Hi, advice wanted.. not sure what I'm after/where to look!

[heather.rock]

Hi Guys, wonder if you can help me.
I paddle whitewater and want to develop in two areas; speed and balance... and know I probably want a k1 type kayak.
But don't know anything about them or even about the categories they fit into!!
I want to build up cardio work on a lake... something that requires some (well a little) speed/bracing to keep balance... I don't want to constantly fall in cos I'll be relatively on my own (my mates playboat in a nearby lagoon)

I have dyspraxia so my balance is pretty much non-existant or not very co-ordinated.

How do I find the right type of boat?? What do I need to look for? Am missing out qu's that I should be asking????

Am based in N.wales nr Llanberis.

Any advice, boats for sale...boats I can demo would be really appreciated!

Cheers, Heather

Wouldn't mind aiming at DW or the like in a year or so.

[Terryg]

Have you considered a white water racer?

[heather.rock]

When I say I know nothing about types of boats.. I really mean it. If you'll expand on why I might consider such a boat then it might help.

Sorry, I've only ever paddled white water...can tell you everything you need to know about rails, edges, displacement hulls, and manufactorers... but in this area I am completely clueless...

Don't even know where to start.

[goliver]

Contact Conwy Canoe Club who are not too far from you. They have a range of stable flat water boats both K1's and K2's that you may be able to try out. Several of their members have paddled D/W in the past and would be able to give advice on the race, training etc.

George

[Terryg]

A white water racer has a V shaped hull like a sprint K1, but is shorter and has more volume, with a standard kayak cockpit.

It will teach you fast forward paddling, and help your stability, but you will be able to practice in a smaller water area than with a sprint K1 because it is more manoeuvrable. You will also be able to use it on white water, once you have got the hang of it.

You can also roll this type of boat if you fall in, which you can not do with a sprint K1.

[LucyLou19]

Heather, ask Pete Hargreaves if he can bring a wave hopper to the next dragons Sunday session and try that out! :) Theres even a race on soon you could train for !

http://wildwater.org.uk/index.php?optio ... 5d287a4ec8

[TheKrikkitWars]

+1 for WWR, There's Myself and Sam (AKA Marathon) who are also keen for this kind of thing in bangor who also have boats and Pete is a good coach and top bloke.

This said, you'll also be suprised how much you can increase your ability to balance in a boat by improving your core muscles...

Finally, your milage may differ, but I've found that with enough time on the water to ingrain what you're doing the effect of dyspraxia on a given activity slowly reduces to the point of being negligable; It's all about the dogged persistance.

[DCP Chris]

Hi Heather,

I paddle with Dyffryn Conwy and we can probably help you. If you can get to Conwy for about 6.30 on a Thursday we paddle every week until the clocks change and have a wide range of straight running boats with the full stability range from the sensible to the distinctly challenging. The boats can be used by members for £1.50

Two or three of us paddle nearly every Saturday and Sunday on Llyn Padarn all year from about 3pm to 5pm. We're easy to spot because of the boats, so you could have a word with us there if you prefer. We start in the lagoon opposite the toilet block.





Chris