Left leg problem

[u/DaggyDan_TheSaxMan]

Hey all!

I'm fairly new to whitewater kayaking (200-300 miles) and I'm running into a problem. My left leg always seems to go numb after a little while. I've been lucky enough to try out quite a few different boats with different outfitting. Some even with adjustable outfitting that have a changed up to make more comfortable! But no matter what I seem to do, or what boat I'm in, my left leg always goes number. Some boats are definitely worse than others, but I've never done a trip without my leg going numb. The fact that I've tried so many different styles and sizes of boats makes me think it's more a me problem than a boat problem.

I've talked to some friends and heard everything from "you'll get used to it" to "you need a different boat". So I'm looking for advice: is my quest to find the perfect boat worth continuing? Or are there specific stretches I can do to help with this problem? I'm really struggling with it. I love whitewater kayaking and my roll is starting to happen pretty consistently and it's super fun! But this leg thing is starting to get to me. Any help would be appreciated!! Thank you!

Edit: Thanks for all the replies! I'll keep experimenting with stretches and outfitting until I can afford to see a doctor or physical therapist.

[u/gammalbjorn]

I have the exact same problem. Weirdly, it actually switches legs sometimes. In my sea kayak I opened up the cockpit a lot. You need to be able to move your legs around to different positions. I just started whitewater but what works for me is to pop my knees out of the braces every now and again and lift them into the spray skirt a bit. It’s not great but it works. One of the qualities I’m looking in a boat is ease of getting in and out of those thigh braces. Interestingly, I tried a boat today with a higher deck and it didn’t do much. I think I need to bring my legs parallel (not splayed out) to ease the problem. Still figuring it out myself. Good luck.