If you really want to have a great and wet adventure then the best sport to be hooked on to is white water kayaking. The thrill of this adventure sport can take you to the heights of ecstasy and then bring you down with a splash! Ergonomics can be applied to white water kayaking as much as it is applied to any scientific invention or application.
There are quite a number of equipments used in whitewater kayaking and these equipments serve as extensions of our own body. This initiates the creation of multiple layers of human-machine interface. The ergonomics of whitewater kayaking addresses each layer of this interface.
The first layer lies between the lower part of your body and the inside of the kayak where you sit or spread your legs. The acts like an extension of the body more precisely the legs. The second interface lies between the kayak-body combination and the moving river. The third interface will be between your hands and the paddle. The paddle acts as another extension of the arms that is used to skillfully maneuver the kayak on the river. The fourth interface lies between the paddle-arm combination and the river.
You come in contact with the kayak at several points. Your thighs, hips, butt, feet, knees, and lower back are the primary points of contact. These primary points will help you to maintain a good posture and if they are not in-sync with each other then you will feel a lot of discomfort, and it can even cause serious injury especially on your knees and lower back.
Maintaining a proper kayaking posture is one of the simplest things. All you have to do is sit straight. Never lean back or forward as that can lead to your kayak being capsized. You need to always keep your knees slightly bent to enhance proper circulation and also make space for leg movement. You should keep your shoulders back and your chest spread for paddling with ease.
You can support your feet in several ways like use of movable blockheads and foam inserts. If you have proper foot support then you will enjoy a better kayak control. Your kayak needs to be fitted with hip pads, which will help the kayak to move with your body. This will play an important role when you have to maneuver around edges, rapids, and eddies.
The seats of the Kayak can vary according to the manufacturer. When you are shopping for a kayak, the most important factor should be comfort. If the seat is not comfortable, then it will make paddling and maneuvering the kayak difficult. Choose a kayak with good padding as it will make it softer. A good kayak should have breathable material as well as ridges to allow water drainage and enhance air circulation like the ones offered by Coleman Kayaks. All Coleman Kayaks have been built to offer you added protection and make your ride comfortable.
