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Kayak Test ResultsTesting by

June 2005

Kayak Test Results

www.rapidascent.com.au 2

Table of Contents Page no.

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Boat Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Surf Ski (Molokai) - Fenn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Surf Ski (SLSA approved) - Spectrum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Surf Ski (Plastic) - Spirit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Surf Ski (Plastic) - Endorfinn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Plastic Sit on Top - Sprinter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Plastic Sit on Top - Scupper Pro. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Plastic Sit on Top - Scrambler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8K1 - Viper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9TK1 - Sladecraft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Multi-sport - Time Machine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Multi-sport - Evolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Multi-sport - Rocket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13White-water (DRR) - Avenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14White-water (DRR) - Wavehopper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Sea Kayak - Mirage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Sea Kayak - Cortez. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Sea Kayak - Contour 440. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Detailed craft assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Meet the testers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Kayak Test Results


Introduction

A test of 17 different types of kayak was conducted in June 2005 by a group of people who are passionate about kayaking. The test wasconducted in order to determine the suitability of various kayaks for adventure racing that may involve long paddles on rivers or in theocean. The views expressed in this article are the views of the testers and may have been influenced by the condition of the boats used (someof the craft were years old as can be seen by the photos!)

During the time-trial testing, an out-and-back loop of approximately 1.4km was used on the Barwon River in Geelong, a flat-water riverwith very little current. The times for this 1.4km loop were extrapolated to 1 hour, using the racing K1 kayak as the 1 hour benchmark.

Not all of the testers paddled all 17 boats, as some people were not at a level of fitness to complete this task. The timing results havehowever been normalised and invalid data excluded wherever statistically invalid results were evident (represented by high standarddeviations). The time differential between testers in different boats was consistent, demonstrating the validity in the overall timing results.

Apart from speed, testers also assessed the seating, pedals, stability, handling and other general comfort factors in relation to the individualcraft, and said quite bluntly what they liked or didn’t like about the boat as tested. We made an attempt to also time-trial some of theseboats in the ocean, however this is more difficult due to the higher number of variables (ie surf and swell), so the data in this documentmakes time comparisons based on flat water speed only. In terms of suitability for surf, we have made some comments against particularboats indicating the design aspects that make them particularly suited to use in the ocean. Also, at different skill levels, different styles ofcraft have their place, and choosing a boat for the ocean or for a white water river is a very individual choice.

The boat statistics (weight, length etc) and objective information about each craft are contained in pages 2-18. The subjective commentsabout what the testers did or didn’t like about each boat are contained in pages 19-20. We’d love to hear from you if you disagree with anyof our thoughts. By its very nature, a test such as this will generate some disagreement and debate, however our primary objective withsharing this information is to assist people (particularly beginners) to determine what type of kayak is best for them.

Summary of the results

Fenn

Time MachineRocket

Evolution

Avenger TK1

Spectrum SpiritSprinter

Cortez Endorfinn

Mirage

Wavehopper

Contour 440Scupper Pro

Scrambler

Viper

1:30:00

1:25:00

1:20:00

1:15:00

1:10:00

1:05:00

1:00:00

0:55:00

Flat water boat paddling speeds

Fla

t w

ater

tim

e, b

ased

on

K1

= 1

ho

ur

Kayak Test Results


Boat Statistics

Boat Type Surf Ski (Molokai)

Model Fenn

Manufacturer Fenn

Place of manufacture South Africa

Price new (approx in A$) $2,500

Price second hand in GC (approx in A$) $1,500

Constructed from Fibreglass

Weight (kg) 18.05

Beam (cm) 43.0

Length (metres) 6.40

Adjustable seat No

Adjustable pedals No

Rudder (Trailing, Fixed, None) Fixed

Drainage holes Yes

Flat-water Time Trial - compared to one hour for K1 1:03:17

Stability Score (1 Extremely Unstable, 10 Extremely Stable) 2 - Extremely Unstable

