Well, first off I am a newbie in kayaking. I just got my sit on top kayak(2 seaters) about 2 months ago. I've been padding and surfing with it a lot. I am a surfer and a bodyboarder before a kayaker. I surfed 6 to 10 feet wave with my kayak with one of my buddy and I had a blast, although it was hard. If you know how big that is in front of you, that tells you that I am somewhat extreme.

I am here to ask you guys what kind of Whitewater kayak, I should get. What I'm looking at is River Running Kayak, Creeking, and Surfing. Most likely Surfing. Freestyle will be nice too. These are my picks....................................WaveSport Diesel 75, WaveSport EZG 60, Dagger Juice 7.1.............................................What would you recommand guys, and why? Thank you for your time.

I am 6' 210lbs. I am big guy, macho man haha

welcome to paddling.

The type of boat you buy depends on three major factors: 1) what you use it for 2) your size and weight 3) personal comfort and ability

As for the uses you will not find a boat do surf, creek, freetsyle and river run - sorry you'll have to compromise. If you love the surf and you're likely to do that a fair bit the get a flat bottomed boat! The shorter the boat the more fun it'll be in the surf and freestyle paddling but the harder and less forgiving it'll be on rivers and it'll be less suited to creeks.

The less volume a boat has the easier it is to do tricks so it's better for surf and freestyle but it's more prone to getting stuck on or under rocks and so low volume boats are totally unsuitable for creeks.

Depending on your weight and height some boats change in their uses. A small paddler can use a larger play boat as a river runner when a large paddler can't.

Some options to consider are:

a flat hulled river runner which would enable you to run rivers, start creeking and surf but limits play boating eg. a dagger GT, Pyranha Inazone, LL lil'joe , trigger or hoss, diesel (diesel is moving towards creek volume)

A river/play boat - still have the length but are lower volume and more intended for play eg. EZG, juice, the new LL cross river

A play boat but one where you are the lower end of the weight range and the boat is generally pretty friendly. The one that springs to mind is Bliss-stick Flipstick - these are AWESOME in the surf, forgiving on rivers however they are slow, try also ZG in large-ish size etc.


If you buy a river runner and you progress wuickly in the sport you will find yourself wanting a play boat for freestyle and surf and a creek boat for steep runs - in other words you will grow out of it. However river runners have good resale value as they don't go out of fashion the same way play boats do.

Good luck the one main thing is try every boat - there's always personal differences so make sure the boat you get is comfortable and works for you.

I am 6' 210lbs built

Okey doke then the Flipstick would be way more of a playboat than a river runner for you.

The Juice would be definitely worth a demo but it wouldn't be suitable for creeks etc. Would be fun in the surf though. EZG would be another good one to try out.

I think you'd get bored of the diesel in the surf however it would be a really good river runner/ moderate creek boat.

You're other option is to try and pick up and older style playboat for use in the surf and to get you going - there's usually some old stuff around really cheap and although they might not be doing the new moves they still surf and cartwheel like crazy - check out some of the discontinued models on the manufacturers websites and check out gear swap on BT.

Thank you so much, you've been a lot help. You made my choice easier. this sunday i am going down to Mission bay and trying Juice and EZG

I really dont no much about ocean surf kayaking, but if your looking for a boat to surf, play, riverrun and creek, the only one that comes to mind is the Bliss-Sick scud, but that probably wouldnt do so good out on the surf, and its playability would be limiting. I've heard some people creek in their Riot Air 60s , although that sounds a bit crazy for me. the boats you mentioned are good, but the Liquidlogic crossriver might be worht looking into as well, it sounds like a possibility, although i dont know much abou itl. have fun

is the liquid logic crossriver as new kayak? It looks good, I saw some clips of Riding Waves and Creeking.. but not quite sure how good it is on riverrunning. It kinda look like EZG 60.

here is the link to it.

shanesliquidlogic.blogspot.com/

The cross river is a very new boat, and i believe its was a made as a riverruning playboat. Im not sure on any of this, shaneslodgic could tell you more.

Dude,

After 20 years of paddling (I got into playboating last season) I am inclined to think that there isnot one boat suited to everything.
Although I get a kick (and the odd bruise) from creeking in my Air 60, it is not made for it.
As has been pointed out to me the plastic is a bit soft to take sharp rocks.

I used to own a Whiplash (Preception) which I miss in the sping.
Before that I had a Piroutte (Perception) and a Response (Dagger).
Wish I still had them all. (Especially the Response).
Each has a strong point. The response was great for really big water and creeks.
All this to say if I was you I would rent a bunch of boats and run them in all the conditions you want to ride in.After that pick onethat performs best where you ride the most.
All the advice in the world will not replace you trying as many boats as possible before buying one.
If you can afford it, get one for playboating and surfing and a second for river running and creeking.
Me, I cant afford it (got to put my kids in boats too).
Good luck in you search. [/u][/b]

By the way. If you are starting out, don't rule out the older boats.

A lot of them are bullet proof and will take a lot of abuse. (resale is pretty good and easy too).

I totally agree with not rulng out the old models. If you are for example looking at the Juice, you might wonder if the Dagger ID isn't just as good for you. I paddled it for a while and think it is an awesome boat, it will get you down the river easily and is still very good for flat water moves. If you want something more easy to guide you dow'n the river, why not choose the Outlaw? The EZG is an awesome boat, but since you're just starting, the EZ might do the trick for you as well. Oh, and if you do want a new model, I also paddled the Juice for a while, great for riverrunning, but you might want to consider its follow up, the prescription.

And as the name playboat already suggests: it is made for playing, not creeking.

Have fun!

hi guys.
if i were buyin a surf/whitewater kayak i would go for the riot tekno because it is a lovely boat and you should be able to get one for £350 second hand (ther are not made anymore)
hope this helps!
cheers
elliott

[quote:1267da3ba7="riot_peach"]hi guys.
if i were buyin a surf/whitewater kayak i would go for the riot tekno because it is a lovely boat and you should be able to get one for £350 second hand (ther are not made anymore)
hope this helps!
cheers
elliott[/quote:1267da3ba7]

I own one and I love it. The guy who I bought it off (urge on here) has taken it down some pretty good rapids and pulled off the ol freestyle moves on the flat and on the wave.

good on u dude. wats the latest move u pulled off in it? ahhh the riot tekno ahhh

i was getttin air really easily by carving gettin donkey flips (keeping my head dry) air loops, air blunts to name but a few a great boat i want it back dan!

The super or big EZ or the EZG 52 or 60 would be a good choice if u want to be a playboater..they are super forgiving play boats and can do most if not all the freestyle moves..I prefer a Riot or a hard craving boat but starting out you will want something that allows you to progress and have fun also..on the other hand if u start out high performance you may progress even faster but i would suggest learning a good solid roll if you take that route..actually u should do that anyway

[quote:29eabe791a="Urge"]i was getttin air really easily by carving gettin donkey flips (keeping my head dry) air loops, air blunts to name but a few a great boat i want it back dan![/quote:29eabe791a]

Haha, When i can do all those things.. Maybe. You have your own surf machine though!

Umm yeah, it is a real nice boat and ive seen it used in a way I cannot at teh moment but it has brought my paddling ability on a whole load.