>We have a wonderful, at times very craggy, coastline, with next to nil >tides! A bit like Maine, minus the tides :-)! > >We also have lots of lakes to paddle, and there are very few regulations >about where you can paddle, or camp. The spouse and I are hoping to visit Sweden and Norway next summer and do some paddling. We have folding yaks (including a Klepper with Balogh sail) but haven't decided whether to bring them. I'd love to hear suggestions of where to paddle, places to rent from, and best time to come. We're mostly flat-water paddlers (Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes) but have some ocean experience. Sweden's allemansratten (right of public access) is the greatest! We also hope to hike some of the Kungsleden trail. Jan *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
We did a trip with Crossing Latitudes in the Lofoten archipelago a few years ago. Very well organized outfitter, great guides, fabulous food. Lofoten is pretty far north, but they do other trips as well. Some pics here: http://www.savvypaddler.com/lofoten.html Steve Jan Axelson wrote: > > The spouse and I are hoping to visit Sweden and Norway next summer and > do some paddling. > > We have folding yaks (including a Klepper with Balogh sail) but haven't > decided whether to bring them. > > I'd love to hear suggestions of where to paddle, places to rent from, > and best time to come. We're mostly flat-water paddlers (Wisconsin and > Minnesota lakes) but have some ocean experience. > > Sweden's allemansratten (right of public access) is the greatest! > > We also hope to hike some of the Kungsleden trail. -- Steve Cramer Athens, GA http://www.savvypaddler.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/ ***************************************************************************
We paddled with them,also a few years ago (quite a few years ago, now that I think of it), in the Skaggerak (pardon spelling and lack of accent marks) - between Sweden and Norway. We stayed at a place called Gulhollmen (same pardon required). They were fun to paddle with, were able to accommodate various levels of paddlers - and great cooks. I strongly recommend them Joan Steve Cramer wrote: > We did a trip with Crossing Latitudes in the Lofoten archipelago a few > years ago. Very well organized outfitter, great guides, fabulous food. > Lofoten is pretty far north, but they do other trips as well. > > Some pics here: http://www.savvypaddler.com/lofoten.html > > Steve > > Jan Axelson wrote: > >> >> The spouse and I are hoping to visit Sweden and Norway next summer >> and do some paddling. >> >> We have folding yaks (including a Klepper with Balogh sail) but >> haven't decided whether to bring them. >> >> I'd love to hear suggestions of where to paddle, places to rent from, >> and best time to come. We're mostly flat-water paddlers (Wisconsin >> and Minnesota lakes) but have some ocean experience. >> >> Sweden's allemansratten (right of public access) is the greatest! >> >> We also hope to hike some of the Kungsleden trail. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
ditto on the Crossing Latitudes endorsement. http://www.crossinglatitudes.com/ .Hal -------------- Original message -------------- From: Steve Cramer <cramersec_at_charter.net> > We did a trip with Crossing Latitudes in the Lofoten archipelago a few > years ago. Very well organized outfitter, great guides, fabulous food. > Lofoten is pretty far north, but they do other trips as well. > > Some pics here: http://www.savvypaddler.com/lofoten.html > > Steve *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
"I'd love to hear suggestions of where to paddle, places to rent from, and best time to come. We're mostly flat-water paddlers (Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes) but have some ocean experience. Sweden's allemansratten (right of public access) is the greatest!" You are absolutely right about the swedish "skaergaard". We visit the swedish archipelago between Vdstervik and Oskarshamn called "Misterhult naturreservat" every year. This is south of Stockholm. Have a look at http://www.havkajakstevns.dk/stevns/turinformation/Loggen/Klintemaala_2003/default.htm where you can find suggestions. Good luck. Feel free to write me if you decide to come. I have suggestions for at trip to "Telemarks kanalen" in the southern part of Norway too. Not to mention possibilities around Denmark. Jens Viggo Moesmand Denmark *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
