Pedal Power Stretches

2017 is a huge year for kayak fishing, mainly pedal fishing kayaks.  While there were a two main pedal drives out for a number of years this year almost every major brand has come out their version a pedal drive.  There are a number of advantages to having a pedal driven yak and one is that your legs are your largest muscle group.  This means you have more power and won’t fatigue as early.  Sadly, just like your shoulder and arms your legs can get cramps.  It is even more important to stretch out your legs before and after you kayak to make sure you stay in tip top shape and are ready for you next big adventure.  I suggest doing these 3 stretches right before you launch and as soon as you come back in from your adventure.  

1)Swinging Knees

Feel free to use your paddle to help you balance if needed.  Stand up straight and raise your left knee so it bends at 90 degrees and your quads are parallel to the ground.  Then gently swing your left leg out to the left side.  When it is as far as you can get it to the side, lower your foot back to the ground.  Do this 5 times.  Then switch legs and stretch it out 5 times.

2) Dizzy Toes

It’s just like it sounds sit or stand, whatever you prefer and extend your left leg lifting it off the ground a couple inches.  With your toe draw a circle going clockwise.  Go around the circle 10 times then reverse direction (going counter-clockwise) 10 times.  After completing the 20 circles, put your foot down and lift your right leg and do both sets of circles.

3)Swaying Elephant Trunk

Spread your legs keeping your toes pointed forward.  You’ll want them at least 3 feet apart but can be more if you wish.  Put your hands on your hips and keeping your core engaged bend down keeping a straight back.  Once you get as low as you can go or parallel (whichever happens first) then bend your back and allow yourself to hang.  You can move your hands so they hang down by your head.  Slowly sway left and right.  Your hands can move as well. (Looking like an elephant trunk.) You’ll want to feel the stretch in your hamstrings.  If your muscles are too tight you can bend the knees slightly.  Hold this position for 15 or more seconds.  To come up, breathe deeply and slowly raise yourself back up imagining you are putting a single vertebrae in place at a time.  Keep your head down until the last little bit.  When you back is straight, gently raise your head and roll your shoulders back!