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From: Kenneth Cooperstein <cprstnc1_at_optonline.net>
subject: [Paddlewise] Footpeg height
Date: Sun, 19 Mar 2000 07:16:12 -0500
What part of your foot should rest on the footpegs?  The ball of your
foot?  Or closer to the instep?  Is this a matter of taste?  Or is
bracing helped by one over the other?

Should your heels be resting on the hull for comfort?

Is is better to have your feet angled out or closer to up-and-down?

If you like your pegs low, is there any significant penalty for having a
couple of footpeg track screw heads (per side) below the waterline (well
caulked, of course)?

Ken Cooperstein


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From: <LedJube_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Footpeg height
Date: Sun, 19 Mar 2000 20:43:14 EST
In a message dated 3/19/00 12:16:01 PM, cprstnc1_at_optonline.net writes:

<< What part of your foot should rest on the footpegs?  The ball of your
foot?  Or closer to the instep?  Is this a matter of taste?  Or is
bracing helped by one over the other?
Should your heels be resting on the hull for comfort?
Is is better to have your feet angled out or closer to up-and-down? >>

    Generally the ball of the foot rests on the footpeg. This is for comfort 
as well as power, you can push with your foot and/or your leg as the need 
arises. As you place your arch or heel on the peg you lose some subtlety of 
touch at the peg. Resting you heel on the hull is natural and allows you to 
rest your leg with knee's bent and hence is the ideal position.
    People generally adjust the angle of their legs from toes up to toes out 
_at_ about 45° during a trip so their legs won't cramp. The most powerful is 
toes out, affording your knees better access to the gunwales of your boat 
which best supports any required bracing.  The ideal position is knees bent, 
leg rotated toes out, foot at a neutral 90° to the shin and the balls of the 
feet supported, heels slightly lower than the butt is a nod to modern society 
that sits in chairs rather than on the ground. Best is butt as low as 
possible.

Of course, all of this is only one man's opinion

Good Luck, Jed

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From: Larry Bliven <foxhill_at_shore.intercom.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Hips/was Footpeg height
Date: Sun, 19 Mar 2000 21:54:41 -0500
>The ideal position is knees bent,
> leg rotated toes out, foot at a neutral 90° to the shin and the balls of
the
> feet supported, heels slightly lower than the butt is a nod to modern
society
> that sits in chairs rather than on the ground. Best is butt as low as
> possible.
>
> Of course, all of this is only one man's opinion
>
> Good Luck, Jed
=====================

i wonder if this position with legs rotated while pushing on footpegs can
contribute to hip problems... i don't normally walk or bike with my legs
rotated like that.  is it really ok to sit like that and be happy paddling
my kayak.... mile after mile. 2 paddlers in our group are getting new hips
joints.

any other kayakers out there got(or developing)  hip problems?

bye bye bliven




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From: <LedJube_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Hips/was Footpeg height
Date: Sun, 19 Mar 2000 22:54:49 EST
In a message dated 3/20/00 3:04:37 AM, foxhill_at_shore.intercom.net writes:

<< i wonder if this position with legs rotated while pushing on footpegs can

contribute to hip problems... i don't normally walk or bike with my legs

rotated like that.  is it really ok to sit like that and be happy paddling

my kayak.... mile after mile.  >>

Hi Larry,

    While sitting on the floor with your legs relaxed. What position do your 
legs naturally relax into? This is not at all like walking or even sitting in 
a chair. I would be surprised to hear that kayaking causes any kind or hip 
problem. Although I have little doubt that someone with a hip problem could 
find the kayaking position quite uncomfortable to endure for any length of 
time.

Jed
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