Astral Buoyancy Camino PFD Review

The Camino features Astral’s breathable Airescape Technology (patent pending) which helps to regulate the paddler’s body temperature on hot days, while allowing maximum air flow through breathable garments on cold days (meaning it lets that Kokatat dry suit do its job in the cold Colorado snow melt).

Airescape works in 3 ways:

-Front and back vent ports allow cool air to enter, and warm air to escape
-Internal air mesh pads reduce body to PFD contact by 70% allowing air to circulate inside the vest
-Open weave mesh liner allows hot air and perspiration to escape

Specs:

• Lightweight and environmentally considerate PE (polyethylene) foam construction
• Two front pockets for easy access storage
• Durable and Quick drying Ripstop Nylon Shell
• Reflective accents on the front and back for maximum visibility
• Available in 3 colors: Charcoal, Red, and Purple
• Sizing (measured in inches at widest torso circumference)

• s/m 31″-37″
• m/l 38″-44″
• l/xl 45″-51″

Photo courtesey of EffortTV

Pros:

• This Camino is breathable, lightweight, and quick drying.
• Full back protection make it great for whitewater, SUP, canoeing, sailing.
• Internal air mesh pads are soft and comfortable, and positioned to keep the Camino from riding up.

Photo courtesey of Astral.

Cons:

• Those wanting a tow belt may want to check out the new Sea Wolf, as the Camino is not tow belt compatible.
• Sometimes the full back gets in the way of taller recreational kayak seats, so for high seats we recommend the Camino’s cousin, the V-Eight which has a mesh back.
• Front pockets are a bit small.

Register to win a FREE ASTRAL CAMINO PFD, along with a $2200+ SUP package by clicking the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/coloradokayaksupply?sk=app_121121694568521

The NRS Big Baron Inflatable SUP Review

The NRS Big Earl inflatable SUP is truly one of the most stable, forgiving, and intuitive stand up paddleboard’s ever built. In addition to it’s user friendly handling characteristics, it’s also very well constructed (NRS is known for having a high quality of workmanship), and comes with some great accessories, like a K-Pump 100 and Kwik Check  gauge instead of the industry standard Wonder Pump or similar model. The K -Pump is a $70+ value, instead of $36.95 for the entry level barrel pump.
When we got wind of a bigger, badder and more stable NRS SUP, we were very excited. At 210 lbs (on a good day) I was especially happy to hear rumors of “the most stable inflatable stand up paddle board ever built“. I can honestly say that after paddling The NRS Big Baron, ALL of the rumors and hype are true. This is THE MOST STABLE traditional inflatable stand up paddle board that I have ever had the chance to test drive. It also happens to be quite responsive; which is especially impressive for a 11+ foot long, 36 inch under foot SUP. Check out the details below:

Specs:

This NRS promotional video highlights the technical details of The Big Baron

Relax, turn up the volume, and listen to the sweet sounds of Barry While whilst watching the Big Baron slither it’s way down river.

Pros:

• ULTIMATE STABILITY: The biggest and most noticeable feature of The NRS Big Baron is the insane amount of primary stability that it offers. Paddlers well over 200 lbs will be able to confidently paddle downriver without even thinking of getting wet. What’s also very impressive, is the turn-ability and and overall maneuverability that was preserved in the making of this Clydesdale sized inflatable SUP.
• PERFORMANCE PADDLING:Because of the pin tail design and the rocker on the nose, the Big Baron turns VERY easily, and also surfs well. It in fact, turns even easier than it’s little brother, The Big Earl.
  

  The pin tail design markedly improves maneuverability, with no sacrifice in stability.

  

  Even at 36" wide, the Big Baron has the hull speed necessary to make critical attainments.

• MULTIPLE ATTACHMENT POINTS:It is always better to have a lot of attachment points, as opposed to not enough. The Big Baron has the right handles, in the right spots. There is a D ring and 2 grab loops up front, which serve multiple functions. It is very easy to rig a deck bag to the board, and is also to very easy to drag the board to shore in case of a swim, or when walking to the water (there is a grab carry handle in the middle of the board too).
  

  Multiple attachment points are key.

