What Kayak should I buy?

I need to buy a kayak for the summer holidays because I am going to the Pyrenees in the south of France. I have kayaked before on mostly flat water. I will be kayaking on grade 2-3 waters. I’m 5ft 7 and weigh about 8 and a 1/2 stone. I’m 14. Please can you say how much they are as well. THANKYOU!

Hopefully you’ll be taking some lessons since there are some things you’ll need to learn that are specific to whitewater. With lessons, you’ll also have a chance to try out a few different kind of boats. Also visit local kayak shops even if you’re planning to buy used (which is a good idea for a first boat). Shops often sell used boats– old demo and rental boats and sometimes kayaks on consignment. Find local clubs, too, where you can get opinions on boats as well as people to paddle with.

Of course you’ll want a whitewater kayak, but there are many different kinds. Modern whitewater kayaks fall into a few different categories: freestyle playboats, river-running playboats, pure river-runners, and creek boats. For a beginning whitewater boater, I’d recommend either a river-running playboat or a river-runner. A pure river-runner will have a fair amount of volume and be fairly forgiving for a beginner, which can be good or bad (good since it’s less likely to be frustrating; bad since the boat might not give you as much direct feedback when you don’t do something quite right). A river-running playboat will be a little more reactive, which could be a challenge at first, but as your skills progress, you’ll have more fun in one on Class II-III whitewater than in a river-runner, IMHO.

Most modern kayak models come in several different sizes. At your weight, you’re probably a small in most. Of course you’d have to demo a particular boat to make sure it’ll work for you. Used would be a good way to go since you’re probably not done going.

There are a lot of used whitewater kayaks out there. Designs change frequently, so there are a lot of discontinued models out there that work fine and are pretty cheap. This site has specs and reviews on both new and discontinued boats as well as links to manufacturers:

http://www.eddyflower.com/BoatSearch.aspx

As far as inflatables go, that’s another option. For whitewater, don’t compromise on quality. Brands such as NRS and Aire are good since the manufacturers also produce whitewater rafts with similar construction. Inflatables handle very differently from hardshells. They’re usually easier to get started in and are more forgiving, but you also won’t ‘feel’ the river as much. Most people who do whitewater in hardshells wouldn’t trade in their boats for inflatables.

Jem06 kayaking holidays in france an switzerland

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