Abstract: The invention relates to a device for protecting a shin and ankle from blows and for supporting the ankle, allowing an athlete to participate in sports with an ankle injury. The device attachable to a shin, ankle and foot for protecting the shin and ankle from blows and for supporting the ankle against inversion and eversion, comprises a body comprising a shin protecting portion connected to an ankle supporting portion, the ankle supporting portion comprising two sides for positioning on the medial and lateral sides of the ankle respectively; means, such as straps, for securing the two sides of the ankle supporting portion of the body to the ankle; and a U-shaped support extending between the two sides of the ankle supporting portion of the body for passing under the foot. Preferably, the body comprises a hard outer shell and an inner pad. The shin protecting portion and the ankle supporting portion may be flexibly connected. The device avoids interference between conventional shin guards and ankle braces.

Abstract: During the portaging of a canoe by a single canoeist, discomfort may be caused to the shoulders and neck of the canoeist. The discomfort is due both to the pressure exerted by the portaging thwart on the shoulders and neck of the canoeist and to the rotation of the canoe and hence the portaging thwart relative to the shoulders and neck during the ascent or descent of inclines. Much of the discomfort is alleviated by the present invention which provides a portaging thwart capable of axial rotation relative to a canoe. In this way, relative to the canoeist, the portaging thwart remains stationary while the canoe rotates, thereby permitting the canoeist to place the portaging thwart at the optimal angle to his or her shoulders and neck, independently of the angle of the canoe. In one embodiment of the invention, the portaging thwart is mounted in bearings attached to the gunwales of the canoe at approximately the mid point thereof.