• INTELLIGENT FIN CONFIGURATION:The Baron, as well as The Big Earl both come with a removable tri fin setup that allows the paddler to make adjustments relative to the conditions. This is a feature that is not available on the vast majority of inflatable SUP’s. It’s benefits include being able to use a twin fin (2) setup for low profile paddling and ease of turning; tri fin’s (3) for stability when paddling down river; or a single fin (1 in the center) for optimal tracking in deeper water like lakes and large rivers. One other BIG benefit of having removable fins is the ease of rolling the board up and inserting it into it’s bag.  At 11′+ long, and 36″ wide, the Big Baron needs all the help that it can get in regards to deflating and rolling it up (and inserting into the included travel pack) for travel.
  

  The removable tri fin design

  

  One more shot of the fins. You can see the longer center fin that is provided too. Nice touch.

• SUPERB COMMERCIAL OUTFITTER BOARD: Because of the versatile nature of this SUP, The Big Baron will do extremely well as an outfitter board.  The learning curve is about as easy as it gets, it is portable and rolls up easily at the take out, will fit all populations ranging from children to 250 lb plus defensive tackles, and is built with consideration to durability and longevity.
• THE ULTIMATE FAMILY SUP:As previously mentioned, The Big Baron can accommodate a wide variety of sizes ranging from small children, to large adults. It is always a good idea to have a stand up board that is more stable, rather than not enough. Since it tops off at 15PSI the heaviest of paddlers can hop on, and still feel like they are on a stable platform. Family pets, multiple children or even 2 grown adults can fit on this board.
  

  400 lbs of kid can't even sink a NRS stand up board. The Big Baron's Cousin ( The Reel ) is also 36" thick. You can see how stable THIS BOARD IS!

  

  Did I say 400 lbs? I meant 800! The Reel Rules!

• LOTS OF GREAT ACCESSORIES FOR THE VALUE: The Big Baron also comes with a K-Pump 100, Kwik Check gauge (to check PSI) and storage back pack. The value of a high pressure pump (such as the K Pump) is far greater than a wonder pump. A Wonder pump is a great pump, but often has trouble topping off the last few PSI. Using a K Pump takes a little bit longer to get the board to 15psi, but is much easier in the long run to get it inflated to optimal rigidity. 2 pumps are ideal. Use a barrel pump (Wonder Pump) to get the board inflated, and then top it off with the provided K-Pump.
  NOTE: Bravo has a SUPER COOL that attaches to you car battery. Set the gauge to the desired PSI, and crack open a cold beverage while it does the work for you! Be sure to check it out. It has the ability to pump to 15 PSI, which is very impressive.

You can see the overall size of The Big Baron compared to other boards out there.

Cons:

• THIS BOARD IS BIG: The NRS Big Baron is one of the largest inflatable SUP’s on the market. Smaller and mid sized paddlers who do not share their board with larger people, may not need all of the additional volume. Fortunately, NRS also sells The Big Earl, which is essentially a smaller version of the Baron.
  

  The Big Earl is the smaller brother of The Big Baron.

• DID WE MENTION THAT THIS BOARD IS PRETTY BIG? Do not purchase a Big Baron with aspirations of winning The Battle of The Paddle or The Badfish Expression Sessions. This SUP is a bad ass recreational, and mid performance level SUP, which in reality is the category that 80% of the stand up paddlers on the planet fall into. It is not a super high performance race or freestyle machine.

Conclusion:

The NRS Big Baron is a superb SUP for the majority of stand up paddlers; and more importantly for ones that weigh over 200 lbs, that do not want to worry about bobbling when paddling downriver and through boily eddylines. If you currently are able to paddle class II+ on your standard size SUP, count on being able to style class III- with The Baron.
While it’s size may be a little bit daunting for some, what is sacrificed in portability is certainly made up for in stability and overall confidence when paddling. Personally, I cannot wait to take The Baron up to Montana this summer, for our annual Yellowstone River family float trip; it’s just the board that I have been waiting for. The Yankee Jim Canyon rapids will be a blast!

CLICK HERE TO QUALIFY TO WIN A NRS BIG BARON SUP ANS ACCESSORY PACKAGE!!

