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Alex! Noob paddler here, probably be padding class II-III’s for a while. Would you still recommend this boat? There are so many boats out there it’s exhausting. Side question, I’m 5’8” 150 lbs, would you recommend a small or medium? Thanks for posting your vlogs, always super informative!
Yes the Code is still a top choice for beginners along with the Gnarvana. In both cases I would say if you have the strength go for the medium. With dry gear you may find yourself too heavy for the smalls
i am finding that the hip pads are too snug...ive got a 38 waist..any suggestions? also where would you reccomend seat and thigh hook placement for 6'2'' 200 lbs paddler...thanks brad
@@AlexBarhamthanks. Yes I paddled it today and found I could use the same strokes. It's just a little weird cuz I'm used to trying to keep my Stern dry on my 4fun and leaning forward when i am running downriver
hey one more question...i know you love the ninja...do you have to use a pivot turn to turn that boat? if not what strokes are you using to turn it? thanks brad
Does it front surf well? I use rewind m for multiday and challenging (for me: class iv) at ~150 lbs and nova/jed for everything else. I did Grand Canyon in rewind and probably set some kind of course record for combat rolls. Thinking about trading to the s/m Indra.
Best boat I’ve ever paddled. It has it all. Confidence of a creeker. Maneuverability of a half slice. Forgiving and high performance at the same time. It’s the boat I always wished all my other boats could be. Still heavy carrying but it doesn’t feel that way on the water. Quick and responsive and changes my mind about certain rapids. It’s like if Lebron James in his prime was a kayak.
Definitely a very strong design! It would be a better version of itself if it were a little lighter. I also have thoughts about the width, but overall an absolute quiver killer
I'm very happy. Maybe not as forgiving as a Code, but not less forgiving than a Scorch. I can put it exactly where I want to. I don't feel like it would back loop any more than any creeker I've been in. Not a complaint, but I don't think I've ever tail tapped another Dagger boat, ever. Except this one, all good I'll get used to it. Looking forward to your full review.
Thanks for your review. I’m looking at getting a new PFD for kayaking. I have an older NRS Ninja that I’ve been using for SUP but it doesn’t fit me well when sitting in a kayak. The shoulders ride up and aren’t comfortable. I’m about 5’1”. I ordered an Astral Layla which seems to fit better. It’s a women’s specific design. I haven’t taken the labels off yet and decided to order the new Ninja before making a final decision. I do love the front pocket on my Ninja. Hopefully the redesigned Ninja will fit me better than the old one. Thankfully I’m ordering from REI. Unfortunately our local shops don’t stock them and I live in South Lake Tahoe.
Good luck! The new Ninja is a total redesign that fits both of our very different bodies very well. It has the ability to wrap around and grab you so the fit should be as good as it gets
Thanks for the information in the video. I am hoping to by my first whitewater kayak on Monday from a guy on Facebook marketplace. It is a code medium but i am a little concerned what the actual value of the boat is based on condition. The guy has sent me 12 pictures along with saying there are no cracks welds oil canning etc. I am praying i dont spend this money then go to buy my necessary equipment and be told by someone or find out that i have wasted my money. Any extra advice would be appreciated as i hope to be paddling in it on Tuesday.
Yup. Been getting asked about that a lot lately. I chased Prijon and Peaks, Paths, and Paddles or whatever their importer is in Buffalo. Promises were made, but no follow through unfortunately. This is typical when you set up a touring shop as a whitewater retailer.
Hey man, watched a couple of your videos now and you really have me intrigued on taking on a retrofit. Do you have any pointers on upgrading the outfitting on a Wavesport ace 4.7? Mine currently has the Cambuckle behind the back band and it’s a pain to get in and out.. also think it could be dangerous in a swim…. would like to upgrade it to ratchets. Is this possible?
For mostly canoe use and the occasional rafting trip would you recommend the pro or the regular ninja? Also curious if you have any time with the Astral YTV 2.0?? Seems to be the main competitor to the Ninja ?
What size are you paddling? Have you tried both? Demoing one in the immediate future isn't as easy as just buying one but at 5'9" and ~170lbs, I am really struggling with deciding on size. I'm generally an always medium person so 2 sizes is a brutal choice.
Not trying o hijack Alex's post just commenting because I run into the same issues a lot. I am 155 and paddle the small. It goes through about anything but the tail can get brapped occasionally. If you plan on running some serious water I would go with the medium. There is definitely some trade off with punching power and maneuverability with the two sizes. I would prefer to get caught in a hole occasionally and being able to surf out in the small where the large there would be no way I could work that out of a large hole.
Glad Matt chimed I'm because I would have said the S/M the M/L will be a lot for a 170lb paddler to throw around unless you're jacked. I'm a pretty strong guy and I essentially require the same amount of energy to move my Indra as a Phantom. Unfortunately at 170 they may have just missed you on the Indra, but the Steeze will be great.
shogun vs vulcan? I know you have an affinity for the shogun but let us know what you think of the vulcan compared to one of the best paddles in the game
I love my Vulcan. Keeps growing on me. Shogun is obviously my ride or die in gnar, but in big water I am always reaching for the extra power of the Vulcan. I'm now basically wishing there was an even bigger Shogun with the Vulcan's rubber grip...
