Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

Looking for advice and some information on my first kayak purchase. First a little background: I have been paddling since the early 80's, mostly in a solo canoe. I currently have a XL 14 and a Whitsell Descender plus several rec kayaks and sit on tops,but have been considering trying a whitewater kayak and on the spur of the moment purchased a Dagger Freefall LT. Yes I know it is an old school boat, but was it a decent choice for a 60 year old fart who wants to learn to roll and play around on the upper white river while they are running the big cfs's. I am 5'11 and weigh 175. Thank you in advance for your help and direction. Troutman

Troutman, I had a Dagger Freefall creeker.

For what you describe, I think the Freefall is pretty much ideal. And, the price is right!

I remember mine as being super easy to roll and paddle.

The free fall opened up a lot of creeks. I think Fish had one for a long time back in the early days.

Bottom line, it is a very good novice boat and in it's day was the hot dog creek boat, I think Chris Spelious even won several Rodeo's doing tricks in a Freefall. I know my friends Phil and Mary DeRheimer used Freefalls down in Ecuador for several years as their all around guide boats down there.

troutman wrote:Yes I know it is an old school boat, but was it a decent choice for a 60 year old fart who wants to learn to roll and play around on the upper white river while they are running the big cfs's.

I don't know if I'd call it old school - maybe "early school" creek boat. I concur, excellent choice for what you want it to do, as long as you don't want to paddle UPSTREAM on the White at those big cfs releases! (As you already know, your rec kayaks are faster and a better choice if you need to paddle upstream at all.)
On learning to roll - a few can "self teach" this, using videos or DVD's, but most find it a lot easier if someone who already knows how helps them along. Your location may prevent you from coming to LR pool sessions, but I just wanted to throw in, don't get discouraged or throw in the towel if you don't get it right off the bat. If you try the self-teaching thing and it doesn't work, don't quit, just try harder to get with someone who can help.

Cowper wrote:On learning to roll - a few can "self teach" this, using videos or DVD's, but most find it a lot easier if someone who already knows how helps them along. Your location may prevent you from coming to LR pool sessions, but I just wanted to throw in, don't get discouraged or throw in the towel if you don't get it right off the bat. If you try the self-teaching thing and it doesn't work, don't quit, just try harder to get with someone who can help.

I taught myself to roll, but I never practice alone anymore. It takes too much effort to get out of my boats and it's not worth the risk. You can see what I'm talking about in this thread...
http://www.arkansascanoeclub.com/mb/vie ... 662#p62662

I learned a lot initially from the internet, books, and DVD's. The best DVD I found was The Kayaker's Toolbox. My favorite book was probably Kayak The New Frontier by William Nealy. You also can't go wrong with the Whitewater Self Defense DVD.

The best "old fart" rolling video is "The KAYAK Roll", which teaches a sweep roll... I transitioned several years ago from open boats to yaks, too. The yak I bought was a creeker, a lot like the one you have. I was older and probably less flexible than most new yakkers (stretching every morning really helps!) and the sweep roll seems pretty much designed for us!! Buy the video, watch it until you want to vomit when it starts to run, get someone who loves you to be with you in the water, teach them the "Hand of God" technique to roll you back up, and get to it. Make sure to keep your left elbow tight into your side (if you're reaching forward with your right arm) and keep your head tucked down on your shoulder until you're up. You can do it!!! (Also, start practicing paddling on the off side, too... Crane

Crane wrote:The best "old fart" rolling video is "The KAYAK Roll", which teaches a sweep roll...

I noticed the combination of the book I recommended and the DVD you recommended was a top seller on Outdoorplay! lol
http://www.outdoorplay.com/store/Produc ... =ABP_WNROL

p.s. I love the sweep roll...it's fast and has never failed me (so far). I trashed my shoulders pulling on the paddle too much learning C-to-C.

THANK YOU to all of you for your advice and encouragement. I have been at the hospital in Jonesboro with my 88 year old mom for the past week, but when she is better I intend to get in my new ride and give it my best. Thanks again for the help. Troutman