Jackson Kayak Fun Runner Review With Dustin Urban

I finally have a great answer when beginner-intermediate kayakers ask me which boat to buy. After paddling the Fun Runner 60, I’ll recommend this boat to most beginner-intermediate paddlers. I say “most” because there are some paddlers who are super aggressive and fearless from day 1 and are ready for a more aggressive playboat in their first season. Unless that sounds like you, take a serious look at the new Jackson Kayak Fun Runner. This boat strikes the perfect balance; it’s a forgiving river runner that’s playful without being edgy, a perfect choice for beginners or intermediates that want to get comfortable on the river and still have the option to work on some intro playboating.

Pros:

• Extremely easy to roll: There was no “pause” in my roll like I’m used to in a full-on playboat. Instead the Fun Runner glided right through to upright effortlessly. Seriously, I was quite surprised by how easy it was to roll.
  
• Stable: Solid secondary stability will help you build confidence as you get more comfortable on the water.
•  Fast and “carvy”: Because more “creeky” beginner boats (Hero, Mamba, etc) have more rocker and softer edges, they’re harder to keep going in a straight line. The Fun Runner tracked really nicely for paddling downriver and ferrying, and it carved beautifully in and out of eddies.
• Still playful: If you choose one of the “creeky” beginner boats, you’re definitely sacrificing play. In the Fun Runner you can still play your way down the river with moves like front surfing, back surfing, spinning and stern squirts. It’s been years since I skyed stern squirts like I did in the Fun Runner. You’ll be able to tell if playboating is your thing and you want to try something more aggressive, but you’ll still want to hold on to the Fun Runner for your favorite river runs.
• Outfitting: the unishock bulkhead system is safe and comfortable, and the seat is very easy to move.

Cons:

• It’s not a full-on playboat. You won’t be learning to loop in this boat.
• This isn’t really a con, but take the time to choose between the 60 and the 70. At 155 pounds, I was able to stern squirt the 60, but it also seemed possible that I could get back-endered in bigger water.

Kickin' it old school in The JK Fun Runner.

Verdict:

This boat nails the sweet spot for a “sporty” river runner. It’s not easy to design a boat this playful and this forgiving at the same time. If you’re looking for an awesome river runner that you can still take to the local playhole or wave, you should seriously consider the Fun Runner. See you on the river!

Stay tuned for more video footage of the Fun Runner squirting and surfing it’s way down the BV Play Park! Coming soon…

6 Cool Stand Up Paddling Items to Keep an Eye Out for in 2012

Inland SUP is no longer a primitive method of river (or flatwater) travel reserved only for misplaced coastal surf addicts looking for a fix. It’s morphed into one of the fastest growing adventure sports, and the world’s quickest growing paddlesport. It has been interesting to see the rise (and fall) of new SUP technology. Here are 6 super cool items to keep an eye out for in 2012.  Some of them are going to revolutionize the sport, and others help to make various part of SUP easier and more fun.

1.The Badfish Stand Up Paddle River Surfer – The words “game changer” are very overused, especially in paddlesports. The Badfish River Surfer is a true SUP game changer. If you have tried surfing a river wave on a 10′+ SUP, and then try surfing the exact same wave with the Badfish, you will become a believer. The River Surfer is basically a short(6’11″ or 8’0″), thick (5″+) SUP with a very high rail. It is one of the only SUP’s on the market that is designed to surf a river wave, which dynamically speaking is the complete opposite of an ocean wave.  It has kick rocker on the nose (just like a freestyle whitewater kayak), and can carve on small steep waves just like a play boat. If your goal is to be able throw 360′s on your hometown wave like it’s your job, the River Surfer is the stand up board for you.

Inland surf cultutre. Badfish Stand Up Paddle is changing the name of the game.

Railing cutbacks like this are entirely possible on a Badfish River Surfer

2.WilsonPac by VestPac – This is a very useful item for more than just SUP. The Vestpac is a hydration system combined with iPod, cell phone, car keys, ski pass, money and whatever else you can stuff into the pockets. What sets the WilsonPac apart is the 3-D air mesh fabric that is used. The breathable mesh dissipates moisture (similar to breathable membrane fabric used on dry tops and ski shells), and is also very comfortable to wear against your skin. This hydration combo pack is PERFECT for bringing to the ski resort in the winter (carry your pass, iPod, phone and credit card on your person), and even better for flat water SUP’ing in the summer. For more information on this unique product, click here.



