The 2013 season is nearly upon us and what a great year for new gear! We’ve got a ton of exciting new 2013 kayaks, stand up paddle boards, rafts, catarafts, canoes, river & camping gear and tons more at 4Corners Riversports. Here’s a preview of what’s new and exciting in the paddle sports world. For more new boats, boards and gear, visit us online at http://riversports.com or at our store in Durango, Colorado.
We’re very excited about the new whitewater offerings for 2013, with great new options in all categories of boats. In the freestyle world, the new Dagger Jitsu has been generating a lot of buzz. The Jitsu is Dagger’s first new freestyle kayak since 2007 and is a fresh and exciting design. Built to be fast on a wave, with plenty of pop for aerial moves and enough sliciness to be able to throw balanced ends, the Jitsu is sure to be a best seller, especially with the updated and super comfy Contour Ergo outfitting.
Jackson Kayak has once again updated its extremely popular freestyle lineup, the Star series. Now in it’s 4th incarnation, the Star series is quite possibly the best selling freestyle kayak of all time. The 2013 model features a longer profile for more balanced ends, more volume, a faster hull design with a reworked rocker profile and better volume distribution for more balanced end moves and more pop. Jackson has also teamed up with GoPro and is now adding the integrated camera mounting system on all it’s kayaks (both whitewater and recreational/fishing lines) and SUPs.
The new Karma from Jackson Kayak has been generating a lot of buzz with talk of it’s effortless boofing abilities, its tendency to keep it’s nose up and exit drops with speed, and it’s overall ease of paddling. Available in 3 sizes, the Karma will fit just about any paddler from smaller adults and ladies all the way up to the big boys and those needing a solid self-support boat. The Karma features a slightly more edgy hull than it’s predecessor and boasts better primary and secondary stability. As with all 2013 Jackson’s, the Karma also features the new integrated GoPro mounting system.
The Recon is Wavesports latest and greatest in steep creek and river running technology. With tons of rocker in the nose, and a displacement hull with recessed chine edge, the Recon is built for boofing down the steeps. It’s highly apparent that a lot of thought and design went into the Recon and it shows in it’s performance. This is 4CRS Team Paddler Chris Baer’s favorite new creek boat and for good reason. Plenty of speed, with excellent stability and tons of maneuverability, with a fast water shedding deck for quick resurfacing, the Recon really starts to shine when it’s bouncing down your local steep creek of choice. And thanks to it’s new CORE Whiteout (the same design as Dagger’s new Contour Ergo) outfitting, the Recon fits more snug and comfortably than most other creek boats on the market.
One of the most promising self support / crossover kayak designs we’ve ever seen, the new Wavesport Ethos should be at the top of any self support paddler’s list. A true expedition whitewater boat, the Ethos features a full whitewater bulkhead and footbrace, making it a much more capable craft for anyone wanting to do more than just Class II-III self-support paddling. The hull features plenty of rocker and a forgiving yet responsive chine profile. When the going gets flat, pop the spring-loaded skeg and you’ll be blasting thru those flatwater stretches with minimal effort. A tight fitting rubberized hatch cover and fully sealed rear bulk will keep your overnight gear dry and secure. We’re pretty confident that the Ethos will be the most popular self-support kayak in recent years.
That does it for our new 2013 whitewater kayaks. Remember, we have plenty of other whitewater kayaks so be sure to check out our other offerings. We have every one of these new kayaks (as well as plenty of others) available for demo or rent in all sizes.
The Outlaw IKs are NRS replacement for the discontinued Bandit IK series. The Outlaws are solid performers at a very attractive price. They feature a rock-solid drop-stitch inflatable floor (the same technology used to make inflatable paddle boards) that allows them to be more responsive and provides a solid platform for gear storage. Coming in at a scant 26 and 34 lbs respectively, the Outlaw I makes for a great solo whitewater performer and the Outlaw II is a great choice for tandem paddlers or for solo desert self-support trips.
Although we did have a couple of the new Pro Angler 12’s last year, they went quickly and most people didn’t get a change to see them. This year, in addition to the newer 12′, paddlers now get the plush, BOA-system adjustable Vantage seat on both models. They feature the ultra efficient Mirage pedal drive system, a pontoon-esque hull for maximum stability and speed, and a recessed rudder with the best turning radius of any ruddered kayak we know of. Add to that the ample fishing rod-and-accessory mounting and storage, a solid standing platform for sight casting, and a slew of other features and add-on accessories and you’ve got the best and most popular fishing kayak on the market today. The Pro Angler is worth every penny for discerning fishermen that wants a relatively inexpensive and easy to transport fishing boat for any type of flatwater river, lakes or inlets.
For those looking for a smaller and less expensive, yet fully featured fishing kayak, the new Native Watercraft Slayer might fit the bill. The Slayer comes in two sizes, a 12′ and a 14.5′, and is designed from the ground up as a fishing kayak, not just a touring kayak with some fishing accessories bolted on. Both feature large deck wells for ample gear storage, a large standing are for sight casting with a stable hull that allows you to do so, integrated mounting rails for easy attachment of accessories, an integrated wheel on the stern for transport, and Native’s ultra-comfortable High/Low First Class seat.
Dagger’s Zydeco was another kayak that we had for a very brief period of time last season. This one sold so quickly last year that we’ve ordered quite a few more for the 2013 season. The Zydeco 9′ and 11′ models are both great options for beginner or recreational paddlers to get into a very nicely featured kayak for a very affordable price. The beauty of the Zydeco’s is that they feature the ultra comfortable and adjustable CFS-R outfitting that is usually only found on kayaks double the price. The 11′ model features a rear dry hatch for those paddlers looking to bring some gear with them on their day or overnight venture to the lake or calm-water river. Stable yet responsive with a slightly rockered hull and a progressive keel, the Dagger Zydeco is our favorite new entry-level recreational kayak.
The newest addition to the Prodigy lineup is the Prodigy XS, which is designed for small adults and children. This is a great beginner boat for kids, with a sleek and fast hull that still provides enough stability for the inexperienced and a lightweight hull that is easy for them to carry. The Prodigy XS features a comfortable seat, easy to adjust back-band and sliding foot pegs to round out it’s beginner friendly features. If you’re looking for a kayak to get your kids out on the lake or flatwater river, or you’re a small adult paddler looking for for an inexpensive but nimble day-tourer, the Prodigy XS is a great choice.
The new Aspire is another high quality rec-tour offering from Wilderness Systems. The Aspire is a great choice for beginners and intermediates looking for a a day-tourer with functional premium features. The Aspire is easy handling, stable and tracks straight thanks to its strong chine and and retractable skeg. Featuring the super comfortable Phase3 AirPro outfitting, integrated console and a premium latch-sealing hatch cover, the Aspire is a great choice for weekend lake goers and day-tourers.
While the MVP series isn’t new this year, we thought it was worth mentioning again because of its new coating options. For those of you unfamiliar with the MVP series, they are quite simply, the only composite paddle board (that we’re aware of anyway) that is specifically designed for down river paddling. The stability, maneuverability and down river performance is unmatched by any other. If you’re looking to go downriver on a SUP, this is the one. If you’re looking to throw in a little surfing to your downriver paddling, the MVP-S is for you. New for 2013 are the coating options, now available as either heavy duty EPX or with the super durable Sharkskin coating on the bottom and side rails.
The Jackson SUPer Charger is Jackson’s first venture into the world of stand up paddle boards. Built with rotomolded polyethylene, the same process used to make whitewater kayaks, the SUPer Charger is extremely durable and is designed to be paddled downriver. The hull is channelized for speed and tracking, with removable tri-fin setup for different paddling situations. The rounded deck sheds water quickly and allows the SUPer Charger to punch through holes and waves with ease. The wide platform that pintails makes it stable yet responsive, great for exploring your favorite rivers from a different vantage point.
Stand Up Paddling has become so popular that we’ve not only added new SUPs to our inventory, we’ve added a whole new manufactures’ lineup with Starboard. 4CRS is now proud to offer high quality boards from Starboard, including the 12’6 Touring, 10′ Whopper series in several versions, the 11’2 Blend and the 10’5 NRG Fitness Nikki Gregg Pro Model. Whether its touring, fitness, yoga or just cruising around your favorite lake or flatwater stretch of river, we’ve got a Starboard SUP that will fit your needs perfectly. They also have a number of inflatable paddle boards as well (listed further down).
