[Paddlewise] Seating Position

At 09:26 PM 7/17/98 -0400, Bliven wrote:
>I'm adjusting to sea-kayaking and could use some advice on seating options.
>
>for quite sometime I had the seat to foot-brace distance just long enough
>for my legs to extend fully.... but sometimes I would slide down into the
>kayak a bit and then have to remember to sit up again.

(snips--and revised to upper-case first person singular. . .) 

	Hutchinson and Washburne provide advice about foot peg position. Mostly
it's a matter of a "neutral" foot position, not reaching with the toes, not
extending the heels past the ball of the foot. I can extend my legs out and
"lock" my knees with the feet on the pegs, but the heel is past the ball of
the foot in this position. 

	For paddling my feet are in a neutral position on the pegs (too short and
feet/legs start cramping and falling asleep). 

	The knees are above the hips. The provides the correct position for good
sacro/lumbar posture. Any yak I've ever paddled has had ample thigh braces,
and my knees come upward to brace the thighs against the pads under the
upper deck. 

	This position keeps my butt in the seat. My seat fits firmly against both
cheeks with the rear butt firmly positioned against the rear of the seat. 

	I've a history of sacro/lumbar problems (small back right above the
pelvis). Keeping the knees above the hips eliminates this problem. I've
also shortened my seat back to provide ample support in the lumbar region.
The seat back is probably about 2 inches forward of the rear of the seat. 

	This position keeps me sitting upright. No slouching! With good bracing of
feet and thighs, I'm able to prevent any sliding or movement of the lower
body when paddling. An upright posture allows me to lean slightly forward
and reach forward with the paddle. 

	A good purchase with the paddle and upper body rotation provides an
efficent stroke that moves the boat forward rather than sliding me forward
in the cockpit. 

	In theory, this well supported position makes it easier to "hip flick" and
right the kayak from an Eskimo Roll. Seems probable in theory, I've yet to
practice the rolls. A stable position *does* provide more control in
turning, bracing, and paddling. 

	My sea yak cockpit fits like a comfortable old jogging shoe. White water
boats have cockpits tailored to the paddler that fit like
one-size-too-small rubber gloves. 

	As noted elsewhere in this group. If the feet and legs go to sleep on you,
there's a good chance that the foot pegs are too short. 



______________________________
George Bergeron, Secretary '99
Oswego Heritage Council
http://www.europa.com/~heritage/
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