Just bought myself a Kayak

[Lund]

Yes, that's right, £77 later and I own a boat!



Going to buy myself a life jacket and have some fun. The West Kirby Marine Lake & North Wales are on my doorstep, so why the hell not!

Anyone one here canoe/kayak?

I'm not new to kayaking, but I haven't owned one. I have previously kayaked through the Ardeche & Pont Darc, Dordogne etc in France and most recently done a little white water rafting on a stag in Wales.

Can anyone offer any advice/do-able routes around North Wales for a bit of weekend fun?

Captain Lund.

[Centurion07]

Get a rechargeable electric pump. It can't quite reach the pressure required for mine but it does a good 80% of it which is a lot of effort with the manual pump!

[Lund]

Centurion07 said:

Get a rechargeable electric pump. It can't quite reach the pressure required for mine but it does a good 80% of it which is a lot of effort with the manual pump!

I've got one and a pump action manual one!

[Stu R]

I was just getting into sea kayaking before I left for the US, planning on getting a couple of kayaks now I'm settled over here, just waiting to buy a trailer. Always fancied combining it with some diving, not sure on the practicalities though.

[Lund]

Inflatable Kayak with Oars, Pump & Carry bag - £80

Helly Hansen buoyancy aid - £15
Bluewave Kayak Helmt - £20
Draper dry bag 10L - £10
Gul neoprene Kayak shoes - £10

Total: £135. Cost effective Kayaking & ready to go!

[Tribal Chestnut]

That looks fun.

What are the two person ones like? How robust are the inflatables?

Since we had a go at canoeing last year, my daughter has been nagging me to do it again, something like this could be just the ticket.

Any hints or tips on getting stuck in with a 10 year old? We can both swim well so it seems straight forward enough...

[vanordinaire]

Lots of nice kayaking in Wales but join a local club first. They'll make sure you know the basics so you don't drown yourself and they'll take you places that'll match your ability. I've been Kayaking and Canoeing for around 40years, been in some wild and scary places but wouldn't go on anything interesting without someone else there who knew what they were doing as backup. The inflatables like the one that you've bought can be great fun but really you really need to know what you are doing if you want to do anything other than pootling about in shallow flat water.

[Lund]

Off paddling in the morning. If you don't hear from me, expect the worst!

[theshrew]

So come on what was this blow up jobby like then ?

Did you go to Kirby ? Nice spot I take my dogs for a walk there sometimes.

[Lund]

theshrew said:

So come on what was this blow up jobby like then ?

Did you go to Kirby ? Nice spot I take my dogs for a walk there sometimes.

It was brilliant! Kayaked down Llangollen in the white waters, it didn't half take some stick. Looking to go kayaking again Monday bank hol!

[theshrew]

Lund said:

It was brilliant! Kayaked down Llangollen in the white waters, it didn't half take some stick. Looking to go kayaking again Monday bank hol!

Thats certainly more interesting than Kirby lol

It must be pretty good if you could do that on it. Great stuff quite fancy one myself.

[Lund]

theshrew said:

Thats certainly more interesting than Kirby lol

It must be pretty good if you could do that on it. Great stuff quite fancy one myself.

Honestly, it really took a battering & was doing everything those plastic Pyranha kayaks were doing. Only real issue was that the seating position is a little high, but I'll deflate the seat a little more next time. Also, it was filling with water in heavy rapids as it was coming over the top which throws it off a little. Other than that I'm really amped to do it all over again tomorrow!

[Centurion07]

Fairly sure inflatables aren't supposed to be used on white water...

Keep an eye out 'cos I don't think it will take too much to stab a hole through it.

[Lund]

Centurion07 said:

Fairly sure inflatables aren't supposed to be used on white water...

Keep an eye out 'cos I don't think it will take too much to stab a hole through it.

I'm fairly sure of that too! But it still performed never the less! I didn't get away uninjured though. Tore my thumb on a rock - ouch. Think I'll invest in some neoprene gloves.

A passer by took a photo of my friend going over the edge and shouted over his email address:





And yes, he made it!

[HereBeMonsters]

Are these new inflatable ones any good? I went on one about ten years ago in Spain, and it was utterly crap as it was too wide to be able to put my paddle in to get any purchase in the water.

[Lund]

HereBeMonsters said:

Are these new inflatable ones any good? I went on one about ten years ago in Spain, and it was utterly crap as it was too wide to be able to put my paddle in to get any purchase in the water.

I can't recommend one enough! Not had any issues getting the paddles into the water, but I guess that depends how tall you are?

[Burrow01]

Just ordered one based on this thread and the positive reviews on Amazon - hopefully it should arrive in time to take it out at the weekend

[henrycrun]

Don't try this at home https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz8ltWS-SGg

[Lund]

Burrow01 said:

Just ordered one based on this thread and the positive reviews on Amazon - hopefully it should arrive in time to take it out at the weekend

YES!

[soad]

henrycrun said:

Don't try this at home https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz8ltWS-SGg

Bloody adrenaline junkies!