2016 The French Adventure!

2016 The French Adventure!

Experience Canoe Kayak is a Non Profit association offering fun, safe and educational experiences.

The association is a cumulative effort between Myself Adrian Durrant and my partner Jenny Ridley each bringing a individual skill set to the association.

Over the past few years both myself and Jenny have traveled a lot, paddling and enjoying the outdoors. 

For 2016 we wanted to try something new, I had fairly serious shoulder surgery in December 2015 from a kayak injury. So knowing that I wouldn't be either fit or able to paddle for about 6 months. The thought of missing an alpine season in Europe stuck watching everyones adventures was going to be a tough ask. 

We decided together that we needed a new plan in life, instead of working to pay bills, we wanted some freedom and fun back in our lives. No matter how much we both love Ireland, and have learnt to call it home. We have a huge amount of friends in Ireland, but wanted to experience something else. 

A new adventure, and Europe seems like the obvious plan, where everything is just a drive away no need for flights, and ferries. The opportunity to just hop in the van with everything you need and travel.

We set up the Association Experience Canoe Kayak in a small village of Noyers sur Cher, We had visited the region before and had found that there is little opportunity or facility to canoe locally with the vast river Cher on the doorstep we put our heads together to put a plan in place. 

One of our goals was to promote Paddlesport within the local community, by showing people what is close to home showing them places they have never seen yet on their own doorstep. We had a huge push on promoting activities for people with disabilities. 

Proving that Paddlesport can be accessible. This we have achieved with Jenny Ridley, as one of the top facilitators of adaptive outdoor learning, there really is no one better to promote accessibility. understanding injuries and needs as a Rehabilitation Specialist and offering coaching and support as a Double Paralympian, high performance athlete and Coach to some of the top athletes. Jenny has a host of experience but a love for water and paddlesports.

We have spent time building links with other local associations, we decided we wanted to use all of our own experiences to help others and teach them what we love about the sport.

The Core activity of our association is open canoe hire trips on the picturesque River Cher, as well as sit on top hire from our canal side base. 

We offer daytime trips where families and groups can bring a picnic and explore the river as it winds it's way through the Loire Valley as well as evening sunset paddles under the famous château Chenonceau, 

We have a number of other more specialist options available with a number of river waves when the levels rise on the river Cher makes it the perfect location for freestyle camps and only a drive to any other River in Europe makes central France an ideal base of activities.

We managed to secure a base of activities with the local Marie. Utilising an old community camping ground, which had lay empty for a number of years. 

In reality, it is a building with toilets and small office, as well as an area of land. Situated on the corner of a canal basin on the Canal de Berry. Offering easy access to the Canal and River Cher. 

This provides the perfect location for a safe introduction. Perfect for groups and individuals, to have a go at canoeing, within the safe confines of the basin and canal.

The grass area also gives us the option for camping activities for groups wishing to stay at our base. or just for community activities, open days and BBQs its a super area for games and activities.

We have started to put in place multi day trips on the river Cher, canoeing and camping. With a variety of routes available, following the River Cher along its course. 

The river experience is something we love offering and the Cher is such a beautiful river with low traffic.

Our big push is with our community programmes, offering children and other associations the chance to try something, which will help benefit their state of health and wellbeing. 

We are one of the only providers to offer a full access guide for each of our trips online. Outlining the suitability and accessibility of each of our trips, and offering a bespoke trips suitable for individual needs, this is something Jenny has worked very hard to create and we are proud to offer.

''We aim to make as many activities as accessible as possible and can discuss any issues in depth whether a trip on the Canal or one of our alpine paddling trips we want to prove people are capable of participating by eliminating barriers.''

Since moving to France we have been working hard to learn the language. With enough French to make a conversation, we are picking it up quickly. With many clients also keen to practice their English it can get confusing. But the worry of a language barrier is something we have accepted and working on. 

We have already made a number of friends here, who are all very supportive of us and the adventure which makes things much easier as they are always happy to assist. Everyday challenges like ordering in shops or big tasks like building the website we have overcome with patience practice and at times little google translate.

