Aside from changing your outfitting, another thing to try is, ahem, stretching. Hip flexors, hamstrings, and especially the piriformis muscle--it runs across the backside and the sciatic nerve runs next to it (or through it in some cases). When it's tight, it squeezes the nerve, causing numbness. Putting braces under your thighs helps alleviate some of the discomfort, as does changing the seat angle, but stretching shouldn't be overlooked.

Sometimes, it depends on how much of an angle a boat puts your knees at (how wide they're open/closed). I paddled a Liquid Logic that made my legs go numb in about 10 minutes, no matter what I did. I changed to a Jackson and BAM--no more numbness. Sometimes, quite unfortunately, it comes down to the boat not working with your body/biomechanics.

Good luck!

not sure if someone's already given details as to this, cba to read all 30 responses! the main problem is likely to be blood flow, if it's not blood flow then it's probably your ITB which is a muscle that runs down the side of the leg, or the sciatic nerve (see jajauma's comment about piriformis) my advice would be to move the hip pads up and back a bit, so they wrap around your legs, and don't push in too hard on the side.

another thing to try would be to move the thigh braces forwards or backwards to change how bent your knees are, and crank that seat tight to remind you not to slouch!

i paddle a liquidlogic vision 44, which is a tiiiiny boat, this worked for me!


another thing i've heard about trying is filling a bin liner with expanding foam and sitting in it to make yourself a custom seat... a bit too much effort for me when my outfitting works fine!


Hope this helps!!

(BTW jajauma speaks wise words, listen to him and get flexible all the pros do yoga)

You mean "listen to HER," blitz66 I'm a 'her,' rather than a 'him.'

sorry!! sincerest apologies XD, still, wise words

No worries The words are wiser now, though, right? Having come from a woman?

i'm all for equal rights, therefore, no wiser XD women are just as bad as men

Okay--we'll go with equal rights then. (and I suppose we can stop hijacking the thread now)

Yeah you 2 get off my thread!!!

i wouldnt want to stray from the topic so ive tried the stretching thing but im in no shape to excercise!

The original post was about my old boat, ive changed it and my new one is very comfy, did take on board the move seat forward and change angle of legs though. Have also heard the bin bag and foam thing, sound like fun i may give it a whirl.

Thanks all for the comments uve been most helpful.

Matt

So we give all this heart-felt advice and Matt goes and buys himself a new boat! (fine--be that way!). Whatever, dude!

Naw, seriously--good deal for you. Maybe this is a new thread topic, I dunno. But there is a lot to said for being in shape. Kayaking for me is very much part of a healthy life style. The exercise it entails is supposedly twice as efficient in carving you as biking. Get fit and get out there!

Good deal.

Dude i keep seeing on facebook that people are joining groups like "2010 a new year a new start" and "i want to get fit for 2010" and i look at it and think to myself "i'd be lying to myself if i thought i could change" Playstation and a coffee sounds much better than a jog and the sweats! Thats actually really bad isnt it? lol

Regards the new boat, i couldnt take the old outfitting anymore, it had to go! lol

Matt

New Year's resolutions never stick anyway--I see it too often with my job. You'd be better off starting after the New Year And Playstation and coffee are okay...as long as you're still being active during the non-Playstation hours--get a Wii:laugh: I actually know several people that have gotten one just to work out--it's not the greatest way to get in shape, but hey--it has gotten people moving.

Setting a goal is the best way to start getting in shape--but don't make your goal, "I want to get in shape." Too vague. Training for an event, for example, is a much more tangible goal and you get in shape in the process of striving for that goal. does that make sense?

You've already taken the first step--thinking about getting in shape. A lot of people don't even make it that far:dry: Good luck!

Paddle, paddle, paddle, Matt! That'll help. (I like your honesty, too!).

Not directing this at you; it's worth anyone's time to take a look at www.livestrong.com

I don't have cancer. I just like the philosophy and lifestyle.

Well, I would really appreciate seeing pics of various custom outfitting jobs. Sure would give me some ideas of how to get my own boats closer to perfection. I'm sure lots of us would appreciate seeing up close just how some of the others have overcome their fitting problems. Appreciate it.

I have some little adhesive wedges that came with my Project 52 that I have with the thickest side closer to the bow. I still need to work with my Solo some, and I will probably do a similar thing for it. I may just take off the thermoformed pad and glue on some of the NSI Thigh Risers on top of it, and cut the sides off (just another thing which could help, but also makes exiting a bit harder).

The Jackson Sweet Cheeks should do the same thing, and I might look at that first so I am not stuck if I want to let someone else try it and it is shaped for me. Plus, I am still growing.

www.outdoorplay.com/store/Product.asp?DI...DID=12&SKU=EOU_PZTHR
www.jacksonkayak.com/store/product.cfm?product=sweetcheeks

Stilleto

Im away for work at the moment but when im back i will try get some photos for you, i would also appreciate everyones feed back aswell.

I have a project 62, a nemesis M and a superhero now. the super hero dosent need anything doin to it as its super comfy. Thats why i bought a happy feet for my project, it turned up yesterday at home but as i said im not there to do anything with. I only bought the project a couple of weeks ago and i havent even paddled it yet.

As regards the fitness thing, me and my other half have decided to quit smoking!!! then hopefully the fitness thing will come with that.

Maybe its a new thread i may start but id be interststed to know how often you all get out because with my job its really difficult. i could even say onc a month because it depends on the gig! if im in tour it could be for 3 weeks or 12 months! if i get a gig close to home it could be 3 times a week! downside to my job i suppose.

Right all

Back to work!!! haha


Matt

Regarding your fitness question, my job certainly makes it easy for me to get out--everyday, in fact. I also live in a town where it's very easy to get into the mountains for running, hiking, skiing, etc. But, in spite of being out with my clients, some days it's hard to get my own workout in. It's a matter of making it a priority, even if it means running in the dark after work (because it gets dark here so freaking early in the winter).

For my clients, I advise finding a slot in your day and scheduling a workout, just like any other appointment you have. Helps to "make it official." Also, finding ways to sneak in little bits of exercise: take the stairs, park the car further away from the store, etc. If you're on the road, go for walks when you have a chance; use the gym in the hotel if you're in one, etc. Maybe you weren't looking for advice for yourself, but the trainer in me is coming out

Also, be aware that having stopped smoking (congrats, btw!), you may find yourself hungrier than usual. Make a list of things you like to do so that when you're bored, needing something to do with your hands, or feeling munchie, you have ideas of other things you can do.

Just my two cents