kitedemon - 29-7-2008 at 06:21 PM
I am sorry I was not sure where to post this. I think it fits here but...
I have been spending tons of time on the beach in the past while. I had a great few days a couple of weeks back, 3 10 hour days the gps states my
moving time (it is on my buggy) was about 8-9 hours each day. The winds were lighter and I was using my Ozone razor with flexi handles. I noticed that
mostly my left hand and a bit on my right were tingly as I drove home from the beach that last day. In the morning pins and needles in the left hand
and a bit in my right. I went to the doctor and was told that I likely pinched a nerve in my shoulder or elbow and it would go away in time if not
come back. I took a break and it all came back, cool. So out I went again, I used my access (bar) and no problems then the other day I pulled out a
pair of handles and bang it is back. Anybody else experience something like this and any thought on how to avoid it in the future?
Thanks
Alex
furbowski - 29-7-2008 at 06:36 PM
I envy your long days but that's what bought it on.
It will go away in a day or two, longer if you push it.
The problem is that when your hands are tensed up all the time the blood doesn't flow very well the nerves in your hands get pinched by all the
constantly flexed muscles. On a bar you are more often using one hand at a time, no so much a problem. Strapped into a harness helps. If you have a
strop between the flexi handles on your razor, try developing a style that allows you relax one hand more often, so you are flying more with the
loaded (powered) handle with one hand and completely relaxing the other. Take breaks every hour or so and shake your hands like crazy so the fingers
are flapping about all over the place for a few minutes, then let your hands relax for a few more minutes before you fly again, sport climbers do this
to flush all the toxins from the hands and relax the muscles / tendons / nerves as much as possible. I have the same problem, and it really helps me,
tho I never get to fly for as long!!!!!! 8-9 hour days!!!!!!:flaming:
also the colder the weather the worse it gets.
also the more you push it the longer it takes to recover.
don't think it's nerves all the way back in your shoulder, for what it's worth....
furbs
macboy - 29-7-2008 at 11:20 PM
Try the strop - if you're not flying with one already I'd be shocked. If it's extending beyong your hands into your elbows / shoulders it's a good
chance your tendons are coming into play as well. When I dove head first into rock climbing I would get pains in my elbows that would take my breath
away. A little yoga and some good old fashioned "sucking it up and working out the kinks through time" cured it. Doc said tendons can take as much as
six weeks or longer to develop compared to muscles so it's important to stretch extensively before, during and after any new activity that will create
prolonged use of any given muscle / joint.
BeamerBob - 30-7-2008 at 04:47 AM
I used to have this problem flying Pansh kites that hate brake input. I would tilt the bottoms of the handles toward the kite so my wrists were
flexed. This gave me a good throw on the brakes but kept the tension off the brake lines when I didn't want any input there. My other kites aren't
as sensitive that way so I keep my handles in a nice neutral position and haven't had trouble since. I have since sold both my Pansh kites to raise
money for the Blade. Maybe you are flying with your wrists flexed like that and causing a carpal tunnel issue.
kitemaker4 - 30-7-2008 at 08:17 AM
It is time for a harness.
Susan (npw goddess)
BeamerBob - 30-7-2008 at 08:28 AM
Even with the harness (which I now have) I would've had my wrists flexed up to the limit. Albeit with less pressure on my hands. I like kites that
don't mind a little brake tension for sure.
macboy - 30-7-2008 at 09:40 AM
BB - could you not slack off the brake lines so you didn't need to crank your wrists over or does that then give you not enough brake when you need
it? Maybe a pulley handle would be a good compromise....I'll try that with my Pansh's if I ever get them out (been spending time on bars lately with
the Access and the Guerilla).
BeamerBob - 30-7-2008 at 11:16 AM
Not intending to start a flame but I sold my Pansh kites and don't have that problem any more. All my current kites are controllable and flyable with
a neutral handle position considering my flying style. But to answer your question as if I still had the problem, I kept the handles like that so I
would have plenty of brake should I need to land the kite. This was only an issue if I was flying in conditions on the edge of the kites (and mine)
capabilities. I could add brake length more in lighter winds.
kitedemon - 31-7-2008 at 04:33 PM
Hey Guys hanks for the thoughts! I am using a harness with a roller bar and a strop line. I do however have the break lines fairly short on the
razor... BeamerBob may have the right of it in heavier winds I ride the breaks more but in the lighter stuff I back off on them. I have not had any
troubles until the summer (and light winds hit) I'll have to take a look at that. I'll also try to shake out more and take more breaks... I forget
sometimes... to stop, to eat, to drink... 
It just get in the 'zone' and off I
go.
THANK YOU ALL very much! :D