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WHAT TYPE OF RIVER KAYAK DO I NEED? |
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Whitewater Kayaks
Rodeo/Freestyle kayaks are boats designed to perform tricks on any type of river feature (including flatwater), and excel on waves and holes. These kayaks are short and have a planing hull, sharp edges, near vertical sidewalls, and centralized volume distribution. Freestyle kayaks are designed for one thing; to allow the user to perform aggressive spins, cartwheels, flips, and other high velocity (often aerial) maneuvers. For many, freestyle kayaking is the most enjoyable type of whitewater kayaking, and often the most convenient.
Free Running Kayaks are designed for kayakers who enjoy freestyle paddling, but want to play the entire river instead of just one feature. These boats have a planing hull, carving edge, and centralized volume characteristics of freestyle kayaks. Yet they still have sufficient length, volume and secondary stability for the speed and predictability needed to navigate an intermediate river. Free Runners have more of a beveled sidewall than freestyle boats, which makes them more forgiving and easier to roll.
River Running kayaks are designed to navigate many diverse rivers for boaters of all skill levels, and are ideal for beginner paddlers. These boats are stable enough for use in rough whitewater, yet agile enough to play large river features. River Running kayaks carve smoothly in and out of eddies, track well, and surf large waves, making them great for paddling high volume rivers. A beveled side wall gives them excellent secondary stability and makes them easy to roll.
Creeking Kayaks are designed for use on steep, technical, and challenging whitewater. Different designs excel at running low-volume steep creeks to high-volume pushy rivers. These are the boats that will allow you to navigate the most difficult whitewater in magnificent and remote locations. High-volume in the bow and stern keep you on top of the water, and therefore in control. A rounded deck allows for fast resurfacing, and rounded edges create a stable kayak in rough water (poor for surfing, great for hucking). Safety and rescue features include a padded bulkhead foot system, easily accessible grab loops, and reinforced bow and stern pilars. Creek boats can be packed with gear for self-support overnight river trips.
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