Put in my order today, coming in my local shop’s Nov shipment. I started in canoes in the 70s/80s, then a Perception Dancer in the 80s/90s. Then didn’t paddle WW for 20yrs until I picked up a Dagger Mamba back around 2015. But I sold it in a bout of depression and arthritis back during Covid. Been paddling my canoes on local flatwater pretty reg tho for the last yr or two. Kinda got the Rheumatoid Aurthur Itis tamed for the time being anyway. So I got me a spicy little half slice coming to keep things interesting this winter season. One thing for sure I’ll find out if never too old or not, lol.
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Go for it. You never know when age, genetics or the grim reaper will end your paddling days. Did you see the thread where tiny rockered playboats are described as not worthy to be called kayaks? I have an old 8’ necky jive that is enough fun for me.
Yay for you! At 68, you’re still a kid.
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More power to ya!, slice and dice is where it is at locally (New and Gauley), I’m just pretending to run whitewater- big long boat in easy stuff, how’s your roll? Mine is pretty suspect and that limits what I do.
You go, dude!!! Physical play and challenges help keep the body and mind young(er)!
Likewise, am 68 years (young). I keep my Dagger Ultrafuge - one of the slicey/dicey 90s playboats - up in western ME, near the Errol Dam class II Androscoggin. At least once or twice a summer, I just spent a half day or so doing WW moves and stupid kayak tricks on the eddy lines. Good way to cool off and chill.
I have Necky Chronic (play boat) and Riot Booster (river runner) to do the class II/III runs in western MA and mid New Hampshire I enjoyed these. But, where I feel my age is in driving more than a couple of hours. Once I am paddle playing, I am fine. But, the drive stiffens me up and strains my eyes. So, more and more, I’ll wait for the waves to show on my local beach breaks (within 30-40 mins) to get my fix of textured water and adrenaline.
Keep playing until you can’t.
-sing
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Roll aint great but I have one. Hardest part when I had the Mamba was the set up with the arthritis and all. Rolling it was pretty easy but the tall cockpit and big volume made it harder. This boat should at least be a) relatively easier to get in a proper set up position and b) I’ll get plenty of practice:)
I plan to tune up and try to develop a solid offside roll at the local club’s pool practice this winter.
When you get a spicier boat then class II and III will feel bigger. I do have a tonyism, “half slices and playboats weren’t made for old guys with beer guts” Tonyisms are words of wisdom based on first hand experience and observation. Posture is much more important in a half slice. I can get away with a bit of bark-o-loungin’ in my long ww boats. My smallest kayak is a wavesport diesel. Zippy on the eddylines but I submarine it some in drops. Waves hit me in the chest more because its a lower floating ride than my other rides. As far as rollin’, I’ll give it a shot but I haven’t practiced since I messed up the elbow. Flexibility is my achilles heel.
I got my butt kicked on the Klamath River in a drift boat after a big snowmelt winter in 2023.
That did it, no more hard rapids.
When I was young I could hold my breath for 2 minutes or more. Now it is more like 30 seconds.
I am 75. We were still doing the hard stuff in our 60s.
I think the “hard stuff” is relative. Just have to push that envelope every so often. Sometimes that involves just getting out of bed. LOL!
-sing
…my shoulders didn’t have such an overwhelming say in this conversation.