Paddling How to set up your leg length in your surfski
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- Опубліковано 6 вер 2024
- Paddling How to set up your leg length in your surfski. One of our subscribers actually sent us a photo and said does it look like my knees are too high and it's quite a common question.
If you look at really good kayak paddlers often their knees are really high in the
boat like you can almost see space underneath their knees while they're
paddling but it's not as simple as that what generally seems to happen is the
higher your knees are the closer your feet are to you and quite typically in a
surf ski and obviously in a k1 on flat water as well it can tend to make you
a bit more unstable, so for beginner paddlers and for people starting out for the
first time there's quite a simple rule of thumb and it's and it's the first
rule so once again each boat will have a different set up system and each person
is going to have a different leg length depending on upper body and leg length
so what we want to try and get is to a position where if you place your hand
directly under your knee you should have about a fist difference from where the
back of your knee touches your hand with your hand resting on the boat so often
they talk about the hump or or at least the seat so if you can quite comfortably
slide your hand between your knee and the boats you're probably in the right
place so that would be a good place to start.
The extra space also allows for a bit of "adjustment" in the position of your legs. You young folks may not appreciate this (yet) but as you age circulation is not as efficient as before and slight movements to the lower body will greatly aid in staying comfortable in the boat. Great video.
Thank you for your videos, I just bought an epic V6 and learning a lot thanks to you
Thank you for this. Beginner Epic paddler. Unfortunately, tore an acl and am in a 60-30 degree brace for next 4 weeks.
Looks like I'll he unstable, but at least I can get some cardio!
Oh gosh!! So sorry about the ACL tear!!!
Hayley , thank you for taking the time out to make these videos . I am just starting out in my Ski journey at 53 and your videos have been a great help . My first paddle out was last week after procrastinating for 2 weeks . The day I decided to " Go " for it , I spent the morning watching your " Getting into your Surfski and the Remounting " videos over and over . Something reassuring about a South African accent in your head when you're on the water ( or in it ) . Ended up having a great paddle and practised remounts . Now starting to set up my ski and foot plate . Feel quite tight in the lower back so going to focus on lengthening the hamstrings . Would like to see you discuss Paddling technique in detail and some of the things you focus on while you paddle . I am not sure if I am overstretching on the catch and if I am drawing through to far and exiting too late etc etc . Again many thanks for the time you take to make these videos . Gesondheid ! from Australia .
Hey Ant, thanks so much for the message! Feel terrible that I missed this for so long!!! Welcome to ask me any questions and contact me directly on coach@wilddogza.com. Thanks for the suggestion for more paddling tech, that's a good idea!! Glad you guys have been able to paddle throughout the pandemic, I hope you've had lots of time on the water!! Hayley
Thank you for the great lesson! I was told about the 👊 but was never explain to me as well as what was explained in this great video clip! I’m transitioning from an outrigger canoe (OC-01) to a Surfski. It’s very difficult but I love Surfski! Mahalo from Honolulu, Hi! -Kai
Hey Kai, thanks for your reply!! Awesome that you are trying surfski now too, outrigger is amazing so I am sure you'll bring a lot of that skill across! I wish we were in Hawaii now... maybe just finishing Molokai Channel ;-) Welcome to contact me if you have other questions: coach@wilddogza.com :-) Thanks, Hayley
This is great, I used to paddle and now I’m looking to buy a surf ski. The leg length is 41- I always used and adjustable fenn, and this one is not adjustable. Can you help me know how to measure my legs? The ski is quite far from where I live so I’d love to know beforehand if it’s a decent fit! So stoked about your channel too!
Thank you
Thank you !
Kind of related....how tight are the straps supposed to be? I find that if they're too loose my core feels its a lot more and too tight makes it harder to control the peddles?
Ahh good question! And you also don't want them too tight in case you flip over - you need to be able to easily slip your feet out. So, I prefer the straps to be flush against the top of my foot so that I can simultaneously press against the foot plate and pull on the strap when I need to. A good way to know if they are the correct "tightness" is that you should be able to slip your feet in and out very easily - if you battle to get them in or out then the straps are too tight. It is also personal preference and you may find you can tighten them as and when you are feeling more comfortable but they do not need to be restrictive, you must have space and comfort. I hope that helps!