I did get the upgrade on the seat cause I decided I'd leave a little room to grow :) I personally think the VV's ride higher in the water than any other boat and it just is even more noticeable when your bigger, I think a lot of the little skinny dudes can ride high in other kicks, the higher up you are the easier it is to flip and walk a frog in my opinion. When I do both techniques in other boats that make me closer to the water it is just not as easy to flip far.