Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day and me and my peeps headed up island to the town of Ladysmith for the 2009 version of the Vancouver Island Paddlefest. Bernie, Paula, Louise, Marlene and myself were looking forward to an action-packed day full of boat demos, gear shopping and mini-doughnuts.
We arrived at the site at Transfer Beach not long after the day had officially begun...
...and Louise wasted no time checking out the bargains at the Ocean River tent.
Then we checked out the boats...
...but I couldn't tell if this was a kayak or a television aerial. At least it has a cup holder.
But soon the lure of trying other boats took us to the water. Here Brian from Ocean River checks Louise out on a Valley Aquanaut.
Then we tried some Atlantis Kayaks. We both took out Titans. I really enjoy these boats, and it was a tough call last year before I finally bought my Delta instead. Louise didn't like them as much, she found the seat uncomfortable.
Paula was out in a short Necky Looksha, while Marlene was enjoying a Current Design model plastic boat.
Later, Paula tried this Necky Chatham 17....
...while Marlene made for the horizon in this Seaward Infiniti 175. She really liked this boat, she took off like a rocket.
A great time was had by all...except maybe this sea star who I'm sure was wishing that we'd all just get the heck off his beach!
My pictures are here.
How do you like the Delta's? They seem like a really good combination of durability and weight. I don't think I could keep a fiberglass boat in one piece!
ReplyDeleteHi Ross!
ReplyDeleteWe love our Deltas! I used to have a Delta Fouteeen5 and last fall I moved up to an Eighteen5 Expedetion. They are great! I find the Eighteen tracks nicely and has pretty good speed. I won't be setting any records in it, but then again I don't want to. :) And it's pretty maneuverable for a boat of its size. They've been very durable so far, and we aren't the best paddlers for avoid rocks so they sometimes take a bit of a beating. So far, they've held up!
HI Ross
ReplyDeleteLove the Deltas. I too had a Fourteen5 and traded up to the Seventeen5 Sport last Fall. It was a hard decision between the prototype Sixteen5 and the Seventeen5.I'm glad I went with the 17 and didn't wait.I've paddled other boats & still find the Deltas to have the most comfortable seat and the biggest hatches.