My kayak is a Perception Swifty, which is 9.5 ft long and weighs about 38 lbs. This kayak is easy to handle and very stable with a wide cockpit to easily get in and out of. When I paddle, I use a spray skirt to cover the cockpit to keep the water and hot sun off my legs.

I love to paddle on lakes and rivers (some whitewater) and my Swifty is easy to maneuver and control especially with the adjustable foot braces.

The carry handles on the Swifty makes it easy to carry and I have no problem securing the kayak to my roof rack and kayak rack. One thing that is a must with the Swifty is a cockpit cover. I bought mine for $20 and it’s great at keeping those spiders and bugs out of the boat. When I’m not using my Swifty I hang it on a kayak sling.

I have been kayaking for twenty years and have paddled many different types of kayaks but the Swifty which is great for beginner and experienced kayakers is the only kayak I have ever owned.

The only disappointment I have about my Swifty is when I bought it, they didn’t offer it in all the cool colors that they have now. It’s tempting to get a new colorful one.  

What’s your kayak?

If you’re looking for a kayak then check out our how to choose a kayak page to help you choose the right kayak for you!

If you’re looking to buy a kayak, then check out our shopping for great deals for kayaks page. You can find some great deals on kayaks from online stores.

Buying a kayak can be easy and fun. If you have kayaking experience than you probably know what type of kayak you are interested in and it’s just a matter of shopping around to find the best kayak deals. If you’re new to kayaking than it will and should take you longer to choose the right kayak.  You want to make sure the kayak you choose fits the type of paddling you are planning on doing.

With proper care, and storage, the kayak you purchase can last you many, many years.  You will probably decide to purchase a different type of kayak way before the kayak you own needs replacing. Then you can decide to place your used kayak for sale or keep it to add to your collection.

New to kayaking

If you’re new to kayaking than you need to decide what type of kayaking you would enjoy.

 I mostly enjoy flatwater kayaking. I like to kayak on lakes, ponds, and rivers, although I do enjoy a little whitewater, like a class I or II. I also had children I wanted to take kayaking on lakes and ponds so I needed a kayak that was wide and stable enough so I can sit a child in the kayak with me. The kayak I purchased was a Perception Swifty. It has a wide cockpit for easy entry and exit and I can sit my child in it with me. It’s about 9.5 feet long so it was easy for me to put on the roof rack of my car. My son and daughter both loved paddling with me. When they got older, they got their own Perception Swifty kayak.  So now we are a kayaking family. Many recreational kayaks come with an accessory option for an extra slip- in seat for your child.

• To find out what type of kayaking you would enjoy you will need to do some research. Look for kayaking events, paddling races, festivals, paddlefests, or demonstrations around where you live. Many times kayaking events will have kayaking demonstrations.  You might be able to try out different types of kayaks or speak with other kayakers.  To find these paddling events, check with your local kayaking stores or check out our kayak, canoe, paddling events page.  Just click on the state or month. We have listings for all over the United States.
• You can also check out our How to choose a kayak page  to find more helpful information in choosing the right kayak for you.

Once you decide which kayak is for you, you can start shopping around for the best price. Check your local stores for sales and also check online stores. Click here to find some of the best kayak deals.

When you have your kayak and are ready to paddle, check our places to paddle page to find paddling locations all over the U.S.

Have fun and welcome to the kayak family.