we just purchased our first Kayak. It will primarily be used by my 26 yr old daughter. We live in Indpls, IN. We will be starting out on small creeks and rivers here in central IN. This was purchased at the Cincypaddlers swap meet last Sat. Nice group of people. I really had no idea that we were buying a whitewater SOT. We bought it because is was comfortable when sat in. I dont understand the use of the thigh straps. What I have seen on reviews of the boat are very positive. Being literally brand new to the sport I am just looking for any help I can find on the boat. Is anyone aware of a video out there that has someone demonstrating the proper use of the straps. I don’t understand either the term I continue to see about rolling the boat. Are we speaking in terms of intentionally rolling, or what. Keep in mind we are new to the sport, so I don’t understand the kayaking lingo .
Some info here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52skriu92Hk
Cincypaddlers Why not join them ? They appear to be an excellent club.
Dagger Pegasus
Thanks a bunch for the reply. That clears it up and that is exactly what I was looking for was a video explaining the use. Can’ wait to get the boat in the water, but alas we have no paddles yet. Thanks again Mike.
on thigh braces
If you are paddling flat water or very mellow rivers, you will do just fine without the thigh straps. Thigh straps will allow you to use the boat in higher performance areas and to possibly roll it, but these are higher level skills.
PFDs are required by coast guard. The federal law just requires that you have a PFD that fits each person on board (some localities do require they be worn). With that boat, especially as you go through your learning curve, you should expect to be in the water from time to time, and it is not easy to put on a PFD once you are in the water, so it is strongly recommended you wear the PFD.
Also, that boat will give you a wet ride. The most common trouble for kayakers is not drowning, but hypothermia. Make sure you are wearing the right clothing for both the water and air temperature.
Note the video affiliation
Tom runs the Topkayaker site for sit-on-toppers and you’ll find a lot of useful information there. The straps will come in handy for leans, like entering or exiting an eddy. You don’t need to worry about rolling the boat since SOTs can be remounted and without worrying about pumping out. That model should be fine on most of your local rivers and streams.
A paddling group is a good way to get the benefit of the knowledge, coaching and watchful eyes of experienced paddlers. Cincypaddlers.org is a great one but, if they aren’t close, find one that is.
Re the straps
Just practice capsizing on purpose in a safe environment before it happens by accident. You really never know how you are going to react to being under a boat in the water until you try it.
Rolling usually really means rolling up, so it is recovery from a capsize. Someone always plans to roll if they do so. Whether they planned the capsize that made them need to roll is another matter. It is always preferable to be doing this on purpose, in a controlled situation to practice a roll. But there'd be little reason to learn to roll if someone could always plan their capsizes in advance. If that were the case, you'd plan to capsize only near shore in pleasant temperatures when it was fun to get wet and easy to climb back up without having to roll.
Things to expect
I owned a the same modol for a while.
The thigh straps give the kayak a extra
bit of maneuvering range. on a sot that turns
very easy to start. I did know a person that rolled
There but broke the straps and pulled
a muscle in the process. with the SOT it’s easy to get
back in after a wet exit. just do a seal flop from the aside and face forward.i would never run higher than high class 2 in that kayak. knew a couple that had a pair a d were really good with them. They only ran class 3 once. over all a good kayak. but it could take time getting it to track straight. since it is only 10ft it is designed to maneuver easy. on e you get your strokes down you should be fine. as others have said it will be a wet ride. dress for the water and air temps.
a good backhand will make for a more comfortable ride.