About myself

I am 1.5 years into kayakking now, and I'm getting the hang of it. I don't own any boats yet, but I mainly paddle a rainbow DNA.

About the test environment

Grade 2 (to low 3) whitewater, both rapids and playspots.

Review

The DNA is, by today's standards, a very long boat, which makes it very fast. I have surfed a wave in it that a more experienced person in a dagger GT couldn't hang on to. The agility is pretty good for such a long boat, it actually feels like you're paddling something small. However, the long flat deck also means it's easy to get grabbed (especially when you're actually too heavy for the boat and therefor sit very low in the water like me). The boat is also way too long for any serious playboating, and it actually gets in the way when playing in spots most boats would easily fit into. Because of the relatively small volume, this wouldn't be the most ideal boat for big drops ad stuff too. It is however a good boat for learning the basics of paddling, even those of rodeo, even though you can't really pull the moves.
The boat has a basic outfitting, and for those short enough to use the foot support, it should offer a normal level of comfort.

Conclusion

It's not the most forgiving boat, it sometimes seems to think it's a squirt boat, and it doesn't do rodeo, but it's the perfect boat for lazy people, extremely fast yet still agile.

About the reviewer

I'm a class IV paddler. I usually paddle in north west Italian rivers (mostly in the Piemonte region). I'm a member of AlpiKayak.
I learned paddling playing kanupolo.

Test environment

I live in North Italy and I used DNA on many class III IV IV+ rivers in Northwest Italy and South-East France,
like Ubaye, Sesia, Trebbia, Taverone etc.

Review

Nowadays the DNA can be considered an obsolete boat. Many people don't like it because it's too long, others because its tail makes the boat a little unbalanced.

But if you are a beginner and you want to start learn squirting and surfing and still have a quiet riverrunner, perhaps this is your boat.

The front deck is like a traditional river runner, this means no surprises when you need speed.


Despite of its length (260cm), the tail is so thin that you can manouver it like a shorter kayak.

The shape makes it a little unbalanced, the boat tends to emerge verticaly after jumps, but it behaves smooth and it is very easy to get back the control.

If you are used to a polo kayak, you will find it familiar after a while.

If you are a beginner and you are not scared, it will help you to improve your technique, since if you want to control it you must paddle in the correct position.

Last but not least it is cheaper!

If you get confident, then you can use it in more technical water.


Talking about outfitting, it is very poor, but you got a good footrest suitable for technical rivers.

Since its shape, it is quite comfortable even for tall people.

Conclusion

I used DNA for a long time and I always had fun with it, even if after a certain period I wanted to move to a more recent river runner.
If you are a beginner that is interested in advanced river running and starting playing, the DNA could be a good start.

If you are a beginner that looks for stability and safety, then it could not be your boat.