What is the seat location in a kayak called?

The seat location in a kayak is called the cockpit. It is the area where the paddler sits to best control the kayak. Sea kayaks tend to have a small opening allowing better bracing and control while recreational kayaks which are used by most people have larger openings for easy entry and exit. Many modern kayaks also have comfortable, multi-adjustable seats. Although some recreational and sit-on-top kayaks simply use a one piece molded sitting area. The choice of the kayak and its cockpit will often depend upon the activity to be performed.

There are many types of kayaks used in flat water and whitewater kayaking. The sizes and shapes vary depending on what type of water is to be paddled on and what the paddler would like to do. Because of their range and adaptability, kayaks are used for outdoor activities such as diving, fishing, wilderness exploration and search and rescue during floods. Kayaks now play many different roles in sports and recreational activities. Having a proper cockpit is the key to using and enjoying a kayak. According to Statista.com (an online statistics and market research portal), more than 231,000 kayaks were bought and used in the U.S. in 2017. The retail market value of kayak sales for the year (2017) was just over 127 million U.S. dollars.