Manoeuvrability/Control Excellent

Ease of getting back onto/into after capsize Extremely difficult

Top

Back

Bottom

Front

Cockpit

Boat Statistics

Boat Type

Model

Manufacturer

Place of manufacture

Price new (approx in A$)

Price second hand in GC (approx in A$)

Constructed from

Weight (kg)

Beam (cm)

Length (metres)

Adjustable seat

Adjustable pedals

Rudder (Trailing, Fixed, None)

Drainage holes

Flat-water Time Trial - compared to one hour for K1

Stability Score (1 Extremely Unstable, 10 Extremely Stable)

Manoeuvrability/Control

Ease of getting back onto/into after capsize

Surf Ski (SLSA approved)

Spectrum

Spectrum

NSW

$2,500

$1,200

Fibreglass

17.95

49.0

5.78

No

No

Fixed

No

1:07:52

4 - Unstable

Good

Not too difficult

Top

Back

Bottom

Front

Cockpit

Kayak Test Results


Boat Statistics

Boat Type

Model

Manufacturer




Constructed from

Weight (kg)

Beam (cm)

Length (metres)

Adjustable seat

Adjustable pedals


Drainage holes





Surf Ski

Spirit

Spirit Kayaks

WA

$1,200

$800

Plastic

23.85

49.0

4.95

No

Yes

Trailing

No

1:08:14

5 - Stable

Good

Relatively Easy

Top

Back

Bottom

Front

Cockpit

Kayak Test Results


Boat Statistics

Boat Type

Model

Manufacturer




Constructed from

Weight (kg)

Beam (cm)

Length (metres)

Adjustable seat

Adjustable pedals


Drainage holes





Surf Ski

Endorfinn

Finn Kayaks

WA

$1,200

$800

Plastic

25.75

53.0

5.15

No

Yes

Trailing

No

1:10:43

6 - Stable

Good

Easy

Top

Back

Bottom

Front

Cockpit

Kayak Test Results


Boat Statistics

Boat Type

Model

Manufacturer




Constructed from

Weight (kg)

Beam (cm)

Length (metres)

Adjustable seat

Adjustable pedals


Drainage holes





Plastic Sit on Top

Sprinter

Ocean Kayak

NZ

$1,000

$500

Plastic

24.55

52.0

5.15

No

Yes

Trailing

Yes

1:10:00

8 - Very Stable

Average

Very easy

Top

Back

Bottom

Front

Cockpit

Kayak Test Results


Boat Statistics

Boat Type

Model

Manufacturer




Constructed from

Weight (kg)

Beam (cm)

Length (metres)

Adjustable seat

Adjustable pedals


Drainage holes





Plastic Sit on Top

Scupper Pro

Ocean Kayak

NZ

$800

$500

Plastic

27.00

66.0

4.54

No

NA

No Rudder

Yes

1:19:01

9 - Extremely Stable

Poor

Extremely easy

Kayak Test Results


No images available

Boat Statistics

Boat Type

Model

Manufacturer




Constructed from

Weight (kg)

Beam (cm)

Length (metres)

Adjustable seat

Adjustable pedals


Drainage holes





Plastic Sit on Top

Scrambler

Ocean Kayak

NZ

$500

$300

Plastic

20.50

71.1

3.36

No

NA

No Rudder

Yes

1:28:46

10 - Extremely Stable

Poor

Extremely easy

No images available

Kayak Test Results


Boat Statistics

Boat Type

Model

Manufacturer




Constructed from

Weight (kg)

Beam (cm)

Length (metres)

Adjustable seat

Adjustable pedals


Drainage holes





K1

Viper

Pro Kayaks

NSW

$2,500

$1,200

Fibreglass

9.85

40.0

5.18

Yes

Yes

Fixed

NA

1:00:00

1 - Extremely Unstable

Good

Return to shore

Top

Back

Bottom

Front

Cockpit

Kayak Test Results


Boat Statistics

Boat Type

Model

Manufacturer




Constructed from

Weight (kg)

