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in article , Brian Nystrom at
wrote on 10/4/03 6:09 AM:

doug m wrote:

Also, have found in very dark conditions that equilibrium can be
affected and that I probably brace more than needed due to feeling that
I'm about to dump. Odd sensation.

This is a variation of the condition known as "kayak angst". It can occur
whenever you're in a situation where you lose the ability to distinguish the
horizon. That usually means flat water with fog, heavy overcast or darkness,
and no landmarks or objects in the water. Basically, without any reference
points, your inner ear goes haywire and you can't maintain balance.
Fortunately, all it takes is ripples in the water or another paddler within
sight to eliminate the problem.

What your inner ear contributes to balance should not be affected by your
ability to see the horizon. A perfectly normally wired person should be
able to maintain balance even when blindfolded. But balance is affected by
input from vision and all physical sensation. You can be blindfolded and
maintain balance more easily if your feet are on the ground than if you are
floating in a boat.

I get the sensation of being way off balance in my kayak whenever I raise
the camera to my eye because the way I'm seeing the horizon is greatly
modified through the viewfinder. It is bizarre.

I have not experienced the same at night when the horizon is not visible.

It's definately not limited to kayaks, my daughter gets it whenever we drive
through rural areas at night and you cannot see the horizon from the rear
passenger window. Fortunately, she can deal with it now and no longer pukes
as a result.