From: Jerry Hawkins <jhawkins_at_cisco.com> > The pain that bugs me most is my heels. After about 3 hours in the kayak > (whether or not I take long breaks) my heels really begin to ache. I > paddled 15 NM on Saturday (Tomales Bay, CA) and towed a tired paddler > for over a mile and my heels hurt, not my arms or shoulders. Have you tried putting closed-cell foam under your heels while you paddle? Cheers, Jackie *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Jackie asks: > Have you tried putting closed-cell foam under your heels while you paddle? I have glued a small heel pad right under where my heels go. I paddle most of the spring-summer-fall in sandals and the neoprene foam seems to work fairly well. I gotta be careful sliding my feet in but I still get two seasons out of the pads. Steve Scherrer Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe 250 NE Tomahawk Isle Dr Portland, OR 97217 Phone: 503.285.0464 Fax: 503.285.0106 Web site: http://www.aldercreek.com Email: acks_at_teleport.com *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Anybody ever try gluing down a couple of strips of "Home Depot" type indoor/outdoor carpeting for heel protection? Was about to try it, myself. Seems pretty tough, should glue down well enough (rubber-backed), and shouldn't retain much (if any) moisture. (An added benefit to heel protection is hull protection. I've known a couple of active paddlers in vintage kayaks to wear holes through the hull at heel impact spots.) 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/ ***************************************************************************
Jackie suggests - <Have you tried putting closed-cell foam under your heels while you paddle?> I did try this one year, but I found that the foam just wore off within a few days. Maybe I did it incorrectly?? Bill Hansen Ithaca NY *************************************************************************** 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 did try this one year, but I found that the foam just wore off within a > few days. Maybe I did it incorrectly?? > > Bill Hansen > Ithaca NY I don't know. Are you sure you used closed-cell foam because I've had a lot of luck with it. I just stick a piece under the bar in my Sea Lion. When using the foam, I'm either paddling barefoot, using aquasocks or booties, none of which has a hard heel. I have used thick rubber sole tennis shoes with good results as they have provided good support for my heels when paddling. Your mileage may vary :-) Jackie *************************************************************************** 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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