: My understanding of the purpose of a balance brace is to be able to rest. I
: can't imagine resting for any long period of time in that mode. SNIP

Ken,

Although some Greenlanders have reported sleeping in the balance brace position (I've fallen asleep myself, while practicing on hot Florida days), I think the term "rest" is misunderstood. Generally the Greenlanders use the balance brace as a method to stretch their legs and lower back, and take a short break, in their very low-volume kayaks. This comes in handy on long trips when it is not practical to land. Maligiaq Padilla, the current Greenland National Champion, has said that he was not permitted to go on long trips with older paddlers until he mastered this.

Greg Stamer