Feathered Kayak Paddling 1: Claims and Questions

For discussion, see Surfski Kayak Facebook Group at / 6172231199552551
01:14 Claim 1: If you are paddling with a feathered paddle and suffer from discomfort in your control-side hand, wrist, elbow or shoulder, you do NOT have to go to zero feather to alleviate or eliminate the discomfort.
Questions:
10:15 1.1: Why do paddlers think they must go to zero feather to alleviate control-side discomfort in their control-side hand, wrist, elbow or shoulder?
11:13 1.2: Why do expert paddlers like Greg Barton and Ivan Lawler use a high paddle angle of 75 degrees? Also consider that Hungarian World and Olympic K1 sprint champion Balint Kopasz paddles using a more moderate feather angle of 56 degrees.
Let me know what you think of my claim, and if you have answers to my questions.
Gary Cziko, Ph.D.
Senior Research Scientist
California Center for Research on Advanced Paddling (CCRAP)

[@waverideraus4882]

At low angle feather / zero many paddle without a dominant control hand leading to a lighter grip in either hand so less cumulative strain. Its one reason its hard to suddenly change from high to low as the technique is different
There is no right angle that suits all as it is a factor of geometry which takes into account paddling technique / posture including high hand or low hand, amount of rotation, narrowness of catch (eg k1vs wider ski). Relaxed distance paddling vs sprint. How wide/short you exit. Also everyone's ergonomics are different, what one finds comfortable others dont.
With an adjustable paddle you can experiment and your ideal feather may change as your technique develops
If you paddle with loose friction on the clamps so that it can slip it will probably end up slipping to suit the way your wrist are aligning rather than fixing the feather and causing it to dictate your grip. Once you have found the default angle by this method you clamp it at that and use it as your start point.
Keep in mind you may test on nice flat water using monitored controlled strokes, but in the real world of paddling with your average paddler your strokes will not always be your text book ideal, so it will never be ideal for all your strokes.
One reason, as you allude to, for many to go 60 degrees is that it is easier to pick up a loaner fixed paddle and use it as this is a common default. When i was on 20 I found it impossible to pick up someone else's paddle fixed at 60 without risk of swimming on a tippy boat
The zero feather theory is really based on the principle that it is easier for an absolute beginner, with no established technique, to brace more easily and stay upright on a tippy boat without having to learn the whole paddle twist thing. Thereby not giving it up as too hard.
Lower/zero feather seems to favour low elbow paddlers, while high arm paddlers often prefer higher feather.
Older elite paddlers usually on high feather as years of doing this has physically conditioned them to this ergonomically, simply changing their geometry could cause issues as they are not conditioned to it
I am currently around 40 degrees having previously used 60 and 20 for substantial periods. Never felt right at zero
There are also other issues causing wrist and hand pain other than wrist alignment, eg pulling unevenly through fingers, or not having a good palm grip even with wrist aligned. Wrist cocking inwards at exit, rather than straight causing a higher resistance scooping exit
Just experiment with it and find what works best for the individual. keep in mind many issue have nothing to do with feather whatsoever. We are not machines and no one does everything the theoretically "perfect" way