In the News

Those that knows me, Richard Huard, knows that I like outdoor activities. Kayaking is one of em. If you did not read todays Times & Transcript paper you should. Check out page 5. I gave a little advice on the fun Pollet River run which takes place tomorrow. Here is some of the things that was published…

Published in the Times & Transcript April 23, 2010.

The idea of getting into a homemade vessel and coasting down a river for a few hours is likely an appealing proposition, but you’ll have a lot more fun, reduce the risk of injury and maybe even save your own life with these helpful tips:

1. Paddling down a river can take a toll on your shoulders, especially when you’re trying to avoid smashing into a bridge! Before going down the river, perform arm circles forward and backward. Make big circles with your arms while keeping them straight. Be sure to reach above your head with the arm circles. You can do arm circles while you are on the water as well while seated.

2. Another issue is that your knees will get sore from sitting. A solution is to stand on your right leg and with the left leg, bend at the knee bringing your heal toward your butt. Do this in a swinging motion as if you are kicking yourself in the butt. For obvious reasons, I call these Butt Kickers and we do this at my boot camps. If you’re in a boat and can’t stand up without plunging face first into the freezing water, lift one leg at a time from the floor of the boat (or homemade vessel in the case of the river run)  extending your toes to the sky and then bend at the knee bringing your heal close to your butt. Then repeat for the other side.

3. Back pain is also a problem when sitting for hours during the river run as well. Torso twist can help with back pain. You can do this standing or seated as follows: While standing (assuming you can still stand) with your feet about shoulder width apart, raise your elbows up high, positioning your arms as if you are doing the chicken dance with your hands close to your armpits. Twist left and right  in a controlled movement. Try to keep the eyes forward to keep you from turning to around too far, which might cause an injury.
While sitting, you can do the torso twists as above, but you can also grab the side of your boat or homemade vessel to help you twist. Reach across your body with your right hand grabbing onto the left edge of the boat and place your left hand behind yourself. Use both hands to twist your body until you feel a good stretch. Do the same for the other side.

4. If you are sitting on the floor of your homemade vessel or boat, it might be hard to reach forward and grab your refreshment or the paddle you are about to drop into the water. Toe touches help here. Before you set sail, stand up, legs straight with your feet about shoulder width apart, and reach down toward your toes. Bring your chest toward your knees (as opposed to merely arching your back) and point your nose towards your toes. You can perform the same movements while sitting every half hour or so.

5. Butt and leg numbness is caused by sitting on your bottom for long periods of time. It’s very important that you stand up or get your butt up off of whatever you are sitting on to keep that circulation going. If you go overboard, which many people do on the river run, your legs need to work so that you can swim.  Don’t drown!

Richard Huard is a personal trainer and runs a fitness boot camp in the Moncton area and can be found at www.serioustrainer.com

Category: Blog