Hello Paddle Wisers, I skirt with my legs falling asleep when I paddle in my Valley Skerry RMX sometimes. My legs are pretty long and the low fore deck of the kayak does not let my legs elevate very much. I also know of some kayakers that deal with this when their feet are braced right on a bulkhead. They have to get out of their kayaks every two hours so they can stretch their legs because they have no stretching room in their kayaks. Good Paddling, Don Dimond Owner of Superior Visions Sea Kayaking School Board Member of Twin Cities Sea Kayaking Association *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
superiorvisions_at_att.net wrote: > (snip) > > I also know of some kayakers that deal with this when > their feet are braced right on a bulkhead. They have to > get out of their kayaks every two hours so they can > stretch their legs because they have no stretching room > in their kayaks. I have this problem too. I'm 6 ft. tall, and find that my legs fall asleep after about two hours of paddling. Usually I pop my spray skirt and bring up each knee for a while to get the circulation going again, then get back into position and reattach the spray skirt. It gets to be a hassle, and it's impossible in rough water. It can be tricky trying to rudder through choppy conditions when your feet are numb:(!! I found that my legs fell asleep less quickly after installing some closed cell foam padding under my heels. I don't know why this helped, because my physical therapist told me the numbness was the result of the seat cutting into the back of my thigh - tall folks don't have enough legroom to bend their knees enough so their legs sit straighter in the cockpit. This means that their legs don't clear the front, raised edge of the seat, and it presses against the backs of their thighs, cutting off circulation. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I have found that if I adjust my footpegs one click further than I'd prefer my legs won't fall asleep. I don't really care to be bracing on my tip-toes but it beats numb legs. I've been told that adding some foam thigh supports may help. Anyone have any luck with this approach? -----Original Message----- From: Catherine Veraghen [mailto:catherin_at_imagebuilder.com] Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 1999 12:37 PM To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Another way to spill a kayak superiorvisions_at_att.net wrote: > (snip) > > I also know of some kayakers that deal with this when > their feet are braced right on a bulkhead. They have to > get out of their kayaks every two hours so they can > stretch their legs because they have no stretching room > in their kayaks. I have this problem too. I'm 6 ft. tall, and find that my legs fall asleep after about two hours of paddling. Usually I pop my spray skirt and bring up each knee for a while to get the circulation going again, then get back into position and reattach the spray skirt. It gets to be a hassle, and it's impossible in rough water. It can be tricky trying to rudder through choppy conditions when your feet are numb:(!! I found that my legs fell asleep less quickly after installing some closed cell foam padding under my heels. I don't know why this helped, because my physical therapist told me the numbness was the result of the seat cutting into the back of my thigh - tall folks don't have enough legroom to bend their knees enough so their legs sit straighter in the cockpit. This means that their legs don't clear the front, raised edge of the seat, and it presses against the backs of their thighs, cutting off circulation. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Has anyone had any experience with the Minolta Xtreem GX-4 35 mm waterproof camera? *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
JT wrote: >Has anyone had any experience with the >Minolta Xtreem GX-4 35 mm waterproof >camera? I received one for a gift a while back (actually mine says Minolta Vectis GX4 on it). It worked fine for a while but now gets foggy everytime I try to use it on the water. It is bad enough that I've given up on it and have been using disposables. I'm going to try a WR90 Pentax(?) (or whatever that one is called). Everyone says it's great and I think the zoom would be a big benefit. Frank *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
