The Jackson Zen 65 has made my spring here in the California Sierras. Every day I have spent in this boat, I have found happiness. I started kayaking 16 years ago and my first boat was a Wave Sport Lazer, then I updated to a Prijon Hurricane, then I got a Prijon Fly. The Fly was my main boat for a good long time, until I started getting into creeking.
Now, 16 years later, I feel like I find happiness the most on Class 4/5 river runs, where I can read and run the river with an occasional scout, with low stress levels. The Zen is my favorite new boat. It is fast, stable, and front surfs like a dream. I love having a boat that I am confident in running the river but when I see that beautiful glassy wave, I know I can shred it.
Soul Surfing in the Zen at “First Threat”, South Fork American River, 3500cfs
I have taken the Zen 65 on two overnights, the Forks of the Kern for my birthday, and the lower Tuolumne. Both trips were amazing and the Zen paddles awesome with weight. I am 5’6” and 150 pounds in case you wanted to know. I feel like I could paddle a Zen 75 for harder water but I love the responsiveness of the 65.
Finding Zen on the Forks of the Kern, Happy Birthday to Me!
Finding Zen on First Threat,, South Fork American River, 3500cfs
I am a whitewater kayak instructor for California Canoe and Kayak. I look forward to teaching even more now because that means I get to spend more time in the Zen, unless all the demos get rented, then I am sad. Thanks for making a great boat Mr. Jackson.
Sincerely,
Matt Parker
Whitewater Program Director and Instructor
California Canoe and Kayak
