Why do you need to use a Kneeling Pad for your Canoe?

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Whether you canoe regularly or are just about to try it for the first time, you’ll find that kneeling is the best position for several reasons. However, you might also quickly find out that kneeling can be very uncomfortable after a while without the proper support of a kneeling pad.

A kneeling pad is a simple accessory that can be easily taken and placed at the bottom of the canoe to add a soft cushion for your knees to rest on. Not only will this protect you from discomfort during your canoe ride, but it will also save you from any bruising, soreness or even injuries afterward. As with any sport or outdoor activity, you should always take the proper safety precautions to protect yourself from injury.

Proper cushion and support under your knees will allow you to enjoy your time out on the water without having to hassle with adjusting your posture and rocking the boat too much. This is why it’s so important to invest in a reliable and durable kneeling pad.

PRODUCT REVIEW

GROWEROLOGY THICK AND LARGE KNEELING PAD

If you’re ready to invest in a comfortable, supportive kneeling pad for canoeing this is an excellent option. This kneeling pad is one of the most comfortable ones available. It’s made from the highest quality Eva foam material and is ½ inch thicker than most kneeling pads out there. Anyone can comfortably use it and have space to move around thanks to its extra-large size option.

The water-resistant material makes it a great option for canoeing and very easy to wipe dry. Its durable build means it will last even after years of use – it will always retain its shape even after heavy use, and resist tears and breakdown. A convenient handle makes it easily portable so you can take it along wherever you may need it. It’s even great for other activities besides just canoeing, so you know you’ll get plenty of use out of it.

This product comes in a two-pack, so you can save the other one for future use, give it to a friend or designate it for other things like gardening or housework.

Best Features:

• Premium quality material for durability and longevity
• Water-resistant foam
• Excellent knee support
• Extra-large option available for extra comfort
• Can be used to a variety of activities

Advantages of Kneeling in Your Canoe

There are several positions that you can use while paddling and all have their advantages. However, most people find that kneeling is the most ideal position for canoeing, both solo and with others in the canoe, for several reasons.

Although you’ll need to experiment and see which posture and position works best for you and your canoe, there are many advantages to consider that come along with using the kneeling position when it comes to control of the canoe and your overall performance.

Increased Stability

In canoeing, stability is the key to keeping the boat upright. When you’re in the kneeling position, your center of gravity is low and sturdy. A solid foundation helps you stay balanced and prevent excessive rocking while you paddle. You’ll find the most stability if you’re able to kneel with your knees spread wider apart. This allows you to ground down and distribute your weight as evenly as possible.

In addition to stabilizing the canoe while actually on the water, it’s also helpful for the first person in the canoe to be kneeling to stabilize the boat for others to easily board without it rocking too much. Boarding can be one of the trickiest parts of canoeing for some people, so this is a great way to help ease the process.

Increased Control of the Canoe

Unlike sitting on a seat, kneeling allows you to have more direct contact with the actual canoe. This allows to easily control the motion and direction of the canoe. You might need to quickly change directions or offset the motion of rough water, and being low and in direct contact with the canoe itself is going to give you the most control.

If the wind is high, the water is wavy, or you’re in a canoe with any children or pets, it’s going to be especially important to be able to shift your center of gravity and the tilt of the canoe at a second’s notice. This can save you from tipping the canoe and ending up in the water.

Relieves the Pressure on your Back

Paddling through water takes a lot of strength and can be very straining on the muscles. When you’re seated, you mostly rely on the power of your upper back and body which can become tiresome and leave you sore for days after. However, paddling in the kneeling position gives you the power of both your lower and upper body. You’re able to use the strength or your legs to push off of the canoe and use your lower back more efficiently.

The back can be strained or injured, which  can cause lasting damage and discomfort, so it’s essential to protect it. Especially if you enjoy being active and doing outdoor activities like canoeing. You don’t want to be recovering from a day of canoeing for weeks after. Kneeling will allow you to harness the power of the whole body so you aren’t relying solely on your back.

Allows for More Powerful Paddling

This also goes along with taking all the pressure off of your back and gaining the power of your legs and lower body. You’re able to use more of your muscles to push through the water making you go faster and further with each paddle.

Since the kneeling posture will give you the most stability, you’ve got more leverage while paddling. You’re also able to push through the resistance of the water more easily, which is great if you’re canoeing on your own or just want to move faster in general.

