Gear Reviews

The river Store has been a staple of my kayaking career. Right next to the Sacramento area Classic, Chili Bar on the South Fork of the American River, this store offers a wide selection of gear and the convienient location. So next time you forget your nose plugs before a session at First Threat or Barking Dog head on in to pick them up. I also have taken advantage over the years of their nice demo program, bought my first creek boat (M:3) 4 years ago after demoing it from them and have embraced kayaking ever since.

Colorado Kayak Supply is an online retailer with all your kayaking essentials. Whether you are shopping for a new boat or a bottle opener shaped like a kayak, they have it. And better yet, their prices are low, their sales can save you hundreds on new boats. Along with everything you expect from a kayak retailer, they have a nice used boat selection, kayak touring equipment, river camping essentials, roof racks and gift certificates. Click the photo link and check their site out for yourself.

I want everyone to know that I am simply relating what happened, and I will tell the full story without agenda and let everyone decide on their own if my opinion is founded. So anyways, off I go with the story.


So 8 months ago, I was in the market for a new creek boat, Confluence (owns Dagger and Wavesport) came to my school (UC Davis) and did a pool demo session for us. I tried out a Kingpin and instantly loved it. I asked to buy it on the spot, they said I had to buy it through the dealer. As I am on a student's budget I decided to call all the retailer's in the area and ask for them to bid their best price guaranteeing that whoever gave the best price would get my purchase. California Canoe and Kayak (CCK) came back with "$700 after tax for a new Kingpin 6.3" to beat the next best of $730 after tax from two other stores. so I went ahead and promised CCK that I would buy from them. When I contacted them I was told they didn’t have one in stock and that I could wait 8 weeks to get one shipped, or that they had a boat that had been used in a pool once (which happened to be by me in the UC Davis pool). So I said I didn’t mind if it had been used once in a pool and bought the boat for $700.


Two weeks later the boat breaks and CCK instructs me to bring the boat to the store and they will "take care of me and the warranty." So I do. I then get a call from CCK telling me that I can "wait 8-9 weeks for a new boat to be shipped, or (there was) another boat which had been used twice in class II." So i say the boat which had been used would be fine. I go to pick it up, and the boat looks superficially abused, not what I had in mind for my replacement boat, so I decline it. This is when the story gets interesting, now the manager of CCK tell me I bought a used boat that comes with no warranty. The manager then begins to get angry with me and declines to talk the issue out with me and tells me, "why don’t you call the dagger rep, all I can say is good luck." So I call the Dagger Rep and talk to him. After about an hour we come to the conclusion that either CCK mislead me or that there was a large misunderstanding and decide that I should pay an additional $30 dollars to match my next best offer, and in return get a brand spanking new boat sent from Dagger to me.


3 months go by, and finally my new boat comes in and I am told, "come on in and pay the $30 dollars that we agreed upon and it is yours." So I do. I trade the loaner boat the Dagger Rep and loaned me in for the new boat, and was tying it on my car when I realized it was a 6.2, not a 6.3, which means way too small for me. To this a CCK employee answered it isn’t a big deal, it will simply let me freestyle better. (I am 215 lbs and 6' 3"...are you joking). So I call the Dagger Rep and he tells me he will reorder the boat for me.


Another 2 months go by and I get a call from the owner of CCK. He tells me that he has a boat with my name on it and asks why. I explain to him, he checks out the story thus far with the Dagger Rep, and then calls me back and tells me I owe him $150 plus tax because I bought a used boat for a used boat price. He doesn’t recognize the fact that the price I paid was for a new boat, at a negotiated price, and that I was never told it wouldn’t still be considered a new boat. Why would I pay $700 for a used boat if I had the option of waiting for a few weeks for a new boat at the same price? So he then begins to get angry with me telling me "I don't care" with regards to my argument. He then tells me (paraphrased) it is paddlers like me that piss him off because I didn’t support the local store by making them compete against an out of town store. And that if I was so short of money, "maybe (I) shouldn’t paddle." I then ask him to talk to the manager of the store whom I had dealt with for the warranty before, however that employee no longer works there and I was told was not going to be able to be questioned about this issue. So then I asked him to talk to the employee who quoted me the $700 for a new boat price, however this employee no longer works there and as well will not be able to be questioned about this issue. Now the Dagger Rep isn’t recalling any of the prior agreements and is saying I have to pay the $150 plus tax as well.