3. Super Flex Pro Teck Fins -  Stand up paddling in the river is fun, but also comes with a set of limitations. One major factor in the realm of River SUP is something called “rocks“. Stand up boards have gotten pretty durable over the years, and fin technology has been either a.) indestructible permanent (non removable) rubberized fins or b.) removable composite or plastic ones (breakable). The Super Flex fin offers the best of both worlds. They are made of a rubberized material that can withstand the rigors of downriver SUP. They can take a beating and not break, or even worse, break the fin box.  You no longer have to take your fins off of your board for shallow river paddling, and sacrifice the loss of control. If you tend to be rough on your gear, get some Super Flex surf fins.

New School SUP and surf fins.

Bend it all you want; it won't let you down.

4. Boardworks Badfish MCIT iSUP -Badfish is bad ass enough to make the short list twice. Do we dare use the “game changer” adjective again? Heck yea! The MCIT stands for Multi Chamber Inflatable Technology. In short, this is the most stable high performance SUP on the market, and will make you a better down river stand up paddler. The primary stability of this board is completely ridiculous due to the lowered deck (low center of gravity) and raised (inflatable) tapered rails. The bumper bow can bash rocks all day long and keep on ticking. If you want to raise the bar in 2012, and paddle some rivers that you had thought were previously unobtainable (or painful to swim), the MCIT will take you there. For more info on the MCIT, click here to read a few detailed reviews.

Given er' on Baby Falls courtesey of the Boardworks Badfish MCIT iSUP

BOARDWORKS UNVEILS REVOLUTIONARY INFLATABLE SUP DESIGN!! from Boardworks Surf on Vimeo.

5. Salamander SUP Quick Release Belt & Coiled Leash – This item is not high tech and shiny, and it’s not made of composite or carbon. It does however make your life a WHOLE LOT EASIER and safer when on the river. It’s a 1.5″ webbing belt that attaches to your waist. Attached to the belt is a quick release that also connects to your SUP. The attachment point has a velcro accessory that acts as a quick release. You can decide how much velcro you want connected together, which determines the breaking strength of the system. Most SUP leashes do not break away, and/or require the paddler to wear a rescue vest (in order to have a breakaway).  This is one of the only quick release leashes on the market that does not require a rescue PFD, and is a true break away system.  Don’t fret getting your leash tangled in river debris, this simple and cost effective solution works like a charm. For more info and a detailed review, click here.



6. The Boardworks Raven – The Raven brings the best of racing board technology to the recreational paddler’s realm and price point. It has a bow that pierces through waves with ease, is constructed from a space age material (TEC-V) that is light, fast, stiff and very strong, and costs about 1/2 of what a comparable race board does.  The Raven is very stable, yet is also fast. It’s race ready, but is also a great choice for a flat water touring board. If it’s a fast, sexy, user friendly, mid priced SUP that you are after, check out the Boardworks Raven. Men’s Journal gave it their Gear of The Year Award for a reason.

Boardworks Raven 12’6″ from Boardworks Surf on Vimeo.

Boardworks Badfish MCIT Review with Aaron and Matthew Koch

My brother and I took the MCIT for a spin on our local class 2 creek and found it to be a great SUP vehicle.

I used it for several bomb drops, which I couldn’t do with the heavy plastic boards, and it rocked! 6 foot drop??? No problemo. Lateral stability is excellent, surfs like a long board..slow wide turns! Very rigid and the side tubes fill up pretty rigid too. Don’t worry, you can still fall of this board, so whitewater will be a challenge;just a little more do-able!The MCIT is going to open up a lot of possibilities for running harder whitewater on a Stand up board. Congrats to Badfish and Boardworks for creating this exciting new board.

SUP'ers can splat rocks too.