At 06:22 PM 10/27/99 -0700, Frank Lucian wrote: >JT wrote: >>Has anyone had any experience with the >>Minolta Xtreem GX-4 35 mm waterproof >>camera? > >I received one for a gift a while back (actually mine says Minolta >Vectis GX4 on it). It worked fine for a while but now gets foggy >everytime I try to use it on the water. It is bad enough that I've given >up on it and have been using disposables. > >I'm going to try a WR90 Pentax(?) (or whatever that one is called). >Everyone says it's great and I think the zoom would be a big benefit. > >Frank Watch out for any digital cameras they don't work after only a little of water. Dana *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Wed, 27 Oct 1999 dldecker_at_se.mediaone.net wrote: > At 06:22 PM 10/27/99 -0700, Frank Lucian wrote: > >JT wrote: > >>Has anyone had any experience with the > >>Minolta Xtreem GX-4 35 mm waterproof > >>camera? > > > >I received one for a gift a while back (actually mine says Minolta > >Vectis GX4 on it). It worked fine for a while but now gets foggy > >everytime I try to use it on the water. It is bad enough that I've given > >up on it and have been using disposables. > > > >I'm going to try a WR90 Pentax(?) (or whatever that one is called). > >Everyone says it's great and I think the zoom would be a big benefit. > > > >Frank > > > Watch out for any digital cameras they don't work after only a little of > water. > > Dana Not true! I use my Pentax IQZoom WR90 all the time in class IV rivers. I just tuck it into my lifevest, and the camera and myself have survived some good thrashings and many intense play sessions. No leaks yet, although I make sure to leave it in the off position whenever I think it has a chance to get wet. My only complaint is that it is a little bit bulky in the lifevest. Isn't there a new version that has a better zoom and has less bulk? Kevin *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
K. Whilden wrote: > > >I'm going to try a WR90 Pentax(?) (or whatever that one is called). > > >Everyone says it's great and I think the zoom would be a big benefit. > > > > > >Frank > > > > Watch out for any digital cameras they don't work after only a little of > > water. > > > > Dana > > Not true! I use my Pentax IQZoom WR90 all the time in class IV rivers. I > just tuck it into my lifevest, and the camera and myself have survived > some good thrashings and many intense play sessions. No leaks yet, > although I make sure to leave it in > the off position whenever I think it has a chance to get wet. My only > complaint is that it is a little bit bulky in the lifevest. Isn't there a > new version that has a better zoom and has less bulk? I think he was referring to cameras designed to directly input digital images into a computer, not the WR 90 (which is a hell of a camera). BTW, the replacement for the WR 90 is a 105, but with a slower lens -- and I believe it is essentially the same weight and dimensions as the WR 90. Have not had one in my hand yet ... -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Don't even think about a digital camera on the water! One dunk in the salt, and $400 to $1000 dollars is down the tubes. Scanners are cheap. On the other hand, I don't own a analog camera. Let other people take the pics from the boats. At 10:48 PM 10/27/99 -0400, dldecker_at_se.mediaone.net wrote: >At 06:22 PM 10/27/99 -0700, Frank Lucian wrote: >>JT wrote: >>>Has anyone had any experience with the >>>Minolta Xtreem GX-4 35 mm waterproof >>>camera? >> >>I received one for a gift a while back (actually mine says Minolta >>Vectis GX4 on it). It worked fine for a while but now gets foggy >>everytime I try to use it on the water. It is bad enough that I've given >>up on it and have been using disposables. >> >>I'm going to try a WR90 Pentax(?) (or whatever that one is called). >>Everyone says it's great and I think the zoom would be a big benefit. >> >>Frank > > >Watch out for any digital cameras they don't work after only a little of >water. > >Dana *********************************************** * Matthew Blumenthal * * Fremont CA * * Potter, Guitar Player, General Computer Nut * * mattb_at_ix.netcom.com * * http://www.mattegrafix.com * * ICQ 12691259 * *********************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