Beam (cm)

Length (metres)

Adjustable seat

Adjustable pedals


Drainage holes





TK1

Sladecraft

Sladecraft

NSW

$1,500

$500

Fibreglass

11.35

60.0

4.54

Yes

Yes

Trailing

NA

1:07:34

7 - Very Stable

Good

Return to shore

Top

Back

Bottom

Front

Cockpit

Kayak Test Results


Boat Statistics

Boat Type

Model

Manufacturer




Constructed from

Weight (kg)

Beam (cm)

Length (metres)

Adjustable seat

Adjustable pedals


Drainage holes





Multi-sport

Time Machine

Grafton Paddle Sports

Grafton, NSW

$1,700

$1,200

Fibreglass

12.65

46.0

5.51

Yes

Yes

Trailing

NA

1:04:02

4 - Unstable

Good

Eskimo Roll or return to shore

Top

Back

Bottom

Front

Cockpit

Kayak Test Results


Boat Statistics

Boat Type

Model

Manufacturer




Constructed from

Weight (kg)

Beam (cm)

Length (metres)

Adjustable seat

Adjustable pedals


Drainage holes





Multi-sport

Evolution

Sisson

NZ

$2,700

$1,500

Fibreglass

14.00

40.0

6.04

Yes

Yes

Trailing

NA

1:04:29

3 - Unstable

Good


Top

Back

Bottom

Front

Cockpit

Kayak Test Results


Boat Statistics

Boat Type

Model

Manufacturer




Constructed from

Weight (kg)

Beam (cm)

Length (metres)

Adjustable seat

Adjustable pedals


Drainage holes





Multi-sport

Rocket

Horizon Kayaks

NSW

$2,500

$1,200

Kevlar

14.65

48.0

6.71

Yes

Yes

Trailing

NA

1:04:06

4 - Unstable

Good


Top

Back

Bottom

Front

Cockpit

Kayak Test Results


Boat Statistics

Boat Type

Model

Manufacturer




Constructed from

Weight (kg)

Beam (cm)

Length (metres)

Adjustable seat

Adjustable pedals


Drainage holes





White-water (DRR)

Avenger

Perception

NZ

$1,600

$800

Fibreglass

12.20

60.0

4.49

Yes

No pedals

None

NA

1:07:25

4 - Unstable

Average (hip steer)


Top

Front

Bottom

Cockpit

Kayak Test Results


Boat Statistics

Boat Type

Model

Manufacturer




Constructed from

Weight (kg)

Beam (cm)

Length (metres)

Adjustable seat

Adjustable pedals


Drainage holes





White-water (DRR)

Wavehopper

Perception

NZ

$1,400

$800

Plastic

20.00

59.5

4.04

Yes

No pedals

None

NA

1:13:53

6 - Stable

Average (hip steer)


Top

Back

Bottom

Front

Cockpit

Kayak Test Results


Boat Statistics

Boat Type

Model

Manufacturer




Constructed from

Weight (kg)

Beam (cm)

Length (metres)

Adjustable seat

Adjustable pedals


Drainage holes





Sea Kayak

Mirage

Mirage

NSW

$2,500

$1,200

Fibreglass

27.00

59.5

5.81

Yes

Yes

Trailing

NA

1:12:54

8 - Very Stable

Slow to respond

Eskimo Roll or open water re-entry (electric pump)

Top

Back

Bottom

Front

Cockpit

Kayak Test Results


Boat Statistics

Boat Type

Model

Manufacturer




Constructed from

Weight (kg)

Beam (cm)

Length (metres)

Adjustable seat

Adjustable pedals


Drainage holes





Sea Kayak

Cortez

Dagger

UK

$2,195

$1,800

Plastic

23.55

54.0

4.98

Yes

Yes

Trailing

NA

1:10:39

8 - Very Stable

Average


Top

Back

Bottom

Front

Cockpit

Kayak Test Results


Boat Statistics

Boat Type

Model

Manufacturer




Constructed from

Weight (kg)

