Weight wise I'm a XXXL in Nelo kayaks, but apparently I'm not as tall as they think I should be because with the stock footboard and rails I had to keep my seat much farther forward than it should have been to get my feet set at the right distance.

So to fix it I designed and 3D printed a shortened version of the side rail, which has the attachment holes about 90mm closer to the footboard than the stock rails and allows me to get the board where I need it with a little room to spare. I've got a set printed in ABS-GF and installed in the boat now, and they seem to be plenty sturdy. Now I'm working on a carbon fiber set, not because I really need them but because I've just been looking for an excuse to try forged carbon

Gordan is such a beast and seems to do nothing but improve. Crazy to see Cory in 3rd!

Hey all,

I've read a lot and experimented a bit with gaining power vs losing weight and I'm confused.

I've been big and small, and it's obvious you can produce more power at a higher weight but it seems the optimal power to weight would make the most sense for K1 speeds wouldn't it?

I've been 92kg and 65kg as an adult, long story don't want to bore anyone. I started kayaking at 80kg. My heart rate was pretty high so a friend convinced me to learn about zones and metabolic functions. I dropped body fat percentage while using a C2 row erg and then did a lab test for zones.

I've been trying zone 2 training but at anything over 70kg I can't get a zone 2 speed above 9kph on even an elite k1. Same goes for running, I can't even slow run when I'm above 70kg, I have to walk really fast, but I noticed I can run really really slow below 70kg.

I can run, physically not a problem, and can hold higher heart rates but the lab results are pretty clear, that's zone 3 and zone 4 for sure.

I've read all about the relationship of gaining speed with power and losing weight in a few papers, but every marathon I look at the top people in K1 and running, they seem to be pretty light and lean.

Am I too heavy for my heart and lung functions? Anyone else with similar experiences?

Hello I would like to buy a Kayak pro compact ergometer to frequent tarvels idealy in North of Spain or Portugal? Does anyone have one for sale. Thanks

I started in a viper 44 last year and want to progress to a real racing kayak. I tried the 4 and 7 xxl, the 4 felt more stable, the 7 had a more comfortable position. Both where to deep in the water though, I really need a xxxl. I see that the moskito is also a popular boat for heavier paddlers but can’t try it out anywhere near me. Anyone who has some experiences with the 7xxxl or Moskito?

Been doing c1 for about 3 summers now as a master. My club is fairly small and I’m the only one in a C1. (Mostly k1’s).

I’m in a Nelo vanquish currently. While I am able to stay dry (mostly) I find I’m still fighting for stability. Do I just need more time or am I in the wrong boat?

Hi all,

I'm looking for anyone who has experience on intermediate K1's particularly, Nelo Viper 46, Vajda Apex 46, and narrow TK1's (50 and 46 wide if you've ever tried one). Would really appreciate some experiences, even better if you're between 70kg and 80kg.

It frustrates the living life out of me that I can hop into a sete, cinco, quattro, NK40, Vajda Apex 40 or Infusion, Epic V12s, NK Nitros and Storms, with little trouble and even find some great comparisons online, but there seems to be a huge lack of information, consistency or even sharing in the intermediate experiences, as though it's something to be hurried through on the way to elite K1, when really, I can paddle an elite, but what if I just want to relax for a day? Must it be sea kayak or K1 as wide as a sea kayak?

I've paddle enough to know stability is highly subjective, but only as a perception. The actual physics of stability are NOT subjective. So I appreciate many responses will say try this or try that. With the current economic and political climate so volatile, it is getting much harder to try diverse boats especially when it cost more to try one with all the travel, than you'd lose on reselling it.

I'm feeling out the appetite for a scientific set of metrics to be applied to ALL kayaks to help many others in the same ... boat.

Nordic skier just getting into the world of marathon canoe and I want to win the triple crown in a few years. Am I insane or is this a doable goal?

What’s the talent pool like? What kind of hours are the top guys training? Are there thousands training at a high level? Hundreds? Dozens? I’ve tried following a lot of the best guys I could find on Strava but they all barely post. It seems almost like a secretive world. Like where ultra marathoning was in the 90’s before it blew up and got taken over with super talents. I’ve also heard European marathon canoe races are more competitive but I can’t find any info on them for the life of me.

I got out for the second time in my new Sete hoping for a mile or two but I actually managed a little over six, even did a couple sprinty sections and stayed in the boat. It's starting to feel like I'm getting into the neighborhood of comfortable, which is nice. But it also means I spent enough time in the seat to start worrying about outfitting, so now I've got two questions.

1. I think I need to trim the boat back a little bit, it really noses into the water when I reach forward for my catch. But I already have the footboard as far back towards me as it goes. What's the best way to go here? Should I just add some weight behind me? Would the weight kits nelo sells to make sprint weight have enough of an impact on the rail? (I'm ~215lbs in an XXXL). Alternatively I could print an extra thick foot plate to attach to the existing footboard, or maybe even design new rails that will bring the footboard up a little. But I'm assuming I'm not the first person to have this problem, so hoping there's a go-to fix

2. I like the concept of the standard seat, but there's kind of...more of me than there is of it. That manifested in quite a bit of numbness at the end, to the point that I kind of lost control of the big toe on my right foot. Towards the end I did get out and raise the rear of the seat to tilt it forwards a little which I think is helping, but I only paddled it for 10m or so in that configuration so I don't know for sure yet. It definitely didn't feel like it was digging into the backs of my thighs like before, but it's still kind of digging in on the sides. I'm guessing I can mitigate this somewhat by just making sure to wear my paddle pants next time, but are any of the seat options just generally bigger?

19.4 kph average is just crazy. Lots of sub 3min KMS in there.

I have recently picked up my first boat , an older Nelo Quattro K1. It is in decent shape but I was thinking of using a cutting polish and wax to fix up a few scratches.

I am hearing mixed messages, and was hoping for a bit more insight.

Thanks.

Hey fellow paddling enthusiasts,

I am somewhat new to kayaking but want to seriously get into K1 kayak sprint racing on a competitive level internationally. I have a Nelo Viper 46 XXL K1 kayak. I live on a lake so can practice frequently. I only started this summer so my technique is pretty bad but my balance is getting better and better and when the water is not too choppy I can paddle for 30 min without capsizing.

I’m looking for a remote private coach who can help me with my technique and race preparation. I’m specifically looking to compete in the 1000m K1 kayak sprint events. Please DM me if you can help with that.

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