>> Watch out for any digital cameras they don't work after only a little of >> water. > >Not true! I use my Pentax IQZoom WR90 all the time in class IV rivers. I >just tuck it into my lifevest, and the camera and myself have survived >some good thrashings and many intense play sessions. No leaks yet, I think actually he meant the full digital cameras such as the Kodaks or Sonys rather than the WR90. The one I have just doesn't even go near water! My WR90 has been a terrific workhorse for some years and I would unhesitatingly recommend int. I do have a problem sometimes with the autofocus wherein it hits sharp focus on some grass blade or branch I never even noticed. But that's the case with any autofocus system. It can be defeated on the WR90 but it's a little time consuming. Sometimes I also take my Minolta X700 with an 80-200 zoom lens in a waterproof dive box. There are times I need its compositional qualities (primarly focusing). Joe P. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> ---------- > From: Dave Kruger[SMTP:dkruger_at_pacifier.com] > > BTW, the replacement for the WR 90 is a 105, but with a slower lens -- and > I > believe it is essentially the same weight and dimensions as the WR 90. > Have > not had one in my hand yet ... > Just bought one but haven't used it yet. This Sunday . . . Debs *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
A guy named Phil Greenspun at MIT has an excellent webpage on photography at www.photo.net. I don't know what he advised for water proof..., but he has some super information on a 150$ point and shoot by yashica (t4), that has a zeus fixed 35mm lens with outstanding lens quality. To be able to pick up a point and shoot pocket camara with a professional quality lens for just 150 bucks is to my mind not to be passed up. Hope this helps. I'm going to get one and it will be my mountain vista slash kayaking camara. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Mike McNally wrote: > A guy named Phil Greenspun at MIT has an excellent webpage on photography at > www.photo.net. I don't know what he advised for water proof..., but he has > some super information on a 150$ point and shoot by yashica (t4), that has a > zeus fixed 35mm lens with outstanding lens quality. To be able to pick up a > point and shoot pocket camara with a professional quality lens for just 150 > bucks is to my mind not to be passed up. Hope this helps. I'm going to get > one and it will be my mountain vista slash kayaking camara. I have a Yashica T4, and the Zeiss Tessar lens is extremely sharp and has excellent contrast. But it has a severe light falloff problem (which means that the image is not evenly illuminated, but rather is brighter in the center than in the corners). This is a very common problem with point-and-shoot cameras. It is *not* a problem if you only shoot print film, since print film has sufficient latitude to mask the effect. It is a major problem, however, with slide film (which is the only thing I use). And before you ask, it is not just my camera--it is a widely acknowledged problem with the T4, and was recently discussed at length on the rec.photo.equipment.35mm newsgroup. It's really a shame, since the lens is sharp and contrasty, the light meter is excellent, and it is possible--using certain tricks--to use filters (including polarizing filters) and to exert substantial control over the exposure. But it's all for naught if you are using slide film and are at all picky about uneven illumination. I have given up on using point-and-shoot cameras for anything other than snapshots. Fortunately I have an excellent, waterproof deck bag (with a drysuit zipper) that makes it possible to access my SLRs from my kayak. But I would prefer using a smaller camera at times. I wish that someone would make a point-and-shoot camera that can match *all* of the optical qualities of my SLR equipment (and not just the sharpness and contrast). But even the high-end Contax and Leica point-and-shoots suffer from light falloff. Dan Hagen *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Off the topic of paddling entirely, but the online book "Travels with Samantha" that is on the www.photo.net web site is worth a look. And for the computer geeks in the crowd there's some good stuff on database-backed web sites. Dave Seng Juneau, Alaska > -----Original Message----- > From: Mike McNally [mailto:mmcnally3_at_PRODIGY.NET] > > A guy named Phil Greenspun at MIT has an excellent webpage on > photography at > www.photo.net. I don't know what he advised for water > proof..., but he has > some super information on a 150$ point and shoot by yashica > (t4), that has a > zeus fixed 35mm lens with outstanding lens quality. snip > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I shied away from the Minolta because I wasn't interested in the APS (<--is that right?) format. Just didn't need all that *advanced* stuff, as well as the lack of the ever-popular 1-hour processing opportunity. :) Sandy *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
