1. Do you love paddle sports?

2. Do you like to try new stuff?

3. Do you like to learn new stuff?

If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions then this event is definitely for you!

For over twenty years California Canoe & Kayak have been having their annual Paddlefest at Nimbus Flats State Park on Lake Natoma. This is the perfect venue and opportunity for you to demo a kayak or Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP), even if you have never paddled before. This year’s event is on the weekend of Saturday June 15th & Sunday June 16th (9am to 3pm). On Saturday the focus will be on kayaks with some entry level SUP’s to try. On Sunday it will be all about SUP.

There will be industry representatives, CCK instructors and sales staff there to answer your questions and help point you in the right direction. We are offering a range of clinics including Choosing a Kayak or SUP, Choosing a Paddle, Forward Stroke, Rescues and even a Kids Clinic.

Here is the link to our website which includes driving directions.

There will be demo gear from the following manufacturers:

Hobie Kayaks, Werner paddles, Thule, Jackson Kayak, Boardworks, Tahoe SUP, Current Designs, Wenonah Canoe, Pau Hana, Hurricane, Advanced Elements, Pyranha, P&H, Feel Free Kayaks, Epic, Valley.

If you are in the market to buy a new kayak or SUP or if you just want to hang out at a fun event and check out the latest cool gear then come on down, we would be delighted to see you!

Here at CCK we have a number of different ways you can get on the water with a partner.

Canoeing

Wenonah makes more than 20 different models of tandem canoes.  Whether you’re paddling in whitewater, touring a lake or just getting out to fish the bay, tandem canoes are perfect for your adventure.  Paddling tandem canoes helps develop skills necessary for mastering solo canoeing.  As a bow paddler, you’ll quickly learn effective steering skills from the bow and you’ll have the best seat in the house.  Guys, if you’re looking for a romantic way to woo your woman, paddle her around in a tandem canoe – she’ll love it!

Sea Kayaking

Tandem sea kayaks are fast and efficient and great for recreational use, touring & racing.  Tandem sea kayaks typically have two separate cockpits far enough from each other that you won’t be bumping paddles.  They are long and sleek and capable of handling rough water and windy conditions easily and can even be eskimo rolled.  They have enormous gear carrying capacity and are a good choice for multi-day touring.  Current Designs makes beautiful tandem sea kayaks available in rotomolded plastic and composite.  

Surfski Paddling

Measuring 19 inches wide, almost 25 feet long and weighing in at 44 pounds is the Epic V10 Double.  It’s long and skinny and fast.  It’s great as a training tool and a fantastic way to race the bay or the coast.  If you paddle skis, but haven’t tried a tandem yet, get on one this season.  

                                                

Hobie Tandem Island Kayak Sailing

In its simplest form it’s a fast tandem kayak.  Stow the paddles, drop in the Mirage drives and cruise around in speedy style while pedaling.   Extend the Amas, roll out the sail and experience the ultimate in two-person kayak sailing.  Complete with a boomless carbon fiber mast, roller furling and daggerboard, the Hobie Tandem Island is an incredibly versatile way for two people to play on the bay.    

Whitewater Kayaking

The Dynamic Duo by Jackson Kayak has hucked a 100 foot waterfall, with two paddlers.  It’s an extremely capable and purpose-built whitewater kayak for two.  For less experienced paddlers, they can jump into the bow seat with an experienced partner and become instantly capable of running much harder whitewater than they could ever run solo.  It isn’t all about 100 foot drops and difficult whitewater though.  The Dynamic Duo is a great tool for introducing brand new paddlers and kids to whitewater too.  It’s capable of holding up to 500 pounds and is a fun, stable machine based off Jackson’s Hero series of kayaks.  

Standup Paddleboarding

Open any standup paddling magazine these days and you’ll see beautiful beaches, shimmering sun, clean green waves, blue water & folks of all ages smiling and having fun.  But you won’t see many people paddling in pairs because tandem sup hasn’t taken off yet.  Enter the Duo Tandem by Pau Hana Surf Supply, a 14 foot long, 32 inch wide sup designed specifically for two paddlers.  The Duo is a great tool to introduce kids and beginners and is also a solid platform for advanced paddlers to race, train, surf and just have fun together.

The point is that incidents like this will happen and it is how we prepare for such an eventuality that is the key to them having a successful outcome.

