fitness paddling: exercise, train, race by kayak & canoe

Valley Sea Kayaks finally updated their website adding some information about new racing/performance kayaks, Rapier 20 and Rapier 18. There are still some bugs on their pages, e.g., a wrong title at the Rapier 20 page.

Rapier 20

length 20' (609cm), width 17.25" (45cm), depth 14.25" (36cm), weight 47lbs (22kg)

Rapier 18

length 17'11.5" (547cm), width 21.25" (55cm), depth15" (38cm), weight 46lbs (21.5kg)

In February 2006, Nigel Hatton from Herne Bay, North Kent, UK, wrote me about his first experiences with paddling Rapier 20. Here are his additional comments a few months later:

Now I have paddled the Rapier 20 for several months I have learned to handle it in rough seas. Critically you must not stop paddling when in a vulnerable possition such as broadside to the sea or at diagonal to the sea. Surfing is great fun as long as you have the right sort of wave. However, the bow sometimes digs very deep in to the bottom of the wave and brings the boat to an almost stop.

I have removed the original rudder blade because it was causing too much drag. I have made a 2" shorter, 1.2 mm thick stainless one with a knife edge all the way round, much superior. I have raced it in flat water events but although I won I am not fit due to long term illness.

Despite its narrowness it is really stable in the hands of a good kayaker. I don't fear capsizing so fear doesn't hinder rough water paddling.

Eric Nyre from Canoe Colorado is expecting Rapier 20 sometime in August. So, I hope to have a closer look at that kayak. Eric is a Valley Sea Kayaks dealer in Colorado.

Related posts:

• Valley Sea Kayaks Rapier 20 - a story by Nigel Hatton
• Vampire Racing Sea Kayak from KayakPro
• Thunderbolt X, Thunderbolt T-REX, Bullitt K-2 Tandem - New Racing Kayaks from West Side Boat Shop
• Seda Performance Kayaks, Glider and Impulse, Got a New Deck Design