The Super Natural series from Boardworks is a new board that is designed to get people into an affordable composite design that performs well and looks great with a high gloss finish. Stable yet quick, the Super Natural is constructed of single-density, stringerless, hand-shaped EPS cores with epoxy resin laminates. The Super Natural is available in two sizes, 10’6 and 11’6, and is a great choice for tourers, fitness paddlers and even for surfing ocean breaks.
The Surftech Generator AST series are the most affordable epoxy boards we carry. The core of the AST system consists of a water-tight Fused-Cell Core, with a layer of fiberglass, wood in the standing area, unidirectional glass in the nose, and a fiberglass exterior. At 31.5″ wide, the Generator AST is quick and nimble, while still giving you the stability you crave. Available in both a 10’6 and 11’6, the Generator AST is a great beginner / intermediate board that will also work well for fitness or yoga.
The NRS Tyrant & Czar are the first inflatable stand up paddle boards that we’ve carried that are specifically designed for surfing river waves. The Tyrant, and it’s bigger 6″ thick brother, the Czar, are short and sporty with a high rocker nose, perfect for surfing the waves at your local whitewater park or play wave. With a super grippy deck and interchangeable fin set for different paddling scenarios, the Tyrant & Czar are versatile inflatable surfers that are at home on the river, at the lake and even on ocean breaks. Both come with fins, a travel backpack, pump, gauge and repair kit.
Updated from the original NRS stand up boards (the Big Baron and Big Earl) the 2013 Earl and Baron get a redesign and makeover, with improved performance characteristics and a sexier look. The Earl, and it’s larger brother, the Baron, are both available in both 4 and 6 inch versions for larger and smaller paddlers. The Earl is the sleeker of the two models, better for smaller paddlers or paddlers looking for a faster, more fitness / touring oriented SUP. The Baron is the bigger of two, with a wider, more stable platform, better for large paddlers, beginners, and fishermen. Both come with fins, a travel backpack, pump, gauge and repair kit.
As we mentioned above, we’ve added the Starboard lineup to our 2013 inventory. On top of their high quality composite boards, Starboard offers a very well built line of inflatables SUPs in various sizes and shapes. The Astro Touring 12’6 is one of the first inflatables to take the shape of a sleeker race / touring design, with a 6″ thick deck for lots of float, narrow profile for maximum speed and glide, and tapered nose and tail for tracking and speed. The Astro Blend 11’2 is a versatile design that will fit the needs of many different paddlers with a mid-sized design, 4″ or 6″ thick deck, interchangeable tri-fin setup, and a sporty yet stable profile. The Astro Whopper 10′ is a great option for beginners, fitness / yoga paddlers, or weekend cruisers with a 4″ or 6″ deck and a wider profile. All Starboard inflatable stand up paddle boards come with fins, a travel backpack, pump and repair kit.
The new Werner Stinger SUP paddle is specifically designed for down river and whitewater paddling. The idea behind the new shape is a narrow tip for a soft catch, then it flairs to offer more power through the midpoint of the stroke and to provide a solid and positive bracing feel. Available in 1, 2 & 3 piece fiberglass shafts, and built to the same legendary quality as all Werner Performance paddles, the Stinger is your best choice for a downriver and whitewater stand up paddle.
The Enduro Fiber-Tufskin Paddle is a new quality, yet affordable, addition to our SUP paddle inventory this year. Featuring a foiled ABS blade and one-piece fiberglass shaft, the Enduro is a great choice for budget conscious paddlers or beginners looking to get into the sport without spending a ton. The Enduro is one of the least expensive and best value stand up paddles we carry.
A self-bailing inflatable drift boat. Yup, you read that right. The NRS Clearwater Drifter is the first of its kind, an inflatable drift boat that is the perfect solution for fishermen who have always wanted a drift boat, but haven’t had the money or the space. The Clearwater Drifter uses drop-stitched PVC for the hull of the boat, the same technology used in inflatable stand up paddle boards, making it extremely rigid, durable and able to handle shallow water with ease. The modular frame, which uses aluminum support yolks and a LoPro equipped frame, can be easily broken down, and the hull deflated and rolled for easy transport or storage, even on small aircraft, jetboats or commercial shippers like UPS or FedEx. Even better yet, the Clearwater Drifter is self-bailing (up to a point), making it a viable option for Class II-III whitewater, like the Lower Animas, Lower Piedra, and San Juan River stretches. The Clearwater Drifter is available for special order only, so please allow 2 to 3 weeks for delivery.
