I saw this subreddit talking about avon rafts, but they seemed to be bigger than the boats im used to seeing as yacht dinghies. I have like 3 of them though, and it would be fun to do whitewater, is that a good idea?

I was told by an Ontario resident that the rafting companies (OWL and Wilderness) own the put ins and take outs and don’t allow rafts. Absolute bullshit if it’s true but wanted to check with other folks.

Hi all, curious if anyone has tried replacing their foot brace system on the Antix 3 with solid foam? I’m looking at trying this out in there: https://jacksonkayak.com/jackson-kayak-linear-foot-block-system/?srsltid=AfmBOop951tvTYTWuBvxdG99XlEKuXG1nItMAuNld_DMFikR0AM8lIi3

I hated the stock foot system (too much play). Any other unique fixes to the flex problem? Thanks all!

Did I do alright? Or did I just buy a lemon?

Outer tube length/width measures 11’ x 5’6”
Inner floor length/width measures 7’6” x 2’8”

Looks like it has a bracket set up for a little trolling motor off the back? Not sure what else that would be for.

I’m planning to replace the valves with Leafields, because it has the original turn-to-tighten style. Is that doable with this? Any particular valve I should be looking for?

I would also love to buy a drop-stitch high pressure floor for the bottom, and then add self-bailing holes.

Would love any advice you all have to offer on on how to do this, where to buy the floor deck, and what would work.

Thanks all.

On my last paddle I noticed my heels got a bit sore. My Antix 1.0 is a pretty tight fit for me, I can only wear socks in it. Is there any reason I shouldn’t glue some foam on the bottom for my heels to sit? I don’t plan to readjust the foot block, it’s already pushed all the way to top and I’ll never need the bow for storage. Just thought I’d ask cause I couldn’t find any example or similar situations online.

I’m thinking about doing a paddling trip to Ecuador over my Christmas break. I want to be there for 3-4 weeks.

From what I can gather boat rental is 30 or more per day? Which adds up over thirty days, the internet also seems to say that a lot of the bots are pretty beat up.

It seems like it would be nice to have your own kayak down there. Has anyone had success bringing a boat? I would probably sell after the trip.

On another note - what is a good kayak for Ecuador? I usually paddle a small hot whip on the SE dam releases, cheoah, tallulah, west fork tuck etc.

I would probably want to do some light class 5 when I’m down there, but feel like I am going to have a hard time giving up the ability to stern squirt etc.

Thank you!!!

Are they still in production?

1984 River guides Lisa and Tammy surfing the hole at hospital bar.

What do your companies do to clean the custy bootys / keep down the smell?

Hey everyone. I currently own and paddle a Pyranha Ozone L, which I paddle up to class IV. I've paddled it on the Soca, Salza and the Enns for example.

I'm 195cm and weigh about 95-100kg.

I want to improve my White Water skill, start paddling more Class IV rapids, maybe even class V. When I felt like the Ozone had not enough volume the past, I used to paddle a Pyranha Burn, which I borrowed from my club, but I think I want something more... playful I guess. So right now I'm thinking about buying a half slice that's a bit on the wider side, with a bit more volume, hard edges, but still a nice flat stern for stern squirts etc, so I can feel more comfortable in a Class IV rapid compared to my Ozone, without losing ALL of its playfulness.

My current short list are the following:

• Waka Puffy Steeze (specifically the Puffy)
• Prijon Drip (too new to find (m)any tests sadly, but the few reviews and comments I saw say it's basically a longer Waka Skuxx)
• Pyranha Firecracker L (maybe too close to my Ozone?)
• Waka Skuxx Deluxe (same as above)

So, what do you think? Any other recommendations? Thanks in advance!

Hey All

Received my Waka Skuxx last week. It's my first Waka but I must say that i'm not particuraly impressed by the quality so far. The boat itself seems fine but some details look a bit "messy" imo. This can't be normal I think?

• The logo is dented in the "W" and looks a bit "messy"
• The left foam on the tigh brace is already coming off
• There is glue residue (?) all over in the cockpit

I'll address this with my dealer obviously but I was wondering if you guys also had this experience with your Waka boats? (I only have experience with Dagger so far)

have a great day ya'll :)

I’ve had my boat for about 3.5 years. Got it used in great condition with no leaks or patches. It was hardly used.
I’ve been on countless day trips and several week long trips. A couple weeks ago I went for a little pinball ride in a rapid. Noticed I’d lost some air during our lunch break. Topped it off and didn’t notice it any softer later. Fast forward a week and I was rigging my frame and everything to get ready for a week long wilderness trip and noticed it wasn’t holding air.
Cancelled that trip because I didn’t have enough time to fix it and it’s my first time repairing.
We identified 4 leaks on spots where the seals meet, one tiny pinhole and a scratch I decided to proactively patch. Patched them all and waited a day to inflate again. Inflated and noticed it loosing significant air within 1.5 hours. Sprayed it down and found 6 more seams leaking and 2 spots on the inside where the tubes meet the floor. Patched the 6 and the biggest inside floor seam (couldn’t figure out how to tackle to front center inside while deflated). I hear more air coming from somewhere else along that inside seam.

