Kayaking return (noob questions)

kormak

Kayaking return (noob questions)
Hey folks,

I'm hoping to make a triumphant return to kayaking in the next few months and have some questions which you might be able to gimme a steer on!
I've kayaked before with a club and was pretty basic river descents. V enjoyable though...
Never ivested in any gear whatsoever so this time, I'm gonna fork out for something that I'm comfortable with.
Also, I'm pretty much a beginner/novice, still trying to perfect the eskimo roll too so this needs to be taken into consideration.
I'll be buying 2nd hand, so it would be good to know what to look for.

I'm 6'4" tall / 16 stone weight. - What kayak would suit me best? Preferably something that's comfortable but also dependable for balance and avoiding flips. Is there a particular brand best suited to this?

Eskimo rolling - I once did group sessions in a swimming pool for this but still never really got it succesfully. Are there 1-to-1 sessions available for this anywhere? Anyone recommend one or anything else on this? I've been told Youtube & practice and you'll get it in no time!! :rolleyes:

New Gear - should I be buying some stuff new? i.e. helmet (suit head size), cag jacket, etc...

Anyway, I hope to get back on the rivers soon enough... just wanna do some homework before I venture back.

cheers,

kormak

ps. I'm reading through the sticky for beginners, but I want to make sure that I get a boat properly suited to my height.
This articles discusses lots of important aspects for tall people to consider >
http://www.mibnet.se/Kayak/choose-a-kayak-for-tall-people.html

I would happily buy brand new from a shop, if I knew I was getting something that will be perfect for my size!

SUPing

Best Advice I could give you would Be go into i-canoe.com in Park west Dublin and chat to the guys in there they have a Mega sale on right now and they have Tones of Demo boats all make and Models to try and size your self Up.

Gear wise its personal preference what you get it can be tricky to get decent second hand stuff, but some times you can find some gems! Advents.ie done deal, Facebook all have stuff for sale.

Personally I always recommend to People to Buy A Helmet and PFD new! As you never know how someone has treated the gear before you. Cags, spray decks, wetsuits visual inspection tells alot, with PFD's and Helmets they can have taken impacts been stored wrong and have hidden damagE.

Beginner-intermediate paddler Kit would be a wetsuit with a Nice semi dry (or dry) cag, Basic Neoprene deck, PFD AND Helmet, TK Max do great cheap river shoes.

Again go into the shop and the guys will show you whats on offer and give you good direction!!

Hope this Helps

Paddy

www.pureadventure.ie

raze_them_all_

kormak wrote: »

Kayaking return (noob questions)
Hey folks,

I'm hoping to make a triumphant return to kayaking in the next few months and have some questions which you might be able to gimme a steer on!
I've kayaked before with a club and was pretty basic river descents. V enjoyable though...
Never ivested in any gear whatsoever so this time, I'm gonna fork out for something that I'm comfortable with.
Also, I'm pretty much a beginner/novice, still trying to perfect the eskimo roll too so this needs to be taken into consideration.
I'll be buying 2nd hand, so it would be good to know what to look for.

I'm 6'4" tall / 16 stone weight. - What kayak would suit me best? Preferably something that's comfortable but also dependable for balance and avoiding flips. Is there a particular brand best suited to this?

Eskimo rolling - I once did group sessions in a swimming pool for this but still never really got it succesfully. Are there 1-to-1 sessions available for this anywhere? Anyone recommend one or anything else on this? I've been told Youtube & practice and you'll get it in no time!! :rolleyes:

New Gear - should I be buying some stuff new? i.e. helmet (suit head size), cag jacket, etc...

Anyway, I hope to get back on the rivers soon enough... just wanna do some homework before I venture back.

cheers,

I've a liquid logic jeffe grande and tis a beast. Worth looking into, Goes for a grand new, so 5-600 second hand I'd say.

As for the rolling it can be a **** when you overthink it. I personally find its alot easier to go over without setting up, I find it is alot more natural feeling setting up underwater.


