Best WW boat for a 100lb 12 year old beginner?

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737driver
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Best WW boat for a 100lb 12 year old beginner?

Post by 737driver » Thu Aug 16, 2012 12:13 pm

I'm a beginner to WW myself and have only been doing this for about 6 months. My 12 year old son Baron has grown up canoeing and has been on a few runs with me in his rec boat, but is expressing interest in a WW boat now. So what would be best to learn in. Play, river, or creeker? I was thinking a play boat because I would like something small and light enough so he can learn to carry the boat himself. Not that I can't help him, just trying to teach him to be independent. I have never had a play boat though, so I can't compare the stability to anything else. I don't want something that is going to be too hard and discourage him from the get go. So all you experts out there, please give me your advice.
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tomOzarkVideo
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Re: Best WW boat for a 100lb 12 year old beginner?

Post by tomOzarkVideo » Thu Aug 16, 2012 12:41 pm

We're getting a playboat for our 11 year old. It seems like the best way to get her used to edges and balance.. Since she won't be "steeping" with us for a while, we'll wait on the creek boat.
"My favorite rapid was Boogie Water" - kru

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mgood
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Re: Best WW boat for a 100lb 12 year old beginner?

Post by mgood » Thu Aug 16, 2012 1:52 pm

Anything that fits him properly and is comfortable.

Having been that 12 year old, and having paddled quite a few uncomfortable boats in my life, I can definitely say that I was far, far more interested in paddling when my feet weren't going numb. You might consider river running kayaks over a play boat for that reason alone, besides the fact that it would be easier to paddle. The name of the game is fun at that age- progression can come later.

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Re: Best WW boat for a 100lb 12 year old beginner?

Post by Jim E » Thu Aug 16, 2012 2:21 pm

Unless your son is an extreme go getter, a river runner hands down!! As others have said, gotta have fun AND not get scared of paddling at all. Therefore a river runner would be the best choice by far...in my opinion!!
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AR-Nimrod
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Re: Best WW boat for a 100lb 12 year old beginner?

Post by AR-Nimrod » Thu Aug 16, 2012 2:51 pm

Height as well as weight play a significant factor in boat selection also. I've seen some pretty tall 12 year old boys lately. How tall is Baron? Baron's at the lower end of the weight range but Cowper has a Jackon Villian S for sale.
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737driver
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Re: Best WW boat for a 100lb 12 year old beginner?

Post by 737driver » Thu Aug 16, 2012 3:48 pm

He is a little above average on height. I'll message Cowper. Maybe Baron could try it out one day. Thanks for the info
Clay Cahoon

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Re: Best WW boat for a 100lb 12 year old beginner?

Post by kayakmamma » Thu Aug 16, 2012 4:35 pm

There is an "inbetween" option: a river running playboat, such as the Fun series of boats put out by Jackson. I am not much of Jackson boat fan, but our son Conner, age 14 and 90lbs has enjoyed and done well in a Jackson 1 1/2. Conner is short, if your son is tall, maybe consider a 2Fun
Lorraine McPhee

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Re: Best WW boat for a 100lb 12 year old beginner?

Post by Shark Attack » Thu Aug 16, 2012 4:50 pm

I've got a small Pyranha Ammo that my son used that I need to get rid of...the whole package.
Wes

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Re: Best WW boat for a 100lb 12 year old beginner?

Post by Tim Eubanks » Thu Aug 16, 2012 5:23 pm

River runner, river runner, river runner. Easy to keep straight down stream, stable, comfortable, not "tippy" or edgy. I started my boy out in a play boat and not a good one. Would not repeat that. I didn't know but learned too late. I'd say a little hero or eskimo kendo? You can do just about anything (not steep creeking, obviously) in a river runner.

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Re: Best WW boat for a 100lb 12 year old beginner?

Post by NickHobbs » Thu Aug 16, 2012 8:13 pm

Little Hero

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mgood
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Re: Best WW boat for a 100lb 12 year old beginner?

Post by mgood » Thu Aug 16, 2012 9:11 pm

Buy him an old dancer or pirouette- the older the better. He'll be the coolest kid anywhere. :myday" :poke2:

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737driver
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Re: Best WW boat for a 100lb 12 year old beginner?

Post by 737driver » Thu Aug 16, 2012 9:23 pm

Thanks for the all the advice. I'm gonna start looking!
Clay Cahoon

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Re: Best WW boat for a 100lb 12 year old beginner?

Post by tomOzarkVideo » Fri Aug 17, 2012 6:37 am

kayakmamma wrote:There is an "inbetween" option: a river running playboat, such as the Fun series of boats put out by Jackson. I am not much of Jackson boat fan, but our son Conner, age 14 and 90lbs has enjoyed and done well in a Jackson 1 1/2. Conner is short, if your son is tall, maybe consider a 2Fun
2Fun is actually the boat that we're getting.. Play/runner. :kayak: hopefully she'll like it. If not, I'm small enough to use it. :shifty:
"My favorite rapid was Boogie Water" - kru

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Re: Best WW boat for a 100lb 12 year old beginner?

Post by kayakmamma » Sat Aug 18, 2012 8:00 am

One concern, the Jackson Villian S is a great boat- but heavy. With a wet throw rope and a water bottle it will be half of this boys' weight.
Lorraine McPhee

"Catch every eddy, Surf every wave"

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