New To Sport. Which Kayak? Basic Training?

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New To Sport. Which Kayak? Basic Training?; Advice need and a good all round Kayak.
Topic Started: May 1 2008, 07:49 PM (326 Views)
Tyrone Tryer	May 1 2008, 07:49 PM Post #1
Member Posts: 2 Group: Members Member #1,059 Joined: May 1, 2008	Hi folks, I want to get a good all round (I think 'sit on top') Kayak. Prefer to get a second hand one that's a bit cheaper to start with but don't want to sacrifice quality. I intend to mainly Surf (65% of time) as well as taking it out on Lakes & Rivers. I would like it to have small storage area in front or behind me if possible for when out on the lake. I prefer one that could also fit through a small hatchback car with the seats down. *Which one do you recommend? How much? Where would I get it or where should I be looking? What extras do I definitely need?* I see there is some posts on training but could anyone recommend a trainer? I'm thinking of someone who could take me out and really give me a bit of a feel for it for a couple of hours initially- I'm free every weekend and friday afternoons. How much for a 2 hour lesson(Don't mind joining a group) I do a bit of kite boarding up and down the beach and need Insurance(Third party for others) Do I require insurance like this for Kayaking? Please let me know if there is anything else I should be considering or should watch out for. Please help !!!? Thanks, Garreth



andymcm	May 3 2008, 01:31 PM Post #2
Advanced Member Posts: 161 Group: committee Member #317 Joined: September 7, 2006	Hows it going Garreth. There are definitly boats that will do all those things that you want to do. Sit on top kayaks like you mentioned would do all of those things. Tollymore mountain centre (see previous topic) are having an auction and you would probably pick one up there. However, if you have been kite surfing you might find you out grow a sit on top pretty quick for surfing in, and a bit limiting for touring in. Unfortunatley its all about compromise and what you gain in one aspect you'll lose out somewhere else. There are plenty of trainers, club, centres that could possibly give a taster session to give you a feel of what you want to do. The Canoe Association of Northern Ireland (CANI) is our sports governing body and would be a good place to start for information about a club local to you. I think as well that if you join they have an umbrella insurance policy for members. Also allot of shops have demo boats that allow you to 'try before you buy'. Kayaking is great, as most people on this board would agree so get out there and do it. Maybe see you on the water. Cheers, Andy.



Harry	May 10 2008, 07:35 PM Post #3
Advanced Member Posts: 1,288 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: May 9, 2004	Hi Gareth, I think general purpose sit-on-tops are great for a number of uses but I'm afraid surfing isn't one of them. They have a couple of nasty habits in the surf which makes them a bit of a risk. Worst is their ability to nose dive when catching a wave, allowing the rider to slide of the front, the SOT then gets bounced up and out by the wave just in time to land on the resurfacing paddler. A loose SOT making it's way to the beach can also flip over as it gets turned sideways to the wave, again causing considerable risk to anyone (especially children) in it's path. Wearing a surfboard type leash could help reduce the dangers to others but considering the volume and weight of the craft, I wouldn't want to be attached to one in the surf. That said, there are some surf specific SOT's which are just about small and light enough to wear a leash with and they are much more manoeuvrable in the surf, so less likely to get you into trouble in the first place. These may be ok for a short trip on the lake or calm river too. However I'd really recommend that you have a look at a waveski for surfing. There are a few second hand ones knocking about at the moment for not too much money. These will give you a much better level of performance and be much safer. As Andy says, you may well outgrow a SOT pretty quickly; a waveski will take you on to a much higher level of ability. No good at all for paddling any distance on lakes or down rivers though. If you don't mind fitting yourself into a kayak then the longer, IC, type surfkayak may suit - also available second had fairly cheaply. This will perform much better than a SOT in the surf and is reasonably suited to short trips on a lake. Rivers with rapids and rocks would be no good for it. The NISK Club has a get together soon. You'd be welcome to come along and see a few different surf kayaks and waveskis in action and there'd be plenty of advice on offer. Membership is only �15 and includes a free surfkayaking DVD and use of the club boats. Keep an eye on this topic: http://z7.invisionfree.com/NI_Surf_Kayak/i...?showtopic=1379 Hope that helps, Harry


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