Hi Matt
I've also paddled the Atom, when I was first starting to Cboat (coming from several years kayaking and a couple open boating). I really didn't like the boa tthat much, but I was used to much much shorter decked boats - and I also found it kinda heavy. It wouldn't be my recommendation.
Glass is good if the rivers you paddle aren't too rocky, but if you're planning on paddling rocky creeks and small flows, I would recommend plastic, but definitely not the XXX. It's a great boat for someone your wife's size, but not as a beginner. I owned one and paddled it for about 6-12months (as a C1) and I really liked it, but then again I like slicey, edgy boats (for C1s I currently have a Groove and a Master-cut Acrobat). It is pretty edgy and with the added instability of being a C1 tends to be challenging. Having said that, it's not a boat she'd grow out of quickly, and you might enjoy paddling it occassionally too. Difficulty is if it's too much boat to start with. I strongly recommen taking a road trip to someone with a few boats to try and spending a few days figuring out what would work best for her....could be a fun way to spend a summer vacation - messing about with lots of different boats on new rivers....hmmmm maybe I can do something like that
Matt
NZMatt
Hmmm....new country, new rivers...-
Still not enough c-boaters....
I know this is an old thread, but I wanted to give an update to everyone who helped us choose a C1 for my wife, Jennifer. We found a nice blue and black Atom for her and she has been paddling it for about 6 months. She loves it. In that time she has developed a pretty good roll and has exceptional balance. I usually flip over many more times than she does. I just tell her it's extra roll practice.
I thought you might enjoy some pictures of Jennifer in her Atom on our trip to the Rio Tampaon and Cascades Micos in Mexico during our Christmas break. Mexico is really a winter paradise for paddlers.
Matt,
Jennifer seems to be doing well in the Atom . It's great that we have another competent woman C1 Paddler in the group. Thanks for the update and the pictures.
SYOTR,
Bruce
Atom was my first C-boat, stable but edgy. Once you get the hang of it its a pretty fast boat, great edge alot of fun to front surf, it does pearl a bit however unlike the newer playboats. It does not paddle like a playboat, I think playboats are alot harder to paddle. The Atom is very predictable, it'll do good stern squirts too .
Rides a bit wet for me at about 200 lbs. But fun boat.
. It's great that we have another competent woman C1 Paddler in the group. Thanks for the update and the pictures.
