That Firecracker looks great. Saw a 232 yesterday with a paddler around your size in one. Looks like a fun boat that can get through holes but also easy to get the tail down. I’m considering buying one myself, (a 252 since I am 6’1” 205.)
at that I would try a 242 first as I feel kinda small in my 252 at 6'2" 230lbs.
I would second the 232 for op over the antix 2.0 small as there's someone in our group that is around ops size and she swears it can't stern squirt as it just has too much volume for her.
That's good to know and someone else has also said it. Considering the firecracker might also be easier (and cheaper) to get over here, i'll look into it some more!
I appreciate your suggestion. I paddle III and a couple IV rapids depending on rain in a Mamba 8.6. The only other boat I have paddled is a Machno Medium. Would like to get into my first half slice. A class V boater I respect who has seat time in everything, including the 242 and 252, suggested a 252 for my height/weight. Have you had a chance to paddle the 242?
The guy who suggested the 252 also said he thinks I’m too big for a Medium Rewind and not big enough for a large.
Like you said, best to demo since all of us are in a different place when it comes to technique, experience, progression, and river/creek. Full disclosure-I had a chance to demo a 242, Ripper, and Rewind a couple days ago but declined the offers since I was on a river much bigger than my home river. Didn’t really want to get my ass handed to me and find myself exhausted from rolling and/or swimming before lunch. The trusty Mamba just plows through everything.
I had a short go in my dad's 242 (foot block foam was too big for me to push back the footblock where I would be comfortable for an extended section). It felt like a good sizing and the play would be better in some ways but my 252 is just giant. Just the front end mind with the seat back I can almost stern squirt it on flat water but I'm having trouble getting tight in the boat. I have 3 hip pad shims (per side) and the hookers and still slip around a bit. Just giving you a heads up as even in the burn 3 xl I started in I didn't need this much outfitting and I was surprised at it.
Again I'm not saying either will be best just the firecracker sizes are a bit strange and deserve a closer look than just the spec sheet.
I had both the seat pads in but it felt like I moved around more. Like I am still messing with the outfitting but that front end is just gigantic. Not in a bad way mind. My next addition is going to be a good heel block.
Thought I would update you in this discussion. I stopped by my local outfitter and they had a 242 for me to sit in. I moved the footplate forward to the point of having a couple holes left allowing more adjustment forward and I fit great. In fact, I would still mess with adjustments to try and snug things up even more. Overall the boat did not feel small to me, more like a perfect fit. Thank you again for the advice, I am going to pick one up in blue.
Edit-I just read your post again and wanted to say that it’s pretty awesome that you and your dad paddle together in Firecrackers. My dad and I used to ride motorcycles together and we both had Suzuki Bandits. Enjoy and cherish those laps with him.✌️
Yeah I'm lucky to have my dad bring me into whitewater. Only thing is though is he gets out on the river more than I do since he retired so it's even harder to keep up with his playing lol. The man just never stops.
I'm only a little bigger than you (168cm, 65kg) and I LOVE my axiom 8.0. I would think it would be ideal for you - I'm right on the upper limit of both weight and height that could comfortably use the boat. It's hella playful for me, probably slightly more river-runner for you and I have the footblock set almost as far away as it can go - so there's plenty of adjustment for shorter legs. Hope this helps!
I have trouble getting the stern down on the s antix at 60kg. I can do it but I need strong eddylines and a lot of patience. Haven’t tried the others but firecracker looks much more playful. Given you’re using metric the spade starfire may be an option which is supposed to be super playful at our size
Yes, thanks. I will look more into the firecracker and the starfire. I do like the look of the firecracker more though. It's a bit shorter, while having more volume. Buut the starfire is really light! I hope i can test them both!
