New to kayaking

[AR-Nimrod]

Mike,

There are several SOT's that can handle Class II water. My wife and I started in SOT's before moving up to XP-10's. The Native Watercraft Manta Ray's are very good boats. We kept hers and sold mine (it wasn't a Manta Ray). I borrow the wife's to fish out of occasionally. We attended Rec. School a few years back using SOT's. Then went back after we changed boats. As for gear; a PFD designed for kayaking is almost a must have. They are cut differently and fit differently than a generic box store type PFD. An ill-fitting PFD can make for a miserable day on the water. The paddle you can get by with until you find something better. Try other paddles if you get the chance. If you plan on moving up to whitewater you'll eventually need a helmet too. Keeping an eye on the For Sale & Swap Shop board is a good way to find good used gear. If you have a specific piece of gear you're looking for you can even post a WTB (want to buy); chances are someone has one that they don't use anymore.

[MikeBeebe]

Mike,
If you can get over to Fayetteville or Rogers between 9 - noon .. Saturday... They are having an outdoor equipment garage sale at the Lewis & Clark stores. People bring their stuff to sale. You can always go inside and ask the guys upstairs for their opinion ..kayaking and camping is upstairs.
Also, I think Pack Rat has some paddling stuff on sale ... Kevin is the go to guy over there. Also, the last weekend in March, Pack Rat has an awesome Demo Day at their pond in front of the store, and have stuff on sale.

If you get on Facebook, look up Jeremy Mackey at ouchita Outdoor in Hot Springs... He can help you too.

Rec school is a great place to learn but they have limited spots. You have to register as soon as it opens up...so watch info on the message board from Liz Caldwell around March. It is held on the Spring River in Hardy, AR.

It was nice to meet you and hope to see you on the river! The Arkansas canoe club people are the friendliest people you will ever meet!
Susan Beebe

[hilbili]

meanwhile back at the ... oh, the balance game!

isyn, walking with a book on the head and tightened abs (isometrics) will help co-ordinate your head/shoulders with your hips/bottom.

[miket77]

Just an update. Took the boat out yesterday. MUCH much better. Centering of the seat was a major one. I was sitting to far back. Adjusted the backrest to help upright my core and the boat balanced out nicely. Practiced with having my arms out and raising a knee to see how it effected the boat. I was able to enjoy the time not just be on edge the entire time. Thank you again for all your help!

[Crane]

Get a good PFD. Many manufacturers now make good PFD's specifically designed for fishing. A comfortable PFD that serves your needs will make spending lots of hours doing what you love an even better experience!! But, try them on before buying one, and make sure it is comfortable doing the moves you'll be making!! Also, make sure the back is high enough to ride over the seat-back of your kayak... that helps, too! I'd suggest going to your local outfitter (and I think there's one in Sebastian County) and shopping locally to make your purchase. If you can't find one there, try Ouachita Outdoor Outfitters in Hot Springs, since they support paddling as well as fishing... and are good folks (but, don't tell them I said so!!):)

[miket77]

Is there a forum or discussion board for new paddlers? I have a lot of basic questions and i was just wondering if there was somewhere that I could post them? I think I picked a bad time of year to become obsessed with paddling. Lol. Thanks for any information.

Mike

[Cowper]

Not sure if you mean, "anywhere on the internet", or just "best place to ask on arkansascanoeclub.com?"

Around the internet, "boatertalk.com" and "paddling.net" are good resources. My personal impression is that Boatertalk is more commonly used by experienced boaters, with a heavy leaning towards whitewater, generally the harder stuff, not our mild "Class I/II" stuff. Paddling.net seems to have a wider range of information, and forums, but with less of the "hard core" whitewater discussion, since those folks have gravitated over to more focused forums like Boatertalk.

On this message board, pretty much post your questions anywhere, except maybe not on "Lost and Found" or "For Sale". General Discussion is the catch-all, maybe more emphasis on whitewater, and probably the most frequently viewed forum. Recreation was added to give a better home to those interested in flatwater and milder whitewater. The question you started off this thread with fit nicely into Gear Review, although it may have delayed some answers slightly since many folks don't check the gear review forum as often as say, General Discussion. But it is really your call; there is a lot of overlap between these forums and the Moderators generally do not try to move stuff to the "best" forum, they just leave it where ever the original poster put it.

[miket77]

Thank you for the response. I will post in the general discussion board.

[GN YAKN]

Yup. Just seeing this post!

Would be happy to assist with some basic instruction if you wanted to head up to Shore's Lake.

Send me a Private Message and we can pick a mutually agreeable time. The next couple of weekends are open.

Dave

[miket77]

Thank you very much! Only problem is that I'm a restaurant manager and I get very few weekends off. I will work on my schedule and get back to you ASAP if it will be possible. Thank you again.

[GN YAKN]

What Restaurant?! Hope its not one I've been tossed out of lately. :myday"

WIll try to come by and say hello.

Dave

[miket77]

I work at McAlisters Deli in Fort Smith. I have to work all this weekend have to check and see if I can get off coming up soon.