Most of us like a good paddling scene now and then. In terms of equipment, one of our members posed an intriguing paddle question on our Advice Line. He wondered if the holy paddle was designed for the pleasing pattern it makes on a sub's bare behind. A worthy goal for sure. But the laws of physics have other diabolical tricks up their sleeve. So let's do an experiment: Let's use a flat paddle without holes on a firm bottom to warm it up. One... She's wiggling with delight. Two... She's squirming nicely. Three... There. Her fleshy, round bottom is a little red and warm. That was the paddle without holes. Now follow those strokes with a few from a paddle with holes. Suddenly our bottom gives a wrench and her firm butt cheeks clench tightly. She hisses, I think, or gasps, and after the second and third paddle, what escapes from her lips are unmistakably a bigger and bigger "ouch." OK, some "hard asses" won't react so extremely, but you'll definitely notice a difference between holy and unholy.

This is because, as the paddle without holes streams through the air towards your bottom's bottom, it develops a rather sizeable air cushion. And as the air compresses and scuttles out from under the paddle, the cushion softens the blow. Now take your paddle with holes. Air is streaming through the holes as the paddle sails through the air, dissipating the cushion and speeding the stroke. All science aside, let's say the paddle with holes has a whole lot more bite.

The answer our question then, is to get either paddle or get both. If you've got a hard ass on your hands, both would be nice, one for warm-up and one for busting ass so to speak. If you have other means of warming up, skip the unholy paddle. (Although an unholy paddle is just a good all-round tool to have around. On the other hand, if you're not planning on long sessions, if you want the paddle mostly for effect, if your spankee is new or doesn't enjoy much pain -- maybe s/he's into the warm feelings or prefers some easy sexual arousal -- the unholy paddle might stir up just enough sensation for smooth sailing -- er paddling -- and a good lot of fun for both of you.

Notice, however, this concept of "warming up." For corporal discipline to be enjoyed by both top and bottom (and that usually is the goal here) most bottoms want to be taken on a ride. This requires going through the gears. The first few paddles are like a slap of cold water on a drowsy person. With steady persistence, eventually your bottom builds up a tolerance. Then you push him a little further; more tolerance, another push. Meanwhile you're talking, enacting a fantasy ("You've been bad today, haven't you? Answer me.") or you're physically stroking, playing, fondling (as her reddened bottom absorbs the heat of your last stroke you reach between her spread legs and tease her wet pussy with your finger). This way you mix up the sensations, give the bottom a good full erotic, naughty ride. And there's another reason to move gradually. Many bottoms and especially masochists have discovered the endorphin rush that occurs with strong, prolonged sensation or pain. These individuals have come to enjoy it and seek it out. Typically, it takes about twenty minutes for endorphins to kick in, and you don't want to max out or burn out your bottom before s/he ever reaches that point. Whether s/he's an endorphin junkie or not, you can easily become an excellent top in their eyes by leading them to that particular trough. Once the bottom has reached that point, any pain you inflict comes with an added endorphin bonus.

One other tip for paddling (or spanking, or caning or anything else you might strike against a juicy ass cheek) has to do with safety: keep to the sweet spot. The ass is one of the best places to deliver spanks, whippings, and so forth, especially for beginners because it allows wide room for error. And because of its width, a paddle in particular should be reserved for ass only. The ass offers you a large zone of cushiony fat, free of vulnerable organs, arteries, muscles, bones. Even so, watch out for tail bone and hip bones -- especially if you're a bad shot. The best way to stay in safe territory is to aim for the sweet spot, the bottom of each cheek, just before it folds under to create that seductive heart shape. Think of the part that you'd like to pinch -- and where pinchers often land their pinches. Aiming here keeps you far from the tailbone, and you can make it red, raw, and sore indeed without fear of permanent damage to your sub.

[Members can purchase the paddle shown above by clicking "Shop" in their menu bar and going to "floggers and whips." As for non-members...well, what are you waiting for?]