A Beautiful Day for a Paddle

Hi all. As the title says, it was a cracking day to get out on the water for a paddle. However, I've developed what appears to be, tendinitis on my left forearm just above my wrist. I didn't train at all yesterday as a result and only went for a run on Thursday evening. However, work yesterday seems to have aggravated it a bit. I was going to see how it went and would call an early end to the session if I needed to.

Got to the club this morning and talked about what we fancied doing, the plan was head towards the Itchen Bridge and take it from there. Me and Fred had a look at the feather on my paddle blades and thought it might be worth adjusting it a bit to see how it would go.

We got on the water and settled in for the lovely conditions, although there was a lot of traffic on the water, with the rowing club out in force too, so the their ribs were setting out some nice wash.

Me and Enda thought the conditions were so good, it seemed a good idea to go for a swim, (not!!! lol). We went in and the water was a tad fresh shall we say and it was button mushrooms all round. Back in the boat, the sun warmed us up quite quickly. The wrist wasn't happy though, even with the adjusted feather it was still getting sore. I guess as it was a bit sore before the session the paddling was just aggravating it. So just before the Itchen Bridge, I gave Fred the nod and we all headed back to the slipway. Although I had to get off the water, the others stayed close by and had a go in a few different boats. Enda had himself a little go in a K1 or 2, we'll look at some video footage to compare his technique in 2 different boats ;o) lol

For me, well the only training I'm going to be able to contemplate is running to give the tendinitis time to get better. Was planning on a Thames run this week too, might have to go on hold. I reckon the earliest I can think about paddling will be Thursday night, but might just have to leave it until Waterside C on Sunday, but it might be worth testing it before Waterside C next Saturday though to see if it holds up.

Anyhow, I'll keep you posted.

Back to looking at Enda's Technique;

Compare this one in a Lance (stable boat)

To this one in a Cougar (not so stable boat shall we say ;o) lol)

And finally and very new technique Enda has been developing, he simply calls it 'Submarine'