He, he, this is a great thread on the beginners forum!

I started flying on my own on slope soarers a year or so back, and naturally thumbed without even thinking about it.

When I started power last summer, my instructor slated me for using thumbs! Put my back up a bit, and I do find it difficult without a strap (no buddy boxes at my club). However, I'm starting to think it may make it easier when you just want to loosen your grip and let the stick slip through your fingers back to the neutral position, which IMHO is harder with a thumb without letting go completely. Now I'm getting closer to my A I can wear a neck strap wihtout fear that the instructor will strangle me, so I'll see if that makes pinching a bit easier.

Anyway, I'm forced to use pinching while I learn, and I'm persevering even when I go sloping on my own, so I'm gonna see how I develop over this summer.