@@AlexBarham Yeah! Both boats seem so good. Judging from the feedback (obviously biased, but still) I got from team paddlers around my weight/height I expect the ReactR'll fill nicely that sporty creeker niche and perform really well in big water. I just wish I could have gotten a more realistic production/delivery timeframe. I was injtially told "end of April" by my local dealer 😆 (who, that being said, only just started selling Pyranhas).
@@AlexBarham If you were in Colorado I would be happy for you to take my ReactR out for some fun, as much as you would like. Thanks for the great content.
It is pretty slick! Love it for big water once I figured out to stop making assumptions and just paddle it normally. Treating it like a Steeze will not be rewarded I find. Sisters come in yet?
@@AlexBarham I totally agree - kept my Puffy for a while until I got to try both. Both great for different reasons - puffy is so light and aggressive for getting those wave boofs. The Indra feels like it opens the door to some of what the Puffy does for someone who wants a little more forgiveness. I much prefer the Indra.
@brentwade9346 I feel the same way on the forgiveness. The width and volume around the paddler makes it much more forgiving, but you're loosing that harsh aggressive feel of the Steeze
@@AlexBarham 100%. I think when I feel I’ve developed enough in the Indra I would totally own both the Indra and the regular Steeze - great complement to each other.
@@brentwade9346 yeah I think where you are you could just forgo a creeker and keep those two. So far I am beating the snot out of the Indra and it is just soaking up the abuse so I wouldn't be afraid of wearing it out
Reducing the cuffs was actually not a cost based decision. This is one where the team came back to the company and said "We want something simple". Honestly I wasn't sure in the beginning, but I've been won over on this as well. Less is more on the cuffs!
How do you get the first tooth inside the sled? I've tried pushing so hard but the teeth are coming loose without even getting close to get in place ? Been trying for 2 hours now..
You should be able to give yourself enough slack that you're pushing the sled between the teeth at almost a 90 degree angle. If you're causing damage something is very wrong
Thank you for this, I just bought a used veloc and was wondering what the footrest was like and if I would need floatation behind it like in my Dagger (answer: no). I love this boat already! As a smaller paddler, it is lighter and has less depth at the cockpit than a small Dagger (Mamba) so it is much easier to roll and maneuver in my opinion.
Correction: Been paddling a Cross for 3 1/2 years. The hull is in almost pristine shape. After maybe 100+ runs on the Green Narrows even. And yes, I have learned to stomp bigger drops or ouchy.
Thanks for this review. What do you think about the mullet for someone who’s 6’1” 190ish lbs who doesn’t care for harder edges (pyranha ripper etc)? I’m basically looking for a boat to take me down class III-IV no harder than UY and have fun surfing and river running. Not really looking to stern squirt -thanks Alex
@@AlexBarham the Indra and ReactR are on my radar for sure but I’m looking for something that will surf well as I have a river running creek boat. I’ll check out the other two boats you mentioned. -thanks
@@AlexBarham old ninja. Same fabric though. I’ve had my ninja and green vest the same amount time. But I wear my green vest 90% of the time and never take my ninja anywhere but a play hole. Give them a feel. I can tell the astral vest won’t tear in comparison.
Do you still have to go over the head with the ninja pro because of the quick release safety harness? I have the OG ninja and really enjoy the side entry. Not a fan of the overhead deal and loosening and tightening straps every time like you find on most rescue vests so the ninja pro seems like a good option to get into a rescue vest since it still has the buckles on the 2 side straps. But I’m thinking the safety harness doesn’t have a buckle and so you’d still have to go overhead because of that. Is that correct?
You could pull the QR strap out, side enter and reset it each time, use the quick disconnect on the left side of the vest to side enter, or leave the QR strap as loose as possible and just pull that strap over your head.
@@AlexBarham interesting. Seems slightly less aggravating than traditional rescue vests. But still more aggravating than the regular ninja. I guess that’s just the nature of having the safety harness. I may try it out
@codychitwood2383 the 2 seconds of noticing it when putting it on has been the beginning and end of it for me. We have been living in them for a week in Canada and I have to say it is the perfect mix of what I need and what I want. Still pulling out the Vector for the big stuff.
Hi, I just bought a Mixmaster 7.5". I was wondering If you knew the size of the Happy Feet that would fit in the boat (L or XL). I think you only use foam but, Maybe you have the information... I can'y find it online... Thanks
Would it make sense at that level to be on the lower ledge and be able to grab the end of his boat or maybe his hands and paddle to get him breathing for a bit while others set up for final rescue? Maybe it takes a live bait just to be on the ledge safely?. Very good video and thanks for delving into this!!!!
A single person can complete an extraction from my vantage point so we usually just have someone there. If we are running a class or expect swims we set a livebait team on the downstream ledge with a person at my location pulling them upstream so they can grab the boat/swimmer and then be pulled downstream again
