I Have Great News to Share! | A Personal Update

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

This is fantastic news Ken, I'm so pleased for you. Also, I'm sure you have had to deal with a lot of mental worry and frustration. However, I can tell from the smile you're starting to get your mojo back and I know it won't be long before you get that extra 25% As someone who had to give up kayaking for 20 years and only got back in the cot pit a few years ago I'm so happy for you Ken.

[@tranquility9325]

Whoa I didn't know you had to give it up for so long😢

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

@@tranquility9325 Yep, I only got back on the water about 4 years ago.

[@PaddleTV]

Wow George! You had to give it up paddling for 20 years! Very cool that you're back at it!

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

@PaddleTV The biggest problem was and still is trying to remember everything I did know, such as Sea kayaking. Been on lakes and rivers for the last few years after I came back to kayaking but I only got back on the Sea this year and have only been out a few times and man it feels strange because as you know Sea paddling is different from river paddleing and trying to get the feel for the water again has been hard and at times made me feel like a beginner again lol even in 2 ft waves I find myself concentrating like mad and at the same time thinking come on George you used to go out in bigger waters like Beaufort 4 and 5. I think it's all about regaining the skill and the confidence which unfortunately takes time. One big thing that lets me down, because of my shoulder injury I know I can't roll anymore and that is stuck in the back of my head all the time, so I'm having to avoid choppy seas. One good thing is I'm quite proficient at re-entry after a swim Hahaha I should point out my shoulder was not the reason I stopped paddling. I only hurt my shoulder about 10 years ago.

[@chrismcduffie4888]

What a praise! So glad to hear! Let's paddle sometime when your shoulder is healed.

[@PaddleTV]

Sounds good Chris!

[@kevinharding2099]

Congratulations. Healing is a process, sometimes slow, often not easy. I’m 75 and hoping my shoulder will come around, but patience is not easy.

[@PaddleTV]

Good luck with the shoulder Kevin! Hopefully it turns the corner for you this winter!

[@grigoriikniazev4293]

Great news! Waiting for new adventures and videos!

[@cricketcorner8950]

Hurray for healing!

[@PaddleTV]

Ha! Well put. :)

[@BonnieShaljean]

So glad to hear your great news! Looking forward to the Adventures. 🛶

[@mag00321]

Glad to hear your shoulder is healing. I just bought my first kayak this past summer! Unfortunately at age 60 my joints are starting feel my age. I have no intention of giving up though. My thoughts are better late than never to start new adventures!

[@PaddleTV]

Absolutely! And no better way to lengthen our health spans than to keep the body moving. Have a great 2025 of paddling!

[@Simon_W74]

There are some brilliant exercises to help with joints, nice and gentle and you target muscles that are either weak or you have other muscles working harder than they should be. There are some great online physiotherapy videos that show you what to do for each area of concern. Still advise seeing a physio in person, just use the videos on here as a guide to showing you how to safely carry out the exercise. As Physio's over here tend to give you a printed out sheet instead of showing you what you are meant to be doing.

[@PeterKenny-vv3nk]

Great news Ken Whiting! Listen to your body Buddy, your head will only get you back into trouble. So happy that you are feeling better.

[@PaddleTV]

Thanks Pete! I'll be ready for another of our trips down the river next summer! :)

[@rerolley]

Good to hear your shoulder is getting better.

[@davidwalter4195]

So glad you are feeling better. I have also had some shoulder isses at times and I have some thoughts to share. 1) sleeping with shoulder pain - when my shoulder is acting up, I make it worse when I move it arround during sleep. To imobilize the sore shoulder, I pull the injured shoulder/arm inside of my t-shirt with my arm across my chest. This reduces movement when I sleep and after a while, usually reduces the pain enough to sleep. 2) The way your shoulder ultimately got well on its own, is similar to my experience. In my case a pinched nerve in my back was interfering with my shoulder movement, range of motion, and the shooting pain would have me seeing stars. This went on for weeks. I remembered that a weight training coach taught me to streatch out my back after a workout to bring the spine back to it's original form (verses a compressed / twisted shape). As I age I find I need to do this more often and any time I feel my shoulder pain coming back. The process is simple. Find something like a pullup bar and hang with your feet off of the ground for 30-60 seconds or more. You will actully hear your spine moving back into place. It will likely take a few days if you have not done it before. Good luck and thanks very much for the equipment reviews and adventures.

