Jeff McGovern’s reports from Florida:
-”I shot quite a bit today in just a short time. The fishing was off the chain, in other words, outstanding. I had only a few hours but was able to make the most of it. Catching fish with topwater lures is nothing but loads of fun - The W kayak allowed me to cast like a deck gun and really get some distance.”
And here is the movie that Jeff shot:
This is a new demo video showing how to cartop two Wavewalk kayaks on any regular car rack.
Attaching the boats is easy.
If you don’t feel like using the ‘quick and dirty’ method shown in this movie you can simply slide the kayaks upwards.
We recommend protecting your car paint from being scratched while you upload and download the boats. We also recommend insulating exposed metal parts that might come in contact with the hulls on very hot days using cardboard, foam, or any other type of basic thermal insulation material.
Wavewalk kayaks are guaranteed to fit all car racks.
And this is the second part of the super stability demo video:
This is a new demo video showing what ’super stability’ means. We show the footage in X4 slow motion so that the viewer can better appreciate what’s going on:
The movie was shot on the Charles River in Waltham, Massachusetts, by no other than Jeff McGovern, from Florida, who was on a business trip here and came to visit us.
Thanks Jeff!
By the way, I’m the one demonstrating the Wavewalk kayak - I’m 6 ft tall, and I weigh 195 lbs.
Yoav
Here is a new, short instruction movie on this subject:
Note that the reentry conditions here are difficult: Moving water and no help from others.
Nevertheless, if you take your time, go slowly and keep cool there’s no problem.
Jeff did it again: Here is his new W kayak fishing action video for all to enjoy (2.55 min):
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Here is Jeff McGovern’s latest contribution to the art and science of W kayak fishing -
A two minute, online guided tour of his rigged, 2008 W fishing kayak (video plus audio).
It’s a gem:
This video has been embedded in other kayak fishing blogs, so I thought it would be appropriate to have it in Wavewalk Kayaks’ blog as well.
It’s eclectic and fun to watch:
By ‘tandem’ we mean two adults, since paddling with a child onboard is less of a challenge, at least in the W kayak.
A lot has been said about kayaking in tandem, and it usually confirms the observation that kayaks are basically meant to be solo boats more than anything else…
However, paddling in tandem can be fun and rewarding - if it’s done properly.
First, you need to address the problem of balance, especially if your partner is not experienced in W kayaking (assuming you’re a proficient W kayaker yourself). The way to do it is mount (ride) the back of the saddle and then let your partner in (slowly) and position himself or herself as forward as possible - in the riding position as well.
You will probably need to compensate for your partner’s lack of experience by taking extra care of balancing the boat yourself - at least in the beginning.
The second problem is synchronizing your paddle strokes. It’s less of a problem if both of you are using canoe paddles, or if the front paddler is using a canoe paddle and you are using a double blade one.
If both paddlers are using double blade paddles the front paddler should just make slow strokes, switching regularly from left to right, regardless of tracking, turning etc. The back paddler’s paddle should follow the front paddle in parallel, touching the water a fraction of a second after the front one did, and getting out immediately after the front one.
The back paddler is also the de facto skipper, and he or she should take care of tracking, turning etc… This task can be quite demanding, especially in moving water, and this is why you’d better practice tandem W paddling on flat water first.
It is very helpful to be aware of the possibilities offered by the extra long W paddle in terms of controlling the length and direction of the stroke, J strokes etc.
This video shows a couple of W kayakers paddling in tandem in the surf - Needless to remind the viewer that both of them have some experience in W kayaking.
Yoav
Seal launching can be a good solution if you don’t want to spend too much time looking for a better spot to start your paddling or fishing trip from. You can do it just for fun too.
This video shows an 8 year old seal launching his W kayak from a steep river bank. Obviously, if an adult launched from the same spot the splash would have been huge and some water would have gotten in through the open cockpit. Therefore, the kayaker or fisherman planning to venture into seal launching should cover the front part of the cockpit, at least for the launch.
We advise you to start learning to seal launch on a less steep slope, and slide over a shorter distance… You can seal launch from a dock or a deck too.
Also, leaving your cellphone, camera, GPS and fishing gear on shore the first time would be more prudent - stuff happens…
Yoav