If you paddle on the open coast and like to venture into the rocks you should seriously consider signing up for CCK’s Rock Garden Skills and Safety Class. The next class is April 27th 2013.

Thanks and kudos to Neptune’s Rangers for sharing the learning.

Sean Morley playing in the rocks at Point Bonita. Photo by Chris Lockyer

A standup board may look like a surfboard, but it paddles like a canoe, and just like canoes, standup boards come in all shapes and sizes for all types of applications and skill levels.

Here’s a brief look at the anatomy & terminology of a standup paddleboard:

• Rails – The edges of the board
• Deck – The top of the board
• Bottom – The bottom of the board
• Nose – The front of the board
• Tail – The rear of the board
• Deck Pad – Deck pad provides cushion for your feet and traction to grip the board.  It’s not necessary and traction can also be achieved with wax
• Leash Plug – A deck fitting made for attaching your leash
• Fin – A rigid foil sticking down into the water that aids tracking and stability

When looking for your perfect board, closely consider the following characteristics:

• Length – This is the overall length of the board and will help determine the speed of the board.  Generally, the longer the board the faster it will paddle.
• Width – Width is directly related to stability, although not the only factor.  Typically beginners will want a wider board to learn on, and move to narrower boards once balance and technique has been developed.
• Thickness – Generally, thicker boards have more volume.  Surf specific shapes tend to be thinner, while race boards can reach thicknesses of 6″ or more.
• Volume – Simply put, volume determines how much weight the board can float.  Smaller, lighter paddlers won’t need as much volume as heavier paddlers.   Not enough volume can affect speed and stability.
• Hull Design – Hull design affects speed, stability & tracking.  Boards can typically be placed into one of two categories – planing hull or displacement hull.
  • Planing Hulls - Think surf style.  Generally, planing hull boards have a good deal of nose rocker and resemble surfboards.  They come in a huge variety of lengths & constructions.
  • Displacement Hulls – Displacement hull boards have a nose that resembles a kayak or canoe.  Most displacement hull boards are for touring & racing and generally have less nose rocker giving them a longer waterline resulting in more speed.

Most SUPs can be categorized into a specific category, much like we categorize kayaks into sea kayaks, whitewater, sit-on-tops, etc.  These are some of the more popular categories:

Surf Specific – Surf specific sups are ideally suited for wave riding in the surf zone, but don’t have much use outside of it.  They share many design characteristics with surfboards but are not interchangeable with traditional surfboards, meaning you can’t just use a surfboard as a standup board – it won’t have enough volume.  Surfing sups are typically shorter in length ranging from 6’ to 10’ or longer.  Fin configurations are usually different than those of longer boards, often setup with 3, 4 or 5 fins.  You don’t need a surf specific sup to go surfing – many people surf on all-arounders.

Starboard 8′ x 28″ Pro

All Arounders – All arounders are the most common type of standup board on the market.  They are typically surfboard shape and can be used for most everything from touring and racing to surfing and whitewater.  All arounders do not excel in any one discipline but are very versatile.  They typically range from 9’ to 12’6”, have a planing hull with nose rocker and a flat deck with traction.  Most rental boards fall into the “all-arounder” category.

Pau Hana Big EZ

Touring Boards – Touring boards are made to cover distance, carry equipment, have adequate speed and track well.  They are typically 12’ 6” and longer, have a single fin, deck fittings for gear & incorporate a displacement hull design.

Tahoe SUP Zephyr 14′

Race Boards – Race boards are designed to be fast.  They are typically lighter weight, often constructed of carbon or lightweight composites.   SUP racing incorporates three major classes – 12’6” & under, 12’6″ to 14’ and Unlimited (longer than 14’).  Many race boards utilize a displacement hull design allowing the board to carry a much longer waterline making it faster.  Flatwater racing boards often have little to no nose rocker and are typically narrower than all arounders.

Starboard All Star 14′

Inflatables – Inflatable boards are made of durable materials able to withstand rocks, sand and saltwater all while holding air and maintaining shape.  An inflatable sup is great for travelling as it rolls up into a carry bag and can be checked as luggage on an airplane.  If travelling with your sup, consider a 3-piece paddle.  Inflatables are popular in whitewater since they do not ding when they hit rocks and are fun in surf.  The inflatable market is expanding rapidly and are now offered in surf-specific, all-arounder & touring shapes ranging from 8′ up to 16′.

