Return to Kayaking

[adibell]

Hey all, I took up kayaking when I came to uni in September 2010 having never done it before. I loved it and started to get better, then dislocated my shoulder first sublimed it rolling up at NSR last year (March) and then fully dislocated it about 8/9 weeks later once again doing a high brace. It was most definitely bad technique, I'll admit, alongside having very weedy shoulders.

I kayaked once or twice last october, and that's all the kayaking experience I've had. However, I had the shoulder surgery in Feb, and I'm recovering well now (7 weeks post-op). Unfortunately I was put off buying loads of kit because of my dislocation (and being a poor, poor student of course), and only have a helmet so far. Also our club seems to be more focused on 'favourite members', and I know that all the people that started alongside me have now progressed so much more, so it's going to be a bit odd trying to get back to it again.

I was looking if anyone has any advice for me to get back to the sport and how to make the most of it., because it's one of the few sports I felt I could get really passionate about!! :(

[Terryg]

If you're not getting along with your Uni club, then see if there are any other clubs in the area that suit your needs.

[janet brown]

Try a club local to home in your 3 months off during the summer!
I suspect they're more likely to be more inclusive :-)

Janet

[alexpethybridge]

I'd echo what other have said and say try new clubs if your Uni one isn't working out. I've known a couple of people with shoulder problems (none kayaking related) and a big thing they practice is a range of shoulder exercises. Kayaking can be good for strengthening the pulling muscles around your shoulder but doing exercises that work the shoulder in other ways will help it to stay in place in future. A word of warning, as frustrating as it is coming off a big injury or operation, make sure you get back into it slowly, resist the temptation to throw yourself back to fast and it'll pay off later. Hope it all goes well!

[adibell]

I don't think it's to the point where I'd need to change clubs, I just mean I could do with knowing how to progress well enough to be included on more trips etc., but not risk injuring my shoulder. Any experiences of shoulder recovery and returning to kayaking are nice to know :)

[Madsalty]

I've spent a lifetime dislocating things (I'm hypermobile) and I had a traumatic dislocation and subsequent surgery about 18 months ago. I'm now back playboating and doing what I was before so here are a few tips:

1) Work Hard - Nobody is going to wave a magic wand and build your shoulder strength / flexibility for you. I assume you've been through / going through physio so listen and do what the physio tells you.

2) Don't rush back into the sport. I spent 6 months off followed by 3 months working in the gym with a personal trainer to make sure I was working the correct muscle groups to further stabilise my shoulder before I attempted to get back on the water.

3) Hone your technique. My technique is/was super compact and safe, but I've continued to practice those tucked up rolls and positive forward braces to make sure they're habitual after a break. If you're convinced your technique is a weakness, why not invest in some coaching?

4) Have fun, but be prepared to stick it out as the first few times may be nerve wrecking!

[adibell]

Cool, that was pretty helpful thanks :)