[@BobBohner4851]

Hardest part is patience. And it’s the solution. God bless

[@PaddleTV]

Cheers!

[@skulleigh5867]

Ken, your info helped me get onto the water in 2023, but I ended up with a frozen shoulder this year that PT helped unlock. I had a pretty mild case pain-wise, but it was no fun still. Glad you are almost back to paddling! I was so happy to get back on the lake!

[@PaddleTV]

Ugh! Glad to hear your frozen shoulder has started thawing. Hope 2025 is a better paddling year for you! Cheers

[@martinhelmke5279]

Wow, Ken. I’m so relieved to hear this news! Thank you for sharing. Truly an inspirational and encouraging story for all of us getting older. The human body is an incredible (and sometimes humbling) machine.

[@PaddleTV]

Thanks Martin!

[@KevinSmith-wr1sy]

Great to hear Ken! Looking forward to see you with a paddle in hand by next year!

[@SouthernPaddler]

This is wonderful news, Ken!! So happy to hear that you're on the mend and closer to getting back on the water!! Excellent work on the therapy and staying active!! Keep it up, brother!! 💯👍

[@PaddleTV]

Thanks Dan man! Feeling stronger every day now.

[@DrRepper]

Yes! Fantastic news! I'm waiting for my first physiotherapy appointment for my shoulders. I have rotator cuff impingement on both sides and a possible tear on the left (the straw that broke the camel's back there was carrying a gallon of milk 200 yards from the shop). That impingement pain is horrendous. I've had it to some degree intermittently for at least 20 years, but just the last couple of months it's been bad enough to keep me awake at nights. I don't work on the river these days, but I'm a market gardener on a farm and do a lot of heavy digging and lifting, and it's all caught up to me. Fantastic to see that you're recovering and I'm hopeful I can achieve the same! I'll check out the Petawawah video for sure. That river has been on my mind a long time: it was recommended to me when I was on the Ottawa for a couple of weeks back in 2007. I never made there and have regretted it ever since!

[@PaddleTV]

Bummer to hear about the shoulder pains! Impingement pains suck!! Give it lots of rest, and I found a cortisone shot was really helpful to reduce the pain and help sleep. Good luck! Hopefully the shoulders will be ready to head down the Petawawa next season! :)

[@ADKMuskyFoolonFly63]

Great news to hear your shoulder is healing and you are feeling better, Ken. So glad to hear it. We miss you from the water but as you so clearly pointed out in this video, "Tincture of time" is often the best medicine. Don't push yourself to go back to paddling. As I am an MD I wanted to add to your commentary on healing. As you said different injuries in different joints and for that matter in any organ of the body do require some specific tailored programs for healing unique to the tissues involved and the type of injury that has occurred. That being said, something you did in your healing journey was incredibly important to your overall healing and is generally applicable to most injuries and that was your motion to keep moving, the daily walking and arm motion. Why was that so important? "Promoting bloodflow" throughout the body, especially to the healing tissues. Walking promotes increased bloodflow throughout the body including the injured shoulder and the careful arm motion back and forth in your walk did the same. All tissue injury results in inflammation with cellular and chemical mediators called to duty to heal the injury and in the process there is significant swelling and edema that occurs as part of the inflammatory/healing process. Increased bloodflow just makes that process so much better, more efficient and can accelerate healing bringing the necessary healing chemicals and cells to the injury while simultaneously removing damaged cells and waste chemical breakdown products away from the injury ultimately leading to a healed injury. The human body is amazing in how it can truly heal itself in most cases. Sorry for the dissertation but after 35 years of practicing medicine I am amazed more than ever how important good blood flow to tissues always is and how well our bodies can repair themselves. Motion is the key to bloodflow and you are living proof of all of this. Looking forward to seeing you on the water in the new year. Thanks for sharing your journey. Kindest regards, Scott Beattie, MD

[@PaddleTV]

Thanks so much for sharing Scott! On top of all the benefits you outline, I know I also enjoyed a very real 'mental health' benefit from the daily hikes. It felt good to do something to keep healthy, and felt energizing to stay active outdoors everyday. I'm happy to say that I'm still on the same daily hike routine, and looking forward to it each day, even though the snow has started to fly. Cheers!