After some angry words back and forth (him using my girlfriend whom he had helped out before I even knew her, against me) we concluded that the only way I would get a new boat from him was to pay $81 before tax. So I did to end this ordeal and to get my new boat finally to me. His argument is that on my receipt is says used boat, a fact which I can't argue as my copy has long since been wiped clean of the ink while in my wallet (whoops). Either way, twice an agreement was made, and twice CCK has changed their position. The only people who were in on the agreements, just happen to not work there anymore, and their agreements are apparently no longer valued.


In the end, the owner of CCK personally dropped the boat by my apartment (5 minutes out of his way) and was pleasant to me. I just cant get over that he would be so rude to a loyal customer of some 10 years, for $87, when he already profited over $100 from the original purchase, I mean Dagger covered all the shipping, so he didn’t have to pay anything due to the boat breaking. Perhaps you, the reader, will agree with his side of the argument, and that is fine. I just really wanted to vent publicly about my perceived treatment from CCK, and wanted to state that I and many of my friends will no longer be making any purchases from CCK from this day forward. In the past month (since 11-10-06) this has already cost their company over $500 in lost business and will cost them a new creek boat, helmet, and dry suit purchases by yours truly over the next year.


Anyways, to each their own opinion, but if you use this story as a reference to not buy from CCK, let me know so I can be satisfied with the only source of comfort that is available to me.


Thanks for reading...

Boats

So I just bought a new Everest, taking a chance since I had never even paddled one before. After 3 years of boating an M:3 I decided I needed a larger boat. At ~215 lbs and 6'3" the 68 gallon M:3 just wasnt floating me anymore. The Everest though is much larger and just what the doctor ordered. Pyranha sizes it at 82 gallons while paddler magazine says 86 gallons. I am inclined to go with the latter because damn the thing is huge. With that said, it is perfect. I paddled it on Chamberlain's at low water and couldnt tell if I liked it as the run was just not hard enough. However this past weekend I took it out to do a overnighter on Generation and Giant Gap. I know, kinda of silly, not used to the boat, only paddled an overnight loaded boat once ever, and go out for a good run. Well, the road was snowed, so if it was a stupid choice I didnt pay any price for it. So we went back to Chamberlains this time at 1,000 and with the boat loaded and I loved it. I couldnt believe how well it handled loaded. I never felt like the back was dragging, it turned quick, and boofed well. I can't wait to overnight it this spring. The following day we hiked into Giant Gap (1,250 cfs) and I got to test it out on a bit harder run. I loved it here too unloaded. It boofed well, surfaced well, punched holes like a champ and kept me online the whole day. No joke, my friends actually commented on how solid I was boating that day (and my friends are asses who are ALWAYS mean and NEVER compliment). So, for a person my size I would highly recommend this boat... and no I am not sponsored by Pyranha, I just love their boats.

Only photo of me in thus far (4-12-08)

This was my first creek boat and for this reason I have to say that I loved this boat. I found that even for my size this boat handled well. The weight range is reported to be up to 220 lbs or so, but I never felt as if I were out growing the boat, even when I was near 230. The boat surfaced quickly and under great control. As far as the rockers goes, it has nearly no lateral rocker, making the primary stability pretty solid. The secondary stability however lacked a little. When it came time to boof, I found that this boat was not quite an auto-boof sort of boat. Even with rock assistance, great boofs were not guaranteed. I liked the edge that the boat had, made ferries and balance easy, howevever it was the edges that in the end killed my boat.

After three years, this boat cracked a number of times. First was a crack on the rim of the cockpit. The bolt attaching the center pillar ripped through the cokpit, requiring a plastic wiedling job to patch it up along with sinking a few new bolts through the top in order to secure the center pillar. Second was a crack through the bottom that was caused on a boof. This crack seemed to be more of a scratch that went all the way through the plastic. Again the boat was wielded back together. The third and final injury she sustained was another crack which stretched some ten inches along the edge. This was crack was caused by normal steep creeking abuse but was enough to take her out of commission. In all, I would love another M:3, however I fear that the edge is too sharp (and thus structurally weak) and the plastic is too soft to make it worth my money. I fear if I were to buy another one, I would be having to replace it within a year or two (unless of course I lose 30 lbs, then it would be fine I think), therefore I am passing on this boat for my next purchase. Ok screw it, got a good deal and I just bought a new one. No other boat handled like my M:3 did, I missed it. Some changes have been made with regard to rocker, will let you know the impact once I get out in it... if it ever rains here in California (12-1-06).