Beam (cm)

Length (metres)

Adjustable seat

Adjustable pedals


Drainage holes





Sea Kayak

Contour 440

Perception

NZ

$2,000

$1,200

Plastic

27.00

62.0

4.50

Yes

Yes

Trailing

NA

1:17:36

8 - Very Stable

Average


No images available

Kayak Test Results


Assessment of features Likes and Dislikes

Boat Type Seat Comfort Pedals Rudder Useful features What I like What I dislike/what Comments for/Model about this boat could be improved beginners

about this boat

Surf Ski Very narrow, a little Good Under-stern rudder,(Molokai)/ uncomfortable, sit very responsiveFenn very low relative to

feet

Surf Ski (SLSA Good Good Under-stern rudder Foot loopsapproved)/Spectrum

Surf Ski OK Good (velcro straps), Strong housing, but Storage (Plastic)/ direct steering needs to be raised compartmentsSpirit as assembly drags

in water

Surf Ski Good A little plasticy Plastic rudder is OK Very innovative leg(Plastic)/ and weak bracing straps on Endorfinn side, back support,

water bidon-holder, storage compartments

Plastic Sit OK but a bit low, Hinged in middle Good Self-draining holeson Top/ get very wetSprinter

Plastic Sit Average, get wet No pedals, Definitely needs Self-draining on Top/ bum, bit low, could plastic chocks only to have one holes, storage Scupper Pro get sore hip flexors compartments

Plastic Sit Hard and No pedals, No rudder, swings Self-draining holeson Top/ uncomfortable, plastic chocks only from side to side Scrambler slip around a lot with every stroke,

very unpleasantexperience to paddle

K1/K1 High seat, good T-bar steering, Under-responsive Foot strapsposition and limited room for feetcomfort

Kayak Test Results


Reputedly theworld’s fastest oceankayak, this boatglides on the waterand is super-manouevrable forsuch a long boat, theself-draining holesprovide anentertaining auralexperience

Great in the surf (asall SLSA-approvedsurf skis are)

Versatile boat (suitedto surf, ocean, whitewater, flat water,touring), verycomfortable, feelslight for a plasticboat, stable, tracksand runs smoothly

Versatile boat, verystable, Runs quitewell

Tracks nicely, verystable boat

Stable boat, runsquite straight

Nothing, wouldprovide zeroincentive to keepkayaking

Fast & light, literallyskims across thewater

Very unstable, sitvery low in the boat,much more difficultto get back ontoafter capsize than aSLSA racing surf ski(lower free boardnext to seat wouldallow easier entry)

Quite heavy and alittle slow

Could be a littlelonger to increasespeed, self-drainingholes, better carrystraps, rudderassembly needs to beraised

Quite wide so normalstroke will clip sidesof boat, boat is not allthat agile, large deepwells fill with water -needs to have welldesigned self-drainingfootwells and perhapsmake sides higher tostop water flowing in,needs stronger pedals

Get very wet in thisboat, pedals need tobe improved,handles on sidecatch blade of paddle

Poor footrests(plastic chocks), raiseseat

Due to extremewidth of boat, youcan’t use a normalkayak stroke. Thisboat is strictly forrecreation orchildren’s use.

Better hand holdaround cockpit

Don’t even thinkabout it until you’vegot a few years ofexperience underyour belt

Beginners will findthese boats not toodifficult to handleon flat-water, buttaking them out inthe surf is a differentmatter

Caters for a widerange of paddlersfrom beginner toadvanced - this boattook 1st, 2nd, 3rdand 4th in 2004Avon Descent longplastic category

Very well equippedentry level surf skiwith a nice big wavedeflector at thefront, another verypopular boat at AvonDescent

Good beginner’sboat, but on flatwater you get toowet (which is anissue in winter) andin the surf there arebetter choices

