What Size Whitewater Kayak? | Go Big! I After Hours Podcast

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Absolutely right on critique of the stated weight ranges being stated too broadly by the manufacturer.

You're awesome! Thanks for all the great vids and info!

THANK YOU, FOR THIS GREAT ADVICE!!! MUCH APPRECIATED!!

Excellent reasoning and well argued. This is exactly the info I’ve been looking for to help me decide between the Gnarvana Medium or Large; I demoed both this week but despite how fun, floaty, playful, yet stable it was… the large felt so… large. At 220-230lbs I still thought I might be better off downsizing, but I think you’re right about the trade offs favoring a larger boat. In your Gnarvana review you also mentioned you were going to go with the large this season and this helped me understand your thinking. Now off to order my new boat!

happy holidays and merry paddling 🤙🍻

Great video as always, Alex! As someone who is an “in between” range typically, I’m 5’ 11” 185 - 190lbs - medium vs large boats. For class II-III overnight trips and a good creeker quiver boat, would you recommend a medium or large Dagger Code? My fear is the large with the extra volume would feel like an absolute tank. Thanks - keep the videos coming!🫵🫡🤘🛶

This video was so helpful. It made me feel better about my purchase and the fact I need to bring more strength. I’m 5’6” and 148#. I was shopping for a kayak and the salesman put me in a small zen. My legs and hips were a tight squeeze in shorts and a tshirt with everything loosened. He kept insisting it was fine. I left and ended up buying a medium zen from a club replacing their boats. My learning plateau’d and had me wondering if I had too much boat.

This was an awesome video. When you rolled under the water in those giant waves I thought that was the last of you, and you were just playing around. Wow I am not ready to try that stunt. Can you explain how you track perfectly down the middle of the narrow winding creek in the first boat footage? You don't appear to be paddling very much. I suspect leaning the boat produces some edging that turns somewhat. Again great job.

Great piece. I'm 5'5 but like 155lbs, weight said medium for Jitsu but I was too small to make it work as I couldn't get the leverage, gone back to s mall and SO much improvement. Happy Christmas man

Thanks for this, Alex. I think one of the reasons some paddlers prefer smaller boats is that they feel they are more (not less) responsive: the front rails and parting line are more easily engaged, and more of the boat is in the water (i.e. the water line is longer)--and they don't like the floaty, bathtubby feeling of the big baots. I suspect this may be particularly true for boaters who grew up on smaller boats or have a slalom background. I also wonder how much difference trim makes: you can be in the right size of boat, but sit in the wrong position, and it feels all wrong...

I have a medium Jed at 130-140 lbs and I struggle to get the bow under for bow stalls. I can sorta get it to sternie. I love how this boat surfs, but damn its hard to do freestyle stuff.

6'5" 254lb /196cm 115kg & oldish, Jackson MonStar & Large Nirvana here.. haven't found a half slice yet... Burn 3XL good also, super carvie up front.

This video is so helpful! By the way, WHERE are you paddling in this video, sick!

Alex, I'm 6'1" and currently about 167lbs. I expect to gain some muscle, as I'm working out and recovering from having lost muscle over the past 20 years. I'm looking at getting a Jackson Antix 2.0. 20 years ago I was a raft guide and kayaked class 3 and 4 in western NC (and guided rafts on the Lower Gauley some) over the course of 3 years, out on the river all summer, lots of trips. I expect that I will get comfortable playing on rivers again pretty quickly, and have more interest in playing around and taking my time, and little interest in taking risks. I'm 53, and ego is not my motivator, but love of water and being out playing in it. What do you think about choosing either a medium or large Antix 2.0? I would be at the bottom of the floater weight (without gear) on the large. I expect that would give me more confidence running the river, but I wonder if it will make playing more challenging? What are your thoughts? - One other thought, I would probably use it on occasion to play on lakes with my family. I expect the longer length in the large would make it a bit better for lakes, yes?

Great channel , excellent discussions. I'm a big guy 6'2' 220......ish. Im mostly interested kayak camping . Sort of been eyeball the dagger katana 10.4. I'd really like a a play boat to build some skills. Tried a Jackson 4.0 yesterday, that was a no go for me. Referencing the comment above, I see the Monstar is no longer available. Any other options out there? Appreciate the help

Am a beginner kayaking can roll on a lake easily but looking to start class one and two rapids am 6 4 280 know I need to try first but any starter advice

Thanks Alex. I am currently have this debate in my head. Heaver side of a medium vs lighter side of a large. Wish I could demo but the world has other plans for the moment.

So if im 125lbs im right in between small and medium? Well i got a nirvana med hope it was the right choice, I deff feel like a floater!

Have you or thought about doing vid for big guys? Above 250 I’ve really only found two monster n Bigfoot are there any others? Sure prob sm percentage