We have found it best to give it a try whether ordering lunch or buying stationary, most of the time people will help you. Everyone we have met has been polite and helpful and clients love that we want to learn. The Language has been the single biggest barrier, but its been a challenge, and the sense of achievement after a successful phone conversation or booking is always a great feeling.

As well as the local paddling Experience Canoe Kayak are offering alpine adventures with the focus on taking people to some of our favourite places with Oetz one of our favoured destinations.

We ran a successful trip in October 2016 and looking to build on this with two trips scheduled so far for 2017.

We are really running these trips as experiences. We want to really show you what we love about a region with a mix of time on the river and visiting some of our favourite spots, the sight and smells or just the views. Many paddlers visit a region without ever exploring outside the river bed and campsite. 

I have been guilty of this on occasion, but having taken the time to explore and find so much more, it's always about the trip not just the river. So by handpicking the destinations that we love hopefully will allow you to fall in love with our favourite locations also.

A huge draw to living in France for ourselves is the opportunity to drive anywhere, load up the van and the dogs and head. To Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, Italy, anywhere we want. Having both myself and Jenny competed internationally in numerous sports we have many friends all over Europe. The opportunity to visit them and see them has been a major motivation. With every trip comes a new adventure.

We currently have over 50 boats between 3-4 seat Canoes, Sit on tops, Junior, Adult and Family, River kayaks, and other Specialist boats we can cater for upwards of 80 persons on the water at any one time. 

As well as our land based offerings through Pilates, Yoga and functional movement sessions the base can be a hive of activity.

We have a couple of vehicles our trusty white van, Blue 9 seat Bus and Trailer so we can move people and boats easily wherever they need to be.

In 2016 We have had over 850 People out in Canoe and Sit on top, this is great achievement in our first season. With 29% of visitors local from Noyers sur Cher We were proud to welcome other visitors to the region from all across Europe.

Our first season was hampered with a bad start, floods across central France left us looking at the Cher running in excess of 800 Cumecs (our typical summer level is closer to 10 Cumecs) Luckily the Canal held, and gave us an outlet to get boats on the water. As the levels dropped the sun started to show and gave us a busy August.

Where we are based we have both the Loire and the Cher within easy reach. With much of our emphasis on the underutilised River Cher, still known to many as the wild Cher.  

The main section we use is between Chabris and St Aignan. This Stretch is fantastic for its sights and sounds. The fauna and flora have been virtually undisturbed, unlike other busier sections of the river. We are also lucky that the stretch we use contains no weirs, (ecluses) making it safe and friendly for all the family.

With many opting to bring a picnic and spend the day exploring what the river has to offer. We also have the Canal De Berry outside our base and the Province Trois Lacs perfect for a short trip or a activity.

In the evenings we offer a sunset paddle at the beautiful Chateau de Chenonceau, one of the Loire Valley and Frances most famous Castles, built spanning the River Cher. Our trip lets you explore Chenonceau by water weaving between its grand arches with the sun setting and the hot air balloons over head. It is one of our favourite times to be on the water.

During the summer season we aim to get both tourists and locals out to experience the beautiful river, using this income generated to then fund our community programmes. working with schools and associations to introduce them to the outdoors through educative lectures and experiences.

We are proud to also offer a donate a place system, where people can purchase online a child's session for half price, these are then donated to local associations to bring out children for a canoe experience.
Take a look at our Donate a Place page - HERE

Over the coming year we have a number of other projects we want to complete both personal and to increase business but keeping the focus very much on the community we really want to get as many people on the water as possible whilst allowing us to enjoy the French climate and paddling opportunities.

Moving to France has been a huge step from the get go it was never our greatest plan but we have turned it into what is a continuing adventure.

We have made France our home and we welcome you to join us to Experience what we are lucky to see every day.

If anyone is interested in coming over for a canoe experience please check out our web page and get in touch we want to be a French base for Irish paddlers to drop in on their way to other places or to spend time with us exploring the region.

A huge thank you has to go out to the brands and companies who have supported us with this adventure so far and looking forward to a successful 2017

Yak Paddling Adventure Equipment // I-Canoe.com // Keen // Pyranha Kayaks //

To all the friends we have made along the way and people who have joined us this season Thank You and we hope to see you all again in 2017!

