[Paddlewise] Is a backrest necessary?

I have a Mariner Express with sliding bucket seat.  I have never been happy
with the back of the seat and have made several cuts, improving it somewhat.
If I cut the hard back off completely there will be no place to attach a
backband.  I am considering cutting off the back anyway.

Surf ski paddlers appear to paddle with no seat back.  Did Inuit kayaks have
a backrest or did the coaming serve as one?   Why couldn't an ordinary sea
kayak have no backrest?  With the sliding seat in a mid position the
Mariner's coaming would be too far back for a backrest.  Doesn't good
technique require an erect position with minimal contact with the backrest?

Jerry


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