Hi all, enjoying this site a lot. My question is this.....i'm 25, fit and about 1.80m , 75kg (sorry don't know what this is in old money). I got my three star years ago and have recently been getting a bit of white water, in fact i'm doing an intermediate white water course in wales in a few weeks. The goal is to get into playboating. So my question is......what boat, what paddle (and all the other gear really) should i go for. I don't mind it being challenging at first. Also are there any videos on freestyle moves available as i can't afford anymore courses if i'm gonna get a boat.

my advice is go 2 shops and demo boats ask people if you can borrow their boat at your local play spot as for other gear i would recomend a good composit helmet if you are thinking of paddlein white whater this will prob cost up from £80. a decent pfd (boiency aid) one whit a harnes and over 50N boiency. cag to keep you warm neoprene sparay deck. as for a paddle personaly i paddle with a 194 for play boating id say size between 190-200 max with a 45 degree feather or 0 degree a crank shaft is good for your wrists but some people dont like them again test some out if you get the chance id get a carbonfiber one as they are light and strong good luck and have fun

videos are avalible by ken whiteing and ej have a look in kayak shops or the net

Cheers guys, i'll demo a few boats n paddles and then check out what i can get on the second hand maket.

[quote:eaf51eba03="johnpaulwilliamson"]Cheers guys, i'll demo a few boats n paddles and then check out what i can get on the second hand maket.[/quote:eaf51eba03]

I know that what you are suggesting is the most economical but it is really tough on the industry and on the shops that you go to. Think they spend how much time trying to fit you in the right boat and explain the different paddle materials to you and then you don't spend you money with them. I work at a shop and I know how hard it is to convince the owners to bring in any whitewater boats because this is what happens. We only bring in a few dozen boats while we bring in about 1000 rec and touring kayaks. I know that there is more ww paddlers in the lower mainland than 20 who either get into paddling or are replacing a boat in the season. I know too that there are other shops so not everyone is coming to us. I also have seen paddlers that I spent 2-3 hours with talking about different boats and designs. Changing the fits of the boats. Arranging a time to take them out and demo the boat (for safety) and then I see them on the river in the same boat they demoed that they found out of the back of some guys truck that was a screaming deal. Then next season they come in and ask for a deal on the one paddle they buy and why don't we have the newest play boat for them to try?

I know I ranted but this really gets my goat.