Dinas Dinelle Surf

[The Image ™]

Proud of my 9 yr old daughters first attempt in her new kayak. Very rough surf and she capsized and went under a few times in a cold sea but still came back for more.



She worked hard to paddle over those breakers.



And did better than me

[The Image ™]

John showed us how it's done



And how it's not done

[The Image ™]

John gave Melissa a lot of praise.

[zebra]

and so you should be proud
well done Melissa takes a lot of bottle to tackle the sea when its like that
great photos.
the fella in the malabu looks a bit nervous !!!!!!!!!!!

[martinw]

The pics look good, couldnt make it to the meet today, realy wanted to. Wouldnt mind having a look at someone's kayack set up sometime. whats it going to cost me for a set up to get me started? Is it an expensive game?

[The Image ™]

I think kayaks themselves are dear for what they are but running costs are nil, unlike boats which cost you even when not in use. Nows the time to buy 2nd hand though as e-bay prices are low after Christmas (buyers market).

My daughters above cost me £178 new. Mine cost £324 new. This isn't including extras though like paddles, seats etc.

[martinw]

Had a look on e-bay yesterday, theres not a lot on offer, saying that the prices you've paid arent bad. Where sells them in the north wales area?

[chrish]

many kids twice her age would be afraid to do that in summer. made of the right stuff she is.

[georgieb]

martin,

If your asking about sit-on-tops-Paddleworks Bala have a couple (smallish ones), Deva Marine Pentraeth have a couple (wrong part of the season) .Brookbank Canoes Manchester have fairly good stock, plenty of internet sellers (www.sitontops.co.uk for one) or go down Cardigan way - www.wwc.co.uk ( or com) for pretty good stock.

[martinw]

Are the sit on tops a good starters kayack? can you fish off them? id like to get myself set up for the summer. Thanks for all the info too, ill take a look at those websites tomorrow. cheers.

[martinw]

Ive just had a look on the sit on tops website and its answered most of my questions, they are not as expensive as i thought either, rod holders and everything, what more could you ask for. thanks for taking the time to point me in the right direction georgie.

[hursty]

;D wwc - carmarthen not cardigan!

[georgieb]

sorry Hursty it was a bit late last night.

Martin, I know there is plenty of info and great help on this site but I dont think anyone would mind if I suggest it may help you to also have a look at www.anglersafloat.co.uk ( I think) for extra ideas and general info and boat projects.
Last week John Legg published an extract on this site from their safety gear check list before going out.

[martinw]

Ive been looking around and ive shortlisted two kayaks from the ocean kayak range. ones a drifter angler at 12'7" and the other is the prowler 13 at 13'4" i dont know if all that means anything to any one but i want something i can put on top of the car by myself without snapping my spine! has anyone out there got one of these kayaks? if so, please fill me with your wisdom!! will have a look at that website now thanks georgie.

[georgieb]

Martin,

Take a look at the thread started by The Image - Kayak meet update - I think - Dec 20 to see the list of participants on the Jan 1 kayak meet and you will see the type of boats involved.
You will find P13 rules OK on this site along with the Malibu for 2 seaters.
Both of your shortlisted boats will tax you a bit when getting them on and off roof racks but thats how it is. Now you've shorlisted your boats - its time to shortlist your safety gear .
Best of luck.

[martinw]

Ive got most of the safety gear, ive just sold my boat for a kayak, figured id get more use out of one. The boat just sat there most of the summer. at least theres not as much messing about with a kayak. Thanks again mate.

[stitch]

;D Hi Martin
I think your interest in buying a kayak has come at the right time. When Dave (tribble) and i decided to buy our boats we thought we were the only ones to do so in the northwest. That was a year ago and as you can see the scene has exploded in a short time. The advantage you have which we didn't is you will be able to see and try out some of ours, alot of use had to buy our yaks form catalogs and the internet. All of use who attended the kayak meet on the 1st all have Ocean Kayaks of various designs, i don't think you will go to far wrong what ever your choice ;D. Looking forward to meeting you.

