Paddling tips, tricks, news and gear reviews from an Unsponsored point of view
How about having a kayak that you can easily tour sheltered coastal water and lakes with a load of kit one day and then run whitewater the next. If that is your thing then what you might want to consider is getting a cross-over kayak. This area of the market has grown a great deal over the last couple of years with all of the major manufactures bringing out their own versions of the cross-over platform.
I have taken some time before writing this post as I wanted the new boat syndrome to subside before putting my thoughts onto the site.
Putting my cards on the table I prefer the Recon. The reasons why follow below.
It’s fair to say that the Stomper and Recon sit firmly within the same genre and will naturally be compared and pondered over by prospective new owners. So it seems fitting to throw this post out there for the masses. For the many who have emailed me over the last couple of weeks – sorry it has taken so long. Continue reading
If you haven’t done so already check out ThePaddler magazine. It’s free, it’s online and in Novembers issue it has a great article on the new Wavesport Recon.
I had the pleasure of being the first person (probably) in the UK to paddle the new Wavesport Recon. I had seen the boat a couple of weeks ago and had arranged to hook up with Tom at the Tees Barrage for an evening paddle. The Tees Barrage has always been a great place for me to check out boats as its been my local paddle spot since the day it opened way back in the last century.
The boat I paddled is a Wavesport Recon 83 and is a final prototype, so apart from the quality of the plastic finish in a couple of areas it is the same as the final production model. Continue reading
I travelled just under two hours North for the official opening of North East Kayaks and Paddles (more on that in another post). Tom from Wavesport was there with one of the handful of final prototype Wavesport Recons currently in existence.
Wavesports new crossover kayak – the Ethos.
This review is from the perspective of an intermediate paddler and represents the best outline of performance that I can offer based on 2 weeks paddling grade 4 rivers in Austria and 2 weeks play boating and surfing. It also should be remembered that I personally, love this boat.
Hull:
This boat spins! It’s really loose but forgiving enough to make spinning easy even in bouncy holes. On a wave, it’s fast and carves well, though it doesn’t feel as positive as the Riot boats. However, it’s much easier to correct and quicker to respond to changes in edge. It’s real attribute though for those that know what they’re doing, has to be the bounce. I have no ability in terms of aerial moves, but know a few people who have been in my boat that know what they’re doing. Smiles all round seem to be the response. Apparently it’s got loads of spring for loops etc.
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