Discussion
I used to be pretty handy with a paddle as a teenager, I could do most of the moves like hand rolls, sculling support etc and did a bit of white water and also river trips and canoe marathons etc.
20 years on and I fancy getting back into the sport, for fitness and a bit of adventure. Most of my time was spent in Dancers and general purpose boats and the odd K1 here and there.
I'm not to far from the Reading area of the Thames so I would like a boat that can do a 10-15 mile trip, but also manage a bit of white water and also surfing if I pop down to the Poole area.
Having had a quick scout around the internet, I'm leaning towards the Pyranha Fusion concept 30. It looks like it ticks the boxes as a multi function boat, can do light white water and has a retractable skeg for a bit of touring.
Can any PH paddler recommend any other choices? I may pop down my local club for a bit of practice and see if I still enjoy getting cold and wet and also see if my back and hips can still handle it.
20 years on and I fancy getting back into the sport, for fitness and a bit of adventure. Most of my time was spent in Dancers and general purpose boats and the odd K1 here and there.
I'm not to far from the Reading area of the Thames so I would like a boat that can do a 10-15 mile trip, but also manage a bit of white water and also surfing if I pop down to the Poole area.
Having had a quick scout around the internet, I'm leaning towards the Pyranha Fusion concept 30. It looks like it ticks the boxes as a multi function boat, can do light white water and has a retractable skeg for a bit of touring.
Can any PH paddler recommend any other choices? I may pop down my local club for a bit of practice and see if I still enjoy getting cold and wet and also see if my back and hips can still handle it.
Can't advise on boat choice but a word of warning. I've just bought a 3 man inflatable for the family and was stopped from taking it on the water (Keilder) as I didn't have a 2 star competence certificate.
Now I'm no expert but have done a lot of paddling over the years, including a fair bit of sea kayaking - here, NZ, Kawai (the hardest one day commercial trip in the world), rowed for 6 years, and have done swift water rescue training when in MR, and I was still refused as the computer says no. Utterly bonkers as there wasn't even the option to demonstrate there and then that I knew what I'm doing.
So, if you're going to re-start it might be worth joining a club and doing the comp cert so you can maximise where you can paddle. Kayaking seems to have gone H&S mad recently.
Now I'm no expert but have done a lot of paddling over the years, including a fair bit of sea kayaking - here, NZ, Kawai (the hardest one day commercial trip in the world), rowed for 6 years, and have done swift water rescue training when in MR, and I was still refused as the computer says no. Utterly bonkers as there wasn't even the option to demonstrate there and then that I knew what I'm doing.
So, if you're going to re-start it might be worth joining a club and doing the comp cert so you can maximise where you can paddle. Kayaking seems to have gone H&S mad recently.
I have a 3 man inflatable and have been all over with it and never had an issue - unless the water is on private land no one is going to care. On the Thames (Reading) I've been miles (days of travel) in either direction and never even been asked for my river licence (despite going through locks hundreads of times)
Tiggsy said:
I have a 3 man inflatable and have been all over with it and never had an issue - unless the water is on private land no one is going to care. On the Thames (Reading) I've been miles (days of travel) in either direction and never even been asked for my river licence (despite going through locks hundreads of times)
And it was you that inspired me to get mine 
The issue - I think - is mainly on water company owned land, so reservoirs etc.
Until recently I worked in the industry (for Tiderace Sea Kayaks).
You don't mention budget, though I assume it's certainly plastic you're after rather than composite.
If you want to be able to do distance and play in the surf, you probably want to go for something like a P and H Delphin. It's 15 feet, so long enough to make relatively efficient progress. An alternative would be the North Shore Atlantic or Aspect, which are a similar size but a bit cheaper.
P and H are part of Pyranha and North Shore is owned by Valley, so both designs are British and of good quality.
You don't mention budget, though I assume it's certainly plastic you're after rather than composite.
If you want to be able to do distance and play in the surf, you probably want to go for something like a P and H Delphin. It's 15 feet, so long enough to make relatively efficient progress. An alternative would be the North Shore Atlantic or Aspect, which are a similar size but a bit cheaper.
P and H are part of Pyranha and North Shore is owned by Valley, so both designs are British and of good quality.
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