John

[The Image ™]

Ocean do seem to be the choice of most. In fact the only non Ocean kayak I've ever seen is my daughters Loko (above). I have my beady eyes on the Ocean Frenzy. Nice little thing that and if a skeg were put on the back I wonder if it'd track well but be easier and lighter to paddle than the Malibu or Prowler.
A good overall view of the Ocean kayaks here (the Caper Angler looks interesting)!
www.oceankayak.com/kayakinfo.html

[stitch]

Great minds think alike. I looked at a Frenzy last year for a second boat as i met a chap paddling one when fishing from Porth Dafch beach Anglesey. They look extremely buoyant for their size and would imagine quick to turn. A great recon boat I think.

John

[The Image ™]

Yeah, you could throw one on your shoulder and walk down to the sea with it quite easily yet they seem bouyant. The Malibu (and in your case Prowler) seats fit the Frenzy so less cost there. Only worry is will the short length make it fishtail but I suppose a skeg would sort that out. Skegs are only £20 as I've just bought one for my daughters Loko. Good cargo nets front and back is standard. My wallet is protesting but my eyes are fixed on the Frenzy. Great if I want something easy to carry and it'd also be a good 2nd yak to introduce mates to kayaking.

[martinw]

Go on, you know you want to, that yellow one there has got your name all over it. ooooooooh look at that surf!!

[The Image ™]

The bloke in the yellow one really annoys me. Over all that surf and he hasn't even lost his hat

[stitch]

Well thats it i cant take it no more, the voices have finally won. I'm going to buy a Frenzy from Brookbank. I am going to wait until the final credit card bill comes in from Christmas probably at the end of next month. I don't fancy laying out a wod of cash this time so i will go for Brookbanks interest free credit. Its ten percent down and the rest over nine months. I worked it out and a kid with a paper round could afford it, about £6.80 per week. Who says Christmas comes once a year.

John ;D ;D ;D

[martinw]

Called into Brookbank on my way home from work tonight, no p13's there, but there was frenzys, Glyn, John, ooooh they were nice ;D ;D ;D a steal at £299 too!!
Its a brilliant shop, everything you could possibly need there. The guy i spoke to, Ralph, was a great help, told me everything i needed to know. my cash will definitely going their way, soon as i make my mind up.

its well worth a visit if you've not been there, not hard to find, look on their website.

[The Image ™]

Mind you, another contender is the Feel Free Nomad below.

[martinw]

He did say he'd throw in a paddle with my p13, may do the same for the frenzy! mind you that one looks cheeky

[georgieb]

Hello Martin,
I must have been walking out the door of Brookbank as you walked in. I was there today with Mrs B until about 3.0pm getting some bits.
I noticed they had no Prowlers left but if you get to llandudno on Sunday there will be more prowlers than you can shake a stick at.
over & out.
george

[martinw]

it was about then that i got there, did mrs b come with you to make sure you didnt do anything stupid? . its on my way home from work on a friday night so i will be popping in on a regular basis. but the thing is ive got the breaking strain of a kit-kat when it comes to buying shiny things

Werent the frenzys nice though lol ;D

[georgieb]

Martin,

mrs b has a job sorting herself out never mind watching over me- she married me with my faults and thats what i keep telling her- not that it makes any difference as we all know.
You are not alone with your problem over buying shiny things especially if you've got plastic that hardly wants paying for 6 months or more.
Live life, its only short. Get the shiny things- enjoy!
The Frenzys are great, if you are only likely to fish or paddle fairly close inshore I don't think you need anything more but you might need to try one. My mate has a shorter boat than me ( a wilderness systems ripper about 8ft), he reckons that he has to put a lot more effort and paddle stroke in to keep up with me in a p13 , something to think about, but as I say it all depends on where and how far you think you are going to go i suppose.
My daughter Ffion has set her mind on a Frenzy i think, so we might become a Frenzy family soon. However, she is looking fwd to trying a Loko thanks to The Images's daughter on Sunday so we'll go from there i guess.
We are hoping to plan a family camping/paddling trip over a few days this summer around our coastline somewhere- should be interesting- thats why i chose a p13, because of storage and ability to carry a fair load as well as fish from it.
No one can accuse you of rushing to make a decision mate- its not easy on this kayaking thing , there are so many factors to consider- but keep buying the shiny things martin.
Best wishes

[martinw]

im not after the frenzy, that was aimed at the image and stitch, go on lads buy one, like geogie says, live life its only short ;D ;D. the p13 will be the last shiny thing i buy for a while, baby on the way, anyone tried fixing a car seat to one ;D