>We visit the swedish archipelago between Vdstervik and Oskarshamn called "Misterhult naturreservat" every year. This is south of Stockholm. It looks fabulous. Definitely one to consider. Would love to take a side trip to Denmark as well! Thanks also to those who recommended Crossing Latitudes. Jan *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Hi, I live in Japan and really enjoy subscribing to this list. I just started paddling a couple of months ago and am beginning to feel lower back pains every time I go out. At first I thought it was from carrying and putting together my kayak but now realize its probably from the actual paddling on lakes for a few hours each time. I have a second-hand Feathercraft Short Touring that came with a Nimbus Charlotte paddle. The paddle is wooden, and I believe it's designed for day trips or short-tours. I have decided not to try to plant the paddle as far forward as possible in my stroke, but in addition to that, I am considering getting a paddle that would be more forgiving on my back. Any recommendations concerning specific models or information about certain characteristics such as flex or blade shape or materials types that might help would be appreciated because I am pretty much on my own in my new interest. Although I don't have any plans for extended touring would it be correct to assume getting a long-touring paddle would solve my back pain? Thanks in advance. Shin Sugiyama / Nagoya, Japan -- *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Hi and welcome to the wonderful world of paddling. My son had a bout of lower back pain that turned out to be his shirt or sweater that was forming a pinch-point between his back and the seat back (which we also call a "backband"). Once he pulled that offending article of clothing up and out of the way his back pain went away. When I paddle my wife's kayak I get lower back pain that is, I suspect, something to do with the adjustment of the backband. I solved the problem by not paddling my wife's kayak any more. I know that if I mess with the way the backband is set up I'm in real trouble. Every kayak has to be fitted to you and lots of us have foam pieces laying around (in my case, literally) for gluing into place in strategic spots to keep us comfy in the cockpit. So... my tip is not to concentrate too much on the paddle itself but rather in your posture in the kayak and in the way you fit against the backband. And also a tip not to paddle with your legs flat but rather raise them a bit. If you determine that your fit in the cockpit is as good as you can get it and still have back pains then look at your paddle stroke. Visit the web site at www.marinerkayaks.com and look at their tips for paddling technique. One good way to determine what paddle fits you best is to get a few friends together and just swap paddles for a while. If you are in a club you will find that many kayakers have a closetfull of paddles of various sizes, shapes and weights. We have paddlefests where we just bring all our paddles - white water or flat water or anything in-betwen - and lay them on the dock. Then we can just go out and try one and then go back and grab another without getting out of the cockpit even. Good luck! Craig Jungers Royal City, WA On 11/21/06, Shin SUGIYAMA <ssugiya_at_bio.nagoya-u.ac.jp> wrote: > > Hi, I live in Japan and really enjoy subscribing to this list. > I just started paddling a couple of months ago and am beginning > to feel lower back pains every time I go out. > At first I thought it was from carrying and putting together my kayak > but now realize its probably from the actual paddling on lakes for a > few hours each time. > I have a second-hand Feathercraft Short Touring that came with a > Nimbus Charlotte paddle. > The paddle is wooden, and I believe it's designed for day trips or > short-tours. > I have decided not to try to plant the paddle as far forward as > possible in my stroke, but in addition to that, I am considering > getting a paddle that would be more forgiving on my back. Any > recommendations concerning specific models or information about > certain characteristics such as flex or blade shape or materials > types that might help would be appreciated because I am pretty much > on my own in my new interest. Although I don't have any plans for > extended touring would it be correct to assume getting a > long-touring paddle would solve my back pain? Thanks in advance. > Shin Sugiyama / Nagoya, Japan *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Craig, thanks for the welcome. I guess my biggest problem is that there is nobody around me who is experienced, hence I am asking for advice here. I live in a city of 2 million and as far as I know there are only 3 places that sell kayaks of which only one specializes in them, the other two being Montbell shops that manufactures and sells all sorts of outdoor wear and gear. I haven't been able to find any clubs in my area besides the one for customers of the single shop. It seems that here in Japan, paddling was at it peak in popularity about ten years ago and there were many more shops at that time judging from advertisements in old issues of "Canoe Life" magazine. It would be great to