Where are you based people could prob advise you where to go/who to go to for help with rolling

kormak

SUPing wrote: »

Best Advice I could give you would Be go into i-canoe.com in Park west Dublin and chat to the guys in there they have a Mega sale on right now and they have Tones of Demo boats all make and Models to try and size your self Up.

Gear wise its personal preference what you get it can be tricky to get decent second hand stuff, but some times you can find some gems! Advents.ie done deal, Facebook all have stuff for sale.

Personally I always recommend to People to Buy A Helmet and PFD new! As you never know how someone has treated the gear before you. Cags, spray decks, wetsuits visual inspection tells alot, with PFD's and Helmets they can have taken impacts been stored wrong and have hidden damagE.

Beginner-intermediate paddler Kit would be a wetsuit with a Nice semi dry (or dry) cag, Basic Neoprene deck, PFD AND Helmet, TK Max do great cheap river shoes.

Again go into the shop and the guys will show you whats on offer and give you good direction!!

Hope this Helps

Paddy

www.pureadventure.ie

Cheers Paddy, good advice.
I'm gonna pop into that place. It will be a good place to start anyway to make sure I have the best fitted boat.
Have a 3mm wetsuit and booties already. They're surf ones though, so maybe not the best for rivers?
PFD = lifejacket I presume? yep goona grab them + helmet new.
I have a massive head anyway, so it would be a job finding a 2nd hand helmet to fit me!! :eek:

kormak

raze_them_all_ wrote: »

I've a liquid logic jeffe grande and tis a beast. Worth looking into, Goes for a grand new, so 5-600 second hand I'd say.

As for the rolling it can be a **** when you overthink it. I personally find its alot easier to go over without setting up, I find it is alot more natural feeling setting up underwater.


Where are you based people could prob advise you where to go/who to go to for help with rolling

cheers mate... are you tall also??
I'll check them out so on donedeal, etc...

I'm based in Drogheda.

SUPing

No worries, Yea PFD = Lifejacket.

Jeffe grande should fit you leg wise they are big boats I-canoe should have them in stock id say.
Your 3mm will be perfect. Cag will keep the Breeze off and the heat in. You dont want a thicker suit or you would boil in it once you start paddling. We use 3mm suits with our students and Basic center cags and after afew minutes paddling they are roasting and thsts in winter!!!

Paddy

www.pureadventure.ie

raze_them_all_

kormak wrote: »

cheers mate... are you tall also??
I'll check them out so on donedeal, etc...

I'm based in Drogheda.

I'm 6 foot. The Grande is a big creeker chief it should fit you fine. If your looking for a decent lid that gits a big head I reccomend a sweet wayfarer. I have one and after going upside down on the claw in crana in donegal I can say they are great and you don't notice rocks bouncing off it!

kormak

Lads, I see some other forums recommending the "Remix 79" kayak as a good comfy boat for taller people... any thoughts on this??
+ the Liquid logic xp9 is for sale on another site and appears to be a very roomy/reliable boat??

MadYaker

If you're on facebook this is a great group for people buying and selling second hand gear: https://www.facebook.com/groups/318472144863317/

For getting back into paddling and learning to roll etc id say fin the nearest kayak club to you and get in contact with them.

vintage01

Remix 79 is a very good boat. The badass outfitting is unreal comfy. It's a big boat but handles its self well and is fast. I can't fault mine. Haven't paddled the xp. Also check out the large karneli, burn, Everest etc

kormak

Dudes... going to see 2 kayaks soon enough.
The Pyrahna G3 & a Large Fluid Solo.
What are your thoughts on these boats? Both look like they'd suit my weight/height (220Lbs/6'4").
The G3 seems recommended for novice users... the solo seems to be a great all rounder too.
any thoughts??

vintage01

I have paddled a large Solo briefly. I found it a nice boat but didnt get to really test it. The guy who owned it was only paddling a year and was very happy with it. Easy to roll. Dont know any thing about the G3. I just spotted on FB great outdoors have some great deals on boats including large Karnli and Shiva. Might be worth a call.