A Beginner's Guide to Tandem Kayaking
As far as shared outdoor adventures go, there’s not much better than tandem kayaking. Double the paddles, double the speed, double the fun. So, whether you’re looking to tandem kayak with friends or looking to make friends by owning a tandem kayak (no judgment), here are a few tips and tricks for mastering tandem mode with someone else.
Plus, why the Zeppelin Aero 12′6″ Inflatable Kayak is the ultimate inflatable tandem vessel.
WHY TANDEM KAYAKING IS GREAT
A tandem kayak is the ultimate two-person adventure experience. It’s a great activity for friends, families, couples; you name it. Basically, if you’ve got an adventure buddy, a tandem kayak’s got your back. Not only can you go faster in a tandem (two people are stronger than one), but tandems are also more stable and even more economically efficient (you only need to buy one vessel instead of two). Beyond the technical & practical details, though, tandem kayaks serve as perfect vessels for sharing outdoor experiences with someone.
put simply, adventures are better together. and in a tandem, "together" is the name of the game.
WHAT IT'S LIKE
So, what’s it like to paddle in a tandem kayak? Well, it's a little like having a constant tailwind pushing from behind and helping you slice through the water. The key is getting synchronized in your strokes. When you are ready to paddle, simply pick a side to start on, and boom, you’re ready to rock (or glide). After the initial synchronized stroke, just alternate sides, and you'll start ripping.
HOW TO SET UP YOUR TANDEM KAYAK
With the Zeppelin Aero 12′6″ (more on this in a bit), setting up your tandem kayak has never been easier.
First, you’ll want to get pumpin’. The Zeppelin 12′6″ consists of three independently inflatable parts: the floor chamber and two separate 9-inch pontoon side chambers. Using either the provided hand pump or one of our AeroPumps, inflate both side chambers to 2-3 PSI and the floor of the Zeppelin to 10-15 PSI.
pRO TIP: INFLATE THE SIDE CHAMBERS FIRST AND THEN INFLATE THE FLOOR.
Next, you’ll want to inflate your seat (or seats) to 6-8 PSI. On the floor of the Zeppelin, there are multiple tie-down points for multiple seat configurations. They’re conveniently labeled Tandem and Solo, and these tell you where to attach your Aero Seats depending on whether you’re going solo or with multiple paddlers.
Adjust the straps on your seat to suit your desired leg and recline angles, and you're ready to hit the water.
