Kayak or Raft, Which is Best?
Some contend it is a hardshell kayak. Not only is it exciting to encounter waves and hydraulics down at river level, with practice, there is the possibility of spinning in reversals, executing enders, squirts, rolls and ‘messing around in boats’ in ways unique to the ‘sports car’ of the river, the kayak.
But then, if you have a group of friends, or perhaps the whole family, even hardcore whitewater kayakers concede that you need a whitewater raft! These craft make rivers accessible to the broadest spectrum of enthusiasts including the young, the old, beginners or experts. Choose Class I to Class V whitewater, rafts can go there!
The fact is that boating whitewater rivers has so much fun to offer, and it comes in so many sizes and flavors, that it is similar to choosing a dog or a cat as a pet. There is simply no answer to whether a kayak or a raft is better.
So, why not have….both?!!
Enter the PackRaft! The ultimate answer to this kayak vs raft debate may be a unique new inflatable craft that is light (some weigh as little as 5 pounds), yet has the size of a kayak and can float an adult comfortably. True to its name, it can be rolled into a tight package and backpacked into rivers, lakes and streams that cannot otherwise be easily accessed. Unlike hardshell kayaks that flip over easily, pack rafts are stable and forgiving- they bounce off rocks, float over shallow obstacles, and don’t require learning advanced technique like the Eskimo roll. Their open cockpits allow you to easily float free if you end up upside down!
Small, yet mighty, the design of the packraft is advancing rapidly. Sophisticated boats such as our new Kokopelli Recons are equipped with self-bailing floors and thigh straps which allow the mastery of even difficult whitewater. Advances in material science make these boats amazingly rugged and resistant to both puncture and abrasion despite their light weight. In fact, as their popularity continues to grow internationally, the packrafting community posts more videos each season of boaters performing maneuvers once thought only possible in hardshell kayaks. These boats can even overcome their relative small size by installing zippers in their tubes. This allows you to fill them up with gear for extended expeditions. There appears to be almost no limit to the possibilities!
As one of California’s original whitewater rafting companies, Mother Lode has a reputation as an innovator. For instance, we are the only California rafting company with its own ropes course and zipline, outdoor school and sustainable practices program. So………why wouldn’t we add a packrafting program? We look forward to introducing you to a whole new approach to whitewater boating this season.
2024 is not only our 50th Anniversary, it is the year of the Pack Raft!!