Explore places that are impracticable for a larger boat with the NRS Pack Raft. This stable and lightweight craft is built with tough, polyurethane-coated nylon for uncompromising durability. Leave it packed in your car for impromptu paddles, pack it deep into a wilderness adventure or anywhere in between. This light water craft fits into a space 18″ x 15″ x 5″, making it easy to throw in a pack, the back of your ATV or anywhere in your rig.
While Jack’s boats are certainly nothing new to 4CRS, we have now added their “full” lineup to our online catalog, including the new 15′ S.B Raft, FatBoy 10′ raft, the ultra maneuverable Culebra paddle cat, versatile Royal Flush 15′ cataraft, the gear hauling 17′ El Tigre, the original 13.5′ Daddy Cat and the packable Cutthroat series. On top of all that (and more), Jack is famous for his custom fabrications and can make just about anything you can dream up. Give us a call to discuss custom options or fabrications.
The new Sawyer Square Top DyneLite Oars are quite possibly the finest set of oars we have ever carried at 4CRS. Sawyer, long known for their Smoker wood oars and very popular Polecat fiberglass oar, has taken the concept of a wooden oar to the extreme. The new Square Top features a solid laminate Douglas Fir core with a carbon fiber braid reinforced shaft and an integrated DyneLite blade. This one-piece combo gives you the feel and pop of a wooden oar, with the strength and light weight of carbon. On top of all that, the “square top” provides natural counter balance to the oar and makes it the only counter balanced oar on the market that actually floats due to its light weight. If you’re looking for the best oar that money can buy, this is the one.
The new Maximus Prime, Kokatat’s latest Type V rescue vest offering, and it’s Type III counterpart, the Maximus, are a welcome addition to the Kokatat PFD family. The Maximus Prime features all the rescue hardware you’d expect in a Type V pfd, along with oversized suspension shoulder straps (similar to the one’s found on the Stohlquist Descent), a large stowage pocket, a fabric knife sheath flap to prevent the top part of a rescue knife from snagging, an integrated tow tether storage system, and webbing adjustments that sit further forward for easy access. It also weighs in at 17 lbs of flotation and features and easy side entry system. The Maximus is built on the same platform, but is a simpler, Type III design without the rescue hardware, knife sheath and tow tether system.
The new Zen PFD from NRS is a promising Type V rescue design that is roughly based on the popular Ninja PFD. Like the Ninja, the Zen is low profile and sports an ample 17.5 lbs of flotation. The Zen’s rescue hardware features a quick release belt, reinforced webbing, and large pockets and mesh storage areas for additional rescue gear. Additionally it has padded arm and rib areas for added protection, a Cordura shell and even VaporLoft lined hand warming pockets. It also happens to be the least expensive rescue vest in our inventory.
The Astral Greenjacket got a makeover this year, retaining all the features of the older model, but gaining the large clamshell pocket that is also featured on the Seawolf. The new model still features the Tectonic panel system, torso length adjustment, rescue gear storage pockets and arm/torso impact panels. Astral also bumped the flotation up to 16.4 lbs of flotation. Unfortunately, the Greenjacket is still a pullover design, making it more difficult than others to put on or take off, especially in an emergency situation.
The YTV is a new low profile Type III PFD from Astral, aimed at playboaters, paddle boarders, river guides and recreational paddlers. Featuring two good sized pockets, independent shoulder straps, 16 lbs of flotation and a simple design, the YTV is a good choice for paddlers looking for a low-frills, PVC-free PFD.
The Astral Ronny and Linda are two new low-profile Type III PFD’s that are designed for recreational paddlers. The Ronny, and ladies version the Linda, feature a very slim and vented back panel, making it comfortable when sitting against high-backed seats. Both have independent shoulder straps, a large mesh pocket, and 16 lbs of flotation, making it a viable option for whitewater rafters as well.
