Do what you must to establish solid footing in your boat .. Your feet are the key to proper paddling posture!
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Being mindful of your feet as the foundation for your paddling posture will yield many benefits over time!
Many paddlers don’t seem to think much about their feet unless they happen to step wrong on something. The focus always seems to be more on their arms, their hips and their paddles. But the foot is an important and integral part of kayaking and all paddling in general. Along with the hips and thighs, the feet position a paddler in or on top of their craft and provide an anchor point for optimum paddling motion.
The maps and images on this site are not intended for navigation, I am not a guide; use any and all information at your own risk! Your mileage may vary .. so use good judgement before venturing out!
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I hereby disclaim any sponsorship, endorsement, nor association with any product or service described herein. The photographs, depictions, products, and ideas presented on this site are for informational purposes only. Your results may vary, and I do not imply nor guarantee the effectiveness, suitability, design or operation to adhere to any standard. I assume no legal responsibility for the implementation of anything herein presented! Use any and all information at your own risk! By using any and all information from this website, you accept the final liability for any use or possible associated misuse!
Is it Red Bull that gives you wings?? Red Bull Flugtag Miami – Paddling to a downtown kayak, boat & plane party!
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The Red Bull Flugtag are a series of summer events held in cities around the world where teams compete to build and “fly” outrageous and often whimsical home made flying machines in front of large, live audiences.
The local edition was held for four years in Biscayne Bay, just off Bayfront Park in downtown Miami, Florida. It brought out upwards of 100 000 people, and the best way to see and enjoy it was from the water on your kayak, canoe or SUP!
The maps and images on this site are not intended for navigation, I am not a guide; use any and all information at your own risk! Your mileage may vary .. so use good judgement before venturing out!
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I hereby disclaim any sponsorship, endorsement, nor association with any product or service described herein. The photographs, depictions, products, and ideas presented on this site are for informational purposes only. Your results may vary, and I do not imply nor guarantee the effectiveness, suitability, design or operation to adhere to any standard. I assume no legal responsibility for the implementation of anything herein presented! Use any and all information at your own risk! By using any and all information from this website, you accept the final liability for any use or possible associated misuse!
The maps and images on this site are not intended for navigation, I am not a guide; use any and all information at your own risk! Your mileage may vary .. so use good judgement before venturing out!
…
I hereby disclaim any sponsorship, endorsement, nor association with any product or service described herein. The photographs, depictions, products, and ideas presented on this site are for informational purposes only. Your results may vary, and I do not imply nor guarantee the effectiveness, suitability, design or operation to adhere to any standard. I assume no legal responsibility for the implementation of anything herein presented! Use any and all information at your own risk! By using any and all information from this website, you accept the final liability for any use or possible associated misuse!
Don’t let your feet get angry .. Your feet are the key to proper paddling posture!
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Many paddlers don’t seem to think much about their feet unless they happen to step wrong on something. The focus always seems to be more on their arms, their hips and their paddles. But the foot is an important and integral part of kayaking and all paddling in general. Along with the hips and thighs, the feet position a paddler in or on top of their craft and provide an anchor point for optimum paddling motion.
The maps and images on this site are not intended for navigation, I am not a guide; use any and all information at your own risk! Your mileage may vary .. so use good judgement before venturing out!
…
I hereby disclaim any sponsorship, endorsement, nor association with any product or service described herein. The photographs, depictions, products, and ideas presented on this site are for informational purposes only. Your results may vary, and I do not imply nor guarantee the effectiveness, suitability, design or operation to adhere to any standard. I assume no legal responsibility for the implementation of anything herein presented! Use any and all information at your own risk! By using any and all information from this website, you accept the final liability for any use or possible associated misuse!
This one is all about the feet, many various feet. So follow along – each pic is clickable for a related story!
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Most paddlers don’t think much about their feet. They tend to focus more on their arms, their hips and their paddles. But the foot is an important and integral part of kayaking and any paddling in general. Along with the hips and thighs, the feet anchor a paddler in or on top of the craft. Foot protection and footwear come in many forms and styles. As with distinctive paddling hats, footwear also sets paddlers apart!
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All toes on board at Whiskey Creek in Dania Beach, Florida. CLICK for story!
The feet will let you know when there is a problem or a mismatch with foot pegs or foot pads. Whether fixed, adjustable or sliding, a properly customized fit ensures maximum control and comfort while on the water. In a sit on top you’ll always be looking at your feet. In a traditional kayak, you might not see them but you’ll be feeling and using them – or should be! Sea Kayaks and traditional sit inside kayaks usually have adjustable foot bars or foot pegs. Most sit on top style kayaks have several fixed molded in foot braces. In either case you want to adjust your foot position so that your feet are pushing your butt back into the seat. This will help to keep your lower back straight and in a slightly forward leaning position.
