Re: [Paddlewise] Foam and Back band Outfitting

In a message dated 1/19/00 8:42:57 AM Pacific Standard Time, joebr_at_burton.com 
writes:

>  I went and borrowed a WW kayak to use in
>  some up-coming pool rolling sessions (I didn't want to take up the entire
>  pool with my 17 1/2 footer) and I noticed that it doesn't have any sort of
>  back rest.  I know zero about WW boats so is this normal?  

Yes, it always has been, but that is changing.  I, like most WW paddlers I 
know, only miss the backrest when we are not actively paddling.  The 
effectiveness of the aggressive thigh braces and hip pads allows you to hold 
yourself upright and in paddling position, and to transfer power to the 
footpegs without the need for a backrest.  In teaching sea kayaking, where I 
use different boats all the time, none of which are customized to fit, I 
initially had to be very careful to adjust the seat back or back band (my 
preference) and the foot pegs each time I got into a different boat.  These 
days, I almost always forget to fiddle with the back and find that I can 
paddle just fine with my backside sometimes totally unsupported.  If the boat 
is too tall in the foredeck for me, without proper thigh braces, then the 
back adjustment becomes more important for comfort.

In WW boats, the center pillar is usually curved up from the rear of the seat 
to provide somewhat of a stop, similar to the foam someone recently described 
installing in his touring boat.  Some people install after-market backbands 
to provide lower back (actually hip) support, and some boats now come with 
removable foam bolsters which provide support.

FWIW, the best investment a sea kayaker may ever make is to buy the 
self-inflating seat and back cushions intended for watersports by the good 
people of ThermaRest camp mattress fame.  I can install those two items in 
most any boat and have instant customization which is pretty close to as good 
as it gets.  I still lack hip support in some boats, but the seat cushion can 
raise or lower me to adjust thigh bracing, elbow/coaming clearance, lateral 
stability, and thigh support/tush-cush.  The back cushion, in its 
gripper-rubber adjustable-strapped slipcover, can be mounted on the seat back 
or backband to perfectly fill in the lumbar region of the back, providing 
marvelous support and fit.

Warning -- secure cushions in securely when using in any kayak.  A loose 
cushion can kill.  Thanks to Doug for making that point graphically clear on 
his Victoria misadventure write-up in SK Mag.

Harold
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