should talk to your teacher prior to class about your shoulder. A good yoga teacher will then give you ways to modify each pose so as to limit damage and maximize theraputics. But it takes a good, experienced yoga teacher to do that. Preferably one with a yoga therapy background.
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I recommend this paddle because it has a small, short blade so you can get a short paddle that's easy on you and works everywhere.
bendingbranches.com
As everyone says you want low blade area. Longer paddles have more leverage on the water and the paddler so your shoulder wants the shortest paddle possible. Shaft length probably more important than the paddle you choose given that paddles that are too long cause shoulder injuries.
Sunburst ST
Combining years of wood-crafting artistry with state-of-the-art composite technology, the Sunburst is lightweight, comfortable to hold, and durable. 2 oz. fiberglass-reinforced, Rockgard®-tipped blade Ovalized, tapered 100% carbon shaft, favored by aeronautics engineers for its strength and...
bendingbranches.com
As everyone says you want low blade area. Longer paddles have more leverage on the water and the paddler so your shoulder wants the shortest paddle possible. Shaft length probably more important than the paddle you choose given that paddles that are too long cause shoulder injuries.
I like the looks of that one.
I have a Sunburst paddle and enjoy it for it's light weight and relaxing demeanor.I recommend this paddle because it has a small, short blade so you can get a short paddle that's easy on you and works everywhere.
Sunburst ST
Combining years of wood-crafting artistry with state-of-the-art composite technology, the Sunburst is lightweight, comfortable to hold, and durable. 2 oz. fiberglass-reinforced, Rockgard®-tipped blade Ovalized, tapered 100% carbon shaft, favored by aeronautics engineers for its strength and...
I didn't mention the Sunburst because he indicated he preferred a wood paddle. I cut the shaft down about 4" from it's original 54" length because the blade is shorter than most and the shaft length was too long. Now it's a nice length for relaxing paddling. My only criticisms are that the carbon shaft has a slightly rough surface and the T-grip isn't ideal for palm rolls. Otherwise it's often my "spare" paddle for a leisurely paddle back to the take-out.
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Here's another one that is completely different than a wood animal tail paddle. My GRBNewmanDesigns 6 degree bent shaft is probably the paddle I use the most. I love it. On a 20 mile paddle I'll usually start with it and never switch to my straight shaft spare. I used it recently and thought of this thread. With a bent shaft the most powerful part of your stroke (when the paddle face is vertical) comes later than with a straight shaft so the initial catch is softer and easier on your shoulder. If you like you can order them uncut with grip loose so you can fine tune the length yourself. It's a tougher paddle than you'd think if you haven't used carbon paddles much. You can get an animal tail paddle too.
Grumpus,
6 degrees is half of the standard bend in most paddles. Maybe yours is metric.
I have a carbon bent shaft that moves much water. Never had an animal part paddle but if it gets me stronger without backsliding I’m willing to slap the water with a critter tail all week and twice on Groundhog Day.
That does look like a nice paddle. Don’t think I’ve seen one of those. Looks like a BB Black Pearl, which I almost bought when I got my ZRE Whitewater.
6 degrees is half of the standard bend in most paddles. Maybe yours is metric.
I have a carbon bent shaft that moves much water. Never had an animal part paddle but if it gets me stronger without backsliding I’m willing to slap the water with a critter tail all week and twice on Groundhog Day.
That does look like a nice paddle. Don’t think I’ve seen one of those. Looks like a BB Black Pearl, which I almost bought when I got my ZRE Whitewater.
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