Predict a Flurry of rotator cuff and related shoulder injuries associated with wing foiling

[Dave K]

Winging for 2 years and just about to turn 63. No issue with shoulders or arms for me, and I am certainly not a body builder type. These wings are so easy to ride with as much depower as you want. On the other hand I think fingers are definitely prone to injury when you start doing a lot of fast wing transitions where you have to let go and regrab quickly. I injured my middle finger when I missed a “regrab” during a “behind-the-back-tack”. I didn’t let go of the wing quickly enough after the miss, and it twisted quickly with my middle finger knuckle getting pulled pretty badly. They call it an avulsion.

[caps]

I'm a longtime kiter who had a chronic rotator cuff tendonitis flare-up after my first try at winging. I was trying the wing on a sup with low winds and totally tweaked my shoulder prone to rotator cuff overuse. I'm sure once you know what you're doing and in good wind it wouldn't have the same shoulder stress. But for now, I need a few months to recover. Paddling into surf too much would do the same things to that shoulder as well if overused. For me, I have a weak-ass shoulder that is susceptible to all the over head stuff. But then I have kiting!

[jkrug]

i've had a complete shoulder replacement about 6 years ago but winging doesn't seem to bother it much. too much pumping is what makes me feel it. and i still suck at winging so i pump more often than i'd like to. i've learned not to pump unless i really feel the wind in the wing. when just cruising around on foil there doesn't seem to be much issue with the shoulder though.

[pākihiroa]

You were cautioned not to flex your elbow above your shoulder like when doing eskimo rolls or bracing…perfect recipe for injury.

Unfortunately, we never got that message back in the day. I dislocated (technically subluxed) my shoulder white water kayaking during an out of control brace. Subsequently needed a surgical repair (which has worked great and I wish I had had it done much sooner).

FWIW, I don't have any great concern about shoulder injuries when winging, for a couple of reasons:

(1) Winging does not have the comparatively long lever arm of a kayak paddle dipped into chaotic white water to have to contend with.
(2) When the wing is held overhead it is typically flagged out. This is almost by definition when held with just one hand. There is simply not the same amount of force from the wing as there potentially can be with a kayak paddle.

[Kitetwin-1]

I am a 62 year old kite foiler 16 sessions into winging. I have had injuries to my shoulders through Judo and have recovered through proper physio. I don't use a harness winging ands really can't see starting. We should be able to avoid injuries by honouring the physical condition we are in. I don't think shoulder injuries are not inevitable.

[Robsw6]

I have had a fractured scapula/shoulder reconstruction with a tether, as well as a broken clavicle & tore both rotator cuffs… all healed & winging is fine, no issues at all, just gives me a nice overall low intensity workout.

[Eltreato]

I tore the hell out of my left rotator cuff a couple years ago and since learned to wing. Surprisingly winging caused no issues, even after days in a row on end, possibly because it's such a static exercise.

[pitbulldoug]

Highly recommend to put your wing leash attached to a waist belt much safer better than getting pulled by a limb in waves or high winds much better pulled by waist.found that out luckily before I tweaked my shoulder on a windy day.Surprised the wing companies still promote the wrist attachment leash,no thanks IMO

[juandesooka]

Highly recommend to put your wing leash attached to a waist belt much safer better than getting pulled by a limb in waves or high winds much better pulled by waist.found that out luckily before I tweaked my shoulder on a windy day.Surprised the wing companies still promote the wrist attachment leash,no thanks IMO

Agreed, for high wind days where the wing may whip violently, you don't want it attached to your wrist. I said earlier I didn't recall shoulder issues in our local crew -- but that is one I do recall now.

If attaching leash to a waist belt, just be cautious if you are also attaching board leash to that belt. If belt fails, you lose both board and wing, which in the wrong situation goes from annoying to catastrophic. So, either belt is very robust or you use different attachment points. I was initially using a cheap dollar store luggage strap with the flimsy buckle ... those things are garbage! Now using an old kite seat harness.