Hi
Have been paddling a bit, not excessive and am getting sore right shoulder, front mainly and neck, right hand side again.
Am I raising arm to high, definitely not paddle too far back, Im keeping arms straight etc. not reaching too far forward, legs bent etc
Is the blade too big? Using muscle that I havent been using past years,
I don't get any issues short board surfing and can paddle for hrs,
Any advice?
Thanks in advnace
Regards David
Hi David,
There could be a lot of different factors contributing to your soreness and without seeing you paddle, it's impossible to know which is causing your problems.
If you think it's probably technique related, I'd suggest you try to find someone to video you paddling and then watch it back to see if your doing something different on the right to the left. You could also then look at your technique compared to some of the pros online (I'm sure you'll be able to find some stuff online but I haven't looked) and identify anything you are doing differently that could be improved.
Cheers, Ali
Thanks Ali
just watched DJs post,
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/SUP/Stroking-it/
I have been watching videos for hrs last night 
I agree I think I need to paddle alongside someone more experienced or get somebody to video me.
I'd love to attend some sort of paddle technique session, with any vic paddlers?
I'm sure I'm not the only one who's getting a bit confused & unsure if technique is causing pain or perhaps just jumping in too eager as usual, 43 yr old grommet 
wanting to catch up.
Get this feeling every morning that I want to paddle, even if its for 30 mins or so, getting to realise why everyones so addicted to SUP for fitness, and mind escape.
Surfing buddies still think I've gone crazy, we'll see whom gets bigger wave count, when I can get myself off the SUP and back onto shortboard (maybe)
Thanks again
Regards David
When I stuck a paddle grip on the shaft of my paddle I noticed that I paddle slightly different on one side to the other.. Or maybe I have one arm a few inches longer than the other because one hand goes near the bottom of the grip on one side and the other hand goes more towards the top on the other side.. Interesting.. Something like this could lead to getting pain on one side only.
DJ
Are you an office worker? Using a mouse or a carrying a bag a lot? Those activities can give you more tension that side of the body. The traps connect the neck to the shoulders and can transfer pain through to the front.
Maybe start with a masseur or physiotherapist who can point you in the right direction based on what muscles are tight.
Sometimes these things can be managed with a regular massage and a bit of stretching. But find one who has a lot of paddlers as patients.
(...or just quit your job and go paddling more)
Like that one Snowey
Doing digital design (pixel pusher) work for 15+ yrs does give you soreness on one side, but I'm not so hands on anymore, perhaps the damage is already done.
Will do more stretching I think.
DJ one shoulder does sit slightly lower, always has, (hold back on the hunchback cartoons)
Hopefully we can catch up for a paddle one day soon. Would like to do a downwinder.
Regards David
Used to get the pain on the left side (neck/shoulder area). Changed my paddle from aluminium shaft to carbon fibre (and smaller head). Pain gone!
Yeah, one of my own. Traps are hard to stretch. You can massage yourself by putting a couple of tennis balls in a sock down on the floor. Lay on your back on them and slide your body over it so it rolls up and down along the muscles running along your spine. Also good for getting into the hip joints - hip flexors are another area that gets tight for paddlers. Google for it if you aren't sure what I mean or buy the ones you can get in the shops.
Given all the socks I've lost in the washing machine and the tennis balls I've found in Sydney Harbour it was easy to make my own. 
I tore my rotator cuff (right side) awhile back. When I paddle a lot or long distances my right shoulder gets quite sore along with pain and stiffness in my neck just as you describe.
Put up with it for awhile but finally sore my doc who did some exercises and tests to check a few things. RC was Ok along with AC (a relief) but put me onto anti-inflammatories. Has helped but depending on your age, past sporting endeavours etc but sometimes things just wear out.
A physio is a great option, definitely is a big help!!!!!!!!!!!!
Give it a go, hope this helps.
Hi David
I think that you could have Rotator-cuff injury. Rotator-cuff injury is the most common shoulder injury for SUPers. It can be caused from having your elbow above your shoulder for too long, you should shorten your paddle and keep your elbow below your shoulder. Also keep your shoulders lower when you paddle. Hope this helps
Trev
Thanks Trev I think you are right on this one, just thinking about how high I had raised my forward arm.
Thanks everyone for the reponse.
I think have to slow down, pace myself, get the technique right.
Some old dogs never learn 