Starboard Astro Blend Inflatable

Whitewater Boards – WW boards need to take potential abuse.  They vary greatly in construction and design and many people prefer inflatables in the river.  Designs are quickly evolving and WW sup incorporates river running & freestyle.  Plastic boards are gaining popularity in river use due to their impact resistance.

Boardworks Badfish 10’6″

Downwind Boards – Downwinders are gaining in popularity, especially in areas with consistent, predictable wind like Northern California.  Any board can be used to paddle downwind, but some designs are better than others.  Downwind boards range in size, typically 12’6″ and longer and vary hugely in design.  Depending on the size and frequency of the waves & swell, some prefer shorter boards while others opt for unlimited boards.  Some downwind boards incorporate foot operated rudder systems as well.

If you want to learn more, come into our Oakland or Rancho Cordova locations to check out & demo boards by Starboard, Tahoe SUP, Boardworks & Pau Hana and paddles by Werner & Kialoa.

If you’re building personal skills, we offer a number of SUP classes year-round taught by certified SUP instructors.  Look for new sup programs starting in January 2013.

Like Bryan’s crew we also planned to stay at the Discovery Islands Lodge. This remarkable place lies well off the grid on the eastern side of Quadra Island, one of the many Discovery Islands that choke the passage between Vancouver Island and the British Columbia mainland. The islands and reefs constrict the tidal currents and at times produce some of the most fearsome tidal rapids in the world. We deliberately chose a period when the tidal exchanges would not be at their greatest – to do so would have been foolish since none of us had been there before. Instead we took the advice of the owners of Discovery Islands Lodge, Lannie and Ralph Keller and their expert boater son Albert who recommended currents not exceeding 9 knots to maximize the opportunity for wave time in sea kayaks (current speeds can reach 13knots on the biggest tides and at this speed the Okisollo wave would quickly become unrideable in a sea kayak).

The crew consisted of three CCK isntructors Matt Nelson, Bryant Burkhardt and myself and Chris Kelly, Brad Gould who are CCK customers and Nick Scoville, an instructor with Adler Creek Kayak & Canoe in Portland. Four of us had P&H Aries which we knew perform outstandingly in ocean surf and figured would be the perfect craft for the Okisollo wave. Four of us made the long drive from California picking up Nick and Matt on the way north. Despite the long journey the crew was highly motivated to get stuck into the rapids and so we caught the 6.30am ferry from Campbell River to Quadra Island and were unpacked and on the water in time to catch the flood tide at Surge Narrows.

Discovery Islands Lodge is perfectly situated just a few minutes paddle from Surge Narrows which has to be one of the best saltwater locations for practicing whitewater skills in sea kayaks. Whilst the whirlpools might look intimidating at first they are not the boat-eaters you find elsewhere in this region and even if you take a swim the consequences are fairly insignificant at all but the fastest current speeds. But the volume of water, the constantly changing nature and sheer number of features make this a really fun place to paddle a sea kayak if you have a solid roll and whitewater experience. The water is crystal clear, the scenery is classic BC and you will be joined by seals and sealions in the rapids. You might even be lucky enough to see dolphins and orca in the vicinity. Eagles soar overhead and kingfishers follow you along the shore.

Four hours of play and we were ready to relax back at the lodge and plan our first trip to the Okisollo rapids the next day. The wave that draws both sea kayakers and whitewater boaters to the Okisollo Channel is found on the Upper (more southerly) rapid, approximately six miles from the lodge. Fortunately Albert had indicated the location of the wave precisely on our chart because when you arrive there at the last of the ebb it is not immediately obvious where you need to be. But as soon as the tide turns – there is very little ‘slack’ time here, the wave starts to form. It is a beautiful thing, created as the pressure of the flood tide builds up against a permanently submerged rock shelf. The wave starts as a small depression followed by a few ripples. Within half an hour the depression is deep enough to drop into and the wave  steepens as the current accelerates. Within forty five minutes of the start of the flood the wave was surf-able and it remained surf-able until we had no energy left to ride it, over four hours later.

The front wave remained green the whole time, allowing effortless surfing if all you wanted to do was sit in the pit. But Matt Nelson showed us all how to dance with the wave, a flowing, weaving waltz that seemed effortless when he performed it but required huge effort on my part to prevent the 8.4 knot (@Hole-in-the-Wall) current from whipping my bow around and dumping me into the lap of the second wave.

