Kayaking

Kayak is a sport I have been involved with for 15 years (I'm 20 now).  It is one of the best things I have ever participated in.  The most fun I have ever have had, has been in the river.  Both of my parents were big into the sport.  They were both national level competitors in slalom.  I raced for a few years, but recently have just been play boating.  It is great fun!

If you are interested in the sport here are a few places you can check out for information.
 
 

Necky is a company located in BC.  They are mostly known for making excellent sea touring boats, but over the last few years they have come out with some of the best designed white water boats on the market today.  Their newest boat, the Gliss, looks like a fantastic rodeo boat.  It would be worthless for running rivers but if you want to throw ends, it looks amazing.  Flat bottom, planning hull, linked, one stroke 360's.  I haven't had a chance to paddle one of these yet but I am going to try to have one for next spring.  They also make a few other white water boats.  Take a look.

Another big player in the kayaking market is Perception.  They make some great rec boats as well as some good play boats.  The new rodeo boats are not good for anything except destination paddling, but for what they were designed, throwing ends, they are great.

(I think Perception was also quite pompous in their selection of a web address.  'www.kayaker.com' ?)
 

Some one who has been making waves in the boating and rodeo industry recently is Wave Sport.  They were the first to come out with a boat that was capable of doing a wave wheel.  They were also the one to start the flat water cartwheel craze.  This is because they were the only ones with a boat that was capable.  I have decided that I need to gain 70lbs so that I can to flat water cartwheels in the X.  Now they are coming out with the Y and then the Z.  After that they are out of the market because they ran out of letters.  Its just so much FUN!!

Dagger is a company that has been around for a while.  A few years ago they merged with Valley Mill Boat works and got the design talents of Andy Bridge.  Andy also began Dagger Composite division.  They now make composite as well as plastic boats.  I don't know of another company that has that sort of versatility.  They are making some of the hottest rodeo boats as well as sponsoring some of the hottest slalom boaters in the world.  Quite a company.

And I saved the best for last.  Of course I am biased.  Just because my Dad makes the best paddles in the world.  That's my opinion.  But you should figure it out for you self.  Give it a try.  Mitchell Paddles.  Fine wooden and composite paddles from the Northeast corner of the US.  Out of this small shop come the worlds best white water, flat water, sea touring, and slalom racing paddles.  I am not going to try to sell the paddles here, we believe that the paddles sell themselves.  Just try one.

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