C-Forum

I just recently pick up an dagger demension, someone found it in a garage and I got a real good deal on it. It is in good shape for its age but I nothice it has kneeling thwarts rather than a pedistals. I also notice that the bow position has no straps. If I take novices down rivers should I place straps in the bow? Any help on this subject would be great.

Most strap installations still give the paddler the choice to not use them (i.e. not buckle them, push them out of the way, kneal on top of them, etc.). If the installation you're considering is one of these, why not go ahead and install?

Most thwart seat configurations on open boats are still high enough that you can get your feet out fairly readily. However, if you paddle with a novice in the bow, and you're worried about their ability to get out, then have them leave off the straps.

John

After hearing an oft repeated incident that happened to a friend of mine on the Ocoee, where his boat pinned and he got his ankles trapped under his kneeling thwart, I swore them off in whitewater boats. He had to be cut out of the boat and was on crutches for a while but it could have been a lot worse.