attend a paddlefest but I guess that won't be happening in the near future, unfortunately. My paddling buddy who just got a secondhand Nautiraid Greenlander is using a paddle that came with a recreational inflatable raft. I hadn't realized that seat-back adjustment was so important. The way I have it set up now, I lean back on to it when I am paddling in a relaxed manner enjoying the landscape etc. and sit upright without using it to paddle seriously. Should I set it so my back is against it when I sit upright also? I do have my legs bent quite a bit so I can use them to paddle. I have the text on paddling technique from www.marinerkayaks.com printed out and have been reading it over several times on the bus while commuting. I even had it in my pocket while paddling although I didn't actually take it out and read it. I am eager to get on the water and try your tips, but my daughter's daycare center is moving into a new building this weekend and being low on funding we parents will be moving most of the stuff. Well, I probably will have fun doing that with the kids running around anyway. Thanks again, Shin I have a blog in Japanese at the URL below with a few pictures of the places I go. http://ssugiya.cocolog-nifty.com/blog -- *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Shin SUGIYAMA wrote: > I hadn't realized that seat-back adjustment was so important. The way I > have it set up now, I lean back on to it when I am paddling in a relaxed > manner enjoying the landscape etc. and sit upright without using it to > paddle seriously. Should I set it so my back is against it when I sit > upright also? I do have my legs bent quite a bit so I can use them to > paddle. You should avoid leaning back at all times. It will inhibit good paddling style and reduces the control you have on the kayak. It is better to keep your back straight and lean forward just a bit so your shoulders are just ahead of your hips. You can adjust the seat back to support your lower back in the forward position. If the seat back is high, consider a lower position (if adjustable) or try replacing it with a backband that is low. Back problems can be helped by keeping your stomach muscles strong. If your stomach muscles are firm, they support you and reduce the stress on your spine and back muscles. Doing situps is a good exercise for this. Mike *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Shin wrote: - >I hadn't realized that seat-back adjustment was so important. The >way I have it set up now, I lean back on to it when I am paddling in >a relaxed manner enjoying the landscape etc. and sit upright without >using it to paddle seriously. Should I set it so my back is against >it when I sit upright also? I do have my legs bent quite a bit so I >can use them to paddle. G'Day Shin, There are many different styles of paddling so the comments that follow are just one opinion. Matt makes the comment in his paddling manual that you "sit comfortably erect with a slight forward lean". This is the style our club adopts when paddling seriously. If you do this your back would normally not be leaning against the back rest otherwise the torso rotation that goes with an efficient and powerful stroke would rub your back raw over time. Regarding paddle style we've adopted a flatwater vertical 'racing' stroke but recognise that at sea it is only a basic stroke and will be varied enormously and just about all the "rules" broken on occasion to take advantage of sea conditions. But this is only one of many styles that work. It is a very efficient style, particularly for people with strong abs and low upper body strength. One point worth considering is the need to get a paddle that has the right length and feather angle. If you can borrow a split paddle or one with a smart shaft (ie one that can have its length and feather angle adjusted) you could use it to find the length and feather that suit you best. For my style of paddling I set the length of the paddle so that the blade becomes fully submerged at the side of my kayak where the feet are located. The feather angle is a matter for discussion and depends on whether one is paddling into strong winds. I have recently started setting mine so the blade is at right angles to the the center axis of the boat but haven't used this angle yet to paddle into winds greater than 15 knots. (Matt, if you get to read this, I'm in the process of setting up a set of paddles and would be very interested in figures for feather angle vs wind strength at which the paddle starts to become uncontrollable?) The point is not so much to give a cut and dried method for setting up the paddle just the importance of finding out what length and feather suit you before making a purchase. All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Hi Everyone, thanks for a lot of helpful input both here and off