You see, at this current speed it is not surfing the front wave that presents the challenge – it’s what’s going on behind you that keeps you focused! As you carve the face of the smoothest, best-behaved wave you will ever ride, behind you is its unruly cousin, a four foot brute that can’t decide if its a wave or a foam pile and resists any attempt to be ridden, throwing you right, out into the fastest water or left into the craziest of eddy-lines, with whirlpools that would suck your stern down, spin you around and spit you out with disgust.

We left the Okisollo wave with enough time to ride the last of the flood back south, past the entrance to Hole-in-the-Wall, another tidal rapid that needed investigating. By the time we reached Surge Narrows the flood was all but done and we glided home feeling like we had paddled many more than twelve miles.

The next day was to be the biggest tide and Matt, Nick, Bryant and myself gladly accepted the offer of a boat ride with Albert back to the Okisollo wave whilst Chris and Brad went exploring. That meant that Albert joined us on the water and he immediately showed us why he has a reputation as one of the most humble and talented boaters in the region. The walls of the lodge are decorated with pictures of Albert charging the Okisollo wave at its biggest and meanest in a whitewater boat. He transfers those skills easily to a sea kayak and showed us how he could balance his 16foot boat at the very crest of the wave, leaving both ends out of the water, using ever so subtle shifts of his hips to edge and steer his kayak side to side using the whole wave. It was clear this man knew the wave – he has been surfing it since he was a teenager and was absolutely in his element.

Bryant sacrificed wave-time to get some photos and video with some excellent results, showing once again that he is not just a talented boater but a great photographer as well. We are grateful to him for his efforts. you can see more of Bryant’s photos here.

Nick traded his 18ft boat for an Aries 155 and loved it. It really is a remarkable boat and in my mind the best surfing sea kayak that has ever existed. It seemed to fit the Okisollo wave perfectly, allowing precise control on the wave face, resisting perling even when the wave was at its steepest and threatening to collapse. But for me perhaps the most notable attribute of the Aries, (and its plastic cousin the Delphin) is how stable and forgiving it is in turbulent water. Even the whirlpools of Okisollo, the vortexes of which were big enough to drop a basketball into, were no trouble for the Aires and the boat was fast enough to punch through the eddy fence with little effort.

We decided to stay at Surge Narrows for our fourth day on the water and exploit the many features we had seen on our first visit. We were joined by local paddlers Jonathan and Brent as well as Albert, who once again showed us that there is no shortage of skillful paddlers on Vancouver Island. Surge proved to be equally as challenging as Okisollo in that it is more technical and constantly changing and more than once we were thoroughly rejected when we tried to surf the main wave.

For our last day we decided we had to pay one last visit to Okisollo but we would combine that with a 20 mile circumnavigation of Maurelle Island, which would include negotiating the Hole-in-the-Wall rapids. We rode the last of the ebb up through Surge Narrows to Okisollo. The current was down to a more mellow 7.9 knots so we rode the wave for a while and then reluctantly left before max flood to run through Hole-in-the-Wall. When we had mentioned our plan to Ralph he had been concerned. The whirlpools that form at the entrance to and inside Hole-in-the-Wall have a bad reputation for taking down large boats. But we were reasonably confident that it would be okay since the current speed was well below max. That said we were cautious and I am glad we were. Matt led us through the entrance avoiding some shoals that were producing interesting over-falls and swirls. But no sign of a whirlpool as we ran ‘river left’ close to a tasty-looking eddy-line that would have been fun to play with had we not been on a mission. It wasn’t until we were passed it that I glanced over my right shoulder and saw the meanest looking whirlpool I have ever seen. It wasn’t the sucking type – at least not at this current speed – but it was HUGE – maybe two hundred yards across and slowly spinning with real menace – like a river to nowhere. There was a very noticeable depression in the middle, perhaps two feet deep and I had absolutely no desire to mess with it.

In retrospect it would have been really cool to have eddied out and checked the whirlpool out with a view from the cliffs above that make Hole-in-the-Wall such a dramatic feature.  But we were safely though and now the excitement was over it was time to grind out some miles. Another suprising characteristic of the Aries is its performance on flat water. For a fifteen-and-a-half foot boat it cruises nicely and Matt and I were easily able to keep up with the guys who had chosen longer boats for this day.

