jpn55 wrote:the challenge to me is to paddle boats that handle differently and try to adjust my paddling style to take advantage of each boat's strengths.
that's the spirit!!!
I'd encourage everyone to talk to their local boating club and see if they can get a plastic slalom boat. I brought a bunch of the Dragorossi slalom boats (SL350) in the U.S. and most of the interest was with clubs who wanted to keep them around for members to try when they were ready to experiment either with actual racing or just doing some cross training to build up their skills.
Slalom is a super way to clean up your technique. It translates directly to all sorts of river running, creeking, and even playboating ability.
The Donsa looks like a very nice boat. Galasport also makes a plastic slalom boat, I believe off their older Toro model. The Draorossi boat is on the lower side of the medium sized boat. Not knowing what Celliers weighs, I can't really guess the comparison between the Donsa and the SL350, but I"m anxious to see the Fluid boat in the U.S. so I can make a direct comparison. The Galasport boat is pretty big, so good for larger paddlers.
These plastic slalom boats are a very good sign for the future of the sport because they will foster some skilled paddlers in the future. The kids who learn, or do some training in these slalom boats will surely be good paddlers. AND, the plastic boats will last longer than composite boats, which is why clubs are looking into them.