Kayaking is probably the most active sport you can do without needing your legs.

I have been teaching students to kayak for over six years.

Recently I have been thinking about trying to teach a wheelchair user to do it, I have searched on the web and most wheelchair users that kayak do it in an open canoe with someone else looking after them.

I would like to see if I can get a wheelchair user to successfully kayak in a closed boat on their own, I have a few concerns that I will have to research before I can start. Can any of you help with these questions?


Can you sit up? or is it more of a slouch? A normal kayak has back support to your waist line, would this be sufficient to keep you upright?

My biggest concern is the 'hip flick' required to succesfully roll the boat- although it is possible without this flick how much control do you actually have in your lower backs? If your legs were restrained can you lean over to the side and back up again?

I know that every case is different, so in all likely hood I will have to look for a very specific person, what type of paralysis would best suit?



Thanks in advance

Hi...

I'm an incomplete para, and I think I would have the capacity to do what you've described, but I'd definitely need some increased torso strengthening/training first.

Would it be possible to build a type of simulator? I don't know how practical that would be, or how safe you could make it.

Please let us know how it goes. Good luck!

I think the best simulator would be to actually stick someone in a boat and let them paddle around in an indoor pool.

There would be a lot of trunk rotation required, its basically how you steer.

The tighter your strapped into the boat the harder it is to get back out again, so I think I'd have to experiment heavily before I could get anywhere.


If you wanted a dry simulator strap your legs down on the upper thigh so they cant move and then see if you can rotate your upper body by 90 degrees, lean forward and touch your toes, and lean back until your head touches the floor. The lean sideways until you can rest your elbow on the floor.

These movements are the extremes of what are required but would be a good starting point.

I have done kayaking before being paralysed and really enjoyed it. In the the time sice then I have become paralysed from the chest down so do not have the lower back and abdominal muscles. Apart from the fun of how I might get into the boat, (or out for that matter), I would need support from the boat to a higher level to be safe sat in it.

I would like a go but I bet you are not in the UK so it's not possible.

Robert

yeah sorry, its uk

I think I would need some lower trunk support, and getting out would be a problem, although its quite easy to get out of one when its upsidedown and you REALLY want to breath

Hi, there is a great article from Wet Dawg about a para who learned to whitewater kayak- http://www.wetdawg.com/pages/whitewater/smith/index_ww.php

He was taught by the co-owner of Colorado Kayak Supply/Summit Kayak School ( http://www.coloradokayak.com ) who I spoke with last fall about outfitting my old whitewater boat and getting some lessons to relearn the sport (I was injured March 2003 and am a T12/L1 para with good trunk control).

I've practiced in the open water by myself and was planning on taking some whitewater lessons from CKS this summer, they seem very helpful and knowledgeable.

Hope this helps............Kate

hey im really struggling to come to terms with disability, i just dont know what to do, my legs are gone.. and so is my life. rock climbing was my life until the accident, but now i just dont have the strength in my upper arm and i cant hoist my self up the wall. ive been experimenting with extreme wheelchair sports.. check it out on www.wheelchairjunkie.com.. with all but one of my limbs gone due to severe dog mauling inccident, every day i tell my self... they can have my limbs but they cant have my heart

Hi

lm a paraplegic and a kayaker, T10 complete paddle tons - into whitewater as well grade 2 -3 so is possible just keep at it. Check out www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk go to reports then under general is an article called ''From pool to whitewater'' Enjoy.

Paul C

Kanga - if you want a go get in touch with the Back up trust http://www.backuptrust.org.uk/ - they organise courses for just that sort of thing.

I've never been kayaking but I did river raft down the Orange river from Namibia to South Africa in 1995. It was a 2 man raft and my chair was packed up in the back. Fantastic experiance.

Just thought I would let you all know - if you are keen to try Sea Kayaking, my local club is ready and willing to take people out. It would just need a bit of organising.

So if anyone fancies a weekend away or anything and wants to spend the time kayaking or canoeing in France. Contact me and I am sure something can be arranged.

hello

Not Paraplegic my self but have a good friend that is, how ever i am disabled myself, kayaked a few times in a pool, never out in the open lol

Dont know about your full abilities but would not risk it, as you need to use upper leg muscles to keep the kayak balanced, hard at first for me as have lower back/leg pains. so if you learn take it easy and in a pool, another thing is getting out if you capsize.

