Thinking about getting a Big Stick but it looks like everyone only paddles (sticks) on one side of there board. Does this cause an imbalance in the muscles when you get back on the water?

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Keys SUP said...

Thinking about getting a Big Stick but it looks like everyone only paddles (sticks) on one side of there board. Does this cause an imbalance in the muscles when you get back on the water?

The natural tendancy is to face your body towards your 'handed' side and therefore stroke on the same side.

It takes a little bit of discipline to balance this out. I'm sure if you only paddled on one side only for long enough eventually your body would adapt to the muscular strain on that side and build up accordingly. (As happens to many tennis players).

When I ride around I try to make a concious effort to paddle on both sides, after a while it becomes natural. You might do say 3 strokes on side then 3 on the other. This is also makes for a pretty good stomach muscle workout and not just the upper body. The next step is to stand on the board 'opposite handed' and do this. This feels much less natural but after a while you get used to that too.

I know there are some brain expert types out that say doing that sort of stuff is good for you beyond just body muscles. Sort of like practicing to write with your opposite hand. I 've heard of people using their non favoured side (writing, using tools etc.) as a way of waking the brain up and helping deal with terminal illness. Maybe street SUPping could be found to be a cure for cancer one day

I'm a goofy so I tend to use the stick predominately on my left hand side! Trying to swap as much as possible to the right although it does feel a little awkward.

It's a bit like kicking the footy with your wrong foot i suppose. The more I practice, the more natural it will feel!

Mick

I only got my boards on saturday (I bought a couple of different ones to try and some sticks). At 42 years old and getting my first board! I have used the 57" Duke every day since and am loving it. I have spent the last 6 years paddling outrigger and ski so the use of both sides is very natural.

It is a great exercise and being able to train without getting wet is something different too. I spent an hour in the local carpark at 10pm last night, under lights. Heaps of fun!

its a lot more difficult to paddle on your backhand side but you can do it successfully with some practice. I too worry about muscle imbalance so I've been practicing riding goofy. On hills I'll stick with my regular stance though