If you are prone to a sore back, any type of sport could aggravate it. Kayaking and any type of paddling is no different. A sore back while out on a beautiful kayak trip is a bummer to say the least. There are however a few things you can do to help keep your back stable, comfortable and pain free.
The comfort level of your back will truly depend on the type of kayak you are in and the amount of support that your kayak seat delivers. I have found from personal experience that a cheaper recreational kayak usually has a very basic seat that offers little to no back support. I have lasted about twenty minutes in one of these before I could stand it no longer. Kayaking is supposed to be fun, interesting, serene and exhilarating. A sore back puts a major crank in the paddling experience.
Kayaking Posture
When you are sitting in your kayak make sure you are able to sit straight up with your feet propped up against the foot rests. Having your feet stable against the foot rests will help to stabilize your back. When you are paddling, be sure your power is coming from your torso not from your shoulders or your arms.
Many beginner kayakers are mistaken in thinking that paddling comes from arm and shoulder strength. It actually comes from your core muscles, mainly your torso. I would highly suggest researching proper paddling techniques because if you do this properly it will make a huge difference in the comfort level of your back.
Build Up your Back and Stomach Muscles
Even if you are in great shape, sometimes our back muscles as well as our core muscles get neglected. Often times muscles will not be developed evenly and consequently we will get pulling in certain areas which then causes aches and pains. For kayaking it is recommend to really build your core muscles to help with stability problems.
Invest in a Proper Kayak Seat
I’ve used many kayak seats from cheapies to luxury comfort seats. The best investment you could possibly make if you are into kayaking is to invest in a good kayak seat that offers great support. There are some really great kayaking seats available and they are usually fairly affordable. They will allow you to kayak twice as long if not longer than you normally would be able to. If you don’t want to actually purchase a separate seat you could also go for a back band and a comfortable kayak cushion. To me comfort is key and I don’t have time for a sore back. Make sure you have a good seat or at least some extra back support.
Bottom Line…
It is no fun to kayak with a sore back and if you follow the above advice it will hopefully make a big difference for you. So remember to sit straight, prop your feet against the foot rests, paddle from your torso and invest in a good seat. From there you should be able to enjoy many hours of paddling fun.
