Hi, I'm fairly new to float tubing and pontooning, but I've noticed that the kicking seems to be causing me pain at the tops of my knee caps. I'm also a triathlete and this pain is really messing with my cycling and running. Anybody else out there experience this and do you have any suggestions for exercises or stretches that might help?
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Tris:
I rarely do any fin kicking anymore because of knee pain. My style is where the power stroke occurs pushing the feet up and straightening the knee which many be creating unusual forces, though. This is quite different from the swimming stroke with fins. For me, starting out with very low forces is important, then gradually building up to higher forces over a long period of time-up to a year. Operation with shorter fins/slower speed may help until your tendons reach full strength. Probably extension exercises on a leg machine would help for my style of kicking.
Pon
[quote Tris2Flies]Hi, I'm fairly new to float tubing and pontooning, but I've noticed that the kicking seems to be causing me pain at the tops of my knee caps. I'm also a triathlete and this pain is really messing with my cycling and running. Anybody else out there experience this and do you have any suggestions for exercises or stretches that might help?[/quote]
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[cool][#0000ff]Sounds like you are using muscles and connective tissue in a way you are not used to. As most trainers will advise, you need to strengthen those elements with either more such useage...or find some weight training exercises that will do so.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Most of us tubers and tooners use our fins as described by the previous poster. The power stroke is on the upkick. That is completely opposite of what you do when running or cycling. It is no wonder that your one-dimensionally trained knees are rebelling.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Unless you have some deposits or injuries inside your knees they should improve with more experience. Just don't take on a major excursion while you are getting used to your new hobby.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have been tubing for a whole lotta years...and I do not run or bike. Flip side of your situation. But, I do regularly work out on a little indoor trampoline with a variety of bounces, twists and running in place that help keep my joints and muscles tuned and ready for whatever I ask of them. I am too old and too heavy to take up running without risking injury...or at least premature poopdom.[/#0000ff]
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I do bike and run. Nothing like you, but more and more.
I feel the pain also. Not sure what fin you use, but I am going to echo Pontoonman.
I used Caddis fins for many years. No problems what so ever (but I was younger). Then I went to Force Fins. A heavy fin, but I didn't notice Knee pain.
The past years I have been using Omega. A longer scuba style fin. Using the same kick I have been using for years of basically scooping the water up, many my knees, thighs and even calfs were feeling the burn.
One day, I was relaxing and casually fluttering the tip of my fin and I was MOVING, I mean, now I am moving on both the up and down stroke, like a swimmer.
Reminding myself on choppy water, to relax and swim sure has made a difference.
I am older now, but I run and bike way more than I use to as well. I do say, don't go with the saying "No pain no gain" as this can cause damage. If it hurts, try to find a simple solution. Knee braces help too.
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Thanks everybody. That's great insight. Being new, I bought the cheapest fins I could find, which were the Caddis, and that could well be part of the problem. Very rigid. I'm going to try leg extensions at the gym and see if that helps. Eventually, I'll probably break down and get a better pair.
BTW, couldn't figure out how to "Reply" to everybody, so I just replied to myself.
Craig
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[cool][#0000ff]Not all tubers are created equal. Not all fins work for ALL tubers. There needs to be a balance between rigidity/flex and the amount of actual propulsion force generated by the kick. Most of us like a medium flex that will push the water but will not beat us up over a full day on the water.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]This is a good argument for the "try before you buy" suggestion we usually make to newcomers to the sport. Never buy on price alone. And don't be sold on the hype and promotion made by manufacturers of diving fins. Again, the kicking motions used while diving are not the same as those used by tubers. So a lot of the foo foo stuff built into high priced diving fins is largely wasted on us tubing types. And some fins that purport to be designed especially for tubing are not all that great...and may even be totally wrong for some folks, depending on size, strength and technique.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you want to reply to any individual post, look at the row of options at the top of that post. The last one on the right is "reply". If you click on that you will get an open page to write out your reply. If you want to reply to a quote, click on the "quote" and that same open page will appear but with the quote at the top. You can edit out any portion of the quote you do not wish to have in your response.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Welcome aboard. Now let's have some fun.[/#0000ff]
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I have a scuba style fin and I really like them. I can adjust my kick stroke and style with them. Most of the time I use a scoop stroke, but I can also lean back and use more of a up and down swimming kick. It helps me to be able to change which muscles I am using.
Aeris Mako Fin
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Q22...00_details
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Nicely-put, TubeDude.
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I have Force Fins and never have knee pain.
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Thanks everybody. Great stuff. I'm glad to know I have access to this huge knowledge base.
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