I often see paddlers sit in their boat and immediately lean back as if at home in a recliner. You never want to be leaning back into the backrest unless you’re taking a break! Otherwise you’ll be in the wrong position for actual paddling and harmfully compressing your spine! You may need to readjust or re-position your seat straps to accomplish this. The lean forward position is not only good for paddling, it’s also really good for your lower back.
The feet are the key for proper paddling posture!
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Counting toes and bugs while camping in Hell! CLICK for story!
DISCLAIMER:: The maps and images on this site are not intended for navigation, I am not a guide; use any and all information at your own risk! Your mileage may vary .. so use good judgement before venturing out!
She ain’t exactly pretty She ain’t exactly small Eleven’eleven, thirty’four, sixty’one lbs But you could say she’s got it all ..
Rosie, she’s a whole lotta Kayak!
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(click each pic for a story!)
Snorkeling in Biscayne Bay, Rosie is like a personal sized dinghy! CLICK for story!
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We all love to see the sleek, fast and sexy boats. There are times however when a shorter “plus size” sit on top style kayak fits the bill! This is a humorous-musical ode to mine, which I shall call “Rosie”. She’s an Ocean Kayak Peekaboo, and yes, she’s been used and abused, and generally not pampered. With a shallow-vee and nearly flat hull, she’s the ultimate in stability on flat water! She has a large viewing port, and a jump seat in the front meant for a small child. She could carry two light adults in a pinch, but isn’t rated for it. I personally like to ride Rosie Standing UP style for visibility and photography. The downside to all this stability and generous girth is speed. She will cruise with a 230cm kayak paddle at a little over two knots, less when paddling SUP style. She does respond well to leaning and will turn on a dime with practice. Her long tracking keel does it’s job but will tend to catch on roots and grasses when backing up. Rosie can carry a lot of gear for camping, she likes to go snorkeling, she likes taking her time on flat water and she’s an excellent platform for standing.
I don’t always ride Rosie, but when I do we’re in love! 😉
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Entering a lush mangrove canopy atop Rosie. CLICK for story!
DISCLAIMER:: The maps and images on this site are not intended for navigation, I am not a guide; use any and all information at your own risk! Your mileage may vary .. so use good judgement before venturing out!
Paddle Up on the Himmarshee Canal was a unique event – part public art and part history. This wasn’t a long paddle by any stretch, but it was special nonetheless. The brain child of artist Robin Haines Merrill of the Upper Room Art Gallery, working together with Seminole and Miccosukee traditional artists, this was an excursion into history, bridging cultures and waters.
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Historically, the Himmarshee Canal was a tributary of the New River, which was a major artery in and out of the Everglades. The word translates to “new water” or “new river” and legend has it that it appeared overnight after a big storm or possibly an earth quake. Now for the first time in probably a hundred years, there were trading posts along the river as well as Native paddlers in a (replica) traditional watercraft on the New River!!
This was also true for the delicious traditional Seminole pumpkin frybread that is NOT served in any restaurant!
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(Click pics for larger versions)
Paddling up the Himmarshee Canal, the first “trading post” is on the dock at left, featuring a Native clothing and fashion exhibit!
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I am standing in my kayak looking at artwork installed on the low bridges of the Himmarshee Canal.
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Knowing that this would be a short paddle, I took out “Rosie” – my plus-sized Sit on Top kayak that I usually paddle standing up, paying homage to Native paddlers. I did use a kayak paddle instead of poling however.
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Colorized reproductions of historical photographs from the early 20th century by Robin Merrill.
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The event was open to the public and many people saw it from the low bridges and restaurants along the Himmarshee Canal.
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The “La Croix” (second) trading post featured refreshing cool sparkling waters! They were handed out to paddlers with a lacrosse stick!
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Third trading post on the canal was all about delicious traditional Seminole pumpkin frybread! 🙂
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A way of life, brought back in time for a moment on the Himmarshee Canal thanks to the Upper Room Art Gallery.
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Thanks to Anita Allen for capturing this great pic of me as I was being mesmerized by the “Row” video installation! 🙂
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Today’s Himmarshee Canal is a dead-end, however it was historically a tributary to the New River.
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Native watercraft meets the 21st century and paddle sports on the Himmarshee Canal!
A BIG thanks to artist Robin Haines Merrill and the Native artists for making this unique event happen and the kind folks at All Saints Episcopal Church for the hospitality!
DISCLAIMER:: The maps and images on this site are not intended for navigation, I am not a guide; use any and all information at your own risk! Your mileage may vary .. so use good judgement before venturing out!
kayakfari ( kayak .. far .. i ) 