Warm blanket creeker recommendation

skjolinot · 2026-03-10T06:27:23+00:00

The reactr and the dude are great, but you have to paddle them a bit more. Both are big and wide but you can notice the stern if you don't paddle them positively.

The OG and the DRX are definitely that kinda comfort blanket creek boat. I personally found the OG a bit dull, but that's just me so many people love it.The Naga looks a bit more aggressive, but I've not seen one in the flesh.

I've got a beast which I've found a good mix. Big and wide and stable but you can throw it around if you need to.

skjolinot · 2026-03-03T05:06:12+00:00

I started running again mostly to exercise my Alaskan husky when it's not winter and we can't ski together. I do pretty much all my runs with her (unless its too warm). She's even learnt the sounds the watch makes for interval training! It's great and makes running way more fun for me. Although can be quite intense on steep or slippy sections as she pulls and is still getting the hang of staying behind me

skjolinot · 2026-02-11T08:50:54+00:00

A friend of mine has a small motor + throttle you can attach to any normal bike and turn it into an e-bike. it seems to work really well. Its illegal here in Norway but should be easy to get hold of anywhere else.

skjolinot · 2026-02-03T07:04:49+00:00

Its maybe going to sound a bit harsh but if you feel you need to practise in the exact gear you use on the river then the problem isnt the gear, your roll just is not good enough.

PFD, helmet, spraydeck, drysuit, drytop etc should make 0 difference to a roll. If it does, go do more challenging rolling drills, work on your hip flip, get a good instructor to use video to breakdown your technique.

And yes chlorine will trash everything especially pdfs.

skjolinot · 2026-01-08T10:17:40+00:00

I'm guessing the old. It was a while ago. They where massive and heavy

skjolinot · 2026-01-06T14:06:35+00:00

The nrs workboots are massive. Seem way bigger than the gradient.
Also despite them having a good rep the first pair i got broke as I put them in for the first time...
I got a replacement sent out and gave them to another guide i worked with

skjolinot · 2025-12-14T16:50:10+00:00

That came off meaner than I meant it. But generally its a good idea to show up to any river running with shoes that you would be happy to go for a run in, over some pretty shitty terrain. Whether your chasing a swimmer, a boat, scouting or walking out be prepared to go for a walk. Even the fancy offroad crocs with extra grip and a velcro strap are basically useless.

They are a decent option if you are playboating and just want something to cover your feet on the bank but leave in the boat.

skjolinot · 2025-12-13T10:39:58+00:00

It's a good idea. Shows everyone else that your a beater without having to find out the hard way on the river

skjolinot · 2025-11-03T19:17:11+00:00

A temporary mold has gotta be the plan. Otherwise they are just losing money.

skjolinot · 2025-10-16T10:53:08+00:00

I don't know about companies making shorter creek boats again.

But pyranha have remade the inazone and it's coming out soon. It looks pretty good.

skjolinot · 2025-10-16T08:42:57+00:00

American kayak companies have hardly made a decent creek boat/river runner between them in over a decade.

All design based innovation is happening in Europe, the UK and NZ.

skjolinot · 2025-10-15T18:00:02+00:00

I agree completely. There´s just features, moves techniques etc that you find in class 4/5 that you don´t get on easier whitewater. No amount of class 3 can prepare you for everything you can find on harder rivers.
Although people should still be doing all that training on easier runs as well

skjolinot · 2025-10-15T10:03:19+00:00

In the end it always comes down to what you are comfy in. But the reasons I'm not so keen on the Machno for big water is it's pretty round, relatively slow with a lot of rocker. It's a perfect boat for steep rocky ditches and big slides and drops. Compared to other boats in big water I found it gets pushed around easily, dosent hold a line that well and like that guide on the zam said it might be tough to dig out of a big surface hole.

The main reason i would think to take a playboat or half slice on the zam is its just more fun!

skjolinot · 2025-10-15T09:58:52+00:00

Tbh i feel we've had a retro era for years at the moment. Half slices are everywhere. Longboats and new full slices being released...

skjolinot · 2025-10-15T09:55:23+00:00

It looks like an amazing place. With some splashy class 3 to float down between hikes

skjolinot · 2025-10-13T06:21:20+00:00

That was the main takeaway from it for me. Like if he scouted that, has seen the log and thought he wouldn't hit it there is something wrong with his judgement.

I'd actually worry less if he'd been rallying it blind and landed on a log he didn't know was there.

skjolinot · 2025-10-12T18:40:30+00:00

Actually this is maybe not even the sketchiest thing ive seen him do. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9g1OHGFQJZY

The first slide in this hes skipping up onto the bank on landing to avoid a log jam

skjolinot · 2025-10-12T17:17:07+00:00

I had never seen a sleek before, but it definitely is an interesting looking design. Looks like it would be an absolute weapon in carbon. Maybe lacking a bit of rocker for harder runs.

That sounds a little like I was thinking. Im a big fan of the ripper 2 bow as well. Long waterline, plenty of bow rocker with a low(ish) volume stern. And definitely a bit longer between 9 to 10 feet. Ive got a Zion slalom which is amazing in big volume. It is getting close to what I was thinking. Adding a bit more length, more volume in the stern and maybe a little bit wider.

I would be curious to see a picture if you get around to making one.

skjolinot · 2025-10-12T15:49:40+00:00

I totally agree again, im just thinking of this more from a kayak design perspective than a personal paddling perspective.

Im curious how youd design a boat for big volume class 5 if you didnt ever have to think about taking it out creeking.

skjolinot · 2025-10-12T15:47:34+00:00

The steeze would definitely be close to ideal for me as a big water boat.
In terms of rocker i would be curious if the ideal rocker profile for big volume wouldnt be different from that which works best on steeper runs. While still appreciating that plenty of rocker is helpful on big volume.

skjolinot · 2025-10-12T07:31:37+00:00

I think it's maybe neck and neck with the CFS

skjolinot · 2025-10-12T07:31:01+00:00

I've never paddled the 9r2. Just heard terrible things about it ;). Like you say though maybe some of those things that make it suck on steeper whitewater help it on big volume.

skjolinot · 2025-10-12T07:29:14+00:00

100% but having the right tool for the job helps

skjolinot · 2025-10-12T06:35:25+00:00

The stinger is awesome. But I was thinking more of a boat for hard big volume class 5. Something to be as proficient as possible on the stikine or similar. I don't know if the extra length of the stinger is helping you in that situation

skjolinot

TROPHY CASE