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OT - Sea kayak 9-Oct-2015 At 12:20:57 PM (removed)

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Have done quite a lot during my climbing hiatus.

In short: horses for courses ... best bet for enjoyable / extensible paddling is definitely getting an ocean ski (as distinct from a surf ski). They have a range starting from ultra stable and a wee bit slow up to quite tippy but really fast and able to catch the smallest runs in open water. The fast ones are every bit as fast in a straight line on a river as a K1 as well (because of their longer water line). If I were buying a single boat, I'd get one of these any day and it will only take a few months before you can sit comfortably in what was previously unthinkably tippy. About the only thing they can't do is white water because (a) they are typically fibreglass, and (b) typically have an understern rudder. Hasn't stopped people trying though ...

If it's touring you are interested in, then yeah, a sea kayak, something like a Mirage 530. Can store enough equipment, are reasonably stable (they are the boat of choice for Bass Strait crossings), roll easily and surf okay - although nothing like a ski. Ocean ski's as an aside are increasingly being used for touring so long as there is a support boat.

Neither of those options would do for fishing though. You'd want one of those flat sit on tops for that purpose. Haven't done any of that though.

In terms of where to paddle - Sandridge SLSC near Port Melbourne runs structured training sessions 4 times a week through Peak Adventure for the public and have a wide range of boats available for you to try first (or buy later). Contact Jarad Kohlar there (you should be able to find the Peak Adventure website easily enough) to arrange something. Also forms a really good aerobic workout which has reduced me to a quivering mess on occasion and which if I had the time I'm sure would actually help with my climbing !

If you have an ocean ski, invariably you'll end up chasing downwind runs (downwind paddling is a sport in its own right) and Victoria's Surf Coast is frankly, awesome for this. Anglesea to Torquay is a great run with sea cliffs and the like and there are regular groups who do this too and can help with the car shuffle.

Magnificent sport and like anything, the better you get, the more fun it becomes.

Good luck, PM me if you need any more information

AC