I kayak around on local rivers to fish alot, I have a perception swifty, just a recreational boat. I would like to get into whitewater kayaking, I don't know the differences between boats, and things of that nature, could you guys help me out?

well do you know the types of boats such as the creekboat and the playboat and the river runner and the river/creek boat

what are you planning to get into playboating or creeking or general riverrunning

General river running.
What is the difference between a creek boat and a river running boat?

Mostly volume: most of today's river runners are (similar to) yesterday's hot playboats (for instance the pyranha inazone). Most river runners allow you to play as well (which makes lower class rivers a lot more fun IMO). Creek boats are mostly used on higher class rivers that are usually pretty technical too.

I once paddled a big Dagger Freefall on a class1 river with a few class2 rapids. Needless to say I was bored when I finally got out because my boat was way too big for that sort of stuff. So if you plan on paddling mostly lower class rivers (and you'll probably start on those) try to get yourself a river runner.

It doesn't have to be a brand new boat. Just get yourself a second hand Perception Whiplash/Whipit , Dagger RPM, Eskimo Diablo or a Pyranha Inazone or something like that. They are reasonably cheap, last a while and you can learn a lot in them.

Once you have more experience and really know what sort of paddling you want to do (if any) you can always buy yourself a new boat.


HTH,

Michiel

Go to a local festival or outdoor show.

Where are you located?

Drop by a local water sports store and look at what is available.

Between questions here and seeing and trying whats available you should get a good idea.
If you are anywhere near northeren newyork or eastern Ontario stop by our exhibition in Cornwall Ontario. The information is on the Playak event board (25 Feb 2006) or you can go to www.jacksonkayak.com/jknews06/newsitem.cfm?article=200602133
to see our poster.

Good luck in your new adventures

try and and find a local club their will b a load of paddlers their that youi can talk to and they will probably have a good selection of boats between them and the club so you will be able to see first hand what type of kayaking you want to get in to

or find a local dealership

yahoo groups are another place that is a good place to find paddlers

or boatertalk

[quote:765c73b8d7="RobertZ"]Go to a local festival or outdoor show.

Where are you located?

Drop by a local water sports store and look at what is available.

Between questions here and seeing and trying whats available you should get a good idea.
If you are anywhere near northeren newyork or eastern Ontario stop by our exhibition in Cornwall Ontario. The information is on the Playak event board (25 Feb 2006) or you can go to www.jacksonkayak.com/jknews06/newsitem.cfm?article=200602133
to see our poster.

Good luck in your new adventures[/quote:765c73b8d7]
I'm located about an hour out of Charleston West Virginia- not too far from the New River.

I looked at several different Dagger boats. A used RPM looks like a good choice for me. I am a high school student, and am jobless as of now, so I'm on a serious budget, as my parents aren't really wanting to support this endeavor

just write kayak on google and ull come up with loads of co.s and ull get the now how from that but be careful like just about any other sport kayak co.s are real hype monsters and will want u to think their the best ever and no one else is any good

buyer's guides are about as useful as [color=orange:5dcd2bcf8f]this[/color:5dcd2bcf8f]

you've gotta read between the lines when you go to manufacturer's web sites, they all want to sell you something (keep [color=red:5dcd2bcf8f]this[/color:5dcd2bcf8f] in mind)


read lots of [color=yellow:5dcd2bcf8f]reviews[/color:5dcd2bcf8f] while keeping in mind that lots of people have lots of opinions of which boat will be the best one for you to learn in and continue growing in so that you can have the most possible fun in one boat as your paddling skills develop over time.

[quote:9190ddf4f4]I'm located about an hour out of Charleston West Virginia- not too far from the New River.[/quote:9190ddf4f4]

Hey man, I'm located around there too, after you get your boat maybe we can hit the New or Greenbrier sometime? Send me a PM...

Lower Keeny, double Z

Drool...

Can't wait to get back.

and when the river pumps up the new river dries

yah Texasfish I don't think you'll be thinking about the dries for a very long time. Too bad you haven't had the pleasure of seeing 15 foot waves. The dries is quite dangerous. Tanya Shuman did some moon walking there last spring.

what is moon walking

If you wet exit then get sucked down and cannot get up because currents are holding you down. Sometimes they can plaster you right on the bottom. There is a spot on the Lower Yough were one can practice this. It can be fun to get sucked down as long as it's only for a few seconds

were is the spot located

the lower yough is one of my favorite rivers, my dad's good friend has a little get together up there every august its called zeke fest i any of yall have ever heard of it.

I'm kinda thinking of running the falls... when legal of course. You have any plans for heading up for that. There are already too many people there. I would think it wouldn't really be worth it... not like you could even run the river with all the people there

okay when is the festival

Look on the internet. Are you gonna drive up from Texas? seems like a long way to go... or were you jus trying to chock up more posts

wow and another burn wow you are getting burnt left and right

i don't know maybe i was

[quote:9b39c5d0b0="nathan"]I'm kinda thinking of running the falls... when legal of course. You have any plans for heading up for that. There are already too many people there. I would think it wouldn't really be worth it... not like you could even run the river with all the people there[/quote:9b39c5d0b0]

ive got a video of my dad running the falls before anyone was allowed coarse it was illeagal but o well

Hey Kevin,

Welcome!! I would agree with the post on joining a local club. Not only will this improve your skills, but you can try out different boats and hopefully find people to take you out and show some of the key points to this great sport!!

As for the boat! I'd go "Used", look at places like www.boatertalk.com or even your local paddle store for demo boats. Have fun and enjoy these characters!! (Nathan, Texasfish, jackb, ect..)

ha ha go ebay for good used kayaks