Since the death of my family’s aluminum canoe (RIP) we bought a couple Kevlar canoes and I have found I like kneeling in them for increased control and I like feeling water through the hull, but I can’t seem to kneel more than 5-10 minutes without great pain due to my ankles/feet on top of each other. I have size 13 feet and just straight kneeling is very uncomfortable.

Any tips to improve this “sit”uation?

Forgive me for stating the obvious, but stop kneeling and sit on the seat. :) After all, that's why the seats are there. If the BW / Q was a steady diet of whitewater, I'd say kneel all the time, but since it's not, why do it, especially if it's uncomfortable?

I agree I don’t want to do it all the time, but when I need or want to, are there any tips to make it less painful?

This September I had to paddle in strong winds for hours with a weak bow paddler, and kneeling was a necessity, hence the reason for my question.

Have you tried what is called high kneeling? You have one knee actually on the bottom & then the other leg is bent. Have used that for decades when I need stability or a power stroke. If you watch Olympic canoe racing that is the way they do it. You can probably find a video for it.

Two knees down is no more stable & really cuts down on your power. The only disadvantage to high kneeling is if you are a switcher rather than j-stroker it is awkward to change position, especially in big water. In big water I am usually quartering/angling to the waves & always paddle on the opposite side of the wave direction which usually means you don’t need the J.

You will be amazed at how much power you generate high kneeling as opposed to sitting or kneeling on both knees. Try it & see what you think.

I just checked looked up high kneeling. I am intrigued and want to try it out and see if it might be a paddling tool to add to my tool box. Thank you!

Kneeling is a technique I mainly use when paddling solo in a tandem canoe. It works for going out fishing on my own or getting away from shore to pump water.

I did a quick search for kneeling pads and this page came up with lots of different ideas for mitigating pain associated with kneeling in a canoe.

A lower seat position and a foot brace is the most stable position I can think of. You can lock your knees into the gunwales. Paddled very wicked water with no problem.
It’s very simple to install a foot brace.
Carl

I feel your pain regarding the ankle/foot issue. Don't despair, there are remedies. The one I most often use involves placing a section of a rolled up thin foam therm-a-rest under my ankles and under the tops of my feet. This takes much of the weight pressure off of those areas. Using this allows me to paddle kneeling for about an hour before I start getting sore. Kneeling on both knees enables you to scoot over to the side of the boat and heel it over. That, to me, is one of the greatest pleasures of paddling.

I kneel all the time in my old 119 old town canoe. I had problems getting in and sitting down without tipping plus my big gut got in the way. I ended up removing the seat and installed a padded cross bar on top of the gunwales that I lean my butt on. My feet fit under the cross bar even with hunting waders on. I use cheap foam knee pads which work great most of the time.

MagicMan1: " I feel your pain regarding the ankle/foot issue. Don't despair, there are remedies. The one I most often use involves placing a section of a rolled up thin foam therm-a-rest under my ankles and under the tops of my feet. This takes much of the weight pressure off of those areas. Using this allows me to paddle kneeling for about an hour before I start getting sore. Kneeling on both knees enables you to scoot over to the side of the boat and heel it over. That, to me, is one of the greatest pleasures of paddling."

That gives me hope. I rarely want to paddle kneeling for more than an hour anyway so if I could get the pain to not to show up till around the our point would be amazing.

If you have a weak bow paddler a yak(canoe) paddle is nice. That's why so many solo paddlers use them.

I glued in ensolite pads in my royalex old town, mostly because royalex is so slippery. I was taught to always kneel anytime conditions were iffy, much better control of the boat and lower center of gravity

jwartman59: "



I glued in ensolite pads in my royalex old town, mostly because royalex is so slippery. I was taught to always kneel anytime conditions were iffy, much better control of the boat and lower center of gravity"

I was considering something like this, but I also need something between my feet when they’re crossed. I will have to experiment with something like this next paddle season.

As I've aged, I've found that I can't kneel all day in a canoe, anymore.
The following have helped me to kneel longer:

- Wool over-the-calf compression socks. They increase the circulation in your knees.

-Gluing in minicell foam pads or using removable padding.

