Category: Gear

I’ve been paddling the small Pyranha Storm kayak for a while now, and I’ve absolutely loved getting to know this kayak! As someone who also owns, and loves, the Pyranha Firecracker, comparing the two has been fascinating. They are both half slice kayaks and yet they feel so different from each other on the water. Figuring out where each one excels has been a lot of fun.

Before I get started on the review, I want to be transparent. Pyranha loaned me this Storm so I could try it and share my thoughts, but this isn’t a paid review. Everything here is genuinely my experience.

This review shares my honest impressions of the Storm from the perspective of a Firecracker paddler who enjoys playful river running. The question I get asked most often is simple: What do I prefer – Storm or Firecracker? By the end of this review, you’ll have my honest answer and the reasons behind it. Enjoy!

The last two months have been HOT across Europe, with back-to-back heat waves. I’ve been very grateful that white water kayaking gives me an excuse to get on the water and cool off. Dressing well for summer paddling makes a huge difference, and my warm weather kit looks very different from what I wear in winter.

In this article I am going to share my favourite summer kayaking gear options, from what I actually use, why I use them, and when each piece works best.

I’ve been paddling the small Pyranha Kayaks ReactR for a little while now, and it’s been so much fun! After years in a medium Scorch (you can read that review here), I was curious how Pyranha’s most recent creek boat would compare. A lot of my reflections come from having kayaked both the ReactR and the Scorch and this article reflects that.

People talk about girlfriends or boyfriends who ‘got away’ and they never truly got over. For me, the kayak equivalent of this is the Pyranha Kayaks Firecracker! I took a Firecracker 232 down the Tryweryn in the early days of it’s release. My thoughts at the time were all pretty positive but I already had both a Z.One and an Ozone so decided I didn’t need another ‘fun boat’.

Fast forward a year, and suddenly, I was surrounded by paddlers grinning ear to ear in their Firecrackers, having the absolute time of their lives. I found myself regularly thinking about that kayak. Last autumn, Pyranha generously lent me a demo to test out, and six months later, I’m hooked. I’ve now ordered my own Firecracker to replace the demo when it’s time to send it back. While I’ve favoured the 232, this review applies to all sizes— so read on!

I imagine some of you reading this are hoping to find a kayak shaped present under the Christmas tree this year. Let’s be honest though – for most of us that is only happening if we put it there for ourselves! Kayaks, drysuits and other larger items are big investments and something that you save up for. Yet there are so many smaller items which I’ve added over the years which make such a difference to my paddling days. Many of which are much more reasonable to put on a Christmas wish list.

Two years ago, I wrote an article called 5 paddling items to add to your Christmas wish list. Since then, I’ve gained a few more items which I absolutely love. Some of which would make great gifts. Here are 5 more suggestions of items to add to the Christmas wish list.

In January this year I had an exciting a delivery – a brand new Pyranha Scorch! In the week that I got it – I was flooded with questions about it. I gave brief answers but wanted to wait until I had had enough time in the Scorch to really know it before sharing more detailed thoughts. I have now had a good 7 months of paddling in the Scorch and am ready to share those thoughts! For reference I have a medium but have spent some time in the small Scorch too.

This week has been a fabulous week because I had a new boat arrive – a beautiful shiny Pyranha Scorch! Always an exciting event! But before you can take a new boat out on the water, it is a good idea to outfit it to fit you. This blog is a quick guide to how I outfit a new kayak. I’ve also included some extra tips for outfitting a whitewater kayak as a woman.

It is the season of giving and what better gift to give than a paddling one! Whether you are searching for something for a loved one or a treat for yourself – hopefully this article may give you some ideas. This list doesn’t include the key pieces of gear that you need to engage in a paddlesport but instead the nice little extras that make it that bit more enjoyable. So sit back and enjoy as I take you through my top 5 nice little extra paddling related items.