[@johnburns6247]

Great to hear your shoulder is on the mend. Take the extra time to complete the healing process. It pays off in the end.

[@PaddleTV]

Thanks John! You done paddling for the year? Haven't seen a Pakayak paddle by lately :)

[@gradyrm237]

Great news K Dubs!! Keep the white coats at bay. Truly you have something to be thankful for.

[@PaddleTV]

Ha! :)

[@Rottingboards]

Wow, my wife fought her shoulder for three years. I'm glad you are getting back to healthy!

[@wildernesscanoeassociation]

Best of luck to you Ken.

[@PaddleTV]

Thanks!

[@isabelledrolet4297]

So glad to hear your shoulder is doing better! I don't know if the hiking helped it or not (but most probably did), but I'm sure it helped the mind.

[@PaddleTV]

Yup... if nothing else, I had a great reason to hike every day! :)

[@trishaharrison6183]

Awesome news most definetely, but yes don’t push it. Wherever you are hiking it is absolutely stunning. Keep up the great work.❤️

[@PaddleTV]

Thanks Trisha!

[@rickmorris1908]

That’s great to hear, Ken! Hope the healing continues as well or better.

[@PaddleTV]

Thanks Rick!

[@geschichteundreisen1154]

But don't overdo it. Nice to hear in every sense, glad to hear.

[@anninwhack1998]

Congratulations that is wonderful news! The body wants to heal itself. Hope your continued recovery will bring back all your strength and full mobility!

[@PaddleTV]

If nothing else, it has brought back the smiles! :)

[@darvinlightner2210]

I’m so glad that you have been able to recover😢so soon,and I’m looking forward to seeing your new content

[@PaddleTV]

Of course, the snow started falling last night, and so it might be a while before I start filming on the water again... we'll see.

[@jimjordan1485]

Great news Ken. So happy to hear the shoulder is feeling better and to see your optimism and joy! Small steps of recovery are always promising, huh. I was in shoulder PT from May to September 2024, before I felt comfortable enough on the water to perform any long distance paddling. At 67, I still have some discomfort and inflammation when I overdo it, but I've learned to rest the shoulder, ice down, and wait a few days before being active again. Best of luck and know that others are right there with you sir.

[@PaddleTV]

Thanks Jim! Glad to hear your shoulder is doing better as well. Now I need to figure out how to bring ice packs on my multi-day trips! :)

[@jimjordan1485]

@PaddleTV i found that i can take a dunk in thise cold rivers, and sit for 10 minutes is like a cool compress. Just an idea

[@elenazanchetta5963]

Great News Ken!!! I’m so happy for you! Thanksgiving is not celebrated here in Europe. All the best

[@PaddleTV]

Thanks so much!

[@jayp4083]

Great news. I have shoulder issues & discomfort, Dr.s are evaluating. Sound advice about hiking ! Thank you, will be trying it out.

[@PaddleTV]

Good luck! If nothing else, it's a good excuse to go hiking every day :)

[@kathiekralik7835]

Looking forward to seeing you paddling again👍🏽can’t wait🚣‍♂️My kayak is in winter storage until May (Colorado Mountains). Until then I’m skate skiing and dreaming while watching you paddle.

[@PaddleTV]

Thanks! Not sure if I'll be able to make it on the water again this year. We just got dumped with snow, and it's become very difficult to access the water, as all boat launches are shut down for the year. Oh well... time flies, and it will be spring before we know it!

[@peakandpaddleuk]

Fab news Ken! Onward and upward 😊

[@PaddleTV]

Absolutely! :)

[@stevehisey389]

CONGRATS !

[@PaddleTV]

Cheers!

[@thepeacerunners]

So happy to hear that you are on the mend! My shoulder is toast from a boxing dislocation that never got fixed when I was young and dumb, compounded by years of construction and baseball/softball that I just threw my shoulder out by my late 30s. What has helped me alot is the Greenland paddle...way less stress , pain, and soreness. Also I got a very light but flexible and strong Sassafrass Northwoods Paddle from Shaw and Tenney in Maine...for my canoe. Those 2 Paddles allow me to get out on the water pretty much pain free. Obviously you need the Euro blade for whitewater and other situations...but those 2 Paddles have helped alot. Best wishes Bud...onward and upward.