- Varying my kneeling positions. High kneeling, butt against seat kneel,
butt low kneel, ankles crossed, ankles apart, football practice take-a-knee position, same position, but in a lower wrestling squat. Vary knees wide to knees together. Heeling canoe over position.

-Paddle standing up every 45 minutes or so.

Bill Mason - Solo Basic

DownStrm: "As I've aged, I've found that I can't kneel all day in a canoe, anymore.
The following have helped me to kneel longer:


- Wool over-the-calf compression socks. They increase the circulation in your knees.


-Gluing in minicell foam pads or using removable padding.

- Varying my kneeling positions. High kneeling, butt against seat kneel,
butt low kneel, ankles crossed, ankles apart, football practice take-a-knee position, same position, but in a lower wrestling squat. Vary knees wide to knees together. Heeling canoe over position.


-Paddle standing up every 45 minutes or so.


Bill Mason - Solo Basic "

I just finished watching the video. That’s a great overview. They did a great job and explaining the science behind every stroke.


Thanks for sharing that

CanoeViking: "I agree I don’t want to do it all the time, but when I need or want to, are there any tips to make it less painful?

This September I had to paddle in strong winds for hours with a weak bow paddler, and kneeling was a necessity, hence the reason for my question."

For power in a head wind I would sit and use a footbrace. That's the most powerful position that's why Marathon canoe racers use it. I've only used kneeling for getting my body weight low in rough water.

Blatz: "

CanoeViking: "I agree I don’t want to do it all the time, but when I need or want to, are there any tips to make it less painful?


This September I had to paddle in strong winds for hours with a weak bow paddler, and kneeling was a necessity, hence the reason for my question."

For power in a head wind I would sit and use a footbrace. That's the most powerful position that's why Marathon canoe racers use it. I've only used kneeling for getting my body weight low in rough water. "

On Kentucky rivers that are fast running kneeling is the way to go. However, as you stated, you can't get the power or speed kneeling that you can with a foot brace and adjustable molded seat.

I kneel in my solo Bell Wildfire. Sort of a half kneel/half butt on the seat. My feet and ankles hurt, too. I put a hunk of closed cell foam pad under my knees, for comfort and slight elevation. It also helps to take off my footwear. Less material digging into the other foot (which I realize is a PIA for other reasons).

What I am gathering from everyone, is try a couple different kneeling stances and bring some pads to kneel on and between the feet and rump. Did I miss anything?

Haven't knelt in a canoe in 30 years. With the condition of my knees now, I don't even consider it. One knee is pretty much bendable to a certain point, and the pain would be there saying "nope", the other would maybe last 5 minutes. Interesting post, though.

Army supplies stores should carry military grade knee pads that will not take up much space in your pack.

You may be crossing your ankles in order to lessen the stress on your knees, ankles and feet. If so adding foot support pads such as these that support and distribute the weight or stress more evenly across your knees, shins and ankles may help without the need for crossing your ankles. If ankle supports help and you want a less permanent installed solution DIY temporarily installed ankle supports could be constructed.

P.S.
CanoeViking, I applaud your attempt for adding an ultralight discussion group.

Tomcat: "You may be crossing your ankles in order to lessen the stress on your knees, ankles and feet. If so adding foot support pads such as these that support and distribute the weight or stress more evenly across your knees, shins and ankles may help without the need for crossing your ankles. If ankle supports help and you want a less permanent installed solution DIY temporarily installed ankle supports could be constructed.


P.S.
CanoeViking, I applaud your attempt for adding an ultralight discussion group."

I think this might be the ticket for me. I would prefer to kneel without sitting on my ankles with my butt light lay on the seat, but the strain on my ankle and feet is too great. This might just work.

Thank you. Not sure if it will happen, but it won’t be because I didn’t try.

A couple folks already mentioned kneeling thwarts. Akin to that, consider raising your seat a bit to leave more room to adjust when your feet are under it.

But really.... Most folks wont relate to the size 13. I do. That is the main problem for us. So...Shop for footwear with smaller exterior profiles, but keep an enclosed design. Also, get a low, so your shoe material isnt giving resistance. I like astral brewers. Also, avoid crossed ankles. And....take advantage of cold water when in camp. Wade out to mid calf every chance you get, without neoprenes or gaiters. It helps with inflamation.