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Forgive my ignorance as I almost never paddle tandem and the overwhelming majority of my whitewater experience has been in a (gasp) kayak with a (imagine the horror) double blade. (usually chasing rafts as a rescue boat)
In a tandem canoe running whitewater, why would the stern paddler be in charge? I mean, it makes sense for a team racing boat because he/she can see all the other paddlers and they can probably hear someone behind them better but, in whitewater, the bow paddler would have a much better view on oncoming obstructions would they not? Seems prudent to have the bow pick / adjust lines and the stern simply steer. Is it because the stronger / most experienced paddler is usually in the stern?
I know some on here have a ton of paddling experience and are bow paddlers... does it work for the bow to take charge or is it too hard for the stern paddler to hear you? (I can see that being an issue)
In a tandem canoe running whitewater, why would the stern paddler be in charge? I mean, it makes sense for a team racing boat because he/she can see all the other paddlers and they can probably hear someone behind them better but, in whitewater, the bow paddler would have a much better view on oncoming obstructions would they not? Seems prudent to have the bow pick / adjust lines and the stern simply steer. Is it because the stronger / most experienced paddler is usually in the stern?
I know some on here have a ton of paddling experience and are bow paddlers... does it work for the bow to take charge or is it too hard for the stern paddler to hear you? (I can see that being an issue)