M and I went to a kayaking class a couple weeks ago and it was a blast! They used styrofoam and ductape to modify the boat and he did need help getting in, but getting out was not a prob. We played water polo afterwards and I got to say, people that use their arms all day can KILL at water polo! It was totally a great time!

I used to kayak to a pretty high standard (a long time) pre injury, paddled grade 5 in Austria and raced at national championship level in the UK. I'd given it up and hadn't paddled for about 10 years pre injury but I have been coming under pressure to try it again. I'm really against it as I know with my level there's no way I'll ever get onto big white water again and the reason I stopped in the first place was because I didn't have the time (1.5 hrs training 6 days a week) to continue paddling at the same standard. Some things I feel are best left in the past rather than trying to revisit past glories just to have it drummed home quite how much I lost since the injury. Having said that it was pretty much the same line of reasoning that kept me out of a kayak once I'd given up pre injury so I don't feel too bad about not giving it a try.

I prefer new challenges although I water skied reasonably (though only recreationally) pre injury and I tried that last year and loved it so I'm off on a weeks course in 10 days time

Hi Rick

I paddle a ww kayak (liquidlogic lil joe) I'm T10 complete, I've never been in ww yet. I got the ww boat because of the seat, back rest and side padding I couldnt paddle with out these being so snug, almost pinching me in. I've been looking for ages for some one to teach me ww paddling so if you or any one else know's any one drop me a line, I live near Perth Scotland

Hi Rick and anyone else interested...

The answer is you bet!

My husband and I are ACA Certified Kayak Instructors specializing in Adaptive Kayaking. There are strategies for transfers to a closed cockpit kayak from a chair, adaptations to account for balance, weight distribution (ballasting etc.) It's a superb sport for persons with any disability.

There are some caveats. ANYONE

Hi Rick and anyone else interested...

The answer is you bet!

My husband and I are ACA Certified Kayak Instructors specializing in Adaptive Kayaking. There are strategies for transfers to a closed cockpit kayak from a chair, adaptations to account for balance, weight distribution (ballasting etc.) It's a superb sport for persons with any disability.

There are some caveats. ANYONE who wants to learn to kayak to their greatest potential (our love is sea kayaking and large open water bodies...these both have lots of opportunity for training, extending one's abilities and challenges) but you need to learn a few things: you never kayak alone, the boat should be appropriate to the venue, you ALWAYS wear a PFD (life vest) - it is NOT stored on the deck or anywhere else it is on your body... . You need to learn capsize and recovery as do your friends, family and buddies who paddle with you. Once you've gotten this kind of fun, important training the sky's the limit!

We are currently training the volunteers from NEHSA (New England Handicapped Sports Association) in Sunapee NH who are already Adaptive Ski Instructors. They are learning to be guides and volunteers and some will get their certification as instructors as well. This will be a premier go-to organization for outdoor rec sports, in particular, skiing and kayaking. Oh yeah and these ski and new kayak instructors are persons with and without disabilities. We're also working with the disabled Vets developing programs for this hard-charging group.

Kayaking is a gorgeous, elegant, challenging sport. Kayak touring whether on the ocean, big lakes or ponds offers opportunities for great fun, joy and scenic beauty. You can extend this to kayak camping anywhere from down the Coast of Maine to Alaska. There are campgrounds with fully accessible bathrooms and facilities but you've gotta do your time, do your training and all that. But what the heck that's the fun stuff! It's the journey not the destination... We are at a point where this sport is poised to really take off.

We personally don't advocate rivers. There are too many hazards like strainers (logs etc. caught in rocks) that become potential entrapment, gear and boats can float downstream away from the paddler, riverbanks are sometimes steep precluding rescue to that point. You get out on the ocean in some great swells, see some sea lions, whales, white caps and there's enough challenge and adrenalin pumping situations to appease anyone I can assure you!

As to rolling...not necessary - at least initially. It's a nice to have not need to have. It's sexy and gets a lot of press but there is so much more skill and sublety to this sport that you need to and will enjoy learning first.

That's my schtick. If you want more info on resources etc. let me know and we can either post here or take it off line. FYI neither nor my husband nor I am disabled. He has 4 herniated disks in his back and I have arthritis but we love what we do and will do it for the rest of our lives. We're getting families rockin' and rollin' in the great outdoors! Yessirree!