On the back side of Maurelle Island we were reminded of just how vast and diverse this region is with mountains with permanent ice-fields overlooking deep fjords, lined with lush forest, shading waters deep and pure, bejewelled with living color. Surely this is paradise? Of course paradise is only fun if you have friends to share it with. Thanks to Brad, Nick, Chris, Bryant and Matt for a really great time. And thanks to Lannie, Ralph and Albert for creating such a special place and for your wisdom.

Sean and Matt loving life. Photo by Bryant Burkhardt

And did we think it was an appropriate venue for a CCK trip in the future? Absolutely! If we can overcome some insurance issues there is a strong possibility we will be offering a trip to Discovery Islands Lodge in the future.

Words by Sean Morley

On September 29, 2012, California Canoe & Kayak will launch their 12^th annual Support Strokes, the annual fundraiser paddle-thon on the Oakland Estuary. Support Strokes was created in memory of a dear friend of the paddling community who lost her battle with breast cancer. The event has been a grass roots effort ever since. Over the years, determined and dedicated paddlers have made it possible for Support Strokes to raise more than $238,511 to fight breast cancer. The ultimate goal is to support groups that provide much needed breast cancer support services.

For the first time, thanks to the encouragement of the Support Strokes founders, and owners of California Canoe & Kayak, I will be a paddle-thon participant,  – not just a member of the safety crew in the motorized safety boat! I am stoked to paddle the 15.5 mile course around Alameda Island. After all, it is for a great cause, raising funds for some very worthy local charities. The proceeds from the event support one or more of 4 local organizations that provide support services: Breast Cancer Action; Charlotte Maxwell Complimentary Clinic; Women’s Cancer Resource Center; Breast Cancer Fund. These organizations are exemplary organizations that provide a host of education, outreach, and support services. They have been picked based on the good they do in our community and for their constituents.

Many California Canoe & Kayak staff volunteer for Support Strokes. Our sea kayaking instructors serve as safety boaters, accompanying paddlers around the courses, providing assistance if needed, and making sure everyone gets home safely. This year, special thanks go to CCK instructors Matt Krizan, Ed Anderson, Lisa Ouellette, and Karen Lapinski. Without their support on the water, the event would not be possible.

When you get involved in something special like Support Strokes, you realize what it means to be part of something meaningful, something bigger than yourself. It is a touching scene. Some paddlers do Support Strokes in the memory of a deceased friend. Cancer survivors make the journey in celebration of overcoming a life-threatening illness, and to give something back to the community that may have helped them, and will continue to help others in need.  The vibe is one of a community coming together through their love of paddling, and a desire to make a difference.  When I see a community working together like this, I feel humbled, and yet proud to be part of the effort. Thank you CCK for allowing me to show support for Support Strokes!

Please join us in the continuing fight against Breast Cancer. You can contribute before and after the event  – just go to the Support Strokes website here: https://www.calkayak.com/SupportStrokes/index.cfm?go=home

If you wish to make a contribution on behalf of my 15.5 mile paddle around Alameda Island, you can do so easily here: https://www.calkayak.com/SupportStrokes/index.cfm?go=contribute&id=4117798781

Thank you for your support!

Warmly,

Kenny Howell

Program Director, California Canoe & Kayak

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

front foam pillar

True whitewater boats are quite different from recreational or sea kayaks. They have a very different purpose – to avoid obstacles instead of covering distance. As such, they turn easily but are hard to make go straight. And while you can get inflatable kayaks and even Sit-On-Tops designed for whitewater, but I’m going to stick to your basic hardshell, plastic kayaks for this one. They generally range from 6′-9′ in length, have a cockpit with outfitting that allows a tight fit and a solid sprayskirt. Most boats are open inside, without bulkheads (float bags are used to help keep them from sinking), but often with foam pillars to provide strength and rigidity.

Left: Creekboat; Right: Playboat

Paddling on the river can be broken into two general styles: playboating and river running. Playboating is about doing tricks – surfing waves, cartwheeling the boat, even doing flips and twists in the air. It can be done anywhere on the river, but often people will spend an entire day in one spot playing on one river feature (it’s like the terrain park for snow/skate boards). River running is about going down river, through rapids, from point A to point B. It’s downhill. The spectrum of boats goes from dedicated playboats to creekboats for steep river running, with various styles in between that aim to do both to some degree.

