Adult paddlers have different needs than younger athletes.
Stability … as the body ages, muscles lose flexibility and can’t respond to external stimuli quite as readily. This causes us to feel less stable in a canoe or kayak. Furthermore, many adults train by themselves due to work & family commitments and safety considerations, including a stable boat, become important issues.
Boat Weight … many adults keep their boat at home and carry it on their car to training sessions and races. A lighter boat means greater ease in lifting it on & off the car, and getting it down to the water. And of course, a lighter boat is a priority for marathon racers.
Comfort … well designed seats & footrests, and a rigid construction, enable us to spend longer periods of time in the boat.
We recommend the following models for adults (click on the name for more details):
Note stability ratings: 1= least stable; 10=most stable
Vanquish Vintage – Nelo’s latest design combines stability with the sleek lines of its top
sprint models.
Stability rating of 2.5; meets ICF specs.
Typhoon – Kirton’s 2006 redesign of the popular Struer Joker, a more stable yet still competitive K1.
Stability rating of 3; meets ICF specs.
Tor – one of Kirton’s newer K1 designs, incorporating cut-away foredeck and slimmer rear
deck features.
Stability rating of 5-6; meets ICF specs.
Talisman – a traditional K1 racing deck with flattened hull to improve stability.
Stability rating of 8; meets ICF and Touring specs.
Razor – a good mix between a sea kayak & a flatwater sprint boat.
Stability rating of 9; meets ICF and Touring specs.
Viper 51 – a recent upgrade to the Razor, resulting in a narrower and faster touring model.
Stability rating of 9; meets ICF and Touring specs.
Viper 55 - a touch more stable than the Viper 51 but with the same basic design features.
Stability raing of 10-22; meeting ICF and Touring specs.
Viper 60 – a very stable yet very light K1, ideal for beginners or for racing in rough conditions
Stability rating of 12; meets ICF and Touring specs.
Mirage K2 – a mid-stability ICF design K2 with long cockpits to aid trimming with mixed crews.
Stability rating of 5; meets ICF specs.
Each of these models is available in several different constructions,
weights & prices
