Hey Everyone,
Got a chance to meet with Jeff & KayakKev on Saturday, April 4th for the CLC Kayak Demo, its just been a busy week, so I’m just getting a chance to blog about it now!!! I went into the demo with HIGH expectations about 1 particular Yak- The Arctic Hawk! Let me start by saying I am in no way bashing this boat! For me though it did not live up to the hype(or maybe just my expectations). It is a beautiful yak, and is very stable with very flat deck, designed to cut wind resistance. I think the stability for me is what I did NOT like, I had led myself to believe it would be more responsive. Also, I think I might have not been heavy enough for the yak itself as I had alot of freeboard- boat still out of the water, catching alot of wind. Exact opposite of what I want in my next yak!! Still an awesome yak though for a heavier paddler-say 185-220 lbs.
I did however fall in love with the Stitch & Glue Night Heron- Quite possibly my next kayak! That all hinges on what I think of the Petrel- which they did not have to demo at Sat. days paddle. I think it is because it is such a Great Yak that no one wanted to give theirs up for demos!! If anyone knows Nick Schade who designed it– tell him to bring it to Florida!!!! Ha Ha!!
All in all a wonderful day on the water spent with good people, really fun kayaks- as I did paddle others, and nice weather! Uh,Uh,Uh I almost forgot to mention, the Kaholo SUP!! The What? SUP- Stand Up Paddle Board. In laymans terms a really thick Surf Board you stand up on and paddle with a long extended paddle. The Tahitiaans have been doing it for countless years! I have some previous experience with them, as I am a Recovering Surfer!! Lots of FUN & a new perspective on the water from a different height, although still a Paddle Purist type sport! If you get the chance do yourself a favor and TRY IT! The chance you will fall off the first time is good, but hey look at it this way– you got to get Wet!!!! Gotta go for now, Happy Paddling- whatever you paddle!
-Sea Turtle Sean
Liquid Rhythm Adventures' Journal 