Experience with us.

Adrian, Jenny, Marlon and Penny

Take a look at our website www.experiencecanoekayak.com
Follow us on Facebook - Experience Canoe Kayak

Yak Galena PFD Review

 The Galena PFD is Yak's answer to a lightweight Freestyle / River Running PFD.

Instead of going for the super slim option, with the minimum of floatation. Yak have strived to make some of the safest most floaty jackets on the market.

With a huge maritime safety influence through Crewsaver and Survitec Yak PFD's are worked on at the same level.

The Galena is no exception with 70n+ of buoyancy, in a lightweight shaped foam.
Creating one of the lightest PFDs available.
At first glance it looks bulkier than other vests but that is really just down to the position of the foam.

The Galena sits well on the torso. The breathable mesh surround, offers comfort, and stops the PFD riding up.

The 4D cast contoured cut is a great feeling, keeping the foam away from your arms, allowing you a full range of movement whilst paddling.

The colour scheme blue or lime green is perfect. (as it matches my boat) Bright and fun. with one big central zipped pocket. Perfect for holding essentials. The fastening of straps is quick and easy with specific designed release pulls to adjust straps quickly and easily. The added strap cleats keeps any extra strap safely tucked in to reduce snagging.

The shoulder straps are sewn through into the waist belt making it great for intermediate river running also.

The PFD is donned straight over the head making it really easy and comfy.

The PFD works well in all boats freestyle, river , canoeing even on a sup the cut really gives you freedom to paddle all day.

As always it's worth trying before you buy, with three sizes available, make sure you get the best fit for you.

For Kids Yak have the Galena Junior, a super small PFD for young rippers!

I use this PFD daily, and find it extremely comfortable. Being taller I have gone for the XL size, to give myself extra length in the shoulders. The PFD works really well and looks great on the water.

The PFD is well priced against other river running and freestyle PFDS, and certainly worth trying on when your looking for a new vest!

Pros
Lightweight
Plenty of Buoyancy
Comfortable
Colourful
Sewn Through Shoulders
Easy Adjustment.

Pyranha Kayaks Machno Review

The past week I was lucky enough to get my hands on a shiny new Pyranha Kayaks Machno, the newest creek machine from Runcorn.

The boat had been dropped in Oetz to be shown off and paddled around the famous wellebrucke rapids. (Sickline) But whilst noone was looking we managed to sneak her off for a real life test. Paddling a low and rocky lower Vent. In high water one of my favourite runs, but in low water it is as beautiful as ever, but with more ressemblement to the everyday Irish/Uk rocky ditch, that we are more accustomed to paddling. So I really got to test it without the glam of the big water and big lines. I bounced the Machno around some boulders, and scrapped it over others. I even had to carry her around when the water left the river.
 So here we go a real life review #inaditch

So first impressions as I lifted the boat and ran from the sickline exhibitors area, where it had been left unattended for a few minutes. My first thoughts were of the weight and comfort whilst carrying, the step out pillar, as found on many models has lovely grooves for fingers. Perfect to hold the boat steady on your shoulder and the hip pads were soft and comfy to rest my newly fixed shoulder into... Wait a second pyranha hip pads have never been soft! After dropping the boat to the floor make sure I had borrowed the right boat, I took a second look. The new hip pads are in fact soft and comfortable and the first glimpse of the new thigh braces looked strong and sturdy. With the option of adding the old famous hooker thighbrace. It really felt like all my christmases had just landed at once. Perfect for keeping me anchored in the boat, the seat was the safe comfortable stout seat, and the footrest the solid bulkhead system, as found in the rest of the lineup.
As we hoisted the boat high up onto the roof of my bus, I started to calculate the weight of her. I came up with a simple option, that it was lighter than the Mamba, and probably somewhere just under my large 9r. But in all honestly it felt good, strong metal handles front and rear plus rear broach bars, meant tieing the boat up was quick and easy.

