Kayaks

The AT Eddy has been my primary paddle since I really got into paddling, and remains my primary paddle of choice. I picked my first one up with my first boat years ago. I got a heck of a deal on it from Next Adventure, and I have to say I was impressed by the quality of the paddle for the price. Fast forward some years and I have paddled many days of creeks, rivers and playboating on two sides of the country... and I feel I can safely report that the AT Eddy is a solid paddle!

While traveling back east to visit family, I decided to go paddle some whitewater with my girlfriend. Unfortunately, we not only had to pay to demo kayaks, but if wanted a paddle worth a damn we had to pay to demo them. Rather than put money towards nothing, I instead put the money towards the purchase of a new paddle. Having wanted to try a playboat specific paddle for a while now, while also being in a 2016 Jackson Rockstar... I decided I would I pick up a Werner Sidekick.

This article is a work in progress. Better photos, supporting documents, and complete information to come.

I've tried a LOT of playboats. I've hunted high and low trying to find what works best for me. One of the cool things about kayaking is that the equipment does make a notable difference. A lot of egomaniacs will try and go "rah rah rah it's not the boat it's the paddler!" and then promptly not be able to roll over an inflatable kayak because that shit just ain't true! The dynamics of a boat can be notably different.

I love kayaking. I enjoy getting out on the river. Heck even when my day doesn't go right I just relax and soak in the place kayaking took me. I really enjoy screwing around kayaking as well. Boofing rocks, ripping into eddies, stern squirts, cartwheels when I can pull them off... I love playing around and just having a hoot with kayaking. It fills me with joy, gets my adrenaline needs out of the way, and helps me reset from the drag of the work week. So, when I tell you I want to take this boat into my back yard and shoot it full of holes...

Current Overall Impression: I've sold this boat and have found other boats more enjoyable. The LARGE zen is just a straight up turd! See more about why below!

Some years back, I organized a whitewater kayaking trip with friends. At the time, all of my boats were hardshells, and I just kind of thought that was the way to fly. Some one I respect as a solid white water enthusiast joined up, and brought inflatable kayaks. I didn't fully understand why he was in an inflatable kayak at first, but he described the situation as follows:

So I was sitting there on my couch, laid up with a broken femur... thinking I need something to do that I can do with a screwed up leg. Kayaking came to mind, and so I picked up a kayak and paddled my days away on the pretty lakes surrounding my house.