Ken Schroeter <kenschroeter_at_hotmail.com> wrote: >>>>>>A while back I asked the same question about numb legs (Peg Legging), having a serious problem. After 20 minutes it was very uncomfortable, even in the boat, and only got worse after getting out, or trying to. I got the recommendation regarding leg support and mentioned Seal Line's inflatable pad. Someone recommended using my paddle float. I cannot understand how this works, but I've used it on my last two paddles and remain amazed at how this simple change made the peg legging all but gone, and changed my paddling comfort tremendously!<<<<<<<< I'm glad to hear that that advice helped you. I think that many paddler's numb legs are due to pinching a major nerve between your butt bones and your kayaks seat. Anything that takes much of the pressure off that area will help. sharing the load between your thighs and butt is one way to lessen the pressure. Other methods include softer padding on the seat and relieving the area where your butt bones contact the seat by padding more around that area (or less thickly or with softer foam) but not as much where your butt bones contact the seat. Pedaling with your legs is not just good stroking technique but it also serves to keep the blood circulation flowing in your legs (which might make standing up when you are done paddling a whole lot easier too). Many newer paddlers think they are supposed to grip the thigh braces with their thighs at all times. Often their whole lower body becomes numb within 15 or 20 minutes. However, I met one paddler who had paddled this way for quite some time anyway. I was analyzing his stroke (which was kind of weak for a man who looked that strong and healthy) when I stumbled upon this hidden (by his spraydeck) explanation. Sure enough, though I could hardly believe it myself, considering how long he had been paddling, that is what he had been doing since he had starting paddling a considerable time before. It's hard to get your legs powering the stroke when your knees are locked under the deck. Now, can anybody tell me why my toes sometimes want to fall asleep when paddling? It feels as though I may be pinching a nerve in the ball of my foot when pushing on the footpedals a lot. That lack of wiggle room for my size twelve feet might be a contributing factor as well. I paddled an especially low kayak barefoot the other day because that was about the only way my feet would fit in it at all comfortably. That reminded me that the pressure between my heel and the kayaks hull may also pinch a nerve there. Some paddling shoes also seem to put too much pressure on a nerve at the heel and some don't, maybe by cradling the heel better. Matt Broze www.marinerkayaks.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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Wed Jul 02 2003 - 03:14:02 PDT
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