CRISIS AVERTED. PHOTO: LISA DENSMORE
DIGITAL EXTRA
For more kayak fishing tips and techniques, go to Rapidmedia. com/0094 or check out the
iPad or Android edition of the Paddling Buyer’s Guide.
ERGONOMIC RECOVERY
How’s your butt? I’m not trying to get per- sonal. I’m wagering it hurts after an hour in your kayak. Or your back aches, your feet have fallen asleep, your shoulders and neck burn, or pain stabs your knees. Kayaking is not particularly body friendly. Whether you’re in a cockpit or on a sit-on- top kayak, your weight is concentrated in one place—on your butt. Though your arms and maybe even your legs are mov- ing, it’s repetitive movement. If you love kayak fishing but some of your body parts don’t, lessen your pain by paying closer attention to the ergonomics of kayaking. Proper ergonomics will increase ef-
ficiency and lessen discomfort. Instead of worrying about how much padding you can place around your hips and back, get into the right position and paddle all day.
PROBLEM: SORE BUTT
Solution: Use your leg braces and foot tabs or pedals. It takes pressure off your butt (and your lower back) if your legs are bent and you put pressure on your
44 KNOW HOW|| Annual 2014
feet. Adjust the tabs or pedals so your ankles are less flexed, relieving the con- tinual stretch to your hamstrings that contributes to a sore derriere and even tingling feet or legs.
PROBLEM: TINGLING FEET OR LEGS
Solution: Start by checking that the edge of your seat isn’t cutting into the back of your legs. In daily life, most people don’t sit with their legs extended in front of them for long periods of time. If you move your toes, wiggle your ankles and shake out your legs now and again, it will im- prove circulation and relieve numbness.
PROBLEM: ACHING LOWER BACK
Solution: Soothe your back by sitting up straighter. Leaning too far forward or back- ward puts excess strain on your lower back (and shoulders) and can make it tough to cast. You don’t need to be military erect, just relatively upright. In pedal boats, vary your backrest between upright and slightly reclining, which also relieves butt-ache. If you slouch, your butt may feel less pres- sure, but your lower back will feel more.
BEAT YOUR SLUMP TO COMFORTABLY PADDLE FASTER AND FISH LONGER
PROBLEM: BURNING NECK AND SHOULDERS
Solution: Neck and shoulder pain is of- ten traced to how you hold and pull your paddle. Your hands should be in front of your elbows and below your shoulders. Ease up on that death grip! Do yourself a favor and vary the width of your hands slightly throughout your paddle and keep your chest and back open. You’ll breathe easier, too.
PROBLEM: KNEE PAIN
Solution: If your knees hurt, your pedals are probably too close or too far away. Set up your pedals like a bicyclist so that your legs are never completely straight when extended or bent more than 90 de- grees. If you have a pedal boat, try to pedal with your knees directly over your feet. If your knees and the rest of your body are aligned, you’ll paddle comfort- ably for far longer. Passionate paddler and pedaler, Lisa
Densmore is an award-winning writer, photographer and author. She regularly contributes toKayak Angler magazine.
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