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Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board
Re: Padding one's cockpit?
Posted By: Greg Stamer In Response To: Padding one's cockpit? (risto)
Date: Tuesday, 10 October 2000, at 10:17 p.m.
: The thing about the pads may deserve comment: padding one's hips will give a
: better feel of the movements of the boat and better control, but what
: about the Petrussen maneuvre? That should become more difficult... Always
: a trade-off.Risto,
Yes, I agree with you concerning compromises and trade-offs.
I promote the use of hip pads for people who are learning to roll, to help emphasize the hipsnap. However, like many paddlers who practice Greenland techniques, I don't use them myself as they inhibit many of the maneuvers that require you to shift your weight as close to the water as possible when the kayak is on its side. Examples of this would include side sculling, the balance brace and the Petrussen maneuver. If you have thick hip pads then your center of gravity will be kept quite high when the kayak is resting on its side. Knee tubes and other such devices will also be problematic for these techniques.
In traditional Greenland kayaks the kayak is sized to the width of your hips but there is still a little room for you to move on each side of your hips but the thigh brace is very tight and low. You sit on the floor, as low as possible and the kayak does not limit your ability to either kiss the deck or lay back on the aft deck. The footbrace is a solid beam that allows you to adjust your foot position.
This outfitting is quite the opposite of modern kayaks with thick hip pads (or a lot of space between the seat and the side of the kayak), high foredecks and raised seats. Perhaps this is why Greenland style rolls are always done keeping your weight close to the kayak and finishing leaning foreward or aft, while most "Euro" training emphasizes performing rolls and braces with your body leaning to the side.
Some of this also has to do with the kayaks themselves. A Greenland kayak rolls up like a log and all you need is a sweep to get them into motion with very little hip snap. Many larger "modern" kayaks feel like they have a bulge or edge that must first be "vaulted" over. Once you hipsnap and rotate over this bulge, they pop right up like a cork. For this type of kayak, perhaps tight hip pads, high but supportive thigh braces and methods such as a C-to-C work best.
Outfitting is always very personal, so I wouldn't look for too much agreement from your paddling buddies as long as it works for you and does not inhibit your ability to exit the cockpit safely.
Greg Stamer
Orlando, Florida
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