Unloading again went smoothly, noone died or was flattened by a falling Machno. I even heard one person worried it may blow away in the wind. Now she was free, and away from the big water and the prying eyes of Sickline. In this beautiful Austrian Valley, we were going to really see how she behaved.
I sat in to her and knowing the person who had paddled it before me (Baino) is both shorter and a little narrower (not as athletic as me). I did wonder how much adjustment would be needed or if I would ever fit. But even with the Yak Vanguard drysuit I just adjusted the footplate to fit my size 47 Keen boots upfront, and eveything else was almost spot on.
For sure in my own boat I would spend more time adjusting for that truly perfect fit, but for a boat straight off of the shelf, I was straight in and paddling.

The first Machno off the line is typically a Medium. I havent really paddled a medium boat in a while. Not since my old 9rM, being 6"3 88kg im not really a medium size, but I wanted to give it a try.
I was delighted to find that the boat is actually quite a large Medium, holding me and my rescue kit comfortably on the river. The space in the rear is large and perfect for splits etc.
As I bounced over my first rock I thought I was back in Ireland. The rocky runs I've come to love. But in all honesty the Machno took no getting used to. It was like meeting an old friend, and getting straight back into things. With the forgiving rails the boat rolled and slid over everything, without the tripping and aggression needed in the burn, or the 9r.
 The Machno paddled itself. Whilst flat she simply rolled over everything. But engage an edge, and the rail gripped and held its course, threading its way between the boulders with grace and ease.

Having paddled the Shiva a good bit, but finding the Large Shiva just slightly out of proportion.
Im really excited to see the new Machno is a different beast, taking the forgiving lines but making a modern day creek boat. That you really want to paddle. Something to go up alongside the tuna 2.0 and the Mamba / Nomad.
Whether its big volume, steep, or low and rocky I can see the machno working well just about anywhere she goes.

For Irish paddlers the Machno is a perfect choice. Paddling more like the ever popular Mamba, but without the excess weight. For anyone looking for a new boat, I think the forgiving rails with the extra speed will be a great option and certainly worth a try. I can't wait to get her for spin on the Dargle, or Glens.

Machno vs 9r.
 So these two boats are a tough one to break down. The 9r is the king of speed, with the medium twitchy, and a little tail happy. Where as the machno is forgiving, with a sense of safety. Not having to charge at warp 10 into everything.
 But play the Machno against the large 9r the extra length and shape of the 9r makes it faster than the Machno. But for resurfacing and manoeuvrability, the Machno is a joy to play the river. With its safe, predictable lines, and solid thigh position your really part of the boat. Knowing that where you go, the boat is going too.

Personally I couldnt pick one or the other. I would have to have both! As I love the extra speed of the 9rL for big volume and racing but for low rocky technical the Machno would be my baby.
Knowing that when the water comes and things get bigger she will take it in her stride almost reducing the 9RL back to being just a race boat. (which we know she isn't only) Both boats are unbelievably fun to paddle and I would struggle to pick one over the other.

If my arm was really twisted and I could only own one. (Never going to happen) The Machno would take me everywhere.

The trip on the vent was certainly the lowest I have paddled it. Yet still beautiful, with nice carving moves, and tight lines coming alive.
The Machno really loved being on the river, never feeling trippy, or out of her depth. Whilst in the boulder gardens, she worked the river like no other. Manoeuvrable and predictable. Then once you add water and slot drops she lifted and weaved her way. Keeping the bow high and dry.
When she plugged she resurfaced safely and predictably.
 A true 4x4 of the kayak world.

The Machno feels like a boat that can just keep giving! A true, go anywhere boat.
I cant wait to see where this boat goes. When some of the lads with more flexibility than me, start pushing her around.
She is destined to fly, wether the waterfalls of Mexico or freewheeling in the French alps. The Machno is a tough act to beat.

At the getout, I was delighted to see that the boat was extreamly dry, with very little water in the boat was a great feeling.

The boat held its own, and even before getting off the water I think I may have sold a fleet of them!
I think I managed to sneak the boat back into the Pyranha team van with a couple more scratches but in perfect condition before anyone noticed.
Im truely impressed with Pyranha, having snuck this boat into the line up. Something as a paddler and a retailer, we didnt even realise we were missing
 But now, with probably the strongest lineup of boats, from any brand. Pyranha have boats performing at the top level from racing, freestyle, steep creeking and general river fun. Pyranha have built a boat for all occasions, and for any sized paddler.
 The Machno sits perfectly as a creek boat, bumping the Shiva down, and almost out. Once paddled I think many will agree to the far superior feel, and reliability of the Machno.