Offset the Canoe When Paddling Alone

Being alone in a large canoe can make it tricky to control and it’s important to know how to offset the negative space. Often called “heeling” the canoe, solo canoers find it easiest to keep the boat at a pronounced tilt. They do this by shifting the weight of their body to one side that they’re able to offset their paddling side. By heeling the canoe as a solo rider, you’ll be able to better maneuver and control the boat alone.

Heeling is most easily done while kneeling. Attempting to do so while in a seated position can be very difficult and you won’t have as much balance while paddling. Covering more surface area of the floor of the canoe will allow for easier control of the tilt and motion. Otherwise, it can sometimes feel like the canoe is steering you, instead of you steering it.

Importance of Knee Pads While Canoeing

Although canoeing might seem like a gentle, carefree sport, there are always risks of injury and challenges to overcome. If you’re going to kneel in the canoe it’s so important to take the proper safety precautions to protect yourself just like you would in any other sport.

Investing on a kneeling pad comes with many advantages and is a must-have for canoeing safely. Kneeling pads aren’t just for immediate comfort, they’re going to help protect you from long term injuries.

Your Knees are Very Fragile

The knees have very little protection of their own. The patella, or kneecap, is very vulnerable, with just a sheer layer of muscle and skin covering it. When your knee is bent, it’s even more susceptible to injuries such as fractures or getting out of alignment. The muscles and ligaments that surround the knee are also easy to tear and strain.

General wear and tear on your knees over time can cause lasting issues but can be prevented with protection and padding. Using a kneeling pad or knee pads is going to give your knees the protection they need and save you from future injuries and pain.

A knee injury can be very painful and inconvenient, sometimes even requiring surgery and long healing times. This can put you out of work, keep you from doing your favorite activities and just make daily life very difficult.

Better Performance

Simply using a kneeling pad can help make everything easier while canoeing. The surface of the canoe can be very slippery with the water entering the boat and once you start to sweat if you’re wearing shorts. When this is the case, your knees can start slipping, making it difficult for you to leverage yourself and push against the canoe. You’re trying to push against the water with the paddle, so you must have good leverage in the canoe.

Padding can be helpful because it gives you resistance to push against and grip so that you can easily stay in place. This will allow you to have much more power and control while paddling and keeps you from sliding around too much.

Added comfort, in general, can give you a boost of confidence and energy to push harder and focus on your posture and overall technique instead of constantly adjusting. Often when we’re uncomfortable, we compromise our posture in other ways to try and compensate. For instance, if one foot is hurting, you might put more weight on the other one.

Prevent Soreness and Fatigue

Sitting on your knees for long periods can be tiring and cause major soreness, and even bruising. A comfy kneeling pad will allow you to keep canoeing comfortably so you can go further and enjoy yourself without focusing on your knees.

There’s nothing worse than getting too far from the dock and not have the energy or being too sore to get back.

Ensuring that you’re able to sit comfortably is also going to allow you to stay still so that you don’t have to adjust your position too much. Too much movement in the canoe is a recipe for disaster and can cause the canoe to tip over

Prevent Bruising and Scrapes

Even kneeling for just a few seconds cause bruising on your knees. So you can imagine kneeling for a long time on a hard surface like a canoe floor can cause some nasty bruises on your knees that could last for weeks. Some soft padding to kneel on will help to prevent bruising.

A kneeling pad will also protect the skin on your knees from and cuts or scrapes from the canoe itself or if any small rocks or debris that are sitting on the floor. Kneeling on loose gravel can be a miserable experience.

CONCLUSION

Kneeling while canoeing comes with many advantages but can come with discomfort and risk of injury if you don’t have the right protection. This is where your kneeling pad comes in. It will give your knees the proper support and comfort to keep you safe from injury and soreness.

If you’re going to be kneeling and don’t already have a kneeling pad, definitely check out the Growerology Thick & Large Kneeling Pad. The thick, comfy foam will provide your knees with comfort for long canoeing sessions, allowing you to go further and faster. It’s durable and built to last so you can trust that it will hold up even after continued use and exposure to sun and water.

Like other sports canoeing can be so much fun, but it does require the proper protective equipment to ensure that you are both comfortable and safe. Since kneeling is the best way to sit and paddle for many reasons, you must take the right steps, like using a kneeling pad, to make sure you have the best experience possible while protecting yourself.