At 02:05 PM 10/27/99 -0400, Joe Brzoza wrote: >I have found that if I adjust my footpegs one click further than I'd prefer >my legs won't fall asleep. I don't really care to be bracing on my tip-toes >but it beats numb legs. I've been told that adding some foam thigh supports >may help. Anyone have any luck with this approach? > Works for me -- I can last about an hour in my boat without a leg pad. -- Wes *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Elaine Harmon wrote: > Hi- won't your footpegs go back any more so you can bend your legs? > > Also, I have seen recommended this trick: put something like a long narrow > drybag, or just a rolled-up anything, under your legs at the knees. Of > course don't overdo it or you might have a problem wet-exiting (?) e > It's not a matter of moving the footpegs, but a matter of cockpit height. The top of the cockpit is too low to allow my knees to bend enough. I have tried adding padding to the seat as well, to in effect reduce the "rise" in the seat front, but found that I end up sitting uncomfortably high in the boat. It puts my balance off. I have a Sealion, which is supposed to fit larger paddlers well. I have also paddled several versions of the Looksha line, and found that they have a higher cockpit, and fit better. I guess I'll just have to start shopping for another boat, and reserve the Sealion for "guests". Damn;)!! *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Joe wrote, "... I have found that if I adjust my footpegs one click further than I'd prefer my legs won't fall asleep. I don't really care to be bracing on my tip-toes but it beats numb legs. I've been told that adding some foam thigh supports may help. Anyone have any luck with this approach?" Having the benefit of a good molded seat in my VCP "British Heavy" Pintail, I find I have very good support, even under my thighs. Instead of footbraces, I installed a minicell "plug" that replicates the footbrace function (and holds my footpump, as well). No rudder to worry about in a Pintail. And I have installed more foam aft in lieu of the pressure points of a backband, carving away the foam to a perfect lower back contour. The end result is that I can wedge the nether regions of my 55 year old, 185 pound, 6'2" frame through a 16" by 20" cockpit rim and be reasonably comfortable for about eight hours at a time. (Have needed a little help getting out after an eight-hour-plus swim support, but I was okay while I was in the boat.) It's all about tailoring the cockpit for optimal comfort --- or minimal discomfort --- and having a good, snug fit so you don't have to use your muscle groups to stay firmly in place. If you're bouncing or sliding around in a cockpit, you're ! ! constantly using leg and butt muscles to compensate: if you're kinda wedged in there, you're free to use those muscles selectively to optimize your stroke, to brace, or to deliberately relax. Thigh support can be hard to figure out --- try a rolled up towel under your thighs, but be sure to avoid any possibility of entrapment. Make sure that a flooded cockpit doesn't float something up, pinning or restricting your speedy and effective departure from the craft in distress! But, by experimenting to develop enough capture points inside your knees, behind your back, and along your flanks and hips, your legs can relax while being immediately ready to brace or to effect a hip snap. Just takes time and experimenting --- and minicell foam, automotive contact cement, and dragon skin. And more time. Jack *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
The "move the foot pegs out a notch too far" approach works for me too. I believe that the true culprit is short achilles tendons and hamstrings - even when I was a runner, I couldn't consider hurdles because I could never get the legs stretched out enough. Years of desk driving makes it worse. When I'm being conscientious, I try to stretch a few times a week - it makes a huge difference. There are some nifty toys that you can get from a physical therapist just for that particular stretch; but here is a free one that works for me. Go to your room. Close the door (added benefit - no one can see what you're up to). Sit on the floor about a leg length from the door. Bend one leg up to your chest (loosely) leave the other leg out straight. Scoot forward til your foot is flat against the door. keep you leg straight (knee should not bend up from the floor) now lean gently forward. Switch legs and repeat Do it half a dozen times. The reason you do one leg at a time is that together, your short, tight, leg tendons are probably stronger than your lower back - if you tried to do both at the same time you would likely just pull your lower back. (A side benefit of the exercise is that it reduces liklihood of lower back injuries) The down side - you've got to be consistent. I do the stretch for a few months and then get caught up in whatever it is that makes life