I have been asked to explain the benefits of the TCC seat and backband. First of all to take advantage of the higher foredeck, the seat is raised in the front to allow the knees to be closer together. The closer the knees, the more effective the power transmission from the legs. Think of trying to do leg presses at the gym with your knees splayed apart.
Secondly the seat pan is rounded in the shape of a butt with a higher than normal back. Pressure is distributed evenly around your fleshy bits and pressure from the legs pushes the butt against the higher back. The smooth surface of the seat pan allow frictionless movement of the butt accommodating full rotation. Finally the drain holes in the lowest part of the seat pan drain water quickly should water get through your spray skirt.
The back band is very simple looking, but well thought out. It is only 2" wide and made of UHMW which is both rigid and nearly indestructable. It is just slightly wider than the back of the seat pan, lifts easily to get things, yet stays in place during exits and entries.In the middle of the back band is a 3/4" X 3.5" X 6 inch fabric covered pad on both sides of the band. Should one side of the pad wear out it is simple to just reverse the back band for a new surface. The intent is that, while paddling you are pushing against the intersection of your spine and your hips and not on your spine. This is an area of the body typically covered with flesh and muscle, instead the of typical back band that pushes against your spine. With the pad only 6" wide your hips can rotate more as well.
This high performance seat and back band require the paddler develop muscles to sit up instead of relying on a back rest. Another benefit of the low back band is that it makes it easy to lay completely back on the back deck for stretching or rolling.