North Cottonwood

I only used this boat one day, and it was actualy the first creek boat that I was ever in, so the technical description is non existent. What I do know is that the 83 gallons it comes with was a bit much. I found that it surfaced fast but without control. Also, the sides of the boat are near vertical and tended to get pushed around a lot by waves and holes. The next day I tried a M:3 and found what a real creek boat could be like.

Upside-down Tunnel Chute

After my M:3 ran its last river, I had a friend with a spare Huka which he loaned me. This boat has no edge compared to any boat I had been in to date. It was because of this that it felt like there was no primary stability. I have never felt like I was going to roll due to littlier stuff. However, the secondary stability was amazing, everytime I thought I was going over, I braced it right back up. Another plus, is that it boofs like a mad man. This boat boofs everything with the greatest of ease, most likely due to the high rocker it has. The final thing I found, is something I think would go away if you boated it enough, but I found that it ferried and eddy turned really weird. I think this was because of the lack of edge, but for the 5 times I used it, it always gave me problems.

BRG #3, Trinity

I demoed this boat after wanting a little more from the Huka, and this hit the spot. The boat handles like a dream. The boat is tough, you can tell that it will take a hit and keep on ticking. I have yet to make the demo I have in my garage take that hit, but I think it I could. The boat has much more edge than the Huka, allowing for easier ferries, eddy turns and primary stability. It also maintains good secondary stability. Although it didn't boof as easily as the Huka did, it still was better than many other boats. Finally, the boat was a tank when it came to holes. I found I could just paddle straight into and out of many sticky holes. The only negative point I have for this boat is that it felt heavier than advertised. Maybe I was tired the few days I boated it, but paddling upstream felt harder, and more importantly, shouldering it for the walk out was harder than with my old boat. Still, this boat gets positive marks.

My First boat, I loved this boat. I bought this boat after initially learning in a Dancer and Corsica. After those boats, this boat was like a sports car. I loved this boat because it was so easy to handle, it had great river running characteristics, as well as play ones as well. I found that the boat was easy to turn, had good stability, was easy to roll up, and was fast enough to catch many waves. The only downside, and anyone who has ever been in a EZ will know, the boat is extremely uncomfortable. Now maybe it was more so because I am 6'3" and had a plate and five pins put in my ankle during the time I boated the boat, but others have told me they have the same opinion of the comfort factor.

Lavezolla

So my opinion of this boat is mixed. I love the design of the boat, but I am a little frustrated with the aspects of it. Good first; so I got in this boat and immediately the so so bow stall I had became bonified. First time taking it into a hole, got my first loop. First time taking it down river, ran a class IV run with ease. However on that river, the boat cracked six inches at the point where the stiffner is wielded to the hull. In addition the seat pulled through its screws. Demo boat replacement boat now, also broke the seat. Warrantee boat now, oh wait, sent me the wrong size, still have the demo borrow boat (5 months as of Nov 1, '06) and still waiting on my new one to get to me. Great design though, but it is a dagger, so buy a sponge when you buy the boat.

Hell Hole, Trinity

Movies

My favorite kayaking movie in my collection. This boat is all about down river kayaking. Great footage from unique places, witha nice mix of single drops (massive) and large rapids. In addition there is great boaters and directors commentary options. The music leans towards the rock and pop side of the spectrum. Anyways, great video. Makes me want to be good enough to go to Norway and "huck"...
Personal Top 5

Being as I am from California, I love this video. It features the seven hardest runs in California, runs that I personally will never even try to get on. Great boater coommentary make you feel how draining this experience was both emotionally and physically. Good music to boot, this video is easily one of the most worth while. Dont expect video full of unrunnable drops and first descents, but expect a tour of the best that this state has to offer.
Personal Top 5

A great kayaking movie. dont know what it is about the Liquid Lifstyle's videos, but I love the narrated format. It introduces you to the runs and locations nicely. This video has some of the biggest water, and junkiest creeks I have seen run. Furthermore, it has some rafting footage from some of the biggest California runs including South Silver, Middle Feather and others which is very fun to watch. The music is rock and non-mainstream pop stylings. A great video, although each time I see it, it seems short, but heck, that just means I play it again and enjoy it again. My favorite rivers are the New Fundland rivers and the Grand Canyon of the Stakine... amazingly huge.
Personal Top 5

My first kayaking video. Some absolutely wonderful music (rock) to go with some great drops and some old school free-style at its best. This video inspired me to kayak more and more back when I was first getting into paddling. Filled with totally unique runs and Tao setting two more world records.
Personal Top 5