How did I get involved in Adaptive Sports? My brother was hit by a car 4 years ago which left him quadriplegic. He was my buddy, my pal, my Marine and I loved him dearly. He was also an avid outdoorsman and we were desperate to find any and every way to get him back out on the water, outdoors and fishing again and we would have if he had survived. So I do this for my Artie and for everyone else out there who loves.

Cheers and happy paddling!
Dottie

Hi

I paddle every week (or more if I can get a babysitter!!!) I'm a T12/L1 incomplete, but have very weak legs (and no movement at all below the knees - I'm a lot like an L3 complete).

I can paddle confidently on flat water and did my first white water up at the Mill in LLangollen last week (a grade II stretch of river). I dont have a roll as yet - I'm waiting for the pool sessions to start before I decide to get really wet lots whilst learning to roll!!!!!

I would really recommend this sport to any paraplegic - I was instantly a lot better than the abled bodied learners as I already am used to propelling myself about using my arms. The modern white water boats are very stable and I have to try really hard to get them to capsize on flat water. Our club uses these to coach beginners on flat water for this reason.

One thing I do struggle with is edging the boat (essential for white water) as my hips arent strong enough to hold the boat on an angle. Any suggestions as to how I can do this?

Hi
I broke my pelvis in loads of places comming off my motorcycle six years ago and they only sport i can do really is kayaking.
My husband who has limited mobility does it too we must look like a bit weared trying to get the boats sorted out between us but we do our best. we did tr and learn how to roll he did it i did not i havant got enough strengh in my hips but as long as u can turn the boat over and slide out the bottom theres no real need. we have great fun and go when we can.
u go for it and have a great time.
If anyone is in Portsmouth England area and fancys a paddle give me a email.
Bex

YOU BET A WHEELCHAIR USER CAN KAYAK! I am a survivor of a severe head injury, use a wheelchair every day, and paddle all over. To me, it is an aquatic form of hiking, I use it to explore and escape. My boat is a Dagger RPM. In my opinion, people who use wheelchairs for mobility on land are better kayakers in the water because they are accostomed to using their upper bodies to get around, and don''t reley on their legs. Also, many of the motions to "wheelchair- ing" (such as leaning foward to balance on 2 wheels) are the same as for kayaking. Best of luck to all of you who try it- and I hope that lots do!- and see you out on the water.

Any Q's??? just ask

Hi Dottie!
I read your post; it sounds like you are enthusiastic about the opportunities out there! I live in Arizona, and paddle all over the beautiful waterways here. I am a wheelchair user on land, and have kayaked for years now. My question is this: how do I become an ACA certified adaptive kayaking instructor myself, and bring the sport of kayaking to people with disabilities in my part of the country? I have a bachelor's degree in Parks & Recreation Management, and would be very indterested in becoming certified so I can "spread the love", so to speak. I have been unofficially "teaching" friends and family to kayak for nearly as long as I've been involved. I think if people who use wheelchairs or have any other kind of disability were involved with kayaking, there would less "special treatment" and hesitation on the part of those who are temporarily able-bodied.
Hopew to hear from you soon!!

Kayaking is great, to some it might seem a bit of a worrying sport to try but once u get in the water and feel how comfortable you are there it all becomes natural. I am a t11 complete and it also works as a better way to get to some better fishing spots for the fishos.Click to view attachmentClick to view attachment

I have been seriously considering trying. I am an incomplete T12 so I have some movement an control below the waist. As for upper body strength positively no problems! My brother has a fishing Kayak I tried ' and I could tool around my pond fine But it was'nt very comfortable. Also I wanted more leg support than his open top provided. So I've been looking at The Advanced Elements-Advanced Frame model as well as a similar made by Stearns (yukatat), Advanced seems to have a better posturpedic system as well as an adjustable foot stabilizer. but I cant tell much from looking at the manufacturers websites and I'm bettin they wouldnt have a Q&A section fitting my situation, But maybe you could help if you have any knowledge of their structure. Also I targeted the rigid/inflate models in hopes of them being a little more comfortable (as skin conditions can also be a problem associated with paralysis)while maintaining maneuverability. Along with the whole portability factor. I'd appreciate any advise/tips you could give me.

KAYAKING WITH DISABILITIES

I applaud all you who are able to jump right into decked boats and hit the white water, doing Eskimo rolls and deep water recovery, and mastering all the other technical aspects of this more extreme type of kayaking. As an able-bodied kayaker, I am sure some of you would make me look quite inept.

