[Paddlewise] Kayak Trials at Trial Island - Part One

Last Saturday turned out to be a "loverly" day for trying out kayaks at 
Trial Island. Of course, rougher conditions (wind n' swell) would have 
perhaps yielded greater rewards from the perspective of testing the merits 
of each design. The Friday the day before was apparently kicking up 
something a little more worthy for those not vocationally occupied that day 
that made it down to the beach.



I assume the Vancouver-based retailer that brought over the kayaks wasn't 
necessarily - nefariously - attempting to drum up sales or create turf wars. 
More accurately, there was a deficit of advanced paddlers available on the 
mainland handy in one place in order to determine the suitability of 
carrying the new Tiderace line in earnest by the retailer, subject to 
gauging the response of seasoned paddlers; whereas in Victoria, our 
proximity to moving saltwater creates a surfeit of savvy paddlers. Now if 
only our retailers would carry a more worthwhile variety of serious day 
boats.



The Tiderace Xcite lived up to the hype fully. This distinguishable 
Romanyesq-handling playboat carved turns with ease, imparted reassuring 
stability while moving up to cruising speed remarkably fast. The kayak was 
born to surf, and born to catch and ride waves in the tideraces it is so 
aptly named for. Perhaps the forward buoyancy affords the same type of 
performance floatation that a Mariner Coaster is famous for. Further testing 
in rock gardens and surf zones would be needed to confirm this.



The lines of the kayak suggest serious business will be undertaken by anyone 
jumping into it. The oddly high foredeck sheds water easily, while allowing 
a very ergonomically pleasing knee placement that I hadn't enjoyed in 
similar classes of playboats I've sat in. The coming thigh braces were 
extremely relaxing and at the same time, provided unyielding purchase out in 
the lumpy stuff - something to seriously consider in a kayak you contemplate 
staying ensconced plying rougher waters. This is the first time I've felt 
secure in a keyhole cockpit , formerly only enjoying the security perception 
in an Oceancockpit equipped kayak.



The seat was adjustable fore and aft, though not quickly movable like the 
Mariner line. The backband didn't give the comfort and performance suggested 
by the rest of the outfitting, but I didn't take the time to play with the 
adjustments. The adjustable full-width footpad- footrest ergonomically 
dovetailed perfectly with the seating arrangement and knee placement. 
Unfortunately, custom bulkheads cannot be ordered at this time, possibly 
necessitating some wasted space for shorted-legged sea yakers. This is the 
first sea kayak I've never sat in before that I was able to get in and not 
have any qualms about some quirk of instability or misgiving about handling 
or secure fit prior to cutom outfitting



On edge, the Xcite felt like the water below had instantly frozen solid, 
locking the kayak comfortably on edge. This kayak will take care of you. 
Broaching was negligible, edge to edge movement easily invoked but secondary 
stability solid. Rolled easily, though still a bit high-volume-like around 
the back of the cockpit. There was nothing to really not recommend the 
handling of this boat. No glaring faults. The slightly longer Xplore felt a 
little more surefooted for the open water enthusiasts when comparing the two 
sister kayaks, just as the NDK Explorer would be compared to the Romany, I'm 
sure. The Xcite turned on edge on the spot rather adroitly, considering the 
end-of-keel skeg extension astern. At speed, the stern skeg extesion digs 
in, holding the kayak in line. The Keritek drop-skeg augmented the 
directional stability further, without the daftly laid-out, overly large 
skeg box other kayaks are infamous for.



Fit, finish, and construction are nothing short of world class and so very 
far beyond anything found in cottage-industry produced boats like the NDK's. 
Things like the 30cm strip of carbon fiber running the keel inside the hull, 
the dual composite (?) outer hull-to-deck join, the superior gelcoating and 
distinct colour motifs, and the Rockpool Alaw/Alaw Bach inspired refined 
lines, including the foredeck hatch and other KajakSport hatches make the 
pricetag of sub $4,000.00 very worthwhile, though still not as good a deal 
as the Canadian Impex line of kayaks.



The foredeck height might be an issue for short-torsoed paddlers, though 
where the flat foredeck peak plateau ends, there is little impediment for 
the high-angle stroke paddler. The narrow bezel of the cockpit rim does seem 
to force a careful manipulation of the sprayskirt to make the full perimeter 
seal. I should mention that adjusting the seat may have advantages for 
obtaining optimal trim or increasing cockpit-accessible item volume behind 
the seat/backband.



Little details may or may not be important to the individual paddler, but 
certainly the overall perception these Tidrace kayaks invoke suggests they 
are every bit as good as the hype/advertising suggests. This may be coming 
from a paddler who doesn't profess any prowess with boat reviews, submits 
this review with full disclosure of the former, but nevertheless, one who 
knows a good thing when he sits in one after 28 years of paddling.and 
paddles away in it to the tiderace...



Doug Lloyd

Victoria BC
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