Micro surf on the MCIT

Check out these links to see what else the brother’s Koch have going on:
Great Photography:http://archive.adriftimages.com/
Huck your SUP or kayak in warm Mexican water:http://kayakhuasteca.com/

Pyranha Shiva Review with Robert Peerson and Chris Roberts

Pyranha likes to cut to the chase, and build boats that perform. They always have, and always will. The Shiva follows in the foot steps of true Pyranha heritage. It’s a nimble, fast, large volume, rounded hull creeker, built to run the steepest and hardest whitewater on the planet. As paddlers push the boundaries of the sport, new gear is needed that can keep up with the demands that are set in place. The Shiva is a piece of kayak gear built specifically to help facilitate rapid vertical descents of very steep things. Also, Demshitz is going to huck this design all over the world – so it needs to be able to keep up with those guys (and girls).
Part of the reason that we are so excited about this new boat, is because Robert Peerson designed it. He is the former lead boat designer for Wavesport. We can thank him for boats like the super smooth Project, and Project X. We spoke with Robert, and also with Chris Roberts about the different aspects of the design. Here is what they told us:

Specs:

Info:

• The first thing that Chris Roberts mentioned was that this boat was built with “Pyranha performance” in mind. It is not a dumbed down version of a current model boat, nor is it a beginners kayak. Similar to The Dagger Nomad, the Shiva is designed to confidently paddle steep and technically challenging  drops.
• Where does the Shiva fit in Pyranha’s 2012 lineup? The Burn and Everest are still being produced. They are going to be better for big water paddling (runs where you would want a planing hull and edge) and general river running. Since Pyranha has not had a tried and true creeker for a few years (Micro’s and M:3′s) they will now be able to offer a steep creek weapon (similar to a Dagger Nomad or Liquid Logic Jefe) with a rounded hull and slight chine instead of hard edge. If you live in Durango or Crested Butte CO, Asheville NC, Northern California, The Pac NW and towns that have lots of rivers that are 200+ feet per mile nearby; THIS IS THE BOAT FOR YOU.
• How is the hull speed? According Chris Roberts (a man that has been paddling class V for a long time), this is the fastest creek boat that he has ever paddled. The primary reason that it’s so fast is because it has a swede form hull shape (just like a wildwater boat). This means that the widest part of the boat is just behind the cockpit (instead of just ahead of it). By making the knee area of the boat narrower than the stern, the paddler can take more vertical strokes closer to the boat (vertical strokes = power). Also, the hull is very rounded (side to side) and has progressive rocker (from the center of the boat), as opposed to kick rocker(just bow and stern). The result is a very fast boat.
• What is the handling like? Chris had a great way of describing the handling. “You can slither down the river and put the boat exactly where you want it almost telepathically”. Precision is the name of the game with The Shiva. Again, the somewhat narrow swede form shape with a rounded hull and subtle chine, allow the paddler to achieve a level of precision paddling needed to safely navigate steep class V drops. The primary stability will feel a little bit tippy for some paddlers. The reason for this, is because the hull is rounded (similar to a Nomad or Jefe), and there is less waterline width. The Shiva has AMAZING secondary stability. There is a chine that connects the hull of the boat to a flared sidewall. When a paddler lays down the chine, they will be able to track “even in Niagara Falls eddy lines” according to Chris.
• What boat(s) is the Shiva similar or comparable too? Imagine a Dagger Nomad with crisper handling and more volume for increased confidence. The hull shape is similar to The Nomad in the sense that the hull is more rounded than it is flat. Also, The Nomad is a “use specific” boat that does really well on steep rivers and creeks. The Shiva also has that trait in common. Neither of these boats were designed as instructional kayaks for beginning kayakers.
• Because the Shiva is so rounded, it is incredibly easy to roll.

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The Snap Dragon Armortex Spray Skirt Review

You’d think that at my age I would have learned that it’s better to spend a bit extra and get the best when you need it. I guess I’m a slow learner.
I took up kayaking two years ago at age 51. I live in Nepal and I rented a kayak and kit for a while at the beginning and then bought my first boat, a used Nomad. I invested in a new kit including a good standard quality spray deck (NOT the Snap Dragon Armortex). We ran the Karnali and my only swim was when my spray deck imploded in a play hole. Then I ran the Seti in high monsoon flows and my run through Labdi rapid (see clip below) opened my spray deck on one side although fortunately my boat didn’t flood. I realized I needed a better spray deck for the type of water I like to paddle. That’s when I bought an Armortex and my life changed.

