To be honest, I put very little pressure on my footbrace/bulkhead. I can't imagine how hard it would be exerting 100-200lbs on EVERY stroke for 25kms!! Of course, I'm not racing either but we do paddle at a pretty good clip when we are touring. I also paddle exclusivley on the ocean and am constantly fighing wind and currents.

I tend to use the brace simply as a stop for my foot and for helping keep me snug in the boat during rougher conditions. Interestingly enough, I did a stroking clinic with Maligiaq Padilla back in the spring and he advised to reduce torso rotation as, over a long paddle, it will serve to tire you out faster. During a fwd stroke, his hands do not cross the centre line of the boat. I'm since adopted this style and I really like it. I'm guessing it has also reduced the amount of force I put on my footbrace.

I stand to be corrected, though.

Sean

: These are very macho! My first thought was that they were steel.

: Query for everyone: How hard do you press on the foot braces and
: pegs?

: It seems to be well established and accepted that we connect our
: paddle stroke to our kayaks through our feet.
: Now, I might press too hard, but I think we should be pressing at
: least a hundred pounds in each stroke, maybe 200, or we aren't
: efficiently transferring force to our kayaks.

: How hard do the kayak racers press? Are there any numbers?

: How does it feel to you? Did you ever change from pressing on a
: bulkhead to foot pegs and notice a significant difference?
: (I know my ugly new full foot braces have given me happy feet, and
: despite the frame they still flex from all the force I place on
: them.)

: Will