Getting back into paddling

[Zakkt]

Hey guys, I am from the Texarkana area. I am 20 years old and wanting to get back into kayaking. I paddled an old Perception Dancer from the time I was 7 to 15 and took a 5 year break. As a kid I mainly just ran the Buffalo, the Caddo, and a few other mild, good time rivers although I ran the Cossatot a time or two. ( just enough to touch on some light class III)
I am ready to get my feet wet, so to speak, and get back in a boat. I am 5'9 210 lbs. I am looking for a sense of direction I guess, and will start here at ACC. I want a boat I can play in, but one that is also a river runner. The Dagger RPM is very appealing. Although no shops within 250 miles of here seem to have one, I found a used one (the only one in Arkansas, I might add) for $300 and it's in great condition. Can anyone give me any feedback at all about the Dagger RPM? Or any recomendations on other boats along those lines?
My last questions is really the most important. How do I get into the paddling community? The first rule of paddling is you don't do it alone lol. None of my buddies are at all interested and I don't know anyone else who paddles. My old floating partner is retired from paddling so I don't really know where to start anymore. Anyone who can shed some light on my situation would be appreciated.

-Zakk

[Monsoon]

Welcome back! I just bought a new yak myself. A Diesel 80. Not very playful but fun as heck!

To get back in....you came to the right place. if it rains or if a river or creek is on the move....just log in and see where everyone is headed.

That's what I do. Similar situation, where my friends aren't into it as much or at all. Good folks 'round here!!!

Monsoon

[JTarver]

Welcome to the board Zakk, and welcome back to paddling!

Monsoon is right, you have most definately come to the right place. As mentioned, time in your boat and on moving water is key to getting good at the sport..that along with good instruction. We have trips going every weekend and throughout the week around here,,so you might have to drive a bit, but you can get hooked up with some great paddlers this way too.

The RPM is a great boat, easy to roll, and plenty of speed for river running. It will surf, but I wouldn't expect to be able to do any new school play moves in it. Your definition of play may differ from other peoples. Overall, everyone I know that has or had one loved it.
You can also check the Ozark whitewater pages further down on the right hand side of the board for river levels, classifications, and other essential beta. Some have photos or video with them, and can sometimes also be found on youtube for further study.
Good luck, hope to see you on the water soon.

Joe

[Zakkt]

Well the main thing I retained from paddling as a kid was mainly how to read the water. I remember checking the river levels for my dad as a kid on this website, needless to say the website has changed a bit since then. I never learned how to roll, as much as I wanted to. I got good at "taking it off like a pair of pants" lol. First thing I am going to do is take my boat to the pool and master rolling. My idea of playing is not exactly rodeo kayaking but it never hurt to try and dabble right?

Once I get some time in some moving water (probably the Caddo River, about the only river my college buddies will run lol) if there is people doing runs and wouldn't mind me tagging along I wouldn't be against a drive at all. I'm all for a road trip. There's nothing like the interstate at night.

I will check out the Ozark whitewater pages, thanks man.

-Zakk

[Michele Jackson]

I don't know a whole lot about the RPM, but I'm pretty sure you'd be kind of big for it. For your weight, I think you'd want an RPM Max.

[Zakkt]

Point made -

What would be some boat recomendations for something similar to the Dagger RPM for a 200 lb paddler? I will check out the RPM Max, any other recomendations are welcomed.

[Cowper]

Boats - what to say - so many choices, so little time...

I was also thinking along the lines of an RPM Max; you might squeeze into an RPM, but you would need a solid roll and the boat might not perform well even with that. If you are not interested in "rodeo" type moves, then maybe look for a Large Pyranha Burn or Ammo - very good all purpose boats, but with edges so that they make good general river-runner / surface play boats, more so than a full-on "creek" boat. Pyranha has released some new boats that might lead a few to sell their Burn's at or Ammo's at a reasonable price.

A Jackson Super Hero (recent generation) might be a good choice, but finding one near $300 is not likely to happen. It's too new, and too popular. Warning, some of the Jackson boats are developing a "love it or hate it" reputation. (Take everything with a grain of salt, no matter which side of the debate it comes from.)

Since you are from Texarkana, your best bet is to take up this offer:
http://www.arkansascanoeclub.com/mb/vie ... =1&t=12763" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The offer comes from one heck of a boater and one heck of a person, and it's free. If you liked playing earlier, a roll will be an essential skill, and it comes easier with someone to help learn...

Also, a trip to the Rockport ledge any Saturday this summer would likely give you a chance for a few minutes of "demo" in a variety of boats, plus a chance to talk to many boaters. I'm sort of "biased" (in a good way) towards the demographics - in other words, at age 20, I'm guessing that if you "hang" with Arkie boaters for just a little bit, you're going to quickly move up the learning curve far beyond where you might have been at age 7 to 15. This might influence your boat choices significantly.

[rublelvr]

Welcome back to paddling!! I am also from Texarkana and would be glad to hook up with you. The Lil Mo is close and a fun river to play at so a run up there would be easy. Just PM me on this site anytime.
John