How to use the Happy Feet Footbag, and what size to get

A customer was walking out of the Kayak Shed the other day and was saying, “nice boats, wish I could fit!”. I was thinking, is he kidding? He was saying that he couldn’t fit a 4 Fun, and definitely not the Fun. I told him that he needs to turn right around and come back inside so I can show him what’s up. Like any new technology, knowing how to use it is critical to having it work. Well, here is the deal, because I am not going to be at every shop, every time somebody sits in one of the Funs.

I recommend you do the following steps your first time in the boat of choice:

1. Take the hip pads out. Why? Because I want you to adjust the Happy Feet Footbag for your feet and it is much easier when you can sit way back in the seat during the process. Once you get the skills this won’t be necessary. Did I say skills? Yes, I did. It takes practice and a knowledge of the system to use it properly.
2. Open the twist valve on the bag (not the pump tube, but the one that looks like a float bag tube)
3. Blow air into it, and look inside to make sure it is perfectly straight across and add little pockets to put your feet into by folding the bag inside out about 3 inches. Know what I mean? I hope so.
4. Loosen the back band all of the way.
5. Get in sitting way back in the seat and tuck your toes into the little pockets you made in the bag.
6. Pull yourself forward in the seat, keeping your feet exactly at the angle you would like to have them in when you paddle, forcing the air out of the bag and put your knees in the knee area. Keep going forward until you are pushing your feet as hard into the bag as possible, then close the valve. You can also suck the remaining air out and then close the valve. KEEP THE VALVE CLOSED UNTIL YOU WANT TO CHANGE SHAPE OF THE BAG.
7. Now sit back in the seat the way you want to paddle and pump the pump bulb until you are as tight as you want to be.
8. You should have perfectly comfortable feet, and find that you have tons of room in the boat.

IF YOU ARE NOT MORE COMFORTABLE IN THE BOAT THAN ANY BOAT YOU HAVE EVER SAT IN, YOU ARE DOING SOMETHING WRONG AND NEED SOME HELP WITH BAG, SEAT POSITION, OR HIP PAD POSITION, PERIOD!

So, after I got in the 4 Fun to set the bag up for this customer, he got into the boat and said, “This is the most comfortable boat, by far, that I have ever sat in.” Brian McQueen.

Then- I set up the Fun and he fit perfectly in that boat too!!!!

The way David Knight and I did the shape of the thigh area, knee area, and foot area has created an ergonomic masterpiece that is something I am very proud of and, combined with the Happy Feet Footbag, is the most versatile ever designed.

A year from now the dealers staff will know how to properly use it. For now you will have to use this to get your education.

Small footbag is for really small volume kayaks and longer legs in the boat. If you can’t move your feet in the front of the boat much, get the small.

Large footbag is for the larger boats (standard in 4 Fun, and Super Fun) and for boats where you have room to move. The bags aren’t big enough for creekboats.

See the Happy Feet Footbag User Manual for instructions on how to use it.

EJ