View topic - combating leg stiffen/pain after prolonged kneeling

Thanks Dave W, Solid advice about testing extrication. I've taken a few swims in my Starlight (which has seats) in the Palmer Rapids so I know it's not an issue without ankle pads. With Ankle pads you do bring up the same issue I was concerned about early in this thread when the pool noddle was suggested but the explanation of your system has the wheels turning. I'm thinking that, if on my seated boat, I keep the ankle pads narrow and tie them on a short rope up to the seat through a small hole drilled close to the outside edge it should be a functional system. That leaves them move-able fore and aft for others who might use my boat and typically with thigh straps (which my boat has) you are squeezing your knees together anyways when you capsize (unless you're really good and and roll it back... me someday, it's good to have goals) so that the pads shouldn't get in the way of exiting or causing foot entrapment issues...... but like you said Dave, best to flat water test first.

Ice breaker. I get it now. Thanks for trying to get the photo uploaded. If it was just about my knees I think what you are proposing makes sense. For me both knees and ankles are a source of pain but it is my ankles that force me up from kneeling before my knees. So I will need to raise my ankles off the canoe bottom but I see your point about raising them as little as so that the knees aren't bent as much.

Thanks everyone. This has been really good dialog for me. I think I can put something in place and have good solution the first time without needing to build multiple iteration of it to get it right. Super happy!

I have been following this thread carefully, and there is a lot of good ideas. I am experimenting with a number of them. Has anyone come across a good canted drop in (screw on) removable seat? I think this work best for me. I am also interesting in the list for the inflatable saddle!

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"I've never met a river I didn't like. The experience is what we remember and the challenges make for great memories". Me

Very interesting thread...I came across these inflatable ankle pads by a UK company whilst looking at airbags...elegant (though pricey) solution... I wonder if you could easily cobble together something like this.

https://bpm-whitewater.com/shop?olsPage=products%2Fankle-blocks-inflatable-falllinecanoes

Cheryl When you say

You are talking about something you add on top of an existing seat that screws onto it for stability and angles the seat forward?... or something else?

In terms of inflatable saddle I was thinking you could make your own by building a box the same length and width as your current saddle and the height a bit shorter than desired and put a bow air bag in the box. Inflated to desired height... no clue how that would feel...... obviously just thinking out loud.

Corbeau Good find! I think that would be more comfortable that harder foam and obviously adjustable for others who might borrow your boat.

Came across a new product related to this thread. Ankle blocks from Tennessee. I like the idea of there being Velcro for easy adjustment if someone else gets in your canoe. I was thinking of ordering a pair.

https://ankleblocks.weebly.com/

I have been following this threat for a while. both knees are bad, and I am having a terrible time soloing this year, as I just can't stay down. Have tried lots of the ideas in this thread, and a few of my own (including rolling up to old lief jackets together in a stuff sack and using it like a saddle. Am now thinking I either need to go with a drop in seat (which I have not located yet) or try a stool. I am looking for some cheap ideas before I buy (I don't mind paying if it will work, but something I can return if the height/tilt are wrong would be good)

I think this one would be too low: https://www.sportchek.ca/product/mckinl ... =332722614

This style might be worth a try: https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/ozark-trai ... lsrc=aw.ds

And I might try an older version of this: http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page ... 4767,45632

thoughts?

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"I've never met a river I didn't like. The experience is what we remember and the challenges make for great memories". Me