How to Get Your Feet Under a Canoe Seat to Kneel

Canoes allow for near-silent gliding over the water. This allows you to watch wildlife without disturbing it, or to sneak into your favorite fishing hole without spooking the fish. Paddling position in the canoe is dictated by the load carried and if you are paddling solo or with another. The kneeling position gives a greater power stroke that originates form the abdomen. Getting into the kneeling position often requires getting the feet under the seats and thwarts. It's not always easy if you have large feet or long legs.

Things You'll Need

  • Seat pads or small thermarest
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Instructions

    • 1

      Slide a sleeping pad or a seat pad under the seat and thwart (thwarts are the crossbars that are near seats). If paddling solo, the pad should be in the center of the canoe, with the main portion in front of the center thwart.

    • 2

      Stretch your legs before getting into the canoe. Use some knee bends and lift the legs up and behind you to stretch the legs as well as the Achilles' tendon.

    • 3

      Enter the canoe keeping the face and body in front of the pad and seat. Keep your center of gravity low. Bend the feet out from the knee and torso as best as possible. Do not overstretch when pushing the feet out.

    • 4

      Slide under the seat pushing the legs and feet behind the main thwart and seat. Keep low. Slowly move back toward the seat and begin to turn the feet back upright and get the knees centered onto the pads.

    • 5

      Lock into the position using the heels as a barrier and brace against the far side of the side or against the lip under the seat.