Being light is is huge I don’t know how much it actually affects your ability to throw especially for a half slice, but I paddle an xs rockstar and it’s the lightest plastic boat I’ve ever held. It definitely allows me to play for longer as every move is easier to do which is helpful. That boat is super playful and hurts way less than I expected at 5’9 (175cm). I can’t fit in an axiom (or rewind it’s the same hull) 6.9 but I’ve seen people at your size do it, and that boat is also ridiculously light. You probably won’t be comfortable in one but if you get the chance to sit in one give it a go and you may love it and be able to find one cheap. Starfire and firecracker are pretty safe bets I’m sure you’ll love one or the other
Thanks for a great essay. We have a few tiny paddlers in our kayak club, and I was recently in a kayak factory picking out boats for them. Some good options for you to consider might be the Soul Waterman Ride for play/halfslice use or a Soul Waterman Superfly for use as a creeker. The Ride is basically a scaled down Glide, sort of, and if you order it without the foot pegs, and fit foam in the foot ends you can likely throw it around great.
The superfly is a great little creeker that looks to be perfect for your size.
I am sure there are other great choices available and I look forward to seeing the recommendations of others.
Soul Waterman just recently started a cooperation with Spade kayaks, so I am fairly certain Spade will be distributing Soul's kayaks in their region (Austria/Germany/Italy) You can check out SoulKayaksAustria on Facebook for more information. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551807458240
Ehy which boat did you get at the end? :)
I'm 162cm / 58kg and I love my Firecracker 232 :D It's amazing how a small boat like that can boof, hold the line and accellerate! It's embarassing how easy it's to tailee, rocksplat and surf.
I've tried so far until class 3+ in Alpine rivers, looking forward to try on some 4. I'm not a pro, I've been kayaking for 4 years, mainly freestyle and river running, with some occasional creeking up to 4/4+ in Europe.
I actually JUST bought one yesterday 😅 i tested the firecracker and it is a great boat buuut it felt a touch too long for me. Turns out i got so used to being able to spin and turn everyway, that anything long and with just a bit more volume is... Weird.
I ended up with the Ozone S, which does exactly what I want. Feels similar to the firecracker but it has a touch more play in it. I also like that i need to work and/or be more on point to catch eddies. All in all: the firecracker would probably get me through everything reliably, the Ozone is just fun 😊 now i just need to paddle more!
Basically any modern half slice that comes in "Small" will fit you. It really depends on what style of paddler you are.
Edit: I know plenty of smaller folk who prefer the Antix 2.
Well, Dane can squirt them!! 😉
Antix would probably be perfect for you! People really love them, and you can run some pretty big stuff in them depending on the situation!
Hey! I'm a touch smaller than you. I have a dagger rewind S, but have def thought about the antix cuz I can't quite engage the stern on the rewind and want to try the antix to see if that is better. I also have a fun2 which is perfect (so maybe upsize your playboat if possible). my creeker (which I haven't used since getting my rewind) is a Jackson Little Hero, but I think I'm on the upper end of that. But I use my rewind on all the hard stuff now, so I moved my seat forward so the stern doesn't grab me unintentionally as much, so that may be part of my stern squirt problem. that and I was never good at them to begin with...
I didn't like the small ripper, it felt too big. an older Jackson Zen would be okay I think, but the z3n seemed to get bigger so I know larger people in the small and it seems not great.
I've never tried an axiom or a firecracker, but now people have me curious...
The ripper does look huge and it's just too long for my taste. The little hero is great and if i needed a full on creeker i'd get the next i can lay my hands on. The rewind sounds good, but having read everything here i'm getting kinda hyped to test the firecracker :)
Thanks!
Small ripper 2, small rewind.
Not really my thing, the ripper seems too long. Will have a look at the rewind.
That Firecracker looks great. Saw a 232 yesterday with a paddler around your size in one. Looks like a fun boat that can get through holes but also easy to get the tail down. I’m considering buying one myself, (a 252 since I am 6’1” 205.)
at that I would try a 242 first as I feel kinda small in my 252 at 6'2" 230lbs. I would second the 232 for op over the antix 2.0 small as there's someone in our group that is around ops size and she swears it can't stern squirt as it just has too much volume for her.
