How to Outfit Your Kayak
by Jeff Bennett

Ever try running along a rocky trail wearing oversized running shoes? If you're normal, you probably answered, "No." You know that properly fitted footwear provides an essential interface between you and the ground and gives you a solid feel for the trail. Without it, you react slowly and stumble often.

Ever try running a river in an oversized kayak? If you're a whitewater kayaker, you probably answered, "Yes." The river's trail, however, is wilder and less predictable than the average hiking path, and is less forgiving when it trips you up. So why would anyone paddle a kayak that doesn't fit correctly? "Many novice kayakers borrow a friend's boat, or slip into a boat that feels comfortable, and then go kayaking," says Cindy Scherrer of Oregon's Alder Creek Kayak Supply. "Loose, comfortable boats feel good on flat water, but they can make leaning and bracing difficult. Once the boat is padded to provide a close, body-hugging fit that still allows for easy wet exits, performance can dramatically improve." The same rule applies to all levels of kayakers, whether they're paddling easy whitewater, big water runs or creeks. Customized outfitting helps transfer every nuance in the river's current through the kayak's hull to your body, helping you sense your surroundings, make critical maneuvers and maintain your balance.

Since kayakers press against their boat's inner hull with the small of their backs, butts, hips, thighs, knees and feet, it is these areas that should be customized to match the shape and size of the paddler. Let's break the cockpit into a handful of sections and tailor each one to get you the best control possible from your boat.