Although I have scratched out a few designs for adapting to decked boats, my main focus is on sit-on-top or open-decked kayaks. I have been designing and redefining various adaptions, particularly for the Ocean Kayak Malibu Two and Scrambler XT, for over seven years now. My fixtures have been used with great success up and down the central and southern California coast, and on the Gulf coast of Florida.

For the nay-sayers, skeptics, unsure, and frightened, I truly believe sit-on-top kayaking is the perfect answer to all your questions, misunderstandings, and fears.

Without boring you all too much here by repeating everything that I have already published in my web site (www.DisabledAdventurers.com), I will simply invite you to visit and discover how widely successful my adaptions have proven to be.

Please note: My web site is STRICTLY NON-COMMERCIAL!
(OK, with the exception of a few links to my other web sites.)
I have purposefully placed all my designs and ideas in the public domain for more than a year so that no one may patent them and preclude any one else from manufacturing them, even if for sale.

With that in mind, I invite you all to make use of any of the content of my web site in any way you wish: reproduce the contents, the designs, link to it, share it, etc. All I ask are two things:

1. Give credit back to me: Mark Theobald @ www.DisabledAdventurers.com, as applicable, in any articles, postings, etc., and
2. Send me photos and stories of your trials, tribulations, and successes as you make use of any of the contents.

As you proceed, please feel free to contact me via e-mail or by phone (you'll find my contact info in my web site) for any additional information you may need in order to make full and confident use of my designs.

Aside from several upcoming events at UCLA, UCSB, and the Rehab Institute at Santa Barbara, my next endeavor is to totally rewrite my web site to better organize it and present the contents. Speaking of upcoming events, let me know if you are interested in participating. You'll learn more about them by way of the articles in my web site.

I appreciate this venue to give further exposure to the work I have done! I hope you enjoy it!!!

Mark

www.DisabledAdventurers.com

Bringing the sport of sit-on-top ocean kayaking and scuba diving to people with various levels
of disability, through training and development of adaptive fixtures!

We have regular outings in Ventura (CCS), Santa Barbara (UCSB & RISB), and Marina Del Rey (UCLA), with kids and adults having disabilities ranging throughout MS, CP, blindness, hemiplegia, and quadriplegia.

Edging, it seems, is essentially a matter of weight displacement. Since you can't displace enough weight with your hips (actually, it's pushing down with one buttocks and leg while perhaps slightly lifting with the other side), you will have to use something else...

Idea #1: You can shift your upper torso off to the side to accomplish the weight displacement. The only difference is it will feel like, and be, more of a lean. With edging, your balance remains centered over the boat. With a lean, it is over the side. If you lean your torso, say to the left, and lean your head and shift your arms toward the right (I know, we're not snakes), it might feel a little less like leaning and more like edging.

OK, idea #2. You COULD add some heavy ankle weights to your wrists or to the paddle such that holding your arms off to one side while remaining seated upright (shifting your center-of-gravity to one side) will put a bit of a lean into the boat. If you try this, expect that 2 pound paddle to start feeling very heavy, very quickly! Also, you may find it difficult at best to swim if you capsize, and your paddle may sink if you drop it.

So, idea #3 is to attach some foam blocks on top of the deck and close to your hips, just under your elbows, that you could lean down onto with your elbows to accomplish the edge. This would apply the same force to the kayak as putting more weight on one buttock, but it would also then limit your ability to use that arm for paddling and bracing. Can't have your cake and eat it too, I suppose! Whenever you use closed-cell foam, be sure to cover it with a soft non-abrasive material such as terri-cloth.

That's all I got, for now!

Mark www.DisabledAdventuers.com

Does any one know of any Kayaking or canoeing clubs in the uk around oxford. 1 or 2 iv talked with say they don't have appropriate equipment... im a T5 complete so what equipment than a back rest i need i dont know. im looking to have a go but cant find any where to do it. i know bachup do courses but im trying to find some where i can do it on a regular basis
any help would be much appreciated
Paul

Don't know of any but if you find one let me know as I might be interested in joining you - cheers

Same here, I am also interested if any near by. I will try contacting RYA Sailability to see if they have any plans / clubs that may be interested. Sit on top Kayak look really cool

Cool. will keep you posted on what i find out. think im sort of looking at the wrong time of year now tho!