Thanks to Andy and Pyranha for allowing me the opportunity to get my hands in the new boat. I cant wait to see what the small and large looks like.

Photos by Adrian Durrant, Pyranha Kayaks and Maria Cole

Shoulder Health Part 1

Shoulders are a valuable tool for kayakers whether flatwater touring or hucking big drops with a much higher degree of importance than any single piece of kit our shoulders are a vital component of the engine of our kayaks, over the next few posts I'm going to elaborate on my own surgery, rehabilitation and with the help of Jenny Ridley shoulder health and conditioning for paddlesports.

 

Injury

An injury is one of the biggest barriers facing any athlete.
Injuries can be caused a number of different ways and preventative measures can be put in place to reduce the likelihood of sustaining an injury.

One of the biggest causes would be overuse this can be as a result of too much training but more likely poor posture and or technique whilst trading. This is most likely to happen when fatigued the body will be trying to "cheat" making the activity easier to avoid pain. This is an education by using training plans and knowing your own body rest days can be used allowing the body recovery periods.
With in paddlesport it's import to plan and take rest days when away on trips or expeditions allowing the body recovery time otherwise there will be a noticeable drop in paddling ability due to fatigue. Many people will head to the alps during the spring having only paddled occasionally beforehand think about taking a day off the water.

Accident

Injuries can be caused through accidents by yourself or another. Falls and slips are always a risk but can be minamised with correct footwear and or roped systems.
On the water accident can happen with tripping edges rocks and waves. Be sure to know your limits and understand the risks. By putting your self on rivers above your ability your putting both yourself and others at higher risk.

Understanding risk vs reward and knowing when to walk away

This is what makes a good paddler a safe paddler. Many young paddlers think they are invincible and takes a big scare to bring them back down to earth. You must learn to have both the understanding and knowledge to know your own ability level and an understanding of the consequences you face to then make an informed decision of your actions. Walking away is a perfectly acceptable option in all cases.
Paddlers will keep pushing the bar opening new lines and moves but they do this knowing their crew are solid and also understand.
Injuries sustained when pushing outside ones ability are likely to be much worse as panic will factor, causing people to forget some of the most simple things.

Swims

So swims are basically covered in the last section but being out of your boat can be one of the worst places to be, having a good knowledge of defensive swimming and knowing when to walk will lower the risk.

 

My Injury

So understanding the risks is one thing but trying to avoid them is another.

My Injury was a result of my own negligence for my body.

At the time I would neve have admitted anything but having educated myself further over the past 18 months I can look back and see the mistakes I made.

Early in 2014 I had decided I wanted to paddle everyday I got to day 94 before injury.
In hindsight I could definately have reduced the risk by actually taking rest days and listening to my body.
In early 2014 I had purchased a Gui Gui Easymix and had recaptured the love for freestyle kayaking, alongside my creeking.

With world cups coming back to Europe and friends travelling whom I had not seen in 5 years, I made plans to compete. Training hard and paddling really well again. But during a training session at Sluice a few days before traveling to king of the alps in Italy, as I set up on the feature for just one more trick.

As I plugged for a big air loop I left a blade trailing in the water so as the boat lifted and came over the blade remained "caught" in the flow . As the tail came over the blade released with force. Earlier in the session I would of held the blade but due to fatigue the power of the water propelled the shaft towards me. Whilst midloop I felt the impact unsure what had hit me but I was upside down, disoriented and alone. Like a brick had hit my temple. A lucky recovery and I was right way up but unable to comprehend what had happened.
As I floated to the get out I struggled to just keep the boat vertical. I remember getting out of the boat and feeling instant nausea.
It turns out my helmet had lifted a little whilst inverted and I had hit myself with my hand gripping the paddle shaft in the right temple giving myself serious concussion.
I spent the next week attempting to work struggleing to even look at a computer screen unable to concentrate for any period of time and determined to fly to Italy a few days later.