[@PaddleTV]

That's awesome to hear that you've found a comfortable way to keep paddling. Greenland paddling definitely makes sense. Never heard of Sassafrass Northwoods Paddles... I'll have to check those out. Cheers!

[@thepeacerunners]

@PaddleTV those are made by a traditional paddle making company in Maine that has been around forever...may be the oldest one in the US. Shaw and Tenny....they have Maine Guide Paddles and all different types and you pick the wood and finish and they are each hand made. Best piece of gear I ever bought. THE Northwoods Paddle is one of the models they have...its an all around paddle...The Sassafrass is strong but light and flexes. But they have all the different types and woods you could want. I'm a flatwater paddler mostly so didn't need a heavier Ash paddle or anything more durable for rapids. Btw...I don't work for them lol...Maybe I should !

[@catherinepresseau6459]

Fabulous news! So happy for you! I also have been dealing with a shoulder injury, different than yours but still. It’s helpful to hear your experience and progress. Thank you

[@PaddleTV]

Hope your shoulder heals quick!

[@stevensoutdoors]

So glad to hear you are doing better 🎉

[@PaddleTV]

Thanks!

[@Freynightwalker]

Great news Ken, take care with your continued rehab

[@PaddleTV]

Thanks!

[@joemaniscalco780]

Glad to hear there's improvement!

[@PaddleTV]

Cheers!

[@danwulffe8077]

Woohoo what awesome news!!!

[@PaddleTV]

And now I get to start planning trips again! :)

[@slighwentwalking2025]

I did a paddle challenge in 2021 2021 Miles of kayaking over 116 days. By the time I was done I thought I may have done permanent damage. 3 months of No paddling at all and my shoulder and arm felt back to normal. I'm pleased to hear you've had a positive breakthrough mate. I have a more intense appreciation for the ability to paddle hike and get outside to enjoy nature. Thanks Ken.👍

[@PaddleTV]

Holy crap Sligh! That's a HUGE trip. I'll tell you what... this injury has changed my perspective a little. Not being able to be active outdoors would be such a harsh blow, that I will likely be even more conservative with my decisions from now on - to help ensure I can keep doing these things as long as possible. I'll give up some short term intensity, for long term activity! :)

[@slighwentwalking2025]

@PaddleTV A life-changing event does just that ...changes your life. A traumatic brain injury and 2017 forced me to re. Evaluate. I. Have developed an even deeper appreciation for life and all the wonderful things that it offers.

[@Paddleclips]

Great news Ken, take your time don’t rush back on the water till you are certain. Nothing more frustrating than a re injury. Take care Ken look forward to to you getting back on the water I to had limited paddling this year due to my ribs, puncture lung and two broken vertebra in my back. Plus pace maker installation. I was out from May 24 til end of September. 24. I guess there is always next year. I hope lol

[@PaddleTV]

Wow! That's a serious injury. Were you able to paddle this fall?

[@Paddleclips]

Yes I was, I paddle for two weeks late in Sept 24. It felt great and oddly enough no pain. Did have some pain carrying kayaks. But like you I can’t seem to get enough paddling. Take care Ken.

[@RobertaOrchid1]

Happy Thanksgiving 😀 enjoying the new channel, it is a great support to your stories. Glad to hear the shoulder progress! I know you will be able to enjoy the water again! I am out of the woods now, pain is gone, paddle is on par. You are right, with me it was a specific stretching exercise that was a turning point for my progress too! Water by me is freezing up now, so my plan is to keep mobility and build strength over the winter so come spring I can jump back in without re-injuring it again 😀

[@PaddleTV]

Glad to hear you're out of the woods too! It is a little sad that paddling season is coming to an end for us... but that's also what makes spring so exciting :) Enjoy the winter!

[@teresab936]

So happy to hear about your good news 😀

[@PaddleTV]

Cheers!

[@stphns1737]

So happy for you!

