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Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board
Bikini mitts
Posted By: Jay Doorly In Response To: comfy hands and water is not enough (davemcadoo)
Date: Friday, 17 June 2005, at 12:04 a.m.
I'm glad you found something that works for you, those long races must be pretty unbearable if your uncomfortable or in pain for hours.
My solution doesn't have to prove itself over those distances and effort but it works for me on all day paddles. Normally I really dislike the paddling specific neoprene gloves I have purchased, I find they allow my hands to get cold in the colder months, (a thin fleece glove inside a goretex shell is my Rx for winter).
But, for the other 6 months I get a cheap pair of fishermans neoprene gloves at walmart and then cut off any parts that don't pad something that needs padding or holds the padding to my hand. The neo seems to have the right durometer so that it cushions and conforms yet I don't feel any need to grip more than without gloves; as a matter of fact the grip of the neoprene is pretty good and I would say it allows my grip to relax. When you have cut off the ends of the fingers and thumb, and cut off the wrist portion a small size glove will feel like an extra large and there is enough exchange of air so you don't get clammy. I probably put a hand in the water about every 5th stroke in flat water, and every 3rd stroke in waves so my hands are getting wet, yet they are comfortable, even in some cooler temps.
There's a lot to be said for just changing the grip in some way too. Most mountain bike racers say they need to change their grip or they get aches and cramps (it works out well since they use seperate uphill and downhill grips on the handlebars). When I'm paddling I use many variations of grip, also where I hold the paddle. The combination of changes over the course of a long paddle mean, for me, no more shooting pains in my wrist and arms after a paddle.
I understand in a race you want to optimize every aspect of your technique, but in a long race I bet comfort is a major consideration.
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