On Jan 29, 2008 10:54 AM, Rafael Mier <silidriel_at_prodigy.net.mx> wrote: > > The lower section or end of my spine, or lowest vertebra ends up sore > after > 4 or more hours on my seat. Like the guy who broke his arm in two places... the doctor told him to stay out of those places. :) It's probably unreasonable to expect no pain from sitting in the same position for many hours; there is always going to be some discomfort. As we get older it takes less to make things hurt; a lot less! Some seats are worse than others but body position while paddling can make a big difference. If you are slouching (leaning backwards) then you might be more likely to have lower back pain. I have adopted a paddling position that puts me leaning forward with my knees raised. This moves the sitting pressure-points away from the lower back and more onto the area where the gluteous maximus connects with the backs of the thighs. Pushing against the footpegs on paddle strokes also helps move your body in the seat and keeps circulation going. Vary your leg position to move the pressure points around. You haven't given us any information about the seat you are using now. I'm assuming it's a hard plastic bottom (or fiberglass bottom) seat. I've had a few of those and in every case adding a neoprene cushion to the bottom has made a big difference. I learned this when I bought a used w/w kayak that had the pads and noticed a difference right away. The pads I've used have been 1/8" or less thick. Sometimes, when the seat back is also hard plastic, my lower spine will get sore from being pressed back into the hard plastic back so I add a pad there, too. But it's interesting that sometimes just adding pads on either side of the pressure point - but not on the pressure point itself, helps the most. In other words, don't pad the spot where it hurts; pad the spots on either side. The pads will need to be moved around to find the "sweet" spot for sitting so I just dab a dot or two of silicone on the bottom to allow it to be moved around - and then mark it - before I set it in place permanently. The best stock seat I've ever used is the one Nimbus installed in my Telkwa. It's remarkably comfortable. The best seat for sea kayaking paddling action, so far, has been the Mariner sliding plastic seat (with neoprene added). Good luck, Craig Jungers Moses Lake, WA *************************************************************************** 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 Tue Jan 29 2008 - 12:10:29 PST
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