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Best Whitewater Kayak
For those that don’t know Whitewater can also be described as rough water, it doesn’t have to be in the ocean as it can also be in a river or any type of rough body of water.
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Like the water, you will be Kayaking is a bit more intense and dangerous then it is best to only take this type of activity on when you are an experienced kayaker.
There are a few things that you will need to consider when thinking of finding yourself the perfect Whitewater Kayak.
One of those things is how durable the Kayak is as obviously the water is rougher there is a much higher chance of the Kayak taking damage, especially if you are not in full control of the Kayak.
Obviously, this is quite a big purchase so it is understandable that you want to ensure that you know everything that you need to know with regards to what separates a good Whitewater Kayak from a bad Whitewater Kayak.
So you can put your mind at ease that you have taken every step possible to keep you or anyone that you are going with safe.
Luckily for you, you have found yourself in the right place to learn all of the information that you will need to know to ensure that the Kayak you select as being right for you and now you will be able to do that, we have done the legwork for you so sit back and relax while we tell you about the best Whitewater Kayaks.
OUR TOP PICK
One of the first things you will want to consider when looking at the perfect Whitewater Kayak is how light it is, this will mean that through the rough waters you find it a lot easier to maneuver the Kayak.
This particular Kayak is 52 pounds which means that it is a lightweight product that will provide you with the ability to do that fairly easily.
It also has a max weight of 550 pounds and is suitable for two people, this means that you and a friend can take part in this activity too.
It is also a very puncture resistant Kayak so you will not need to worry about the Kayak picking up a puncture in case you are pushed into a sharp rock by the strong waves. Though the floor has been known to sag.
The fabric is incredibly durable and is also double coated which will help put your mind at ease that you are not going to run into any trouble while you are out on the water.
This will also provide you with a long-lasting product which always makes it better. You are also provided with adjustable padded back support to maximize your comfort.
Pros
- This is a very lightweight Kayak weighing only 52 pounds but can carry up to 550 pounds.
- It is also of a very durable construction
- You are also given padded back support to maximize the comfort.
Cons
- The floor may sag.
You can also find it here.
EDITORS CHOICE
Another great Inflatable Kayak for you to choose is the Driftsun Rover 120/220. It is an incredibly durable Kayak which is obviously important during Whitewater kayaking as stated earlier.
It is also incredibly lightweight weighing only 28 pounds. This again is a very important aspect of any Kayak.
It is also incredibly stable and will manoeuvre greatly. It has a removal flatwater tracking fin and a pressure drop stitch floor. It is also very easy to inflate and will take you less than 10 minutes to do so.
This will provide you with a lot of control when you are in unsteady water which you definitely will be when you are in rough waters like you will be during your Whitewater activity.
It is also suitable for two people and will feel comfortable with a load capacity of 600 pounds. You will also be given a dual hand pump which will allow you to inflate the Kayak incredibly easily.
This Kayak also has padded back support to allow maximum levels of comfort for you and a friend or family member. Though it may not have a lot of room for gear.
Pros
- This particular Kayak is very lightweight weighing only 28 pounds
- It is also of a very durable construction.
- This particular Kayak has a weight capacity of 600 pounds and is suitable for 2 people.
Cons
- May not be a lot of room for your gear.
You can also find it here.
BEST VALUE
This particular Kayak is an incredibly durable one which when Whitewater Kayaking is a very important thing to offer due to the nature of the water.
It is also 50 pounds meaning that it is a lightweight product that will come incredibly handy when you need to maneuver the Kayak. Though it doesn’t come with a paddle.
It is also an incredibly comfortable Kayak that will provide you with ergonomic support, this will allow you to feel the most comfortable you have ever been in a Kayak.
It is also incredibly buoyant as it has a bulkhead that will be able to offer that ability for you. It is also incredibly easy to enter and exit as it is so stable.
You are also provided with adequate storage space for anything that you want to bring with you.
As well as the back support the seats are even adjustable to allow you to find a great position that you feel best suits you, whether you are a little smaller or a little bigger you will be able to find comfort.
Pros
- This is a very durable Kayak that is also lightweight weighing only 50 pounds.
- The Kayak will offer you lots of ergonomic support.
- You will also be provided adequate storage space with this particular Kayak.
Cons
- This Kayak doesn’t come with a paddle.
You can also find it here.
RUNNER UP
If you are looking for something a bit more traditional then this might be what you are after.
The Pelican Recreational Performance Sit-in Kayak is an extremely sturdy and reliable Kayak that will give you all-day comfortability. It is also incredibly lightweight as it weighs 41 pounds.
It is also very easy to use and will make sure you are very comfortable as it has adjustable footrests which will allow you to find the most comfortable position possible.
There is also plenty of storage space available for any items that you want to take along with you and you can strap them down with bungee cords that are already preinstalled.
This Kayak is made from incredibly durable materials and will be able to resist impact with little problem.
This is highly important during Whitewater kayaking due to the fact that the strong waves can push you into unwanted objects such as rocks.
You can also easily adjust the seat by using the handlebar system which allows you to move it up and down.
It has a max capacity of 300 pounds but that should be fine as it is only suitable for one person as there isn't enough room for two people in the Kayak.