crazy and miss for a while and pretty soon it is like starting all over again. Good luck. Gar *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> a)NAME: Michael Bradley > > b)CONTACT: ckayaker_at_hotmail.com, live in Quebec, just across the US-Vermont > border. > > c) BOATS: > 1) Boreal Design 'Narval' (another kabloona in a yellow kayak!) > > d) BOAT NAME & CALL SIGN (IF RADIO OPERATOR) n/a > > e) SPECIAL INTERESTS: kayaking, hiking, camping, anything even vaguely to do > with the Canadian arctic, Inuktitut (language of the Inuit, especially north > Baffin dialect), involved in promoting kayaking among Inuit youth, writing a > novel about Sir John Franklin (soon to be a major movie... as if!). > > f) SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE: Masters degree in Inuit seal-hunting ecology (I got > carried away when I was young...) > > g) STRONG OPINIONS: > Naturally! > > h) MOST INTERESTING TRIP: > > Still remember my first trip in the tub with Rubber Duckie. Can remember > parts of my paddle in '97 from Hall Beach to Igloolik, Nunavut as well. Both > were mind-warping experiences... Seakayaker published my Igloolik story on > their website <http://www.seakayakermag.com/jun98/ooglit.htm>. So far no > takers for the Rubber Duckie write-up... > > i) Optional personal stuff > > 55 years old, two teenaged children, have a master of science in > Bio-geography (Ecology), but to pay bills more in line with my banker's > ideas, I work as a reading specialist in an elementary school. I also lend my > services to the Quebec Inuit Cooperative helping to promote arctic tourism. > Other interests include playing classical and flamenco guitar, listening to > music, especially Celtic and folk styles. I've travelled much of northern > Canada, some of Europe, the USA and Mexico. I speak English, French, some > Spanish and Inuktitut. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I'm, if anything, the opposite of tall, but I used to have the same problem, until we installed some foam thigh rests right in front of my foam seat. Haven't had the problem since. On Wed, 27 Oct 1999 09:37:30 -0700 Catherine Veraghen <catherin_at_imagebuilder.com> writes: > superiorvisions_at_att.net wrote: > > > (snip) > > > > I also know of some kayakers that deal with this when > > their feet are braced right on a bulkhead. They have to > > get out of their kayaks every two hours so they can > > stretch their legs because they have no stretching room > > in their kayaks. > > I have this problem too. I'm 6 ft. tall, and find that my legs fall > asleep > after about two hours of paddling. Usually I pop my spray skirt and > bring up > each knee for a while to get the circulation going again, then get > back into > position and reattach the spray skirt. It gets to be a hassle, and > it's > impossible in rough water. It can be tricky trying to rudder through > choppy > conditions when your feet are numb:(!! I found that my legs fell > asleep less > quickly after installing some closed cell foam padding under my > heels. I don't > know why this helped, because my physical therapist told me the > numbness was > the result of the seat cutting into the back of my thigh - tall > folks don't > have enough legroom to bend their knees enough so their legs sit > straighter in > the cockpit. This means that their legs don't clear the front, > raised edge of > the seat, and it presses against the backs of their thighs, cutting > off > circulation. > > ************************************************************************* ** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author > and not > to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ > ************************************************************************* ** ___________________________________________________________________ Get the Internet just the way you want it. Free software, free e-mail, and free Internet access for a month! Try Juno Web: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