The Hydrus 3L Stoke drytops are Kokatat’s replacement for the very popular Helix. The Stoke features Kokatat’s new Hydrus 3-layer waterproof and breathable fabric that has a tough Nylon outer layer with a DWR finish, a proprietary polyurethane micro-porous coating, and soft polyester inner layer to manage moisture. It is available in both men’s and women’s models and features Kokatat’s legendary quality and lifetime guarantee on materials and workmanship. The new Stoke is sure to be a classic best seller and one of the best value dry tops that we carry.
Astral has entered the world of river footwear with the new Brewer Shoe and the Rassler Shoe (pictured, due out this spring). The Brewer is a a low-cut minimalist kayak & SUP shoe that is both durable and extremely grippy thanks to the Stealh rubber sole. The Rassler offers more support with a mid-high cuff and the same Cordura & Stealth construction featured in the Brewer.
NRS had revamped their main lineup of paddling wet-shoes this year. The Freestyle Wetshoe replaces the Desperado Sock as a low profile and flexible paddling shoe that is designed to be crammed into tight playboats or as a minimalist SUP shoe. The Shock Sock is a higher cuffed version of the Freestyle Wetshoe. Both feature the newer Hydrocuff system to keep as much water and other debris out as possible. The Paddle Wetshoe is a fuller, high cuffed wetshoe with a more traditional sole similar to the Desperado Shoe.
The GoPro name needs no introduction unless you’ve been living in a cave for the past several years. Their latest model, the Hero 3, is quite possibly the finest compact waterproof helmet camera ever made. Available in 3 models (we carry the Black and the Silver), the new Hero 3 is lighter, slimmer and easier to use than the older model. The new models have far too many new features to list here, but both the new Black and Silver editions feature WiFi Smartphone App support, higher photo and video resolution, and more shooting modes. The new Black model features the Ultra HD 2.7K and 4K shooting modes, includes the waterproof WiFi remote, faster video and photo performance, professional audio controls and a much better low light sensor. If you’re wondering which to choose, the Silver will fit the needs of most enthusiasts, while the Black has many more pro features. But, do consider the fact that even though the Black is $100 more, it does come with the WiFi remote (an $80 accessory) and much better low light performance.
We’ve started carrying our own line of water jugs with the Coyote 5 Gallon Water Jug. This carboy style jug is easy stowing and works great for strapping to your frame decking thanks to its upright spout. Made from FDA-certified HDPE plastic, the Coyote Water Jug is rugged and durable with a stout handle that won’t fold or break and features a self-venting AeroFlow tap that eliminates the need for those pesky vent plugs that always seem to get lost. The wide base makes it stable even when its in pouring position and the total emptying design ensures that none of your precious H2O will go to waste.
Designed to fit the requirements of private trips thru the Grand Canyon and other trips requiring emergency helicopter rescue panels, the Coyote Emergency Rescue Signal Panels are made from high quality safety orange tarpaulin in 3′ x 8′ panels that are designed to be laid out in an X pattern should you require emergency assistance. They can also double as an emergency shelter or to cover you camp kitchen or other necessities during a downpour.
NRS has entered the world of rafting coolers with the new Big Sky lineup. Available in 65, 80, 123, 146 and 175 quart models, the NRS Big Sky Coolers are made with tough, rotomolded HDPE plastic and are built to last. Featuring 2 inches of high-density foam, a one-piece molded-thru hinge, heavy duty latches, and an air tight o-ring gasket, the Big Sky coolers will be giving you outstanding ice retention for years to come.
That wraps up our 2013 New Gear Preview. Be sure to stop by the shop to check out even more new gear from this year and years past. And don’t forget we have many of these boats and boards as well as tons of river gear for rent in the 4CRS Rental & Demo Center, including whitewater kayaks, stand up paddle boards, inflatable kayaks, rafts & expedition raft packages, recreational kayaks, canoes, Hobie kayaks, PFDs, drysuits, wetsuits, dryboxes, firepans, groovers / portable camp toilets, stoves, sleeping pads, and more!
The Axiom is an extremely fun boat just to paddle, its very fast and responsive and makes eddy hopping down rapids a blast. Its longer than most modern playboats, so it was very easy catch some of the fast flat waves on the Salt, and was great to just carve it up for minutes at a time.
