- \n
- Defining the problem<\/strong><\/li>\n
- What causes the problem<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Search in the right direction<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Engineering the optimal solution<\/strong><\/li>\n
- The riding posture<\/strong><\/li>\n
- The benefits of super stability<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Casting and fighting fish<\/strong><\/li>\n
- The cockpit<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
1. Defining The Problem<\/h5>\n
Have you ever fished out of a kayak? If you did, you’ve probably noticed that something is wrong… Simply put, you weren’t feeling comfortable, and you may even experienced pain in your back and legs, and after some time, all you could wish for was to get out of that kayak as soon as possible, even if the fish were biting…<\/p>\n
The problem you’ve experienced is simple, and sooner or later anyone who paddles kayaks and fishes from them faces it: Spending long hours
\npaddling and fishing in or on top of an ordinary kayak, whether it’s a sit-in, hybrid or sit-on-top (SOT) inevitably causes some circulation problems and leg numbness, occasional cramps, pain in your lower back, and often fatigue and discomfort in your shoulders and neck.
\nIn fact, kayaking is so closely associated with back pain that kayakers commonly appear in TV ads for back painkillers and pain relief patches.<\/p>\nAfter you begin seeking information about your problem and advice on ways to solve it, you realize that the only thing that really works is paddling back to shore, standing up, and performing the exercises that physiotherapists recommend for kayakers.
\nIn other words, there is no gear that you can outfit your ordinary kayak with that can provide an effective and long lasting solution to any of these symptoms, because they occur as a result of you being seated in the L position – the traditional sitting position in kayaks,
\nwith your legs stretched in front of you while pushing your back against your seat’s backrest.<\/p>\n2. What Causes this Problem?<\/h5>\n
Being Seated In The Traditional, L Kayaking Position<\/strong><\/p>\n
The problem is caused by a combination of two things:<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0\u00a0 Being seated in a non ergonomic position to start with, and
\n2.\u00a0\u00a0 Being unable to switch to other positions and release the stress that builds up in the critical pressure points in your body, especially in your legs and lower back.<\/p>\nHave you ever asked yourself why is it that the traditional, L kayaking position is used only in ordinary kayaks and in no other land, snow or water equipment?\u00a0 The answer is that it’s because although the L position is the worst for you it’s simply the only one that ordinary kayaks can offer.<\/p>\n
Double Trouble: The Combined Effect of Horizontal and Vertical Pressure on Your Lower Back:<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/wavewalk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/L_Kayaking_Position_01.gif\")
Figure 1.\u00a0 Horizontal Pressure<\/strong><\/p>\nFigure 1 on the left shows the horizontal pressure that your legs exert on your lower back in the traditional L position used in all ordinary kayaks including both sit-in (SIK) and sit-on-top (SOT).<\/p>\n
The pressure points in the lower back region can cause irritation and inflammation of the sciatic nerve (sciatica) felt as pain traveling from the lower region of your back down across your lower thigh.
\nFoot braces and other support for your feet actually increase the horizontal pressure that your legs exert on your lower back.
\nThe back support and foot braces may hold you in your torso in place and prevent you from falling backwards or slipping downward, but they also limit your freedom of movement, increase pressure on your lower back, cause leg numbness and cramps and result in increased fatigue.<\/p>\nNative people of the Arctic circle who were the first to make and paddle kayaks used neither back rests nor foot braces simply because they were accustomed since infancy to sitting on the floor with their legs stretched forward, unlike us modern Westerners who lose this ability in early childhood when we learn to sit on chairs.<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/wavewalk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/L_kayaking_Position_02.gif\")
<\/p>\nFigure 2.\u00a0 Vertical Pressure (Weight)<\/strong><\/p>\n
Figure 2 on the left shows the heavy vertical
\npressure (weight) applied on the lower part of your spine when you’re seated in the traditional L kayaking position.<\/p>\nThe same sensitive area in your spine that’s pressurized horizontally by your legs pushing on it is being pressurized even more by the combined weight of your torso and thighs, that is nearly all your body weight.
\nYour legs are prevented from supporting your body weight in this position.<\/p>\nIn addition, sitting in the L position without being able to change your body position increases your fatigue and discomfort, and reduces both performance and fun.
\nCushioning your seat doesn’t really solve any of these problems since all it can do is spread the pressure from a single point to a wider
\narea, but the combined pressure is still there and it keeps working on your lower back all the time. Sooner or later you feel very
\nuncomfortable, and sometime it’s too late since you’ve already been injured.
