Whats a good river kayak for a beginner?

Question

I have never been kayaking before but I would like to get into it. I live near the James River in Virginia. Some parts are slightly rocky, but its pretty good for kayaking. What would be a good kayak to get and where should I get it? My price range is $500-$700, but not more than that because Im buying a rack for my car too...Thanks!

Answer 1

Borrow someone's kayak and try it out first, because you may be in for more than you bargained for.  Go with people who know what they're doing.

Go with a Dagger kayak when you do buy.

Answer 2

what kayak you buy is depedent on expericence and abilty, your height and weight. i would advise you to find a local club or kayaking shop and speak to an instructor whom can advise you, whilst looking at your body hieght and weight. hope this helps.

Answer 3

Actually...anything calm is good for beginners. Try a guided tour with friends and then take off on your own. You can really learn a lot fast and have a ton of fun at the same time.Safety first.As far as buying a kayak...you can get good used ones from rental places at the end of the season...and all the accessories.Have a good time !!

Answer 4

For a beginner I suggest you to buy a 12 -14 ft wide bottom kayak.  You should look for kayak that has good "initial stability"

Kayka width about 24-26"

I would recommend something like this:

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductD...