Back Rests

[The Image ™]

My friends Pete and Sean hired Mamba's (1st April Report) and felt crippled by having no back rests. They kept lying down moaning. Once on the island I tried it myself and see what they mean.

Pete is thinking of buying a yak and asked about backrests. I replied that all yaks have back rests but they cost an extra £30 to £40. He rubbed his back and said, 'Hmm, I'd pay that per hour'! That had me in hysterics as he was being quite serious.

I note that John and Dave on this forum don't use backrests but wonder how on earth they don't get bad backs. A back rest enables you to press your back against the seat when you push your legs against the action of the paddle. After trying it without a backrest I wonder how they manage!

[zebra]

I would totally agree with glyn .a backrest is a must .the main reason for the rest is that when paddling it supports your position and keeps your back as straight as possible so you do not strain the muscles in your back. a good backrest is as important as a good paddle there are many types about I have just ordered a new one from stewart (natomi) for my prowler 13 you can see photos of his back rest on my post x-factor on test – the seat he sells is very strong and high it also has a rigid back edge to it making it very comfortable .

[stitch]

Hello fellas
A few people have mentioned to me about not using a back rest. Dave and i have talked at length about back rests and our concerns when paddling back through the surf for example leaning back to maintain balance, we feel it would restrict movement, this is only our view and to be honest due to lack of decent waves we haven't been able to prove or disprove this but we have decided for the time being to go it without. Another factor to consider is the fitting of the personal flotation device PFD. When i bought mine the girl at Brookbank put it on me and pulled it tight as it should be worn. At this point i told her certain types of people will pay for this kind of treatment as it was so tight, she told me it has to be, so when entering the water it doesn't end up round your ears. I think if the PFD is worn like it should be it acts like a back support, Dave and i have been out for 5 or six hours with no sign of a painful back. Oh yes one more thing if your PFD is worn correctly (TIGHT ) it restrict the amount of water entering your kagool when taking a dunking thus keeping your warmer for longer.

John ;D ;D ;D

[alanc]

good advice stitch on the pfd as for the back rest i could,nt do with out one my lower back suffers after a couple of hours it also gives you more strength to paddle i think you should borrow one just to see what i mean

[The Image ™]

Interesting points John although I was wearing my PFD at the lakes and it's tight but I got a bad back after only minutes of paddling without a backrest. Another thing is that my tight PFD tends to make me sweat so much underneath it that I'm soaking without any help from the sea.
I've certainly noticed though that you and Dave don't suffer without backrests. Maybe it's bad on me because I'm older or maybe because I'm taller and more bandy. Maybe you and Dave have just built up back muscles or technique by doing without. I certainly know though that paddling without a backrest really cripples me.

[basscatcher]

Glyn

Can we safetly say you are an old, sweaty, tall, bandy sort of bloke. ;D

Cant see how anyone can do without a backrest. Surely you end up slipping about and sat on a damp, cold plastic deck.

Not to mention the "farmer giles". ;D

[The Image ™]

You don't slip about as you're pressing your feet against the footwells but it's also this action that presses against your back.

[donald]

Is this "The Image" you had in mind , Gilbo? You're not a bad guesser ! Make your own mind up.