Built
for Comfort - (sleepy legs) by
Jay Babina
Wood kayak builders aren’t the only ones who have to address the problem
of making a seat and kayak that fits them well. It’s quite often that
new and seasoned kayakers complain that their legs fall asleep, and occasionally
get that uncomfortable sore cramping that can occur if the accommodations
don’t entirely agree with your body.
If you have the type of bottom that can sit on a piece of
concrete for hours, you’re in luck. But for most of us, sitting in that
ergonomically unfriendly position for extended periods requires a few things
that need to be developed. One is the seat and foot position, and two is developing
your body into that of a kayaker.
Number two first. In most kayakers, the section of the brain that acknowledges
discomfort in the bottom and legs becomes numb or desensitized as the years
of kayaking go on. And in most cases, other surrounding areas of the brain,
such as those that have to do with monetary obligations are similarly affected.
Seriously, it’s quite noticeable that experienced
kayakers can usually paddle a greater variety of boats with less discomfort
than any new or non-kayaker. Just as in any sport, our body adapts or gets
trained to sit in the extended leg position. Our tendons, and muscles get
conditioned for the paddling posture. We can add to this conditioning by regular
stretching exercises of the legs and back. Stretching the calves regularly
will also help condition us since the entire stressed area runs from our heels
to the back of our neck. All good athletes cross-train and with kayaking,
some stretching exercises will not only help in our fitness but greatly increase
the comfort level in our kayaks for extended periods.
The number one kayaking comfort mechanism is your seat (as
well as the one in the kayak). When I had my first Necky Arluk III, with a
flat slab of foam for a seat, I could paddle for about 45 minutes and would
have to get out for a stretch. It did not agree with me at all. The discomfort
was not in my bottom but in my thighs. When my brother bought a Pintail with
the hard plastic molded tractor type seat, I couldn’t believe the comfort.
It was lower volume, which meant my legs were in a straighter, more demanding
position, yet I could paddle in comfort forever. However, I know people who
don’t like that seat at all.
If I had to design the perfect kayak seat, it would be like
a dentist chair. It would cradle your entire body from the mid-back to your
heels, giving full support along the entire body. With that concept in mind,
you can see that the discomfort lies in the areas that don’t get supported
or where the support ends and the body transitions into free space.
Many times the pinching of nerves is at that point Unfortunately,
many kayak seats are tested and accepted by the designer along with a few
helpers who value their job, and that’s the seat that goes on every
kayak. This person might weigh 260 lbs. with absolutely nothing similar to
your anatomy. You’ll have the choice of adapting your body or the seat.
In all probability, a bit of both will probably occur.
Generally, the lower a kayak’s volume is, the more of a challenge it
will be to maintain comfort unless you’re flexible. Having the legs
bent is just more comfortable than being straight legged, especially considering
that you have to use your upper torso muscles in unison with the legs while
in this position.
Most boat builders carve their own seats out of closed cell
foam. I’ve seen everything from a gentle uphill curve to full tractor-type
seats with hip pads and more. Through some experimentation and experience,
most builders are able to make something that feels pretty good. I’ve
been using a fiberglass seat for my own wood boats that I make from a mold
that’s a close copy of the Valley Canoe seat.
A few things that I learned may be of comfort to you. I
find that a seat should have an uphill angle, in my case fairly steep (I learned
this from my P & H Serius seat, which is the most comfortable one for
me). This slant is the same angle that your thighs travel when in the paddling
position. I think that the longer the seat is the better. In other words,
the more your body is cradled and supported, the less pressure is on any one
area. Many people experience leg discomfort because they are in a seating
position that puts a lot of pressure on their lower bottom, which cuts off
the blood supply to the legs and possibly pinches the nerves. If you sit on
a hardwood floor in a kayaking position, it will be obvious to you from where
the discomfort emanates.
Padding a plastic kayak seat so that the legs travel a bit more uphill can
sometimes relieve discomfort. I’ve seen those (half-assed) tiny British
seats where the owner extended the seat with foam and increased their comfort
by adding more supported area for their thighs, thus relieving pressure on
their bottom. Sometimes a little padding under the front of a seat to angle
it more can add lot of comfort.
People who have larger thighs don’t seem to like the uphill tractor
seats as much as me. I think they get pinched at the end of the seat whereas
a person with leaner thighs is not bothered by this. Maybe the angle is just
too steep for their personal fit.
Some people just purchase a seat pad and add it to their
stock kayak seat to elevate any slight discomfort they are experiencing. Although,
if you raise your body height too much, you’ll compromise your initial
stability.
Another often overlooked detail in the paddling comfort
acquisition is the seat-to-foot brace length. Generally, the more vertical
your foot position is, the more likely you are to get cramping. Once again,
flexibility comes into play here. If you’re occasionally experiencing
discomfort, push your foot pegs a notch forward and you’ll immediately
get relief. I find that I’m a notch forward in the winter, probably
because of all the clothing build up. When I started the cold paddling season,
I was noticeably tighter in the boat and less comfortable in my legs.
Some boat builders who make a foam-padded bulkhead for their
feet leave an opening in the middle so they can occasionally stretch a foot
if they need to. The shape is like a horseshoe with the opening on the bottom.
Very often all that’s needed is an occasional few seconds of foot stretch
to maintain comfort and keep the blood flowing.
As they say, "If it ain’t broke, don’t
fix it." If your anatomy agrees with your boat and you can paddle for
long periods in total comfort, consider yourself lucky or gifted (or maybe
that discomfort portion of the brain has finally gone). But if you’re
new to paddling or adapting to a newly acquired boat, a little experimenting
and some patience will yield results.
Many paddlers go through this and sometimes with no mechanical
intervention we are suddenly paddling in total comfort again. Could it be
because our body adapts to the new seating position, or maybe it’s because
it’s a warm day, the sun is shinning and there’s no better place
to be sitting than in our own kayak.
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