Someone (was it Shawn?) posted a discussion on fitting out a kayak cockpit on KayakWiki . Good writing. It got me to thinking about the differences that may exist in our opinions about bracing of the hips inside a cockpit.

Here is what I wrote as a draft of what I understand. It reflects what may be a basic difference between the euro and Greenland cockpit which I have not previously seen highlighted.

As you read the below:

- first, is there a difference between the two communities as I describe?

- second, I have learned a bit by thinking of the issue from both sides. What is your take?

Here is the excerpt:

A few thoughts on pads for the hips on either side of the seat:

It seems to be common wisdom among strip built kayak builders to either fit foam blocks on either side of the seat or to build wood and fiberglass cheek braces. In the Guillemot instructions these braces are where the seat back is anchored with webbing. It has been written that a close fit against the hips is required to be able to do an effective hip snap during rolling.

An alternate opinion seems to be prevalent among SOF builders. In these boats, hip pads or braces are not usually installed and may make it more difficult to do a balance brace. In the balance brace, the hips and lower leg are allowed to be as low in the side of the kayak as possible. A hip brace makes the balance brace more difficult or imposible.

If cheek braces are ommited from the Guillemot type designs, alternate points to attach a band-like seat back can be found as part of the underside of the cockpit rim or a reinforced area on the side of the kayak.

Rick