[@Simon_W74]

That is Great news Ken. It just goes to show that with time and gentle exercise you can overcome a serious injury without having to go under the Surgeon's knife. Something I have recently found out myself. I am at the tempted stage of my own recovery from injury. The Temptation to just test is very strong. I have set a deadline of New Years Day for do my first run after my knee injury. Yet I am trying to convince myself that it would be a good idea to run at Tomorrows Parkrun. Will go and check out your Editors Cut on your other channel shortly.

[@PaddleTV]

:) Good luck with the knee! As someone said in another comment 'No Setbacks!' :)

[@peterbedford2610]

Good on ya!!

[@PaddleTV]

Cheers!

[@KayakCliff]

Hey Ken, really glad to hear that your shoulder is improving! With my soft tissue issues over the years in the shoulder, back and legs, my chiropractor/rehab has really taught me about the benefits of a lacrosse ball. Have you used one? Against the wall / floor - to target Different soft tissues for rehab rehabilitation and massage? Really recommend it!

[@PaddleTV]

Thanks Cliff! I was using one this spring, before the shoulder got out of control. I forgot about it. I thinks it's time to get the ball going again! Will I see you at Canoecopia this year?

[@KayakCliff]

@ i'm thinking about going again! Trying to work out a trip with my real job, up in that area of the country, around those dates. Have a great weekend!

[@jennifercrosland9352]

What fabulous news, very happy for you!! It is rough how the tissues bind to eachother...but cool when they bonds finally start to release. Take care , keep up the exercises..they work! On a lighter note ( hopefully puts a smile on your face!) my partner and I made it out on a " get the feel of your new boat" paddle. We knew WW boats don't go straight, but oh how we laughed...its going to be a fun summer in 2025!😅😂😊

[@PaddleTV]

That's awesome! Was it your first time trying a WW boat? Fun times are ahead for sure! :)

[@Brookspirit]

Thanksgiving is only a North American thing, but this Black Friday sale thing has spread to the UK and maybe other parts of Europe, that's only because the shops use it to sell stuff before Christmas.

[@walterreil4001]

That is very encouraging news! I hope you can fully recover to be fully functional again. Certainly one key question is --- Why - Just what happened during your injury event and how do you prevent that situation from occurring again? You also need to take great care not to overcompensate using the other shoulder and pushing it to a dangerous point. Sure hope your recovery goes very positively from here. And, Happy Thanksgiving! We are having an usually uncomfortable Thanksgiving here on the Central Coast of California --- I just came down with my first battle with COVID, then my wife within a couple days, and very possibly our grown daughter who came to help us. It began last Friday with sore throat, then fever (and fighting it with intense sweating to kill the fever), then passing out twice Monday morning --- turning into a trip to the ER where they gave me an IV for significant dehydration due to battling the fever and notifying me that I had COVID. So, we are in the middle of it right now -- Holiday from Hell! On joy! Looking forward to Christmas??? 😐

[@PaddleTV]

Oh no! What a Thanksgiving... Hopefully this means Xmas will be idyllic! :) Have a speedy recovery!

[@tranquility9325]

Awesome Ken!

[@robertblack8334]

Glad to hear your shoulder is getting better. I enjoy your paddling adventures . Hope to see you paddling again. Ps. Is that like a biking trail you are walking on? Nice area.

[@PaddleTV]

Thanks Robert! Yes, we're lucky to have great mountain bike and hiking trails in the Ottawa Valley, along with world class whitewater.

[@holdilocks]

Had a torn Labrum, boy is it a painful thing to go thru, couldn't reach for anything - very hard to sleep. 8 hour shifts daily in a machine shop, I couldn't wait for possible healing, would have loved to have had the chance for it less surgery. Actually the PT was the hardest and very time consuming part.

[@PaddleTV]

Yikes! No fun. Is it resolved?

[@michaelthomson5101]

Good news. just be careful, no setbacks, repeat after me... NO SETBACKS. Good, now go have fun.

[@PaddleTV]

Ha!! Very well put - and a mantra I will repeat every morning from now on. :)

[@blwnova4155]

Good news! Are you doing face-pull exercises for the upper part of the back and shoulders?

[@PaddleTV]

Not yet. Physio has me working on building strength of the stabilizing muscles, before working too much on the larger muscle groups. They want to focus on strong stabilizing the shoulder before adding too much work on the larger muscle groups.