\nKayaking in the L position with no adequate support for either back or feet is not a sensible solution for modern anglers and paddlers who have to spend hours kayaking and fishing from this low and uncomfortable position.<\/p>\nFood for thought<\/h5>\n
- \n
- If you had to perform some hard work or other physical activity in a position of your choice, would you even consider doing it sitting with your legs stretched forward in the L kayaking posture?…<\/li>\n
- Do you fish or do you know anybody who fishes seated in this position from shore or from any other type of fishing boat?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
-The answer to both questions is Absolutely Not. Never. No Way.<\/strong><\/p>\n
More food for thought<\/h5>\n
Airplane coach seats are fairly comfortable – certainly more than regular kayak seats, but why is it that after some time most people feel uneasy sitting in them?\u00a0 The answer is that the limited space makes it difficult for you to change positions, which leads to the buildup of discomfort and fatigue to a point where many people feel they must stand up and stretch, and those who can afford it promise themselves to fly first class next time – if only for the extra legroom.<\/p>\n
Not all damages are felt immediately.
\nSometimes it takes years for the damage to accumulate, and by then it might be too late to fix it.\u00a0 This is true for back and shoulder problems.<\/p>\nRead more about kayaking back pain and leg numbness \u00bb<\/a><\/p>\n
3. Search in the Right Direction<\/h5>\n
What do cross-country motorbikes, mountain bikes, horses, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and personal watercraft (PWC) have in common? It’s the fact that their user operates them in the Riding<\/strong> Position.
\nAnd what do skiing, surfing, water skiing, dog sledding, snowboarding, windsurfing, skating and skateboarding have in common? -The Standing Position.
\nThis is simply because the Riding<\/strong> and Standing<\/strong> positions are the best for you in both ergonomic and biomechanic terms, which means they offer best control and more power, and result in less fatigue and injuries.
\nWhen we need to make long efforts during motion we have more available power and better control standing or sitting with our legs lower than our upper body (biomechanical advantage), and we also feel more comfortable and less tired this way (ergonomic advantage).<\/p>\n4. Engineering the Optimal Solution<\/h5>\n
Freedom to Choose = Less Fatigue = Enhanced Comfort =\u00a0 More Fun and Healthier Paddling and Fishing<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Only the Wavewalk kayak solution departs radically from the L position and offers a new, comprehensive and effective approach to all ergonomic and biomechanical issues in paddling and paddle fishing.
\nWavewalk’s patented kayaks redistribute buoyancy from the boat’s longitudinal axis all the way to its two sides, and thus offers maximal support to the user’s balancing, control, steering, propulsion and fishing efforts.
\nThe central part of the Wavewalk Kayak, its ‘backbone’, which joins the two hulls, is shaped like a long, 15″ high saddle.
\nWavewalk kayakers can move back and forth along the saddle, according to their need (e.g. tandem, surfing, paddling in\u00a0strong wind<\/a>, launching, etc.). They can also switch anytime between several ergonomic positions<\/p>\n5. The Riding (Mounted) Position<\/h5>\n
The Natural Position<\/strong><\/p>\n
Riding is the most stable, comfortable and powerful paddling and driving position, and it offers best control over your boat and the most leverage on your paddle.
\nIn the Riding position your thighs, legs and feet are positioned directly below your body and take active part in all your efforts: Balancing, Control and Paddling.
\nNote that your legs support your upper body from both sides, and your feet are in a direct vertical line below your body.<\/p>\n![\"No](\"https:\/\/wavewalk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Kayaking-in-the-Riding-position-causes-no-back-pain.jpg\")
<\/p>\nFor Fishing:<\/strong> Riding is the preferred position, rivaling only with standing. When you cast riding you have more power than when casting in the sitting position.
\nRiding a Wavewalk Kayak is similar to mounting a pony:
\nYour upper body rests on the saddle and your thighs hold its sides, while each foot rests firmly on the bottom of a hull, as it would in a stirrup.
\nThis position is similar to the riding position used in other high performance vehicles such All Terrain Vehicles (ATV), Snowmobiles, and Jet Skis.<\/p>\nWatch this slow-motion demo video of the Riding position in the W500, a smaller version of the W700:<\/p>\n
- What causes the problem<\/strong><\/li>\n