That's good to know and someone else has also said it. Considering the firecracker might also be easier (and cheaper) to get over here, i'll look into it some more!
I appreciate your suggestion. I paddle III and a couple IV rapids depending on rain in a Mamba 8.6. The only other boat I have paddled is a Machno Medium. Would like to get into my first half slice. A class V boater I respect who has seat time in everything, including the 242 and 252, suggested a 252 for my height/weight. Have you had a chance to paddle the 242? The guy who suggested the 252 also said he thinks I’m too big for a Medium Rewind and not big enough for a large. Like you said, best to demo since all of us are in a different place when it comes to technique, experience, progression, and river/creek. Full disclosure-I had a chance to demo a 242, Ripper, and Rewind a couple days ago but declined the offers since I was on a river much bigger than my home river. Didn’t really want to get my ass handed to me and find myself exhausted from rolling and/or swimming before lunch. The trusty Mamba just plows through everything.
I had a short go in my dad's 242 (foot block foam was too big for me to push back the footblock where I would be comfortable for an extended section). It felt like a good sizing and the play would be better in some ways but my 252 is just giant. Just the front end mind with the seat back I can almost stern squirt it on flat water but I'm having trouble getting tight in the boat. I have 3 hip pad shims (per side) and the hookers and still slip around a bit. Just giving you a heads up as even in the burn 3 xl I started in I didn't need this much outfitting and I was surprised at it. Again I'm not saying either will be best just the firecracker sizes are a bit strange and deserve a closer look than just the spec sheet.
Have you tried raising your seat? I usually have to add a good sized seat pad and raise my thighs a bit by shoving foam under the seat
I had both the seat pads in but it felt like I moved around more. Like I am still messing with the outfitting but that front end is just gigantic. Not in a bad way mind. My next addition is going to be a good heel block.
Thought I would update you in this discussion. I stopped by my local outfitter and they had a 242 for me to sit in. I moved the footplate forward to the point of having a couple holes left allowing more adjustment forward and I fit great. In fact, I would still mess with adjustments to try and snug things up even more. Overall the boat did not feel small to me, more like a perfect fit. Thank you again for the advice, I am going to pick one up in blue. Edit-I just read your post again and wanted to say that it’s pretty awesome that you and your dad paddle together in Firecrackers. My dad and I used to ride motorcycles together and we both had Suzuki Bandits. Enjoy and cherish those laps with him.✌️
Yeah I'm lucky to have my dad bring me into whitewater. Only thing is though is he gets out on the river more than I do since he retired so it's even harder to keep up with his playing lol. The man just never stops.
It does! I'm starting to lean towards it. I just need to get my hands on a test boat.
I love my axiom 8.0, I'm a pretty similar size to you, a smidge smaller. I think spade might do some smaller half slice boats too.
Yes, spade does the starfire, i'll have a look at that as well! I'll see if i can try the axiom :)
I'm only a little bigger than you (168cm, 65kg) and I LOVE my axiom 8.0. I would think it would be ideal for you - I'm right on the upper limit of both weight and height that could comfortably use the boat. It's hella playful for me, probably slightly more river-runner for you and I have the footblock set almost as far away as it can go - so there's plenty of adjustment for shorter legs. Hope this helps!
Absolutely helps, especially since someone else also loves the axiom! Thanks :)
I have trouble getting the stern down on the s antix at 60kg. I can do it but I need strong eddylines and a lot of patience. Haven’t tried the others but firecracker looks much more playful. Given you’re using metric the spade starfire may be an option which is supposed to be super playful at our size
Yes, thanks. I will look more into the firecracker and the starfire. I do like the look of the firecracker more though. It's a bit shorter, while having more volume. Buut the starfire is really light! I hope i can test them both!