list, and please forgive my late response. Almost everyone suggested that I shouldn't lean back and that I need to work on my stomach muscles. I have started doing situps before going to bed and some leg lifts in my office when no one is looking. I have decided to work on correct posture as well as foot brace and seat back positioning before looking into a new paddle. I am just beginning to realize that I have a lot to work on. I am a avid biker and commute half of the week on a road bike which feels very comfortable to me now, but when I think back (more than 20 years) , I realize this only became to be so after a lot of adjustments, a few months time, and after certain muscles were built up. I guess I have quite a lot to look forward to! Thanks again! I'll report after I get back from a few hours paddling on Sunday. Shin -- *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Shin said - Almost everyone suggested that I shouldn't lean back and that I need to work on my stomach muscles. I have started doing situps before going to bed and some leg lifts in my office when no one is looking. I have decided to work on correct posture as well as foot brace and seat back positioning before looking into a new paddle. You might consider also strengthening your abdominal muscles using these techniques. [I have been paddling for forty years, mostly slalom racing, and have learned that keeping my abs strong makes a big difference in what happens with my back. Also, I have almost no muscles in my left leg. I had polio as an infant. When I walk, I have to lift my left leg using my hip and lower back muscles. Doctors have told me, all my life, to expect to have back pain. I believe the reason I do not is my strong abs and the fact that I paddle a lot. Two ways I keep abs strong: end every paddling session with about three to five minutes of paddling quickly BACKWARDS. This is also very good for the shoulder muscles. Second is isometrics - standing straight, tighten all your abs by attempting to force your trunk forward as if you were bowing in greeting to someone but resist the movement with your back muscles so that you are fighting all movement and not moving at all. After a little practice with this, you will learn to target specific muscles groups. I do these isometrics every time I am waiting for an elevator or waiting for a stoplight to change. This puts in about a dozen short "workouts" into my work day. Good luck! Jim Tibensky *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
>[I have been paddling for forty years, mostly slalom racing, and have >learned that keeping my abs strong makes a big difference in what >happens with my back. > My physical therapist gave me the same advice. Your abs help support your back. Weak abs contribute to a weak back. Jim et al *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Hi, I got in several hours of paddling on Sunday and here is my progress report on correcting lower back pain. I was planning to concentrate on correct posture, proper seat and footbrace adjustment, as well as building stomach muscle strength, instead of getting a new lighter paddle. So I had a set of little goals to accomplish yesterday, but as it turned out, everything fit in place just by adjusting the seat back on my Feathercraft ST. The seat back is a padded plate that is fixed by straps at the top whereas the bottom of the seat back is connected to a seat plate that is fixed in front by straps stretching forward. I had been putting tension on those forward straps so as a result the seat back was always angled backwards. Yesterday, I slackened the forward straps so that the seat back was pretty much upright when I was seated. This changed everything. Besides not allowing me to lean back, it also gave me lower back support when I had my torso leaned forward. Before, when I leaned forward I really only had my stomach muscles to support me and that tired me out pretty fast. One recognizable difference was that I could really push on my upper non-stroke side arm. I found I could paddle much longer and harder without discomfort to my lower back. It was really enjoyable! It has become cold here on the Pacific side of Japan and yesterday we had a clear breezy day with air temperatures between 5-10 degrees C. It was the first time I had paddled against a moderate wind strong enough to snatch at my paddle and wash waves over my bow but I was able to keep paddling strongly for a kilometer or so and had fun. I know there is probably still a lot wrong with my paddling form but being relieved of back pain is really encouraging! Thanks to everyone for your advice and help. The solution was so simple and obvious in retrospect that its a little embarrassing, but I am glad I asked for help. Thanks again! Shin / Nagoya Japan -- *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:33:43 PDT