Playboats are on the small end. Modern playboats are under 6′, with a wide, flat bottom. They are stubby with relatively fat ends (older playboats had thin, slicey ends). The flat bottom (known as a planing hull) allows the boat to rise on top of the water when surfing waves (just like a surfboard), which makes them faster and more responsive. The big ends allows them to perform aerial maneuvers where their buoyancy actually makes them pop out of the water entirely. While great for tricks, these boats are less stable, get pushed around by the water more, and are far slower than longer whitewater boats.

Creekboat

On the opposite end are creekboats. These are designed to handle the most difficult whitewater. They are around 8′ in length, have a fair amount of rocker (banana shape), and normally softer edges than playboats. They are more forgiving and stable, faster, and resurface better after big drops. Some have a semi-planing hull (not quite as flat as playboats), but many have a semi-displacement hull (more rounded). A little discussion of the differences in performance based on hull shape can be found in our Jackson Hero review.

But creekboats are often too stable and forgiving, making paddling easier rivers not so much fun. But playboats are often too playful, hard to manage and paddle downstream. So a large number of boats fit in between the two, and we call these river runners. Some are closer to playboats in design while others are quite similar to creekboats. Most river runners are going to have a fairly flat bottom but softer edges than playboats. The larger river runners will have as much volume as a creekboat but with less rocker they are a little faster and often more responsive. Most paddlers find it easiest to learn the sport in a river runner and we use higher volume river runners for our classes (Jackson Zen Review).

Regardless of boat type, each manufacturer has their own take on the outfitting for their boats. Everyone has their own preference, but what you are looking for is a boat that fits snug and gives you the support and control you need to maneuver the boat on the river. Whitewater boats come in different sizes to fit different folks; size up if you want more stability, size down if you want more playing.

Ultimately most whitewater kayakers end up with at least two boats, often more. One creeker/river runner for doing more challenging downriver runs; and one playboat/small river runner for easier stuff when they want to goof around. Like all other types of kayaking, the key is to have something so you can get out on the water and enjoy yourself.

Smaller cockpit opening

In general, sea kayaks will be 16′ to 17′ long (some more specialized kayaks will be a little longer or shorter). They are normally 22″-24″ wide (again, with some outliers). Most of them are sit inside kayaks with relatively small cockpit openings designed to handle a sprayskirt (though some Sit-On-Tops are designed to handle rough water). They should have deck lines around the perimeter and toggles at both ends that allow a person to hold onto the boat if they are in the water. They should either have built in flotation chambers or the ability to add flotation of your own (so they won’t completely fill with water in case of a flip). This is what makes them safer in rough water – as long as the paddler knows what they are doing. The other design characteristics are the same for all boats, but we’ll look at what they mean for sea kayaks in particular.

Top: high rocker; Bottom: low rocker

Rocker is one of the most important characteristics in any boat. It’s how banana shaped the boat is. A lot of rocker makes a boat easier to turn – more responsive. This can be very useful in rough conditions when the waves are pushing a boat around and you need to control it. Boats with less rocker will have a longer waterline and track better (go straight). That makes them more efficient (faster) and makes it easier to cover distance.

The hull shape is another key component that greatly influences the performance of a boat. Rounded hulls are the most efficient – that’s what racing boats will have – but by themselves are rather unstable. Flat hulls are most stable (in flat water) but are slower and get tossed about more in rough water. So most boats are a blend or compromise of these features. Rounded hulls will still have some flat area in the middle, flat hulls are often angle a bit to the middle, and a common shape is a ‘shallow V’ that adds a bit of a center keel line to help with stability and tracking.

Along with the shape of the bottom, the shape of the corner is another key point. How the boat transitions from the bottom to the side affects how stable the boat is when leaned on its edge (very important in rough water). Soft chines, with a gradual corner, generally have a wide range of stability that depends on the roundness of the overall design. Hard chines (sharp corners) often have a very stable point after which the boat just flips over. Multi-chines attempt to combine the best of both worlds.

Top: rudder; Bottom: skeg

Finally, most sea kayaks (though not all), have either a rudder or a skeg. The main purpose of both is to help the boat go straight when the wind is trying to turn it. Rudders have the added advantage of being able to steer the boat as well (steering is normally done with your feet). Skegs are simple fins that stick into the water to help the boat track; they can be raised or lowered but they do not turn. Boats with a lot of rocker will have a skeg, since they are easier to turn on their own. Boats with minimal rocker will come with a rudder, since they can use the extra help to turn.

