Adjusting your kayak
Your position and comfort in the kayak play a huge role in the enjoyment of your time on the water. The three main
contact points between you and your kayak are your buttocks, thighs, and feet. Proper kayak outfitting maximizes contact with all three of these
points, allowing you to sit upright with good posture and letting you paddle more efficiently for a longer period of time. Always adjust your
outfitting while your kayaks sits stable on a soft, non-abrasive surface. If the surrounding land is unsuitable, simply place the kayak in some
calm, shallow water and make your adjustments there. Regardless of where you complete your adjustments, remember that the goal is to
maximize comfort and control.
Backrest
To sit up straight, add tension in the backrest strap. For a more relaxed, laid back paddling
position, release some tension in the backrest strap. There are three different backrest strap tension systems,
depending on the kayak model you own:
Kayaks with
Contour Fit
outfittings use a cam buckle located in a well at the front of the seat. To add tension,
grab the strap and pull it towards you; to release tension press the tab on top of the cam buckle.
Kayaks with
Advanced Contour Fit
and
High Performance Contour Fit
outfittings use a ratchet
system located at the front of the seat, doubled with a cam buckle located behind the right
hip pad. First, set the ladder strap in the ratchet to the last notch towards its free extremity; in
that position, the backrest should be pulled all the way back. Then pull on the strap at the
cam buckle to eliminate any slack in the strap. Sit in the kayak and crank the ratchet until
you obtain the desired tension in the backrest. If the adjustment range provided by the ladder
strap and ratchet is not enough, loosen the ratchet and pull the strap through the cam buckle
a little more to gain more tension.
Backrest height adjustment
Why and when? Generally speaking, a higher backrest setup provides more comfort for casual or long paddling
sessions on calm waters, and a lower backrest makes rolling easier and allows more range of motion for performance paddling, or for rough
conditions. To adjust your backrest’s height: slack both knobs behind the backrest a couple turns, then pull up or push down the backrest to the
desired height. Then tighten the knobs again to finish the setup. If the knob appears to turn loose, just push
against the seat cover with your other hand as you tighten. If it still doesn’t tighten, try twisting the knob
clockwise...
Hip pads
Models with Advanced Contour Fit and High Performance Contour Fit outfittings come with
adjustable hip pads. By slacking the support plate screws using a standard Phillips screw driver, these hip
pads can be moved forward and back. You can also customize your hip pad settings by inserting foam shims
between the support plate and the cushionning.
Footbraces
Adjustable via a rail or webbing system, properly adjusted footbraces increase your control, letting you put the kayak on edge for
turning or for bracing in an oncoming wave. Certain models of footbraces also control the kayak’s rudder. A properly adjusted footbrace should
allow your knees and thighs a snug fit under the cockpit and thighbraces.
Quicklock footbrace system
(kayaks without rudder) Simply pinch the trigger on the rear of the foot pedal to release the locking mechanism.
Once released you can move the foot pedal forwards or backwards along the track to customize your fit. You can even tighten the footbraces
while seated by using your feet to pull them closer to you.
Rudder footbrace system
Designed so you can fit your footbraces without affecting your rudder control system. Pull the straps to move the foot
pedals closer to you. To move the pedals further away from you simply release the ladder lock on each strap and the pedals will slide forward.
IMPORTANT: After all your adjustments are complete and you are seated in your kayak, you will want to verify that you can still easily exit your kayak. If
your kayak is equipped with a rudder, also confirm its proper function. Then, time spent in your kayak will be your best teacher as to which areas of your
body may require additional padding.
Contour Fit adjustment
Pull strap
to add tension
Press on cam buckle
to release tension
Advanced Contour Fit adjustment
Pull strap behind back
to adjust ratchet range
Crank the ratchet
to add tension
Lift ratchet release
to slack backrest
Hip pads adjustment
Slack mounting screws
to adjust back and forth
Shim between plate and
pad to adjust seat width