Not a bad boat forbeginners, but forracing you wouldwant to upgrade tosomething fasterafter a short periodof time

Don’t even considerit for racing purposes

Only suitable forexperienced flat-water paddlers, mostbeginners would takeapproximately 6-12months before theywould be able tobalance in a K1

Detailed craft assessment

Kayak Test Results


Assessment of features Likes and Dislikes

Boat Type Seat Comfort Pedals Rudder Useful features What I like What I dislike/what Comments for/Model about this boat could be improved beginners

about this boat

TK1/TK1 Good T-bar steering, Good Big cockpitfoot rest bit uncomfortable

Multi-sport/ Uncomfortable/poor Toe control only Good High deck, highTime Machine (fixed lower half ) volume boat suited

to white water

Multi-sport/ OK OK Good Good bouyancy inEvolution deck (front) makes

it suitable for white-water racing

Multi-sport/ OK Toe-control Option of trailing Massive length Rocket or under-stern makes it a good boat

for experiencedocean paddlers

White-water Poor Need to lean to NA Large cockpit allows(DRR)/ steer (ie hip-steer) legs together,Avenger large volume

White-water Poor Need to lean to NA - legs apart Large cockpit allows(DRR)/ steer (ie hip-steer) paddling style legs together,Wavehopper required large volume

Sea Kayak/ Average to Good Good Turns like the Expedition boat -Mirage Queen Mary, large this one was fitted

rudder creates some with electric pump,drag on turning manual pump,

compass, sail

Sea Kayak/ Good Side pedals feel way Very nimble Padded seat, backCortez too flexible and brace, large openings

weak, can’t use your to storage legs to power along compartmentswith this style of pedal

Sea Kayak/ OK Soft cheap OK - has lock-downContour 440 weak plastic

Light

Runs nicely

Feels almost like a K1

Versatile - good forflat water, whitewater and ocean/bay(wouldn’t stray toofar from shorethough)

Light & responsive,great for white-waterracing

Indestructible, wellsuited to beginnerswho want to bashtheir way downsome white-waterrapids

Very Stable, Greatfor beginners butequally at home in 6metre swell in BassStrait (John paddledthis boat across BassStrait last year)

Nice run & feel,agile

Compact size

Wider and higherseat, cockpit a littletight

Storage could be anissue due to length

Heavy and slow

Too wide to use atraditional stroke

This boat deserves aproper pedal system,uncomfortable(removable) legbraces on side ofcockpit designed forwhite-water paddling

Too short - needslonger waterline,bobs in water withevery stroke, hardwork to paddle,cheap pedals

For flat-waterpaddlers, virtually allbeginners start outin a TK1, but thisboat is not suited toocean paddling

Would need someexperience to be ableto paddle this boat,newer model TimeBandit is a choicecraft

Famous kiwi boatthat is a popularchoice for races likeCoast to Coast

OK boat forbeginners

Start in a plasticDRR

Good to learn howto handle a boatwithout a rudder

This is one of thebest sea kayaksmoney can buy -huge storage space,well-equipped,strong. Suited tobeginners as well asexpedition-lengthpaddlers

A great entry-levelsea kayak well suitedto beginners

There are betterbeginner level seakayaks

Detailed craft assessment continued…

Kayak Test Results


JOHN JACOBY

Age: 40 Weight: 86kgSports background: Kayaker Years kayaking: 25Number of boats currently owned: 7 (I think)How many “swims” did you take in the first month? PlentyCan you do an eskimo roll? Yes, I think so - but try not to get in a situation where I have to.Greatest kayaking achievement: 4 x World Marathon Kayak Champion.Longest kayak trip or race: 95km in a sea kayak in a day plus a 250km paddle in a Canadian canoe down the Yukon R in 20hrs non-stop.Most fun ever in a kayak: Paddling SW coast of Tassie in sea kayaks.Biggest drama ever in a kayak: Doing a full 180 degree nose stand in my sea kayak after being forced to catch an 8ft wave on a reef1500m from shore and then having to swim to shore while avoiding being spotted by a shark spotter plane!Kayaking dream trip: Lots, but some include sea kayaking Alaska, SW New Zealand.How many times per month I go for a paddle: 2-3 times per week.Tips for beginners: Persevere with the balance thing and get in a good boat early on so you enjoy going fast.Favourite kayak: K1 - you can’t beat speed.

