Quartering seas present the risk of what?

• A. Capsize only in breaking waves
• B. Drifting astern
• C. Broaching or capsize
• D. Loss of steering due to wind alone

Answer: (C)

Quartering seas deliver wave energy from the side at an angle to your line of travel, which pushes the kayak sideways and can make it yaw and ride the wave rather than stay on a strict fore-and-aft path. When a wave hits the boat broadside, the hull can be driven into a position where the bow or stern digs in and the kayak becomes unstable—this is broaching, and it can lead to a capsize if the paddle stroke and balance don’t respond quickly. This risk exists with non-breaking waves too, not just with breaking ones, and it’s driven by sideways forces rather than wind alone or simply drifting backward. To reduce the danger, maintain a low center of gravity, use edging to keep the kayak aligned with the wave face, and be ready to brace or adjust direction with a sweep if the sea starts to push you into a broach.