My SIP & PUFF Controlled Motorized Robotic Kayak project is nearing completion!
All that is left for me is to modify my adaptive seat fixture to accomodate high-level quads, as my current design only supports up to the upper trunk.

One of several YouTube videos I have posted can be seen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sfYnretWJ4



In the video above, Dave demonstrates using the kayak after only 5 minutes of use. He hasn't quite figured out that the SIP&PUFF switches are so sensitive that he really doesn't need to sip or puff harder than the slightest breath.

The pontoons each hold a Minn Kota 30 trolling motor and add enough stability for me, at 200 pounds, to stand on the edge of the kayak while submerging the pontoon only 4-5 inches of its 8 inch height.



Above is the best video I have of the Operator Panel during control via the Sip & Puff interface.

Following is a fairly detailed description of the system I wrote previously for general audiences. You will want to take a look at a few of the videos in order to appreciate this descriptive text....

A highly disabled (quadriplegic) person can fully control the kayak via a SIP & PUFF Switch (Picture Steven Hawking or Christopher Reeve in their wheelchair).

The on-board Arduino Duemilanove Microcontroller puts the Motor Driver into Serial Input Control Mode and accepts Sip&Puff Switch inputs from the Rider. It then sends appropriate Serial Commands to the Motor Driver to operate the two Drive Motors. Split-second (0.1 - 0.6 seconds) Sips and Puffs control Left and Right Turning, respectively, and slightly longer (0.6 - 2.5 seconds) Sips & Puffs control REV and FWD movement. Even longer Sips and Puffs Stop the motors or command them equally to Full Speed. Steering is accomplished via differential motor speed.

At any time, the Safety Observer can (turn on the RC Transmitter and) transmit a Full Throttle command which the Arduino detects via this Receiver Channel being connected directly to it.

The Arduino then sends Serial commands to the Motor Driver to put it into RC Input Control Mode.

The Safety Observer now has full direct control of the Motor Driver via the AILERON and ELEVATOR channels of the Receiver being connected directly to the RC Inputs of the Driver (in MIXED Mode). The kayak is now essentially a large robot.

If the Safety Observer decides to pass control back to the Rider, a Throttle Off command is Transmitted, or the transmitter is simply turned off. The Arduino detects this condition and sends Serial Input Control Mode Commands to the Motor Driver giving control of the Motor Driver back to the Rider via Sip&Puff inputs into the Arduino. Note that the Arduino controls the Motor Driver via Serial Commands Only.

The Rudder Channel of the Receiver is reserved to actuate high-current switches which will physically disconnect the Drive Motors from the Motor Driver.

Top speed is just under 3.7 MPH, according to my GPS. After 4 hours and 6.2+ miles, the motors were still running strong, producing ~3.3 MPH into the wind, and the main battery still showed 12.15 volts. The Motor Driver and Arduino Controller, as well as the Sip&Puff Interface, will continue to operate down to 5 volts.

My total cost for this project so far, not including the Spectrum DX7 Transmitter, is around $1300, with the biggest expenses being: Motor Driver ($430), 2 Min Kota Trolling Motors ($240), Aluminum ($135), Battery ($90), and Charger ($60). Also: LEDs, Cables, Connectors, Switches, and I.C.s ($175+), RC Receiver ($60), Cam Bolts ($40), Backup Arduino uController ($35), etc... Note that I actually did make it all the way through my Design & Development process without blowing up the original Arduino!

Although I have been contemplating this project since 2006, obtaining the Arduino uController really gave me a jump-start, and I officially started working on it in mid-June of this year (06/17/09). I had the project completely working on August 20, 2009. Compare this to the Cal Poly Solo Quad project (Google: Cal Poly Solo Quad). Cal Poly engineers considered Remote Control Assist impossible to incorporate into their design.

I volunteer on occasion at a local camp that a friend of mine runs for ppl with disabilities. They have a pond where the participants who have varying disabilities including quad's can go kayaking and canoeing. If your going to go kayaking and are considering buying one, do some research. There are kayak's that have a wider base on them to make them more stable, i don't know the brand off hand. Good luck with your adventures.