Pros
- This particular Kayak is very lightweight which will provide you with great ease when maneuvering.
- This has a max capacity of 300 pounds.
- It is an incredibly durable Kayak.
Cons
- It is only suitable for one person.
RUNNER UP
This particular Kayak is a very lightweight one that will give you great maneuverability when you are out on the water which as stated earlier is incredibly important when you are navigating through gushing waves.
It also has a focus on comfort as you will be supplied with adjustable footrests.
You are also provided with a carry handle to make transporting the Kayak very easy, this will make your life much more convenient, convenience is an aspect that we strive for in everyday life and kayaking should be no different so this is an added benefit which will really make a lot of difference.
It is also a very high performing Kayak too.
You are also provided with all of the equipment that you need when you will be using the Kayak, that is a high-pressure pump, backpack to give you a place to store things and a four-part performance paddle, all of these will aid you in your search for a great experience when you are Kayaking.
Pros
- This is a very lightweight Kayak that will provide you with the ability to maneuver incredibly easily.
- You are provided with all of the relevant equipment for the Kayak.
- The Kayak also has carry handles which will make carrying the Kayak a lot easier.
Cons
- Though the Kayak is only suitable for one person.
You can also find it here.
Best Whitewater Kayak Buying Guide
Lightweight
With regards to kayaking in general the weight of the Kayak is always important, none more so when you are using the Kayak for Whitewater kayaking, the reason for this is because the waves will often be very intense and knock you about a little bit.
With a lightweight Kayak, you are able to provide yourself with much more control over the Kayak which will be very important due to the fact that the waves will be so intense.
This will make a lot of difference to the control that you have over the actual Kayak and actually keep you much safer when you are battling the elements for a fun water-based activity.
This really will make a lot of difference and that is why it is one of the most important aspects that you are considering when it is time for you to make your decision on the best Whitewalker Kayaks.
Luckily all of the above products are incredibly lightweight and will provide you with great control.
Durable
This is again an incredibly important aspect that you will need to consider, waves will always push you about and that is to be expected, that being said you will also need to feel safe and secure in the Kayak you have chosen.
The way to achieve that feeling is by using a Kayak that is incredibly durable and can withstand a lot of damage.
Waves will be pushing you into all sorts of things and sometimes it will be very difficult to control what you actually bump into. So for that reason, you will need durability to be a factor of your Kayak.
Luckily for you, durability is something that all of the above Kayaks have in common with each other so you will not be left wondering if the Kayak is in fact very durable.
As stated this really is an important aspect when you are Whitewater kayaking due to the fact that you really may not have all of the control in the world so this will be something you need to consider.
Comfort
Just because you are taking part in physical activity doesn’t mean that you don’t have to be comfortable when you are doing said activity. This will mainly be caused by the back support that your Kayak offers.
This will be determined by whether or not the seats are padded or adjustable to find you a nice position.
Many of the above Kayaks are incredibly comfortable and will mean that you can Whitewater Kayak for long periods of time without feeling the need to rearrange your position.
This can really improve the experience that you have when you are Whitewater kayaking so should be taken very seriously when you are determining if the particular Kayak is right for you and your specific needs.
This really will impact your enjoyment so should be treated with high importance.
Max Capacity
This again is something that is very important for you to consider because it will determine how safe you feel in the particular Kayak, if it has a max capacity of say 550 pounds then you are in luck, that will be plenty of capacity for you and someone else as well as some supplies in the breaks from intense waves heading your way.
If you do not take into account the capacity of your Kayak then you could find yourself in a world of trouble because it will not be able to support you properly and could put you in some serious danger.
Nothing is more important than your health and safety hence why this is such an important aspect that you are considering when you are determining if the Kayak is right for you or not. You will need to consider your intended use.
How Many People
Again this is important for you to consider because it will mean that you are able to Kayak with a friend or family member.
If you know this is an activity that you want to experience with another person then you should definitely consider purchasing a Kayak with a high weight capacity and two seats.
If it is an activity you want to take part in on your own then you will be fine with a Kayak that only has room for one person.
This is something you will need to think about because it will determine what Kayaks are suitable for you and what Kayaks aren’t suitable for you too.
Adjustable Footrest
This will impact your comfort greatly because like an adjustable seat this will mean that you can find a comfortable position for your feet to be in. if you felt cramped then it would be an uncomfortable thing for you to have to deal with.
As stated this can impact the overall experience that you have when you are Whitewater kayaking and nobody wants that.
Due to those reasons, this really is an important aspect as it will mean that you just have a better all-around time in your water-based activities.
This really can make a lot of difference and should be treated with high regard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is It So Important For The Kayak To Be Durable?
It is an incredibly important aspect because during Whitewater kayaking you can get pushed around into all sorts of areas that won’t always be the nicest of environments.
This will mean that if the Kayak is not durable enough then it could suffer damage that would put you at risk of being hurt. That is why it is important that the Kayak is of durable construction.
What Is The Actual Need For A Lightweight Kayak?
This will mean that you are able to generate a lot of control over the Kayak with a lot more ease, maneuvering something that is heavy will be a lot more difficult and energy draining.
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