gear wi l dc a rds
Flight control:
AIRE FORCE ($1,495 in PVC-coated polyester with inner urethane AIREcell system, aire.com) L: 9’6”; W: 36”; 32 lbs.; 10.5” tubes, 4 chambers AIRE’s high-end, redesigned Force paddles more like a hardshell than your typical blow-and-go, maintaining a kayak’s tracking and maneuverability perks, specifically. It rolls down to the size of a small cooler, and a leisurely pump rate topped off our test IK in 10 minutes flat. The PVC-coated, seamless tube-bottoms add extra durability and an ideal surface for surfing or quick ferries. Adjustable bow and stern bags along with padded thigh straps with multiple attachment points lock you down securely and comfortably, whether you’re river running or surfing breakers on the coast. (It’s even possible to Eskimo roll.) You’re paying for performance in a super-rigid package that can handle pushy rapids, plus AIRE’s 10-year, no-fault warranty), but the Force’s low profile and drain holes ensure you won’t be sitting soggy when you’re punching holes or just looking for cockpit-free fun on the flats. — DC
Back to the lab:
Wave Sport Project X ($1,049 in roto-molded plastic, wavesport.com) 48, 56, 64—L: 5’9”, 5’11”, 6’1”; W: 25”, 25.75”, 26.5”; 31 lbs., 32 lbs., 34 lbs. Wave Sport didn’t unleash radioactive super-chimps to research this Project X. The design team did, however, log the necessary R&D hours on its New River Dries testing grounds to hone the subtle geometry that makes all the difference in a compact play package. This big addition to the Wave Sport fleet—with a worthy nod to its roots in the Project and the legacy of the ground-breaking X—retains the Project’s best characteristic; namely, speed. That starts with a progressive high rocker that planes flat, then gradually kicks toward the re-tooled stern. The end is shorter, yes, but the wider, more squared stern profile (lines akin to Bliss-Stick’s R.A.D.) carries the extra volume that makes for significantly more stable back surfing and landing. The big surprise is that the added control didn’t make the 56-gallon, medium-size version we tested (fitting the broad 140- to 210-pound weight range) any less loose on a wave. The well-centered volume and crisp carving edges produce a quick-releasing, clean-looping ride that will take you from flat-spin purgatory to vertical nirvana. Credit the sessionextending cockpit comfort to a raised knee area, solid thigh braces, and the ratcheting back-band. Stylish and swass-proof, white-vinyl outfitting completes this package. No monkeying around. — DS
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3/18/11 5:34:26 PM