After an absolutely exhilarating hour in the pool, having completed my first ever solo roll, then going on to complete another fifteen or so, I noticed I am pushing pretty hard on the foot brace.
I realize I may not be doing it perfectly but it brings up concern. As I am building a SOF.
My concern is for the dowels holding my footbrace in the gunwale.
I used hardwood dowels but being I am a rather big boy at just over 200lbs I can exert a pretty fair amount of pressure here.
So, I am wondering would a piece of wood behind and butt up to the foot rest offer a little insurance or be just a waste of time and added weight?
Any Ideas or failure info would be appreciated.

An afterthought here, Jay Babina, thanks for the key that unlocked the roll for me. I am sure you realize most instructors have never seen a greenland stick before so they all want to teach you their way, well after an hour long practice session of failures and near misses I went home to question what the heck? When I went back yesterday on my first attempt there was a moment when I didnt think I would make it up Then your video popped into my head and I leaned back and there it was. Sheer amazement is the look on all the paddlers in the pool when they see you rolling with a "toothpick" Thanks so much!

Elliott