Arriving in Italy I was still having headaches and having to sleep every few hours, I couldn't concentrate for any period of time.
Physically I was in the best condition I could be, but mentally I just wasn't at the races.
On a spin in the magnificent Passer Gorge I came through onto the waterfall making the entry but pushed left and over rotated landing on the right blade putting a huge impact through my shoulder the pain was like tearing my arm and my neck unable to move and my upper chest cramped with pain.

I continued to paddle the race and a few days away with the Pyranha team tour in Oetz but I was visibly carrying an injury at the time assuming it was just a strain some high water fun left me surfing a big hole as the strength wasn't there to pull the boat through.

Returning to Ireland I had just 7 days until heading to France for freestyle world cup 1 in Millau. During the week I had a number of sessions with a local physio who did her best to patch me up knowing I was determined to go. Her feeling was that part of the reason I had damaged my shoulder was due to protecting my head, she proved her point whilst dry needleing and applying different pressures to show that yes my head is connected to my neck! I continued training everyday working hard but the pain remained.

Arriving in France to the town of Millau just in time for team training. Fortunately I was the only representative for Ireland so joined another team for training.
My first couple of rides just getting the feel for this new feature a small low volume hole at the top of the course. Cartwheels , loops and space godzillas were coming through nicely for the third ride I wanted to practice my tricky-woos.

I initiated on the right, splitting the tail and went to reach around for the third end as I did I realised I hadn't quite enough edge with the water pushing the boat and my blade in opposite directions, as the boat rotated I felt a pop like a balloon sucking away and exploding on my right shoulder the pain was torturous for the next second I was underwater unable to roll unable to breath a last gasp drive at the water and I was upright. I went to push the paddle and felt a pain the length of my arm releasing my grip and leaving me flapping. With some help from others I was on the bank out of the boat lying flat on my back with my eyes closed trying to comprehend what had just happened.

 
Luckily medical team was on site who put me in a van and onto the local hospital. Lots of drugs and a massage later I had dislocated my right shoulder but it had dropped back in almost instantly.
The hospital were great got me checked out and into a sling to minimise use. They recommended visiting a doctor on my return to Ireland.
This left me extremely sore and unable to hold a paddle let alone get in a boat

Unfortunately again I didn't listen. Having travelled all that way I wanted to demo a new helixir before ordering my own. I couldn't even hold a paddle yet but 4 days after the dislocation I got into the boat on the flat dropping superclean flatwater cartwheels and splits loving how the prototype felt, As I went to reach to take a stroke the pain was immense once more the arm cramped and I got out tail between my legs knowing I certainly shouldnt of been back in a boat.

On my return to Ireland after the swelling had dropped I continued with physio sessions they recommended getting an MRI to see the extent of the damage caused as I had a lot of instability in the joint.
So off I went to visit an Irish GP unlike anywhere else in the world in Ireland you pay your €60 then basically dictate to a GP what you want them to write on a piece of paper so he sent off my letter to the shoulder specialist stating I was a high performance athlete and needed to be seen ASAP

soooooo

2 months later I got a call to go and visit the hospital.
I met Dr Hannon Mullett who is the Number 1 shoulder guy in the country he was fantastic, identifing the pain and the cause and understanding how the injury was caused, he administered a steroid injection to help relieve some of the pain.
This worked for day to day activities but paddling still hurt me a lot.

I was then booked in for an MRI scan this came through another 4 months later.
So in I went for my Arthogram whereby they inject a dye into he joint to get a contrast on the MRI. Into the big machine buzzing and humming whilst I wait with headphones on trying to relax.

Another 4 months passed before I get a call to review the scans at the hospital, so in I trot, first being told that there is a small tear but that wont be causing any issue and how could Kayaking result in such an injury, a few minutes later Dr Mullett comes in and within approximately 18seconds he leaves me on the floor crying like a small child in absolute agony before pointing out to the registrar the extent of the damage and that it will require surgery.

