When I started kayaking 25 years ago I Had no idea where it would take me. It has taken me to more places than I could have ever imagined, rivers, different cultures, and meeting people worldwide.
I’ve also had the opportunity to try a lot of different kayaks. My first boat bought after a raft trip down the Bruneau and Jarbidge rivers in 1996. It was a Yellow Crossfire kayak with purple writing on the bow and stern. I spent so many days learning to paddle, rolling in the Bow River, hitting the Kananaskis with Brian, and a few rivers around Alberta and BC during that first year, and a bit of boating.
Leaving the Island behind – it was off to the Ottawa River and the Crossfire was in attendance. Taking it across the country on my GMC Sierra S-15 including the homemade wooden canopy/bed. Partway through the summer a new boat was added, The Pyranha Storm – shorter, wider, and fun.
This boat was fun to paddle on the Ottawa, took it back to the Island before taking it to Australia. Paddled it on the Tully and Barron before starting some time in Bliss Stick kayaks.
Bliss Stick made some great kayaks and had the opportunity to own and paddle a variety over the years. I picked up a Freestyler while working at the Penrith WW Stadium outside Sydney, Australia.
After that one, I tried a Wave Sport Score for a wee bit before moving back to Bliss-stick with a HUKA creek boat which went to Canada and over to Iceland for some adventures.
The Bliss-stick time took me from a Huka, to A R.A.D. 185, then a SCUD, and on to a Mystic. This was all from 2001 through to 2007. There was also a period of owning a couple of Pyranha H3 kayaks in there as well. One which went for an unaccompanied tour down Garosa Creek in Iceland.
The Pyranha kayak H3 255 stayed with me for a while as I boated with it in Whistler and over in India for a few trips. Used it to see lots of areas in the North of India while hanging with Aquaterra Adventures.
There was a period of owning a Pyranha S6x for a very short time. I found it to be a bit tight after a while on the feet.
Into 2010 A Wave Sport Habitat 80 was in my possession for a while. Hit it on a few too many rocks and donated it to a local Swiftwater instructor to use for scenarios.
From here it was Jackson Kayaks till just recently
- Jackson Villian 2011 – 2013 – lost to the Gordon River 🙁
- Jackson Rockstar – 2011 – 2022
- Jackson Rockstar 5 2022 –
- Jackson Karma UL – 2013 –
- Jackson Antix 1.0 – 2017 – 2018
- Jackson Antix 2.0 – 2022 –
- Jackson Zen 2.0 – 2015
- Jackson Karma
- Jackson 4fun – Fun River Runner
- Jackson Nirvana – 2019 -2020
- Jackson Zen 3.0 – 2020 – 2024
Another boat owned during that time was the Liquid Logic Mullet, which was a fantastic boat known for its smooth maneuverability and stability. Its design made it perfect for navigating through choppy waters, and it quickly became a favorite. Whether you were a novice or an experienced boater, the Liquid Logic Mullet provided an unparalleled experience on the water. Check out this clip to see its impressive performance in action. During that time I also tried the LL Delta V 88. It was fun and got on some great trips with it, however, I didn’t sit very high in it and it was a bit tight – hence the move back to the ZEN 3.0.
Over the years I have loved the ease and adjustability of the Jackson boats. However, there are some super interesting designs. Having sold the Zen 3.0 this summer it was time to try something different.
Going back to Dagger for the first time since 1999 with the Dagger Indra from WCK, stoked about this design. Looking forward to the river time once the rains arrive, and can get it out on the rivers of Vancouver Island.
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