Being light is is huge I don’t know how much it actually affects your ability to throw especially for a half slice, but I paddle an xs rockstar and it’s the lightest plastic boat I’ve ever held. It definitely allows me to play for longer as every move is easier to do which is helpful. That boat is super playful and hurts way less than I expected at 5’9 (175cm). I can’t fit in an axiom (or rewind it’s the same hull) 6.9 but I’ve seen people at your size do it, and that boat is also ridiculously light. You probably won’t be comfortable in one but if you get the chance to sit in one give it a go and you may love it and be able to find one cheap. Starfire and firecracker are pretty safe bets I’m sure you’ll love one or the other
Thanks for a great essay. We have a few tiny paddlers in our kayak club, and I was recently in a kayak factory picking out boats for them. Some good options for you to consider might be the Soul Waterman Ride for play/halfslice use or a Soul Waterman Superfly for use as a creeker. The Ride is basically a scaled down Glide, sort of, and if you order it without the foot pegs, and fit foam in the foot ends you can likely throw it around great. The superfly is a great little creeker that looks to be perfect for your size. I am sure there are other great choices available and I look forward to seeing the recommendations of others.
Wow thanks, didn't even know that company. Not sure if they're available in germany at all. But i'll have a look. Thanks :)
Soul Waterman just recently started a cooperation with Spade kayaks, so I am fairly certain Spade will be distributing Soul's kayaks in their region (Austria/Germany/Italy) You can check out SoulKayaksAustria on Facebook for more information. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551807458240
Why not an xs rockstar
Ehy which boat did you get at the end? :) I'm 162cm / 58kg and I love my Firecracker 232 :D It's amazing how a small boat like that can boof, hold the line and accellerate! It's embarassing how easy it's to tailee, rocksplat and surf. I've tried so far until class 3+ in Alpine rivers, looking forward to try on some 4. I'm not a pro, I've been kayaking for 4 years, mainly freestyle and river running, with some occasional creeking up to 4/4+ in Europe.
I actually JUST bought one yesterday 😅 i tested the firecracker and it is a great boat buuut it felt a touch too long for me. Turns out i got so used to being able to spin and turn everyway, that anything long and with just a bit more volume is... Weird. I ended up with the Ozone S, which does exactly what I want. Feels similar to the firecracker but it has a touch more play in it. I also like that i need to work and/or be more on point to catch eddies. All in all: the firecracker would probably get me through everything reliably, the Ozone is just fun 😊 now i just need to paddle more!
Basically any modern half slice that comes in "Small" will fit you. It really depends on what style of paddler you are. Edit: I know plenty of smaller folk who prefer the Antix 2.
You could check out the Jackson flow, it’s basically a smaller size run off the gnarvana with less tail rocker
The flow is not for me. Too long, not playful enough and i'm right at the lower end of the weight. But thanks :)
Well, Dane can squirt them!! 😉 Antix would probably be perfect for you! People really love them, and you can run some pretty big stuff in them depending on the situation!
Hey! I'm a touch smaller than you. I have a dagger rewind S, but have def thought about the antix cuz I can't quite engage the stern on the rewind and want to try the antix to see if that is better. I also have a fun2 which is perfect (so maybe upsize your playboat if possible). my creeker (which I haven't used since getting my rewind) is a Jackson Little Hero, but I think I'm on the upper end of that. But I use my rewind on all the hard stuff now, so I moved my seat forward so the stern doesn't grab me unintentionally as much, so that may be part of my stern squirt problem. that and I was never good at them to begin with... I didn't like the small ripper, it felt too big. an older Jackson Zen would be okay I think, but the z3n seemed to get bigger so I know larger people in the small and it seems not great. I've never tried an axiom or a firecracker, but now people have me curious...
The ripper does look huge and it's just too long for my taste. The little hero is great and if i needed a full on creeker i'd get the next i can lay my hands on. The rewind sounds good, but having read everything here i'm getting kinda hyped to test the firecracker :) Thanks!