I'm finally back in a boat, ok I confess, its a kayak but I got to start somewhere.
I ended up having surgery at the end of April to remove bone spurs and clean out a bad case of bursitis.
I'm a righty in C1 and since my bad shoulder is my right I'm limited to kayak for now as its less stressful on the shoulder and a bit more balanced of a workout. I finally was allowed to start lake workouts last week and they're going ok but leave me a bit sore on some days. I'm also still in physical therapy (which I think is way harder than paddling, but my therapist doesn't think so).
If all goes well I'm allowed to start easy whitewater in August. Maybe a couple class 2 races this fall. I don't know when I'll be back in a C-boat but anything on the water right now is just fine.
i feel ya, I just got the ok from the Doc to start paddling again after an ultimate-firsbee-related knee injury took me out for a couple months, back in the saddle starting tomorrow afternoon!!
All right!!! Sounds like your on the road to recovery! Don't forget to ice it out after use to help it along.
And make sure to take your time moving up the food chain. The C and races will be there for you when your 100%.
Will you be at T-bash? There is a small class going out in C1 (ok its just Al A. right now) and Mark R. and I can always use the help - even if your "doubled up" in K. Al's daughter is thinking about it but I think we will have her go OC first to get the stick time with the mestro Larry W. - at least on Sat.
Or you could head out with the kids to enlight them in the ways of the water. - The'll be doing some of the I-II stuff as usual. Jacob has signed up and is really looking forward to it! Maybe you can get him primed up for trying out a race boat!
Keep us posted on your recovery and I hope to see you in 3 weeks - on the H20!
Paul C.
Cboats Moderator
Official TOG Member (Team Old Guy)!
Hey,
What were your symptoms? I've been debating going to the Doc for my shoulder, and plan to rest this weekend. On the plus side, the pain was so intense, I realized how much I muscle my strokes (for lack of better terms) rather than use body rotation, so when I paddled on Saturday I did almost all my strokes the right way.
Bill,
It started out as soreness in the top and front of my shoulder during and after paddling, then it became very painful during paddling and got to the point where it was difficult to raise my arm very high either in front or to the side without sharp pain.
It was originally diagnosed as tendonitis and I was given steriod shots. These helped but as soon as the shots wore off in about 2 months it came back. It became a strong ache all the time and sharp pain when moving it.
I switched orthopaedic surgeons and after an MRI it was diagnosed as bursitis caused by bone spurs. He did tell me if I had come to see him first he probably would have tried shots, therapy and rest (which is what I did) as bursitis is not something they do surgery for unless it doesn't go away after 6-8 months of rest and it interferes with everyday tasks.
If you go to an orthopaedic try to go to one that is more focused on Sports Medicine. The one I see now is in a sports medicine group and worked with shoulders for professional baseball players (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Natalie,
Good to hear you're in a boat again. You remember my Mantra last year after my heart attack and getting back in the boat. You're winning by just doing. Take it a step at a time, as it sounds like you are. Hope to see you take a fast float through the Farmington slalom this fall. Now my OC2 mixed partner, Renee is a lefty in C2 but she switched to righty to paddle with me and does fine with it. That might be an option to consider as well. Again, good luck.
Pat
.
Maybe you can get him primed up for trying out a race boat! 
(for lack of better terms) rather than use body rotation, so when I paddled on Saturday I did almost all my strokes the right way.