Paddlewisers, After watching the Brent Reitz Forward Stroke video about a year ago, I discover that although I was already rotating my torso, I needed to rotate it even more. Over time (it wasn't easy) I had to retrain my body to rotate more and use more power from the legs, hips, and torso. What I found was that the back bands (several different brands) on my kayaks were inhibiting my rotation and even rubbing my skin raw. Like raising the training wheels on a bike, my back bands were moved back to the point that they really weren't providing very much for support. As an experiment, I recently removed the back bands, and so far I haven't missed them. Are there any other sea kayakers out there paddling without any kind of a back rest? Duane Strosaker Southern California www.rollordrown.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Duane: Here is Israel we use NDK kayaks. Nearly all of us remove the standard backbands and use a tightly rolled foam pad instead. We tape it closed with duct tape. The pad is of the foam type similar to those used for a sleeping while backpacking (but not the egg crate type), or sometimes we use the foam employed in the insulation of large diameter hotwater pipes. I have had my Explorer for nearly four years, and have yet to replace the pad. It never comes out of the kayak either. The pad is great for rolling too, as it is low, and does not interfere with layback rolls. Keep paddling. Josh On Wed, 14 May 2003, Strosaker wrote: > Are there any > other sea kayakers out there paddling without any kind of a back rest? ============================================================================== Dr. Joshua Teitelbaum Tel: [972] 3-640-6448 Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and Fax: [972] 3-641-5802 African Studies E-mail:teitelba_at_ccsg.tau.ac.il Tel Aviv University Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv 69978 Israel ============================================================================== *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Quoting Strosaker <strosaker_at_cox.net>: ... my back bands were moved back to the point that they > really weren't providing very much for support. As an experiment, I > recently removed the back bands, and so far I haven't missed them. > Are there any other sea kayakers out there paddling without any > kind of a back rest? > Duane, I haven't actually removed my backband (find it convenient to clip stuff to that I want to keep handy), but as I continue to improve my stroke I, too, find I don't actually contact the backband, and have moved it back out of the way. I think that when you can achieve it, the best support comes from your alignment and confidence in your core strength. Almost by definition, resting your back on the band puts you out of alignment for forward strokes. Thanks for bringing it up. It's nice to find that others have reached the same, somewhat unorthodox, conclusion. -- Age Quod Agis JP *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Wed, 14 May 2003 19:51:09 -0700, "Strosaker" <strosaker_at_cox.net> said: > Like raising the training wheels on a bike, my back bands were moved > back to the point that they really weren't providing very much for > support. As an experiment, I recently removed the back bands, and so > far I haven't missed them. Are there any other sea kayakers out there > paddling without any kind of a back rest? The backband in my PinTail is so loose I might as well just remove it. I don't have a backband in my baidarka, there is a tall uncomfortable coaming that I lean against when floating but I avoid it when paddling. I most frequently paddle surf skiis and outrigger canoes. Neither have backbands so I'm not accustomed to having a backband when I do paddle a sit inside kayak (aka SINK). When I have tried to make use of a backband I found my posture and stroke suffered and after a little bit gave up and returned to holding myself up. Kirk who got to try his new surf ski this morning ;-) -- Kirk Olsen kork4_at_cluemail.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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