Purchasing the Armortex was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It fits like a tight leather driving glove. You just know that the Armortex is going to stay on like it’s supposed to. Having my spray deck implode or open accidentally in big water has gone from Concern Number One to the least of my worries. The first time I used it was in November 2011 on a run down the Marsyandi. As the clip below shows, Paudi Rapid was generating considerable carnage the day we ran it but the Armortex ran it clean (I’m second in the group of three).

Pros:

• Safety: No more swims because your spray deck didn’t stand up to the water.
• Confidence: You can focus on the river rather than worrying about your equipment.
• Durability: With the Kevlar interweave, the Armortex may be the last spray deck you ever purchase. It’s built to last.

Cons:

• Price: It costs a bit more than other skirts but you get what you pay for. Since it lasts longer than other skirts it more than pays for itself.
• Ease of use: It’s a bit hard to get on at first but that’s part of having a skirt that doesn’t come off. Once you use it a few times it gets easier.

The Verdict:

If you need a spray deck that stays on and will last forever, get the Armortex.

The Boardworks SUP Raven Review With Mike Tavares

“To Seek, Plunder, or Prey,” is one of the many definitions for the word Raven and its exactly what the Boardworks SUP Raven does. This board seeks out any body of water and brings out the best in any paddler in any condition. After using the Raven in a variety of different bodies of water, I have found that this multi-use board is good for just about anything. Recently named Men’s Journal gear of the year award, the Raven is a must for paddlers looking for a SUP board that is easy to use and performs great.

The Bamboo Veneer gives the board a great looking finish. The Raven is a close second to the ultra high end M&M race board beside it.

Boardworks brings its unsurpassed quality construction at a great price to give paddlers a board that is designed for all purpose cruising, recreational racing, fishing, or just plain getting out on the water. This board was built with glide and speed in mind so it paddles easier, giving you a smoother ride across the water. Here are some points that I like about the Raven.

• Thick and forgiving rails that allow for an absurd amount of stability
• Piercing bow that breaks through the chop
• Slightly inset deck pad area that enables you to lock into the standing area
• Light and strong Boardworks TEC-V construction
• 10’6 and 12’6 sizing to allow for the perfect fit for a variety of paddler sizes
• Can be used in a variety of water conditions. From Flat water to moving water
• Deck Rigging give you options to store gear for fishing, overnighters, and day packs
• Bamboo Veneer gives the board a great looking finish

Freestyle flatwater SUP. It's always fun to get vertical, no matter what sport it is.

Haley Mills enjoying The Raven

Sunset paddle

Overall, this board is hard to beat. It paddles smoothly, can be used in almost any condition, and looks great. Check one out and you will be sure to enjoy!

Jackson Kayak Fun Runner Review with Colin Kemp

When Jackson Kayak announced that they were going to release a new river running boat, we were all ears. Through the years, the incredibly popular Fun had managed to morph into a boat that looked more like a freestyle kayak, than it did river runner…For that reason alone, it is great that Jackson has a true river running play boat in their line up. The Jackson Kayak Fun Runner is the type of boat that can give a beginning paddler the confidence that he or she needs to make it through a rapid up right. It will also be a blast for advanced paddlers to charge down high water runs. JK Team Member Colin Kemp was instrumental in designing this boat. Here’s a recap of what we learned after talking with him:

Jackson color options for 2012

Check out the detailed specs in the slide show:

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Key Points:

• The Fun Runner is a brand new boat altogether. The concept for the boat was taken out of the Hero and Fun. The Hero was a great river runner, but lacked some “playability” because of the volume distribution in the bow and stern. The Fun, could also run rivers, but needed some additional volume and length for instructional fleets, beginning kayakers, and also for advanced paddlers who wanted a to take their paddling to the next level.
• Colin Kemp has a background in teaching kayaking. JK was really lucky to have someone like Colin aid in designing this boat. He had the ability to test prototype models on his students, and receive first hand feedback as to what worked, and what didn’t. The overwhelming consensus was that the Fun Runner was a great boat, and really fun to paddle. One thing that was particularly interesting, was that Colin noticed that The Fun Runner allowed beginners to see if they wanted to be playboaters, river runners or creekers…Because the boat surfs, has a bow and stern that initiates vertically, but also has enough volume to boof and run rivers, a beginning or intermediate paddler will be able to experiment with different types of boating styles.
• The Fun Runner was designed by JK design master David Knight.
• If you live near the ocean, and want to kayak surf, THIS IS THE BOAT FOR YOU.After interviewing Colin, it became apparent, that his genuine enthusiasm after a few surf sessions was enormous. The Fun Runner was fast enough to actually accelerate down the face of the wave, as opposed to many playboats, that are too short to actually surf the wave. Paddling out is also a blast, nothing feels better then throwing a huge wave wheel (or kick flip) on a 6 foot tall wave,  in an 8 Foot plus play boat.
  