The MRI shows a small tear in the Labrum as well as an impingement and a lot of fluid in the shoulder joint.
I asked Dr Mullett can I paddle and what I should/Should not be doing he told me not to take up smoking but to do as much as I can as I shouldnt make it much worse - (famous last words)

So off I trundle to Europe for 2 weeks of big creeking racing and waterfalls. Day one on the passer race course I came through a simple class 4 rapid on the exit I pulled a right hand stroke as the pain gripped me the cramped chest the same tearing pain was back I couldnt comprehend on the morning of the race I was driving around trying to buy anti-inflammatorys and physio tape.
I lined up at the start knowing that just finishing the race would be a bonus, I hadnt been training and I wasnt fit but I had a lovely paddle regardless choosing not to paddle the finals course knowing I was not strong enough for it (at last I had learnt)

Another day and we hit the Inn in Switzerland running at huge flows I decided to go paddle another sore day and for the following day I turned down the paddle choosing to drive shuttle (twice in a week id made a good desicion)
A couple more rivers and a couple of rest days I was really getting the hang of looking after myself but unfortunately far too late.

I returned home and waited
and waited
and waited
And went to sickline!

not to race but to watch, I made 4 runs of the wellebrucke rapids falling down the racecourse my boat ability was there but my strength had deserted me, the pushy whitewater was too much for me as I hadnt paddled or trained.

Then eventually 7 months on from the last appointment my date came up for surgery.
I was booked into the Cappagh Hospital at 7am ready to go into theatre I was high as a kite and out of my tree by 8am. unfortunately I then go left to wait until 2pm before it was my turn the surgery was due to take 60-90mins then a bit of time to recover from the anesthetic they said about two hours.
At 2:30pm I was looking at an ultrasound showing my shoulder and neck where they were going to push the nerve blocker in and thats the last I remember.

I came around at 8pm having spent 4 1/2 hours in theatre.
I didnt even realise I was wearing a sling for the first hour I couldnt feel anything for nearly 2 days no pain at all all I realised was I had a nappy around my shoulder to protect the 6 incisions.

Once in theatre they had found a lot more damage than the MRI had show this was mainly due to the fact the MRI scan was a year old at this point and I had done more damage through continued paddling.
The surgery was split into a few parts
Repair - to sew back together the tear in the labrum the small tear they were expecting had expanded hugely to a very serious Bankart Lesion Tear

A Bankart lesion is an injury of the anterior glenoid labrum due to anterior shoulder dislocation.
These labral tears make the shoulder unstable and susceptible to repeated dislocations.

Stabilisation- As part of the process they then want to stabilise the joint by attaching anchors into the bone and sutures to support the joint.
Because of my level of activity I had 4 anchors each double tied to create greater support.

Decompression - this is where they basically shave off the impinging bone and then scrape away scar tissue and remove the build up of fluid in the joint.

After surgery I spent one night in Hospital, because of the drugs I felt no pain and slept fine.
After coming home I was to wear the sling 24 hours a day for the first 8 weeks this meant no driving and not allowed to use the right arm whatsoever. Of course I did do small things but my range of motion was limited I couldnt even scratch my chin.

Now 9 weeks out I have finally removed the sling, reporting to the hospital physio every other week to monitor progress. I am building a range of motion, still unable to life my arm above my head and in a huge amount of pain when I stretch or reach too far.

 

The biggest thing now is just being able to trust the joint again as its stronger than it was originally.
From taking to people and physios the recovery is likely to be 6 month before I can get back paddling anything that moves before that I may be able to float calmly in the shallows.

The rehab in constant and never ending. Im not great at keeping it punctual but am doing plenty and can see the improvements I can now reach my head and tie my shoelaces so coming along well.
The biggest thing is not to rush back and I feel I have learnt the self control to stop and think about whats going on.

The next step is pure rehab starting from the basics posture and balance whilst rehabing the shoulder its key to fix everything else to reduce the risk of a reoccuring injury
In the next post we will look at shoulder health some simple exercises and stretches to keep your shoulders strong and healthy

Since the injury I have paddled my new Helixir just 4 times so definately looking forward to getting her back out when im strong again

Thanks to all the surgeons doctors and nurses whom looked after me unfortunately the 18month wait was long and slow but eventually worthwhile.

Also thanks to all the sponsors who have stayed with me whilst out injured I promise once im fixed to get some mega content out!

Yak Adventure Paddling, Keen Europe, Jack Wolfskin, Pyranha Kayaks