Rick wrote:

WILDH2PRO wrote:

...stuff deleted

So, according to that (very credible) source, I've been using the
paddle upside down?! I've been paddling with the higher area half
of the blade (assuming the ridge where the shaft combines with the
blade is the dividing point between the two) facing down, just like
my last paddle, a similarly asymetric Werner Freestyle! Granted,
the review is for the AT2, not the AT4, but I would have to imagine
the designs are similar enough to employ the same paddling style.

...stuff deleted

Most paddles I've seen are to be used with the smallest blade surface
down.

That's true, but...

The reason for this is that you don't need a lot of paddle in
the water to propel a boat.

....that's not the reason. If the issue were simply size, then why not
just use a smaller blade? The reason asymmetic paddles are asymmetric is
the the paddle is usually inserted at some diagonal angle to the water.
If the paddle is symmetric around the shaft line, you have more paddle
in the water below and less above, causing twist. The asymmetry tries to
compensate for that. If you use an asymm paddle upside down (ie, the
longer edge of the blade down), you create more, not less, twist,
thereby requiring a tighter grip on the paddle, thereby mucking up your
tendons.

Didn't you think it was odd that the AT logos were upside down? Or maybe
it didn't have any. Look at the images on the AT site to see proper
orientation. http://www.atpaddle.com/WhitewaterGateway.html

Hope your arms get well soon. Don't rush it.

--
Steve Cramer
Athens, GA