  The Fun Runner hull can generate enough speed to carve down the face of ocean waves.

  

  Wave wheels and kick flips in the ocean are way too fun.

  

  Blasting the Fun Runner in the surf.

  Fun Runner ocean surfing! from Colin Kemp on Vimeo.

• The drop chine is very similar to the Fun. If you like the way the fun carved, then you will like the Fun Runner too.
  

  Even surfing smaller waves are fun when you have a long fast boat.

• The rocker profile, and bow shape on the Fun Runner is different than the Fun. At times, the Fun would perl when surfing (bow would dip into the water). This issue has been eliminated in the Fun Runner.
• The Fun Runner can run the s#@t. So far this thing has been paddled on the North Fork of The Payette, Tallulah and The North Fork of The Feather. Here at CKS, were pretty pumped on paddling it on high water Arkansas runs. Big water play.
  
• The knee area sits a little lower on the deck in front of the paddler, and is also a little bit flared. What does this mean? The Fun Runner is very quick edge to edge, and is also very easy for smaller paddlers to get their hands out over the boat, when setting up for a roll. Essentially, the boat has a snugger deck. The reason for all of these tweaks, is a result of beta testing with students, beginning paddlers and consumers. Jackson wanted to make sure that this boat was as easy to learn to roll in as possible.
• The Fun Runner throws down. Often times hucking ends in an 8 foot long play boat, can be more gratifying than in a sub 6 foot spud boat. Old school play boaters will have loads of fun in the Fun Runner. Newer playboaters will have a tougher time sinking the ends (compared to a Rock Star or Fun), but will also like the slower, more fluid motion that the boat makes while cartwheeling, squirting and getting vertical. It is easier to learn proper body positioning when the boat moves around a little bit slower.
  

  Cartwheeling the Fun Runner at Rock Island

  

  Setting up for something fun at Chili Bar on The American River

We are pretty excited to paddle the Fun Runner here in Colorado. Our rivers are very dynamic and continuous. The water can get extremely high,and play spots can grow to epic proportions. Imagine paddling The Fun Runner on a run like Gore Canyon in the am, and then surfing it at Big Sur or Glenwood later the same day. Personally, I think that the Fun Runner would make a solid boat for our back yard run; the mighty Arkansas. When the water gets high, it is good for us mere mortals to be in a boat that has a little bit of volume and hull speed,  but also is a blast to surf and get vertical in when the time is right. Spring can’t come soon enough!

Jackson Cuda Review with Drew Gregory

The Coosa was Jackson’s first true fishing kayak. It was an enormous success, especially considering the fact that JK is known for whitewater boats, and not for products that assist you in slaying bass and trout. JK’s got a few secret weapons in regards to their fishing kayak popularity. For starters, kayak fishing legend Drew Gregory has joined the team. He has been very instrumental in research and design, as well as creating  a buzz in the kayak fishing world because of his genuine enthusiasm. Jackson also employs Tony Lee. He has been designing kayaks for a long time, and is known as one of the best  out there. Tony’s got over 30 successful designs to his credit, so he can surely get a fishing kayak to have primary stability, and track well! When we first heard news of of a bigger and badder Jackson fishing boat, we were pretty psyched. Longer, faster, more features and capable of paddling open water-Awesome. In order to get the most accurate info, we reached out to  Drew Gregory, who was very instrumental in the boats’ design:

Specs:

This video is lengthy, but does a stellar job of highlighting all of the Cuda’s features. In fact, the boat has so many fishing features on it, I am surprised Drew could cover it all in 15 min!