I've been doing some research regarding some places in Minnesota (primarily Arrowhead region and Central Lakes), and there are a couple of outfitters in the entry of the Boundary Waters area, along with a couple of places in the Twin Cities that offer adaptive rentals. Also, Wilderness Inquiry seems to do a great job with getting people in the water, canoeing or kayaking, and offer trips and so forth. There's a great kayaking group out of Courage Center I've had the pleasure of meeting earlier this month (it's getting a bit late in the season to do any real outdoors stuff - but I'm looking forward to learning). I figure I'd share this research for maybe a couple of folks interested in planning a summer 2010 trip out this way. I'm already excited to paddle the Chain of Lakes (here in Minneapolis) in the spring!

Courage Center Details: http://www.couragecenter.org/ContentPages/...x?FromNavPK=429
Creating Ability (Makers of Adaptive Kayaking Equipment): http://creatingability.com/
Wilderness Inquiry Destinations: http://www.wildernessinquiry.com/destinations/regions.php
(personally, I've been to the following locations - BWCA, Itasca, Mississippi River (central lakes and river bluffs regions), St Croix, Lake Superior North and South shores, Apostle Islands, and the Namekogen - all incredible, beautiful, peaceful areas perfect for a trip. Let me know if you'd like some ideas - I love being an unofficial MN tourism worker!)
Outfitter Listings: http://www.kayakonline.com/minnesota.html

Note: Unless you're doing some simple paddling (Chain of Lakes in the TC area, for instance), expect to paddle closed deck style up here.

An idea for learning might be to find a kayak outfitter who has a training pool, and see if you can set some time aside to see how comfortable you are with manoeuvrings. I'm really, really looking forward to getting back into the water, one way or another. If someone is from the MN area and has some other ideas, I'd be more than willing to hear them!

I'm a T10 incomplete...and I use an Ocean Kayak sit-on-top here in Florida...my hubby brings me to the launch, helps me in, hands me the paddle and off I go! The kayak is really easy to maneuver, very stable and has definitely helped strengthen my upper body. I love it!

I ran over a manatee the other day. It was like a big gray speedbump. It gave me a dirty look afterward...

I kayak and canoe (see attachment, picture taken last weekend.
I have been canoeing for 3 years, only just taken up kayaking 4 weeks ago.





I havent yet learnt to roll a kayak but i can nearly roll my canadian canoe. The way you are taught to edge boats and roll them is to push down or lift up with your legs, that doesnt work for a para so instead the way to simulate pushing a hip down is to move your head / weight over that hip and it pushes down for you, there is a limit to what can be done which is why its not the way people are taught but it works of Grade 3 rivers.

What i have found out for paddling is that when you are a beginner you are put in a big boat and you rattle around from fear of being trapped in the boat, this makes it very difficult for someone who cant brace themselves with the foot rests. I need to be snuggly fitted into the boat which means i pack foam in so i dont shift sidewards. I have a piece of foam camping mat under the front edge of my seat to make is slope back like a bucket seat. Its also important to have a solid footrest like you get in river boats (solid foam bulkhead) so you cant get your feet caught behind foot pegs.

The biggest issue you have paddling with a non mobile person is how to get them back in if they come out, i have found for me that if i come out on a lake i need to float and we stick my legs back into my upsidedown boat (held on its side, as if getting into a sleeping bag) and then someone to pull on other side and roll me back up (in my boat), we then use a sea kayaking pump to get rid of the water. On a river i end up in the eddy like everyone else, someone eventually gets my boat and it gets brought back to me and i get helped back in. The biggest issue is steep banks and what happens is i get put in the boat and lowered down on a rope slowly. I guess the biggest issue is what happen if we have to escape the river and go overland or we have to portage. I rely on my mates to inspect rapids.

Incedentally when i started open canoeing i used to sit on a seat, the way to make this easy is to lower the seat so you are not so high up / hence wobbly. There are some very expensive bits of kit available ie the aquaback chair, there is a N.American company called crazy creek why make all kinds of chairs, they make a canoe chair and a high back version that secure round seats and offer back support, they also make really comfortable seats for sit on tops. What actually works for me better was kneeling on a kit bag using it like a saddle, when i got my last boat i had a saddle and thigh straps fitted, again it offers me know way of wiggleing about about transfers all my energy into forward power. When i first started paddling i had poor trunk rotation and could hardly move, over time this has got a lot better, i now turn better than most my mates.

Lots of info already here in this thread. This site is worth a look and I recommend her book

http://www.karendarke.com/