Kayaking

[Ozmercy]

Any suggestions on what i should use as a criteria for when I am good to start recreational kayaking? I am walking about 4 miles in 1 hour a day. I have been doing stretching (Pilates) but no upper body work or heavy lifting so far. I am 10 weeks out from surgery and am still a little concerned about getting the kayak off and on the car. I have a system for doing it by myself with little effort but I have a 2 seater Malibu two that I set up for one when I go out alone. It is 12 feet long and a bit heavy. Any suggestions? I am dying to get out even as it is cooling off.

Randy

 

[mtkayak]

If the kayak weights more than 30lbs, at 10 weeks out, I would let somebody else load it and uload it for you. It's more a case of the weight than anything. My Card said that light paddling was fine but no lifting (more than 30lbs.) till the 12 week mark. I decided not to start paddling again till my 12 weeks were up. I didn't want to chance anything. I had lots of people volunteer to carry my kayak for me but I thought "If I can't carry my own kayak I shouldn't be paddling it". I was just being silly and stubborn though

My small whitewater kayak only weighted 35lbs. I was just being very cautious at the time. At 12 weeks it was full on!

 

[Jas0n]

what does your cardio say? at six weeks, i was given permission to start using my upper body again, as my sternum was solid bone. i was rockclimbing the next day, albeit with less muscle. do what feels comfortable. but first, check with your cardio to see what he/she thinks!

on a seperate note, i would first question whether or not you are currently fit enough/flexible enough to get out of the boat should you flip. i've only paddled a handfull of times, but i know from experience that getting out that getting out of the boat whilst floating downstream is hard enough when of sound fitness, nevermind soon after ohs. i dont know about more docile forms of paddling, but i would just be sure to question whether or not the threat exists (but im sure you already considered this, so .....)