Anyone have any tips on what the basic cause of pins and needles in the legs might be. After 20 minutes I start to get pins and needles in my left leg. Changing my position by sliding my backside forward and leaning back alleviates the sensation almost at once. Resuming my paddling position and bang they come back.
I know something is wrong with my setup but I don't know what part to try and change.


Any one else have a similar issue or know of a fix

Bill

Bill,

Both my wife and I have had that problem and usually find it is because our legs are not properly supported putting pressure on the sciatic nerve and reducing blood supply to our legs by restricting blood vessels. In our case lengthening the seat to provide this support solves the problem. On overnight trips we do this by putting our rolled up Thermarest pads directly in front of our seat. On day trips we often use just a rolled up peice of blue foam. These modifications make all the difference in the world.

There is a commercially available product designed specifically for this problem. Cascade Designs makes a "thigh support cushion" designed to alleviate pressure on blood vessels and the sciatic nerve. My wife has tried it and found it to work for her.

Michael

I tend to sit with my legs bent at the knee and my knees braced against the deck, I can maintain this for a full day with no problems, but if the weather is calm and I put my legs straight out I experience pins and needles and numbness within minutes.My seat is sculpted and rises slightly at the front,this puts pressure on the back of my thighs and causes the problems you speak about, if your seat is similar you may find that you need to keep your knees bent to avoid creating pressure.

The legs tilted up and knees against the braces is the way that I was taught and have read to do. I have also had the problem, but only in certain Kayaks. If you really want a good fix, make a homemade custom seat for yourself out of closed cell foam. If you make a simple frame (or just use a pre-existing seat) and build up a mold for your butt under/with the closed cell foam (open cell will collect water and start to grow things and smell bad).

I have not done this but a guy who has been paddling for 20 some odd years told me that is how he stays on the water for many hours (he is in his 60's). I hope that even though this is vague it helps.

Has anyone done this and have tips/instructions?

if the distance from footholds to your seat is wrong. it might cause in numb legs.
It might bee too short distance.. Have experienced it myselves

Jan
sorry my english, I am norwegian

My son has the same problem... cannot sit in the boat for more than a few minutes without his left leg going numb. He saw the physio this morn'n, turns out it is a nerve between the lower vertabrates that is causing the problem. He was given some strengthening exersises.

Hopefully it will clear up soon as we are training for adventure races!

Thanks all for your replies I have given some of the suggestions a go and will try the others next weekend.

Hounddog I'd be interested in how your son goes with the exercises. Could you PM me with the outcome.


Cheers

Bill

HoundDog,

Perhaps you could share the exercises that are recommended (unless they are too specific) and what they are intended to accomplish.

Michael

One thing that helps is if you really use your legs while paddling--so that you're always pushing first one foot then the other against the brace, then releasing, then pushing, releasing, etc. This leg action not only adds a lot of power to your paddle stroke, it also helps promote blood circulation in your legs and especially your feet.

There are definitely times, though, where I will take my legs off the foot braces and stretch them out fully, wiggle my toes and feet--which quickly restores them. Not advisable in rough conditions, though!

I've started to do that in a more concentious way this last weekend and I think it does help. It also seems that it might be pressure on the side of my butt cheeks not so much on the bottom (pardon the pun). Paddling with my knees together seems to help but as you say not in rough conditions.

Cheers

Bill