After a couple of hours in my Current Design Caribou S my legs are hurting. This thread reminded me that I had a Chesapeake Light Craft seat in my garage that might help. The CLC seat is made of closed cell foam and is shaped to fit a big butt like mine and has an comfortable looking backrest built in. Removing the Caribou seat was no small task. After 2 days I finally cut through the enormous glob of epoxy (or whatever) which held the seat in. A little shaping of the sides of the CLC seat was necessary to clear vertical supports and the new seat fit like a glove. The new seat reduced the front edge of the seat by almost two inches and the back support is very comfortable. Tonight, sitting on the new seat while the kayak was on my lawn was a pleasure which I hope will be exceeded only by the pleasure of paddling it on the Chesapeake Bay this Sunday. Ralph Young Alexandria, VA *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I have similar problems with discomfort in my legs after a couple hours in a kayak. Here are some of the possible causes: o Short posterior leg (hamstrings & calf). If you sit at a desk a lot and don't do much to stretch your posterior leg it has probably grown short. This is very common. Sitting in a kayak you are asking that tissue to stretch out again. After while it gets uncomfortable. o Pressure on the back of the thighs. This can impinge nerves or circulation. o pressure on the siatic nerve in your butt. this is a large nerve that inervates most of the leg. It passes through your rear between your sits bones (the bones you sit on) and the hip bone (side of your hip), and is very susceptible to compression. Again, if you are short in some particular muscles in the rear it's your sciatic nerve is more likely to be compressed. If your hamstrings are short they may shift your pelvis enough to increase the pressure on your sciatic nerve. o Finally, the body just does not like to be immobile for that long. Here are some things that you can do: o Increase flexibility. After last summer's kayak trip I realized how important flexibility is going to be to my staying active as I grow older. More than strength it is what will allow me to adapt to new sports. So this fall I started doing hatha yoga twice a week. Flexibility requires dedicated consistency. If you don't consistently stretch the tissue it won't retain the ability to stretch. Fitness centers offer plenty of stretching classes. There are good books about stretching. o Massage will help loosen muscles. It may aid, and even be the only thing that will get more length from chronically short parts of the body. Myofascial Release is technique that is best suited for changing body shape. You can learn a little more about it on my web page: http://www.tumtum.com/massage Rolfers and Hellerworkers are very highly trained in Myofascial release. http://www.hellerwork.com/ o Adjust your cockpit fit. o If there is a lip on the seat that cuts in to you thigh cut it off or raise the seat till it doesn't. o Move the foot pegs forward so you point your toes. This will give some slack in your posterior leg. o Don't let your low back slouch down. Sit up right on your sits bones. This requires slack in your posterior leg. Moving the foot pegs forward will help with this. o Bend your knees. This also will slacken your posterior leg. When I got really uncomfortable I would put a small dry bag full of soft clothing under my knees. This supported them in a bent position. I had the luxury of a fairly large cockpit. But the best solution is to increase your flexibility through stretching and massage. Live long, stay active. Tom Unger Seattle > > superiorvisions_at_att.net wrote: > > > (snip) > > > > I also know of some kayakers that deal with this when > > their feet are braced right on a bulkhead. They have to > > get out of their kayaks every two hours so they can > > stretch their legs because they have no stretching room > > in their kayaks. > > I have this problem too. I'm 6 ft. tall, and find that my legs fall asleep > after about two hours of paddling. Usually I pop my spray skirt and bring up > each knee for a while to get the circulation going again, then get back into > position and reattach the spray skirt. It gets to be a hassle, and it's > impossible in rough water. It can be tricky trying to rudder through choppy > conditions when your feet are numb:(!! I found that my legs fell asleep less > quickly after installing some closed cell foam padding under my heels. I don't > know why this helped, because my physical therapist told me the numbness was > the result of the seat cutting into the back of my thigh - tall folks don't > have enough legroom to bend their knees enough so their legs sit straighter in > the cockpit. This means that their legs don't clear the front, raised edge of > the seat, and it presses against the backs of their thighs, cutting off > circulation. > > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not > to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ > *************************************************************************** -- ooooo -- Tom Unger oo\ oo Wet Weather Consulting o \ o (206)783-5839 o B I\V I o o \ o oo \oo ooooo *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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