Many people when they start out kayaking have wondered at some point who should sit where in an inflatable tandem kayak. It’s a valid question as we all want our kayak to perform at its best while still having a great time with the person we are paddling with. While in a tandem kayak, whether paddling double or solo, the seating arrangements can make a big difference.
Here are the basic guidelines to follow while tandem kayaking:
- The heavier person should sit at the back for the kayak to perform best.
- If you are kayaking in heavy cross-winds then the heavier person should sit up front.
- The back seat is considered the ‘Captain’s Seat’ because this is where most of the steering and directing is done from. For this reason it is best to have the most experienced kayaker in the back seat so because they will have more experience on directing the boat.
- However if you are kayaking in calm weather then it might be a good idea to allow the less experienced kayaker to gain confidence and experience in steering the kayak. (more…)