Injuries from SUP?

[bagus]

Since SUP is relatively new there has not been much documented on injuries either from prolonged activity or even certain events.  I for one have definitely started to get rotator cuff problems probably from my paddle technique and just wrenching my shoulder catching waves.  I was using a 9'5" blade for the longest time and have just started borrowing my buddy's 8'5" blade.  I think the smaller surface area of the 8.5" is really going to help reduce the stress on my shoulder while still allowing me to get quick short strokes for bursts when catching and riding waves.

I would be interested if other folks are getting any aches and pains from SUP and any suggestions on what you did to reduce injuries.

[Dwight (DW)]

I would be interested if other folks are getting any aches and pains from SUP and any suggestions on what you did to reduce injuries.

Where do I start 

The wife has a gash in her elbow from the fin. The fin is cracked from the impact. She's got black and blue marks on her butt.

I've got a little golfers elbow going on. The lower back is always sore. Now my legs are sore all over, like a newbie, since switching to a smaller SUP. Abrasions everywhere, elbow, knees, you name it, I've got a it.

Calf leash ate a hole in my leg.

Strained groin from my leash trying to tear my leg off. Using the other ankle now, hoping not to tear the other leg off.

 

[Tony DaKine]

Started to get tennis elbow. Switched from a heavier, bigger board to a smaller, lighter board and it has gone away.

I've had serious problems with my shoulder prone surfing. Pretty much has not affected me SUPing.

From time to time, especially in the begining, I'd get bruised shins from falling. Lower back muscles were really sore but I think SUPing has made my lower back much stronger and it feels great.

[photosettle]

Meniscus Tear...

I'm not actually sure how i tore my meniscus (probably skiing or windsurfing) but the first time it caused me any significant pain was after a flat water stand up paddle.  At first i thought it was the SUP that caused it but it just does not add up to me that the original tear came from flat water SUPing.  It still irritates it every time i SUP.  I'm going in for a second opinion about surgery this week. 

[bagus]

I totally did a similar thing to my knee from soccer and it flaired up on the SUP.  I went and got kiniseo taping on my knee and it did wonders for healing.  You should check it out before going under the knife.

http://www.razorsedgerehab.com/testimonials.htm

I have a great person in Honolulu if you are interested.

[MichaelF]

I had sore shoulders for some time while during distance with my C4 9 inch paddle.  I adjusted my tech abd stopped using the upper hand to drive.  This helped a great deal.

Finally moved to a Quick Blade paddle with a more flex shaftm this has helped and no longer have pain. 

[Chan]

Paddling in a range with your top hand at or under shoulder height, and not overextending your reach, can reduce strain and improve your stroke. 

[stoneaxe]

Sore from heels to shoulders, scrapped and scratched from toes to knees, grinning from ear to ear...

[noworrieshawaii]

Repost from Random section couple weeks ago.....  Still not totally healed..   

Well... unfortunately I've discovered a new way to injure myself...  Fun little glassy waist to shoulder high Thousand Peaks Saturday early morning session... Out for about an hour or so with 6 or 7 of my long board buddies and Eddie C on the SUP... Everyone having tons of fun, sharing laughing etc...   Nice set coming, set up and dang it turns into a party wave. So I figure I'll bail and get the next one. Dont quite know how but ended up with my leg inside the guy dropping me's leash.... He was kinda a big guy and kept on going... Leash just snaked down my thigh and got caught on my calf then ankle.. Damn... Talk about instant bruising.. Now my ankle is almost black and calf and thigh are a really lovely shade of purple.
Guess I wont be wearing my short skirts to work for awhile... But once I get the blood flowing, it doesnt hurt that much. Still got the morning session yesterday, just had to be super careful of not falling....

[Big Island Mike]

I have a sore sholder that started after I lengthened my paddle, using a stiff Pohaku and it was irritating for a while. I started using a Quickblade with more flex, streching, and I bought my own 808nm laser to do laser therapy. All seems to have worked fine, no more pain.  I believe good posture is key, standing up straight as much as possible, and bending at the waist for paddle strokes, using the core.  For training a must is the Core Performance type excersize techniques, swims, supermans, ball crunches, etc.

[toejammer2]

Last year I hit a dead seabird that was floating waterlogged below the surface of our local winter spot-Totally tweaked my knee locked in my footstraps-it went away after several months. After sup wavesailing/surfing on my sos big red (average 5 days/week) my knee has been hurting really bad-I'm limping around most days but can't stop sup surfing-just hope my wife doesn't notice-being a nurse I'm sure she will suggest I give a rest!

[river]

Sore from the Toes to the Nose and ready for more
A good sore though.

Shoulder problems can often be relieved by stroke modification.  Torso twist and not opening you shoulder joint (lower arm totally straight and shoulder extneded forward) at the catch will greatly reduce rotator cuff suceptability. 

If something starts felling weird for me I will do whatever technique modification to try to instantly reduce the pain. 

My knees stopped getting bruised from the boards (while quickly trying to re-mount)-guess there used to it now.
All this paddling is definately making my back stronger although its sore I can tell its getting stronger. 

[RUSS-D]

I have some Tennis/Golfers elbow going on in my right arm, my ankles hurt from time to time, and my low back is starting to hurt a lot after SUP'n. Going to my Chiro on Wed. to see whats up with the back. I have had the board smak me in the shin a few times, thats a killer LOL. I whacked my pinky toe with the paddle once, goog God did that HURT. And I bruise my heals once in a while from jumping off in shallow water.

[jayr]

I can't remember where I have seen the video but it says there that if you're about to fall, do not fall on the board but, as much as possible, try falling in to the water so as to avoid damaging your expensive board and injuring yourself in the process.

I guess all the aches and pains can be averted through rigorous stretching before paddling out to sea.  With SUP's overall body workout, its critical to loosen and warm those joints and muscles.

[MST]

I fell off my board at a funny angle in July and sprained my knee (MCL).  It is just now feeling better.  Only problem I ever had w/ my knees.  I also have a rotator cuff problem and golfer's elbow form lifting weights, and doing pull ups.  Since I started SUP, I think the paddling has actually served as a therapy as nothing really hurts anymore.  Guess I will keep my fingers crossed until the next injury.