Ok, so the kayaking in this movie is good too, but I find that I watch this movie over and over again for one of the songs near the start of the movie. I love the song, no idea who it is by, but I love it. There are some nice shots from Norway and Nepal, mixed with good music. I just wish I had it on DVD, would make it easier to watch, since I havent had a VCR for a few years now...
Personal Top 5

Another video by the same people that made Valhalla and Nurpo along with others. This video is nice because it has a lot of interviews and takes on a artistic side which isnt always seen in kayaking videos. Furthermore the footage is shot in HD, so although I dont have an HD TV, anytime I visit my folks I take this video home with me to watch it on there TV and damn do I enjoy it. The video has some sections of more widely documented rivers along with less documented rivers. Worth a watch for sure.

As usual, Tao and friends drop some of the largest most scary looking drops seen in videos. Fun to watch and to listen to. Twitch time and time again pick a great soundtrack. The only section of this video that I dont like is the Discovery (or whatever channel is was) except of the massive slide, seems to set up and for show, contrary to how most of community kayaks. But whatever, he has to make money somehow I guess. Another perk, this video comes with Twitch 1, which has some great footage as well.

Another Twitch creation with great rivers on it to accompany the good soundtrack. Some carange that scares me, encounters with trees, barrel rolling off of 30 footers etc. Also features Tao's World Record drop in Johnson National Park. Not a must have video, but if you are collecting, add this pair of videos.

So to begin with, I have never been a playboater, mainly cause I suck at it. So with that said, I havent enjoyed Young Guns videos as much as others. There are a few shots of big drops, but mainly it is people throwing some massive aerial wave tricks. My friends who are better playboaters love this video along with Dynasty, and never get tired of seeing the moves getting thrown over and over. The soundtrack is Rap, but even for someone who isnt the biggest fan of rap, still suprisingly pleasant.

For the general see the New Reign review. There are a few more big water shots which are very impressive, along with more thought put into the shot. A great shot comes when a helecopter follows the cars on the rim of the canyon that pans out to paddlers entering Freight train on the Cal-Salmon. In conclusion, if you are only going to buy one Young Guns Product, make this one it.

Although no in my top 5 this video still has many good qualities. I like that it isnt over produced, it feels like a indie film, or a well done personal video. It just doesnt give me that feeling I get when I watch a video that has obviously only been made to make money. This video has great music, one of my favorite bands, Fugazi, are even featured among others. The one negative aspect of this video is that I have seen many of the drops in other videos before. However, their take on it is new and gives it a new flavor which I think I like more than the original videos that I saw the drops in. Anyways, a very worthwhile video.

Another great video filled with great music of an eclectic variety. The river choices aren't all unique, but many are. I like the Perth River in New Zealand, Norway, and the failed Mosley Creek Expedition sections the most. And although some of the runs can be seen in different videos, I do like how this video shows drops from a top view and a long shot often, it gives a great feel of the drop and gives you a better idea of what the paddler might be seeing as they drop off the lip. I like this video, but can't make it a top 5, it is worth while though for sure.

An OK movie, this movie at times gets slow. They get denied from a run in Nepal and the movie slows down painfully. I do however enjoy watching the opening sequence which has underwater footage of a mystery move , really interesting to watch.

Books

If you are a paddler in California, then you must have this book. As many paddlers blasphemy, this book is The Bible as far as whitewater in California. With 180 runs discussed, complete with put-in and take-out directions, gradient, difficulty, portages, miles and runnable flow info this book is a great place to look to build your skills on new rivers. Plus it has some great stories of first descents or mishaps.

This book is not as common in the paddlers library as the Stanley/Holbek book but still is useful. This book has fewer runs, only 50 or so, but it contains mile-by-mile descriptions of those runs. I was first familiarized with this book back when I was in Boy Scouts, we would use this book to plan our 50-mile whitewater canoe trip and training trips. This book has a mix of class I- class V water, but it will leave you wanting more if you are an avid boater.

There is a new edition out which is much better, by that and not this one. This one is from before aerial tricks, and before color printing apparently. Useful to learn cartwheels, spins and surf basics, but for the real stuff get The Playboaters Handbook II.

Now I am not much of a playboater, but the few things I can do I have learned from this book. It has color photos in a step by step manner with descriptions of what actions need to be taken and when in order to do the simplest and most challenging moves in freestyle. A modern book, a huge step up from the first edition.