Once again, there is a choice of materials in sea kayaks. Composite boats using fiberglass or kevlar and carbon are very common. They help save weight while providing stiffness and performance. Plastic kayaks are less expensive but heavier. They also require less repair and hold up to abuse very well. Your type of paddling and proximity to rocks is the main factor for what materials you will want to go with.

So regardless of whether you paddle on the ocean or a lake, a river or a lagoon. If you want fast and efficient, if you want to be able to carry gear, if you want control in rough water, then a sea kayak is the perfect boat for the job. But there are many styles and picking the right blend of characteristics will give you a boat that does what you want while allowing some versatility.

The Zen is the new river runner from the great people at Jackson Kayaks. It is a moderate volume boat that comes in three different sizes (55,65,75), with a planing hull and relatively soft edges. It is going to be the backbone of our instructional fleet this year so I took it out on the class II/III section of the South Fork American River to see how the boat performed. So this review is from the perspective of how the boat will do for beginners (though it is also a viable choice for experienced paddlers looking for a general river runner).

The first thing of note is the Jackson outfitting. For those not familiar with it, it consists of cords and cleats. This makes the boat super quick to adjust. The Zen has the sliding bulkhead which allows you to sit in the boat and just pull a cord to get the feet positioned properly. A similar set up for the backband allows quick and easy adjustments their as well. The seat is on a plastic track (which helps stiffen the boat) and by removing a wingnut it can be moved into five different positions. I kept mine in the middle position and the boat trim seamed fine (I’m 170 lbs. and was paddling the Zen 65). I was able to fit into the boat with my creek shoes on but it doesn’t have quite as much footroom as some of the other Jackson boats do (I have a 32″ inseam and wear size 11′s). Jackson’s no longer come with the customizable sweet cheeks (they are available as an accessory) so the seat has a typical foam seat pad. I have to say, I did miss my sweet cheeks by the end of the day. But overall the outfitting is simple and solid and takes a minute or two to set to the individual – you can’t beat that when gearing up a whole class of newbies.

On the water, the first things to strike me were how stable the boat feels and that it seems shorter than it is. The stability comes from the flat bottom and flared sides. But what impressed me more was the secondary stability when edging the boat. Many flat bottom boats have a singular point of secondary stability – you can lean them way over but it can be hard to hold them with just a little edge. The Zen does have that point of extreme secondary where you can hold it up with the cockpit under water. But more importantly for beginners is that it was super easy and comfortable to hold a little edge – just the right amount for learning to eddy turn or brace.

The Zen 65 I was paddling is 8’4″ but and it looks shorter when sitting in it because the front deck doesn’t have a lot of rocker. Your nose seems close to the water, giving a long water line. This helps the boat feel fast – and it really feels fast. But it does tend to go through waves a little bit more than it goes over them. It has plenty of volume so it doesn’t dive, but it doesn’t really ride up and over the little stuff. And that speed carries really well -it’s great for ferrying or slow, wide turns. On a wave it has great speed – for those who know it, I was able to sit on the side of barking dog and just ride the fast green part of the wave without lifting a muscle. But that speed and lack of rocker doesn’t make it the best for waves with a steep pile.

The other thing I noticed with the Zen’s long, flat bottom and edge is that it likes to carve into and out of eddies. That’s a great thing most of the time, but for small eddies and sharp turns it has a tendency to go right on through. The trick to making it snap sharply is to lean forward to disengage the stern – something I used to have to do on my old Pyranha H2. Once the stern is free you can snap it around as quickly as you want.

The other boat we use a lot in our instructional fleet is the Liquid Logic Remix series. They are super forgiving and similar in many ways to the Zen. The noticeable difference was that the Zen gives a more definite carving feel when you put it on edge. But at the same time, that edge make it slightly less forgiving when you edge the wrong way. But I was pleased to note that in swirly current the Zen didn’t get grabbed at all the way some flat hulls can.

Overall I am super excited to get to use this boat for teaching this season. I think the adjustability and comfort will help us get our students set to go quickly. And once they are on the water the combination of stability and speed will help them gain confidence quickly. And once they learn how to turn, the edge and carving ability of the Zen will give them tactile feedback to help them get the feel of things.  It should be a good year!