A wave kayak review, Pivot River runner B527.
I think kayaking is about getting close to the water. Perhaps you are coming from a “touring kayak” background, used to being cosy with lots of space inside. However, what if you feel that is not enough? You know you don’t want to go into the water, just a little closer… Then maybe it’s time for you being more active and start riding those waves properly. For doing that the most efficient way you need another kayak configuration.A good configuration can be a small wave kayak from Stearns called Pivot River runner inflatable kayak. This kayak will work just as well in the ocean as in white water. As with all inflatable kayaks the small deflated size makes them easy to bring with you almost everywhere. A wave kayak is small in itself so it will be even smaller and less weight to carry. A white water kayak is all about playing around, and it does not matter if you end up with your head pointing at the bottom of the river, that just adds to the fun (at least for a while…)!
The Stearn one seated inflatable kayak measures 35 inches x 9 ft. It weighs in at 31 lbs. The kayak supports one person and a small amount of gear with a total weight of 285 lbs. If you are eager to get out on the water this kayak only takes a couple of minutes to inflate if you use an efficient pump. As you can see there is not much room for anything or anyone but yourself, but would you really want to? This is for having fun on you own!
So what happens when all those waves come crashing all over you and your kayak? Well, what happens is that you’ll get wet, but not only that, the kayak is self bailing so the water will find its own way out. This is pretty much a standard feature on white water kayaks. The Stearn inflatable kayak has five chambers, two buoyancy, one floor and two main chambers. It is made out of pvc with a nylon reinforced bottom and outer fabric protection for the rest of the kayak. In short words it is built for having loads of fun an not having to worry about things breaking. When paddling in waves the center of gravity is important for catching waves and currents. Moving your upper body is vital for getting the most out of each surf. You might need to adjust the seat to find the best posture in the kayak. The Stearn inflatable kayak has a blunt nose for better protection when running against things and the shape also adds better bow buoyancy.
Paddling abilities
Larger inflatable touring kayaks have the advantage of better tracking capability. As this kayak is smaller, its main advantage is its responsiveness which makes maneuvering an easy task. If you already acquired the skill to perform eskimo rolls that won't be a problem either, the Stearn inflatable kayak has good rolling qualities and that is something you should ask for when buying a surf kayak. Your roll skill is something you should practice if you think seriously about getting a white water kayak, because one thing is certain, sooner or later you will flip. When you do, without the rolling skill you will have to swim ashore to get into the kayak again. That is ok for starters but will bore you in the long run.
The Stearn inflatable kayak has enough room for storing yourself and an extra thing or two, so don’t bring this when you go out for a long hike. A sports car has less space than a station wagon, right? They are suited for different things…
First think about what type of kayaker you are or what kayaker you want to be, then make your choice. There are models that blend into each other so maybe you want the two in one solution. Personally, I am not fond of them. They usually not excel in any area, but if you are a beginner and has a limited amount of money it could be the perfect thing, it all depends on you preferences. If you still decide to do some hiking in the Stearn inflatable kayak, day-trips are realistic adventures. Stearns have added a pocket on the kayak floor for storing a map (wow!), and you can tie down some extra stuff on the Stearn.
I found a Stearns Pivot River Runner Inflatable Kayak for $429. The reseller also had a package deal, for $50 extra you got both the paddle and a pump. The quality of those last accessories you have to check for yourself, bundles can be sneaky... You should google for yourself to find the best deal.
Cheers
Waterboy