Here is some good info from the man himself, Drew Gregory!

1. How does the boat differ from The Coosa?

The Cuda is on the complete opposite end of the spectrum from the Coosa, as far as boat performance goes. Where the Coosa needed to be nimble and maneuverable to get into tight places and to run rivers, the Cuda is a faster, straighter tracking boat. The Cuda is also lower profile making it
less affected by the wind on those gusty days out in open water.

2. Who is the Cuda intended for and who is the Coosa intended for?

The Cuda is intended for the anglers who loved the stability and all the cool features of the Coosa, but needed the speed and tracking of a boat
like the Cuda to reach their fishing locations a little quicker and with less effort. So, mainly we’re taking about large lake anglers, and both
inshore and offshore fisherman. The Coosa is for the people who fish in smaller bodies of water, or rivers,where maneuverability and stability are more crucial than speed.

Stability is a key asset with The Cuda. Stand up and fish with out getting sea legs!

3. Would Coosa owners want to upgrade?

Coosa owners would want to get the Cuda, not because it is an “upgrade,” but because with these two boats in your arsenal you’ll likely
never need another boat! You see, we agree with most every kayak angler out there that one boat can never do it all, but we feel that these two,
when their powers combine, can cover every water type there is! From the rivers to the sea, the Coosa and Cuda should be the only two boats you’ll
ever need! Wow, that even rhymes.

4. Any tech info on the design of the boat? Cool features?

The coolest new features on the Cuda would definitely have to be the rod tip cover, fly rod stagers/holders, center hatch, removable utility bag,
stand assist strap, and vertical and side tackle stagers (see product video above for more info on these features). Of course all the sweet features of the Coosa are also there, such as the removable elite hi/lo seat, bow and stern hatches, removable skid plate, paddle stager and of course the wide, flat standing platform. Another cool thing in general for anglers to look out for with all Jackson Fishing boats, is the number of accessories we’ll be providing in 2012 that will make your time on the
water even more enjoyable.

5. Here in Colorado, lots of people fish the rivers…How does the Cuda do in downriver environments? Kinda like a drift boat but more maneuverable???

In rivers, the Cuda is really only best fit for flat water environments or class I at best. Maneuverability is not as good on the Cuda as it is on the Coosa simply because if you make a boat track well, like the Cuda, you’ll always lose maneuverability and vice versa. It still may be more nimble than a drift boat however! The better replacement for a drift boat in the Rocky Mountain rivers may actually be the “Big Tuna,” which launches in early 2012, because it can hold one or two anglers so that someone can control the drift while the other fishes. However, we’ll talk more about that boat later! Or, you can always fish the rivers best by just hopping
in two Coosas!

6. Would non anglers like The Cuda? Family toy?

Absolutely, the Cuda would make a great sit-on-top touring kayak given that it is fast, tracks well, is stable and waaaay more comfortable than a traditional touring kayak due to the elite seat. Not to mention you can move to the high seating position giving you more comfort and a better
vantage point for bird watching, sight seeing, viewing into the water and taking photos of it all!

You don't necessarily fish on The Cuda to have a good time.

Here are some other really cool facts about the Cuda:

• The Cuda is built from the same linear (Super Linear) plastic as that Jackson uses on their class V whitewater boats. In other words, this boat is over engineered as far as durability goes.
• You can surf the Cuda. There is enough rocker (rise) on the hull to allow anglers to occasionally surf their way back into shore after fishing open water
• There are lots of great bright color options. If you are planing on paddling near large shipping lanes, you will want a color selection that is easy to see!
• Jackson will be introducing a plethora of accessories and add-ons for 2012. Keep an eye out! This video shows some of the ones that Drew likes.

  http://youtu.be/wMJrkJDMtcg

• Looking for a tandem? Wait for the Big Tuna. JK is once again taking fishing to the next level. This thing even has a live bait well.

Last but not least, here are some really good fishing links. Drew has a website, tournament, and a really good fishing forum. Also, be sure to check out the video of him getting attacked by a wild goose!

DrewGregory.com
JacksonKayak.com
RiverBassin.com
RiverBassinTrail.com