About the reviewer

havent paddled play boats for long so just getting into it now

Test environment

grade 2-3 and small surf

Review

great fun - spins outa control quickly. not as fast as RPM on waves

Conclusion

aawesome fun - but I'm just nto good enough to really rip it yet

About myself

Started kayaking 1 year ago with 2 boats- Flipstick and a RAD185.
I am still a grade2 -3 paddler because we've just finished winter. I hope to be a grade 5 -6 paddler in the future.

About the test environment

Learnt to roll in the local bay (lyttelton harbour). Practice in local pool 1- 2hrs a week doing tricks.

Kayaked 2 rivers using the same boat a total of 5 times. River levels were reasonably high in each case (not sure of cumics)
•3x Ashley river (New Zealand) grade 2+
•2x Hurunui river (New Zealand) grade 2-3

Review

Played in other peoples boats when at the local pool- so am aware of the not so subtle differences between various boats.

I find the Flipstick to be fantastic to learn rolls in. I achieved my first hand roll with ease in this boat.
The boat has relatively little volume in the ends, therefore it is ideal for learning how to get either end under water. This boat taught me to cart wheel.

There is enough volume to be a good river runner without either catching Bow or Stern ends. For this reason i believe it is forgiving to the learner on rivers yet allows the learner to learn the tricks on flat water! (before applying the new learnt tricks to the rivers-as im doing now)

I recommend the seat be located as far forward as comfortable to the paddler. This has been confirmed by another person I know (whom was only 85kg- not that it makes any difference).
The first time I went on the river I hit some biggish wave trains (big for a grade2 -3 learner as I am). I found bow/myself real vertical. So I went home and tweaked the seat a bit forward and now its just awesome fun (not scary)

Cant learn forward flips on flat water (Although im sure someone else can manage a flip- you would need more volume in the front of the boat to get some bounce- the bliss stick RAD would be ideal boat for this)

The outfitting of my boat is fine.

I reckon the smaller the boat the better for doing tricks. I weigh 90-94kg (I fluctuate depending on the food ive been eating) and comftably fit my flipstick. I reckon maybe 105kg would still be good. There is still foot room for me at 6ft and Ive had friends of 6ft3 fitting nicely too.
Im not sure on the lower weight limit, but im sure 80kg would be ok. The tricks might require more technique for people <80kg. (Remember im still just a learner myself)

At the beach- it loves the big waves no worries! It has good front and back rocker so big waves are all good- The hardest part is paddling out. I've been frittened a few times at the beach as these waves break on me before getting into position, but still havent taken any beatings.
The boat seems ok for speed. -Im sure a longer boat would be faster but the flippy is long enough for me.

Conclusion

Man I love this boat. Learn everything I know in this boat, with the exception of forward flips.
Likes big waves at the beach.
Enough room for big people.
Awesome Maori graphics on boat.
Prefer as far forward seat position as comfortable for rivers (personally)
I cant see myself growing out of this boat in a hurry.