WAVEWALK KAYAKS » canada

Fishing Kayak Review By Petru Rotariu, Ontario, Canada

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:57:02 +0000

This review is specific for how I feel about the kayak after my first trip in it.
Please take note that I have no experience at all with a mono hull/regular kayaks. Also please note that I weigh 72kg (160 lbs) and I was with my daughter who weighs 16kg (35 lbs). She was sitting in the front, facing me.
The bay (Ashbridge Bay – Toronto, Ontario) did not had big waves, but there was high traffic, big sailing boats and ski jets.
The w500 kayak was very easy to launch, no wet feet.
First minutes in the kayak I felt weird about its buoyancy effect; When I leaned in one direction (any, front, side, back) the kayak bounced back. This is weird initially, but after few minutes the feeling passed. It’s like starting to learn to ride a bike. The beginning of the ride is hesitant in balancing the direction, same here.
After the first minutes you learn how to sit steadily – the trick is to stay firm on saddle.

Paddling was easy, with no big effort; I paddled for almost two hours continuously with small breaks to watch the birds and fish, without feeling pain or tired.
Based on the bay size I think I put somewhere between 3-4km. Next time I will take the GPS to track the distance.
To change direction by 90 degrees it took only one backwards stroke.
I did not splash any water inside. For a newbie like me I think this is also good.

The paddle bought with the kayak is good, does the job well. I dropped it in the water; It floats and does not retain any water.

The lower part of the legs is well protected by the cockpit.

I did not have any problem in keeping direction while paddling. I found that it is easier and faster to paddle sitting at the rear, and not in the middle of the kayak, but please note that my daughter who weighs 16kg (35 lbs) was sitting on the front.
The kayak absorbs impact, and I think this is good, and at same time it feels rigid enough.
The tips of the kayak are great and very handy for storing stuff, plenty of open storage.

I found the eyelets mounted on the body useful for rigging various stuff.

Now, after the trip, strapping it to my minivan looks easy, using only 6 straps. No additional device to rig on the car, no foam, no special rack.

In my opinion the kayak delivers the features that are posted on the manufacturer’s website. For me, it met all the aspects that I was looking for. I don’t see now major changes needed to the design or rigging. I will mount maximum four RAM 119 rod holders, nothing more. I have a portable fish finder. I don’t think that the kayak needs more rigging or holes.

Overall I am happy with my purchase, and I am looking to have good time with my family using the kayak for fishing and just touring.
As a veteran Wavewalk kayak angler (Rox) said – Life is good.
Regards and safe paddling from Ashbridge bay, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
29 August 2010

Petru Rotariu

James Phillips’ W500 Fishing Kayak Review, British Columbia, Canada

admin — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:40:11 +0000

I am very satisfied with the kayak. I am thankful that you had invented such a model because it serves my purpose quite well.

The most important thing for me is that I can ride the kayak “straddled” [I.E. in the Riding Position] with my knees bent. I have a back condition that has made the past few years of using a regular canoe painful after a short time out. I must always kneel in a canoe because I cannot sit with my legs straight out in front of me without causing back pain.

I still can use the canoe but am limited to about 1/2 hour before I need to hit the beach and get out and stretch. Your design is much easier on my back and I can easily turn around when I need to stretch a bit. Also being reasonably light in weight and made from a polyethylene material makes it easy for me to get the kayak in the water and then back on my vehicle. A little bumping on the ground is not of much concern.

My balance and comfort level is improving however I wished when the weather was warmer (and a swim was not a problem in warmer water) I had pushed it to the limits. I was content just to go slow with getting a comfort level and now the water is to chilly to risk falling out…

I have yet to send you pictures because I am almost always out solo. It is quite hard to be out in the kayak on the water AND be on the beach at the same time taking pictures… .

Perhaps before the snow hits…and my kayaking is over for this year I may get some pictures.

James

Claire and Gary Gignac, and Their New W500 Kayak – Ontario, Canada

admin — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:24:29 +0000

Both my husband Gary and I enjoyed the W kayak very much.
I had a hip injury a few years ago and as a result, certain sitting positions have proven difficult. When I used the kayak, it was surprisingly a very comfortable kayak. Sitting in it wasn’t difficult since I was able to move my leg by extending it, bending it and standing when needed.
Overall, quite comfortable. I am not a big person, 120 lbs, and managed to travel down our lake with ease.

When Gary used it, he found it easy to paddle. Getting it in and out of the water proved easy enough. I think we both will enjoy it for years to come.

As for problems, none with the W kayak – only with my techniques. Tend to travel to the left but I’m sure with experience, I will be able to paddle straight.

It was better than I thought it would be.

Claire Gignac

-”I would love to have battled this beast out of a W kayak”

admin — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:01:09 +0000

Jeff McGovern is in Canada with his family, on their annual fishing trip.

-”Here is a picture of my brother and I with the largest pike I have ever caught. I would love to have battled this beast out of a W kayak. The Emmrod I used is the one my brother is holding.”

Mark, W Kayak Fisherman From Welland, Ontario

admin — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:54:25 +0000

Mark Benning is an outdoor sportsman from Welland, Ontario. He’s also an avid fisherman who got his W kayak not long ago.

Being 6′ 4″ tall he needs a somehow longer paddle – a 9′ 8″ Wavewalk PSP in this case.

Mark also has the body type that matches his height, which makes him weigh 240 lbs, and consequently makes the W kayak look a bit smaller than it looks when other people are paddling it.

Mark is learning about the different paddling positions, and improving his W kayaking technique.