Re: [Paddlewise] Knee Pads - Cramped Legs - Drunken Kayaker

>Help! Last week I increased the thickness of the knee pads in my boat to get
>better knee lift. During flat water paddling my knees are just barely in
>contact with the pads. The improvement in boat control is substantial but
>now sometimes (not always) after an hours paddling my legs get very cramped.

>Can anyone help with suggestions for exercises or foot wear or something? I
>don't want to reduce the knee pad thickness as it makes a world of
>difference to boat control.

Peter,

I don't understand why you made you knee pads thicker.  Knee braces provide
boat control by "hooking" around the knee and thigh.  The thicker you make
the braces the less range of motion you have with your legs which increases
your chance of having cramps and discomfort.

I always make my knee braces out of a block of foam that is 3 inches thick
when I start but when I'm finished the area where my knee cap fits is only
1/4 inch thick.  The sides of the brace wrap over the thigh and knee and
that is where the boat control comes from.

Maybe you have seen the photos on the www.kayakfit.com web site. Some of
those pictures show the "hook" that I'm talking about.  Carve more out of
the foam so you can get more bend in your knees.  I don't think exercise or
footwear will help.

Rex

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