[@hiebsmit]

I’ve had frozen shoulder in both shoulders over a span of five years. I still don’t have my full range of motion, and sleeping is uncomfortable. Sleeping in my hammock are my best nights sleeping.

[@PaddleTV]

Interesting to hear hammocks are best for sleeping! Another reason to look forward to hammock camping :)

[@jayburne6825]

Awesome bro....arm wrestling soon enough...

[@PaddleTV]

Ha! Thanks Jay. :)

[@jerrys576]

Ken,did you get a MRI on the shoulder to see what the damage is to the rotator cuff? An xray even? Frozen shoulder can get better with PT.That's what they did for mine b4 surgery to repair the tear. If the problem is a tear or in my case torn from the bone,no PT will fix/heal that. I really hope you are seeing a surgeon that know shoulders inside & out to be sure it is taken care of properly. Wish you the best but very concern about you really screwing up that shoulder.

[@PaddleTV]

Thanks for the concern! I have seen multiple physiotherapists (to see if there were different opinions) and a shoulder specialist. They all agree that surgery isn't necessary. My MRI shows small tears of the labrum, supraspinatus, and infraspinatus, issues with the AC joint, tendonosis of the supraspinatus, and indicators of a frozen shoulder. Basically... it's a very well used shoulder, which isn't surprising. But no need for surgery. On top of that... one thing that I've learned over the years is to listen to my body. If my body is telling me anything that conflicts with what the 'experts' say, to listen to it and get answers. That being said, my body is telling me I'm on track, and that I don't need surgical intervention. Now I do the PT work, and get it strong and healthy! Cheers!

[@tranquility9325]

I just got a new pakayak but can't use it bec I had foot surgery. But soon, hopefully

[@PaddleTV]

Doh! You teased yourself with a new boat! :) Hope the foot heals quick!

[@stevehisey389]

As a chaga user, I've always heard it is a great anti-inflammatory. Have not had an episode to try it out. Anyone have any experience and at what dosage ?

[@JammieFortier]

glad to hear it bro. but you had me slapping my forehead over the 'when does the rest of the world do Thanksgiving?' they don't. it is a North American Colonist and native oppression holiday.

[@BoomVang]

I'm baffled by the disinterest in pedal kayaking. I thought he bought a couple of one of the finest models, the Hobie iTrek 9, which furthermore is arm friendly in ground handling being such a featherweight. P.S. president Abe Lincoln institutionalized Thanksgiving as a US holiday during the civil war; his proclamation is quite inspiring reading.

[@PaddleTV]

I"m not disinterested in pedal kayaking, although I do prefer to paddle. I had to stop kayaking (pedal or paddle), not because of the paddling action specifically (although it was a reason). It was all the other things associated with getting on and off the water that were equally as challenging, and which could have resulted in major setbacks. Things like transporting the gear, prepping gear, getting in and out, etc... I just wasn't willing to risk the setback that could result. The impingement pains would happen with the smallest motion in the wrong way, and would make things worse. I just had to stop any significant activity. I even had to choose hikes on easy terrain to avoid any slips, because small losses of balance often resulted in impingements. Make sense?

[@DwightFitzmorris]

Congrats... but I want to know who took the leaf blower to your walking path...lol.

[@PaddleTV]

Ha! We have a great community of volunteers who keep our bike and hiking trails clear. We're pretty lucky!

[@NovaScotiakayaker]

Hay there

[@chaliceb5]

Quick history tutorial from a European dude: Thanksgiving is a (North) American thing. You celebrate the helpfulness and hospitality of the Natives who helped the first European settlers to make it through the harsh North American winter...and in the following decades and centuries...you killed more than two thirds of your native hosts and took their land as colonizers. That's at least how it is taught to American Studies majors at university over here. Your history books will certainly tell a different story. Glad your shoulder gas gotten better. Hope the progress will continue.

[@PaddleTV]

Ha!! There's a part of our history that you're missing... 'we' (those of us in North America) came from Europe, which means 'we' includes 'you'. :)

[@JakkeLehtonen-Jagster]

No, we all other world don’t celebrate pilgrims in America who were rescued by natives 😂

[@tranquility9325]

It's about being grateful for what we have.

[@PaddleTV]

Ha! That's now exactly what we celebrate, despite what the history might be. :)