About the reviewer

Once upon a time a canoe polo & slalom paddler of no great repute

Test environment

Paddled down the Yarra from Reserve Rd to Warrandyte, ~45cm of water at Warrandyte - ie: shallow!

Review

A good allrounder. I played with the skeg on the flat sections which was nice, and in the shallow rapids it coped pretty well. I had the 9.0 which may have been a little small - although it felt big inside, it may have been a bit sluggish due to my being over the weight recommendation for the 9.0, rumour has it the 10.0 would be more agile, as depsite it being bigger it would float more out of the water. The rapids on the Yarra at low water are more tricky navigational (and then bumping over rocks ...) than technically difficult, the Approach was not troubled by getting beached a lot!

Conclusion

I think I'll buy one!

About the reviewer

Only been paddling for a year or so. About to leave the tank behind and move into play boating.

Test environment

The tidal Thames, can be millpond flat, can be sea storm choppy.

Review

Known down at the base as the Tank this monster is absolutely massive. It comfortably fits my slightly-too-large frame ;) and is very comfortable. It's pretty fast, tracks well and I find it fairly maneuverable. It sits on edge fine and feels very stable. There's not much I can really add to this as the name Tank sums it up.

I would recommend it for beginners although I think you will grow out of it fairly quickly and want to move on to a more technical kayak where, in the words of one instructor, you can feel at one with your boat.

There is really only one major negative with this boat: the sheer size of it means play boats will often form a queue to practice loops off the front of it. Fun for them, not so much for you...

Conclusion

A good boat for touring, instructing or learning in. Don't expect it to take you technically very far.

About the reviewer

new to paddling but madly in love wit it. Paddle 2-3 times a wwek for 3 - 5 hours at a time. mainly flat water but does include level 1,2 and 3 rapids.I wanted a boat that would cruise the still stuff and do everything.

Test Environment

flat fast moving swollen river.

Review

brilliant , skeg down runs straight and goes fast, skeg up it becomes incredibly manoverable . It still maintains an edge whilst still feeling stable.

Conclusion

I love it, it is exactly whAT i wanted a river running rec boat that would do level 2 white water with no probs. i have no desire ( yet) to get into playboating but wanted value for money it is gold If you want a bit of everything BUY ONE

The tester

I've been kayaking for a couple of years, mostly class II and classIII. My wife also has been kayaking for about 3 years. We currently own 3 other whitewater kayaks.

Test environment

Flat water up to class III.

Review

We wanted an all around kayak that could cruise on flat water and handle everything up to class III. After seeing the Approach 10.0 and trying it out, we were sold. There is a HUGE amount of space in the cockpit. My wife (115 lbs) and I (170 lbs.) both fit easily. In fact it took her a while to get used to the large size. She is so light she easily glides over everything that we have come up with so far. This kayak is very forgiving. However, I do find it more difficult to roll than our other whitewater kayaks (Liquid Logic Little Joe, Perception Blaze, Dagger Vengeance).

The area in the rear is perfect for storing gear. Plus you don't need air bags. This kayak doesn't get pushed around by larger water. You can easily pick your lines. The trade off is it isn't as maneuverable. There is a lot of volume in this kayak and you won't find yourself getting as wet as with some others. We run in some pretty cold water and the Approach will keep you just a bit warmer because you will generally ride a bit higher. Even though you might ride dryer this kayak is very forgiving. We haven't flipped over yet. We can go down class II+ water sideways/backwards and the thing still doesn't flip over.

Conclusion

Great entry/intermediate kayak that can fit anyone and can comfortably handle up to class III water.