Hey all, I'm new to the sport of flatwater Kayaking and I wanted to throw some equipment out at ya to see what you thought... Wilderness Systems Pungo Werner Mid-Tour 230cm Paddle Either Kokatat OutFit Tour or Lotis Designs Locean PDF Wilderness Systems Spray Skit Emergency Rescue Kit (whistle, paddle float, sponge, and pump) I'm mostly going to be paddling flat water, creeks, rivers, shallow coast lines, and inland lakes about twice a week. Do you have any recommended changes in either gear or approach? Oh and I've already taken two levels of Sea Kayak instruction from a school so I feel pretty comfortable with safely and how to get in and out of the boat on both dry land and in the water. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
At 10:53 PM 3/12/02 -0500, Richard L. Casale wrote: >Hey all, I'm new to the sport of flatwater Kayaking and I wanted to throw >some equipment out at ya to see what you thought... > >Wilderness Systems Pungo >Werner Mid-Tour 230cm Paddle >Either Kokatat OutFit Tour or Lotis Designs Locean PDF >Wilderness Systems Spray Skit >Emergency Rescue Kit (whistle, paddle float, sponge, and pump) > >I'm mostly going to be paddling flat water, creeks, rivers, shallow coast >lines, and inland lakes about twice a week. Do you have any recommended >changes in either gear or approach? The paddle is a decent entry level model. It should be sufficient for several years. Warning: it might not be a good idea to try a lighter fiberglass or carbon fiber paddle for a while. If you do, you'll very likely want one. Good choice on the PFD's. Both vendors are reputable and make good comfortable PFD's designed specifically for paddling. The emergency rescue kit is just a start. You should probably start gathering items for a first-aid kit as well. I keep all my stuff in a pelican box. You probably won't need flares for the conditions you're paddling but you might want to add a small flashlight or LED headlamp if there is ever a possibility that you'll be paddling after dark. You didn't mention whether or not you usually paddle alone or with a partner. Always paddling with a partner is strongly recommended but I would guess that out of all the safety "rules" that one is broken more often than any. In any case, adding some kind of tow rope is a good idea. You can never have too many drybags. You didn't mention paddling clothing. What you wear can be the most important piece of safety gear you bring on a paddle (after common sense). What's the weather like and water temperature range where you paddle? Even if you live in a temperate climate, having a range of clothing for varying conditions can make the whole experience much more enjoyable. Paddling in the rain can actually be quite enjoyable if you've got the right clothing for it since there are a lot of fair weather power boaters that will stay home when it rains. If you're in an area where the paddling is seasonal the fringes of the season can offer some of the best paddling because there are fewer boats on the water. The water can get very cold in the spring and fall in many areas so having clothing which will provide some protection should you capsize is essential. Now about that kayak. The Wilderness Systems Pungo is accurately described as a flatwater kayak, or recreational kayak, but calling it a sea kayak or touring kayak is a stretch. For the flat water creeks, river, and protected waters it's quite sufficient. However, depending on the size of the inland lake and "shallow coastlines", a "traditional" sea or touring kayak might be more appropriate. Next time there's a local demo day in your area go out and paddle a variety of boats. Often retailers will sell recreational kayaks as "beginners" kayaks, preying on the fears of many beginners of tipping over and getting trapped in a cockpit. Recreational kayaks are quite stable, but what many retailers won't tell you is that most beginners will feel quite comfortable in longer, skinnier touring boat after paddling it for a couple of hours. The worst thing that will happen is that you might get wet a little more often, and as you found out from the classes tipping over in a kayak really isn't that big of deal. A longer boat is going to be faster, track better, and actually provide a better craft for improving your skills. >Oh and I've already taken two levels of Sea Kayak instruction from a school >so I feel pretty comfortable with safely and how to get in and out of the >boat on both dry land and in the water. That's good. Now practice what you learned until you can do it in any conditions that you might encounter. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
"Richard L. Casale" wrote: > > Hey all, I'm new to the sport of flatwater Kayaking and I wanted to throw > some equipment out at ya to see what you thought... <<< snip >>> Hi Richard, I guess your question is a bit vague to answer without writing a book on kayak equipment, safety and technique. Luckily, those books are already written: "Deep Trouble" by Matt Broze, and for instance "Sea Kayakking Safety and Rescue" by John Lull. Both are well worth your money and answer your questions in full. About the equipment you bought (none of the items you mention is familiar to me): If you watch this list for a while, you'll notice a lot of discussion on what gear is right and what is not. On one thing we all agree: Most important is that your gear works for YOU and for the specific conditions that YOU bought it for. There is only one way to find out if it works for you: Go out and test it. You started by doing the most important things: You bought a boat, you signed up to this list and you are planning to paddle a lot. Welcome, and happy paddling, Niels. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Hi Richard, A few years ago I made almost the EXACT same choices (I went with the Lotus Lola - no Locean then). The only exception is that instead of the "recreational" class WS I went with a "Light Tourer", specifically an Alto. I don't know how big you are or how comfortably you balance on the water, but I'd consider one of the light tourers to get you into more "sea-kayak" boat behavior. You won't outgrow one of these. Even though I now have multiple other boats, I would not consider getting rid of my poor abused Alto. I run it down rocky rivers and seal-launch off the muddy sides of creeks and even play kayak dodgem with it - things I would never do with my composite boat(s). I also have come to realize that I wouldn't be doing these things in a rec boat, either, because I like that the Alto behaves similarly to my 'regular' boat. The only other thing that I would have changed, had I known then what I know now, is I would get a shorter paddle. Unless you're REALLY tall. Jennifer --- "Richard L. Casale" <RichCasale_at_comcast.net> wrote: ... > Wilderness Systems Pungo > Werner Mid-Tour 230cm Paddle > Either Kokatat OutFit Tour or Lotis Designs Locean > PDF > Wilderness Systems Spray Skit > Emergency Rescue Kit (whistle, paddle float, sponge, > and pump) >... Try FREE Yahoo! Mail - the world's greatest free email! http://mail.yahoo.com/ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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