I borrowed a yak from work, they have the Ocean SOT Kayaks. They are not angler models. Anyway, they have a padded seat with a back that attaches to the sides of the yak. After paddling a while, my lower back and abs start to ache. Is this due to my form? The seat? Paddle technique? By the end of a long day fishing, my back and abs really ache. What am I doing wrong?
21’ Sea-Pro CC
Yamaha 150
“Aquaholic”
2008 Dodge Ram Mega-Cab 4x4 6.7 Cummins
“There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter.”
Ernest Hemingway
It soounds to me like you’re carrying all the strain in your torso.
Sit up as straight as you can while paddling. Make sure the seat back is cinched up tight so that it supports your lower back. Paddle with your blade angle high. Use good torso rotation along with a push - pull paddle stroke.
The following link isn’t as good as taking a paddling class, but may start you in the right direction. There are some good paddling instructors working for parks and rec.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNHdmLZmZg0
Who’s ready for a sleigh ride?
www.kayakfishsc.com
The other option is to give the Hobie Pro Angler a try, its hard to beat the comfort, and the ability to have your hands free to wish is pretty good also.
Hobie Pro Angler
Hobie Revo
Hobie Outback
Eagles may soar, but weasels never get sucked into jet air intakes
I can’t afford a Hobie Pro-Angler just yet. But I like the way they look. Thanks Tommie. As a tall guy, I try to paddle like you show in the video. I sit real straight in the yak and paddle with smooth easy strokes unless I need to cover some ground and use legs and hips to get more power. I’m 6’2" and change and have a long torso. I figured it may be just the long term effects of sitting like that all day.
21’ Sea-Pro CC
Yamaha 150
“Aquaholic”
2008 Dodge Ram Mega-Cab 4x4 6.7 Cummins
“There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter.”
Ernest Hemingway
It could be. I know I had a lot of aches and pains after I’d taken a long time off a few years back. I did some stretching exercises to keep my legs from getting numb.
now I can do 6 or 8 hours no problem. Doing it 4 days in a row between Christmas and New Year’s hurt some.
Who’s ready for a sleigh ride?
www.kayakfishsc.com