BRENDON GRAIL

Age: 35 Weight: 79kgSports background: Runner Years kayaking: 6Number of boats currently owned: 4How many “swims” did you take in the first month? 8Can you do an eskimo roll? No.Greatest kayaking achievement: 1st Novice (Long Plastic) Avon Descent 2004.Longest kayak trip or race: 134km over 2 days (Avon Descent).Most fun ever in a kayak: Multi-day trip on the Murray River with my wife in a double sea-kayak in the middle of winter - red wine, hotfire, baked potatoes and chestnuts on a beach at the end of each day.Biggest drama ever in a kayak: Capsize in the middle of Lake Eildon in a TK1.Kayaking dream trip: Game of chicken - paddle the length of the Daintree River in Nth Qld without being taken by a crocodile.How many times per month I go for a paddle: 6Tips for beginners: Stick out the first 2 months of kayak training - expect to go "swimming" quite a bit in your first month, but once youget the balance thing, you’ll love it.Favourite kayak: My Pink and Purple Mirage 730 Double Sea-Kayak.

ERIC WARD

Age: 52 Weight: 78kgSports background: Kayak, Multsiport, Triathlon, Hockey Years kayaking: 30Number of boats currently owned: 2How many “swims” did you take in the first month? Dozens in white water.Can you do an eskimo roll? Probably not now avoid the situations.Greatest kayaking achievement: K1 outright win Avon Descent 1976.Longest kayak trip or race: 134km over 2 days (Avon Descent).Most fun ever in a kayak: Flood trips - Mitchell and Mitta Mitta.Biggest drama ever in a kayak: Broke my foot on the foot bar after hitting a rock at full speed in race.Kayaking dream trip: Sea kayak in the tropics.How many times per month I go for a paddle: Once every month if lucky.Tips for beginners: Start in a stable boat and learn brace and support strokes first.Favourite kayak: My surf ski cos its so versatile.

Meet the testers

Kayak Test Results


LUKE HAINES

Age: 29 Weight: 78kgSports background: Running, Cycling Years kayaking: 3Number of boats currently owned: 1How many “swims” did you take in the first month? 0Can you do an eskimo roll? No.Greatest kayaking achievement: Mars Challenge.Longest kayak trip or race: 32km.Most fun ever in a kayak: K1 Racing.Biggest drama ever in a kayak: Surviving on a double ski on a wild and woolly day.Kayaking dream trip: Finish Murray Marathon.How many times per month I go for a paddle: 12Tips for beginners: Get in the boat as much as you can.Favourite kayak: Viper K1.

SCOTT WILLIAMS

Age: 31 Weight: 94kgSports background: Football Years kayaking: 8Number of boats currently owned: 1How many “swims” did you take in the first month? 0Can you do an eskimo roll? YesGreatest kayaking achievement: Murray Marathon.Longest kayak trip or race: Murray 404km over 5 days (individual).Most fun ever in a kayak: Sea kayaking around Wilson’s Prom or white water kayaking the Murray Gates.Biggest drama ever in a kayak: Losing a kayak white water paddling.Kayaking dream trip: Paddling to Tassie via Flinders Island with a Northerly wind.How many times per month I go for a paddle: 8Tips for beginners: Get the right boat and equipment from the star.Favourite kayak: Perception Eco sea kayak.

Meet the testers continued…

Kayak Test Results - Rapid Ascent · PDF fileKayak Test Results 2 ... The times for this 1.4km...

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Transcript of Kayak Test Results - Rapid Ascent · PDF fileKayak Test Results 2 ... The times for this 1.4km...