Kayak Demo Day

Well, it was a fun day, but we are not too much closer to figuring out what we want in a kayak. We did figure out that we still enjoy getting out on the water, though! I always worry about my shoulder with tendonitis, but if I am careful and paddle correctly, it isn't too bad, surprisingly.

We tried several single kayaks and one tandem today - all hard sided, two sit-on-tops, and a few more traditional styles. I was happy to find I felt comfortable in all of them and did fine. The hardest one to paddle was the tandem! Maybe we should rethink getting a tandem and get two singles... the sit-on-top with the most comfortable seat was a little too high and seemed to be affected by wind more. The easiest to paddle and maneuver were the lower centered sit-in kayaks. Now I'm just more confused!!

The owner of Southwind was there and very helpful - he suggested we might like the Advanced Frame Convertible model. It is a hybrid inflatable-folding kayak, with a frame in the front to help it slice through the water better, and can be converted from a single to a double. Adjustable comfy seats, too. But they didn't have one there.

We went by REI on the way home to look at their kayaks, but they weren't too helpful - the kayaks are all hanging from the cieling and they didn't want to blow up their inflatables because they said they kept losing parts each time they did that (specifically for that Advanced Frame model) which didn't sound too good.

So we will likely go back to Southwind and take a class or two - their "First Strokes" class would be good, and then they have the "Sea Legs" class. And we will go to their store in Irvine and see their kayaks - they are all out and available for sitting in, so a much nicer place to compare boats!