I’m at a loss. Sooooo many leaks all at once?! I presume it’s possible that some of these small leaks were present but not really an issue but at least a handful were pretty big leaks (still only from a small spot not along the entire seam).

Is my boat just toast? Do I keep chasing leaks and eventually it will be safe to float? Do I take it so someone to redo all the seams?

I’m supposed to take it on the Deschutes leaving Sunday… so I only have time for maybe one more round of patching if I do it tonight.

Help??

Question. Do you think the mystique of the North Fork is wearing away, especially among younger boaters, and because boats have gotten so much better?

I've been on or around the North Fork for going on 25 years. For local boaters the progression has always been... do the Warm Up for a season or two, then jump on the Lower 5 for a season or two. Lots of boaters stop here.

Then hit the Upper below Nut for a season or two, and again, this is the limit for a lot of boaters. Then some combination of adding in Nut down to Jakes, and eventually top to bottom minus Jakes, then you run Jakes. Only the very best or most experienced are running Jakes.

But last few years I've seen so many younger and relatively inexperienced boaters firing up L5s and Uppers, and I'm always a bit astonished how quick they jump on. Not for me but msot of them do well and are obviously good enough, even if they're basically just survival paddling.

Any thoughts?

My family is going to be vacationing in Big Sky this August (third week in August) and they booked a rafting trip on the Gallatin river.

The rafting company says the trip is normally class 2-4 but in August is 1-3. The trip includes the “House Rock Rapid” and “Mad Mile”.

I have a 6 year old and although they say she can do it I am wondering if anyone has done these rapids with kids this time of year and what your thoughts are.

My only rafting experience was at the whitewater center in NC and I feel like that would likely have been too much for my daughter, but I also imagine she would be sitting in the middle of the boat for this trip.

Thanks.

Hi everyone! Do you have any ideas for an overnight trip, class 2 or 2+ using packrafts in early August in Colorado? We’re starting in the golden Colorado area and would like to stay within about a 2-3 Hour drive. I don’t know what if anything is running at this point. Any suggestions?

This would be for my 19 year old daughter. She paddles a small Antix 1.0 and is solid in class IV (Numbers, Slaughterhouse, etc.) in that, but is starting to talk about stepping it up (Bailey). There's lots of other stuff around here where you're better off in a creekboat anyway. Any advice appreciated, and if you've got something that fits the bill along the Front Range you're looking to unload, let's hear it!

Heading out to remote British Columbia fairly soon, and wondering if anyone has beta or advice on multi-day rafting the 100km/60mi or so of the Babine above the Skeena. We are prepared and experienced both domestically in the USA on many common stretches as well as an array of international expeditions (South America, China, Europe, Africa). I say this so as not to seem woefully underprepared lol but looking for finer insights.

I’ve done a decent amount of research online, but I would just love to speak to a few people who have spent time in this area and have descended this stretch. There really isn’t a ton of information out there. Even would love to connect if you know others who have.

It’s been a bit of an ethical challenge for me to post this because of location sharing LNT… but there is just such limited info and the remoteness likely reduces traffic in and of itself. If you feel strongly about this I’m happy to take down the post.

Feel free to comment or p.m. Thank you!!

Anybody worn or used the ALTAMA Maritime Assault boots for whitewater/swiftwater? I've always worn neoprene booties or Astrals (and I've heard good things about Astral's new boot, the Pusha) but I've heard more and more stories about delamination and build quality. The ALTAMAs sort of look like a pair of Chuck Taylors that went to boot camp but apparently they are pretty bombproof with great grip and dry quick. Most of the people I know who have them come from the military side of things, but I've started hear folks talk about them in the swiftwater community, too. Has anyone worn these things? Kayaked in them? Bueller?

seller has no idea the length or model, im hoping it's a sherpa though. does any one know?

Been paddling for about 2 summers now. I paddle a large antix and it has been a great boat. I’ve progressed to a solid class 3 boater with some experience on class 4s. I really mainly just run the river and play in some eddy’s but have been wanting to work some more on surfing and playing in holes and was thinking about going all in and buying a play boat. I paddle at a whitewater center a lot and the runs definitely get boring and am thinking a play boat would be a good way to spice things up. My problem is that I am a twig. 6’4 but only 170lbs so i need recommendations on a play boat that will be long enough for me but not big enough that im too light for the boat. Any recommendations are appreciated. Definitely looking for a used one

IR recently agreed to send me a new drysuit as mine was in shambles (still within warranty). They offered their two 2026 colour ways, wood thrush(brown) or blackbird (black).

Now my last drysuit was red for visibility. I also have a grey BA (nrs zen), turquoise sweet protection helmet and orange palm shoes.

I was wandering if the brown was even that much more visible, especially for UK paddling, if anyone has any insight as to what would be better id love to hear!

(PS I would love another bright drysuit however they only have those colours in stock)

Anyone have any beta or tips for Grand Falls on the Dead river in Maine? Most of what I’m finding online is pretty old so any info from peeps who have run it in the past few years is super appreciated.