Freeride 57

This is my first play boat. Even though I have much to learn, the first day on the water with it, I was able to do stern squirts and it surfed very nicely. Getting the cockpit customized for a good fit was very fast and easy with the foot pads and hip pads provided. After spending two consecutive days in it, I can say that the outfitting is very comfortable. I like it very much.

This review was originally posted on liquidlogickayaks.com and was re-posted with permission.

I’ve had a Freeride for 3 years now. This could be my favorite boat ever--and I've paddled many boats over the course of my 37 years of whitewater kayaking. I’m primarily a river runner, but I do enjoy surfing and some basic (well, lame?) playboating---no aerial moves in my limited repertoire.
I really love this boat. First, LL's outfitting is just so damn nice I'd almost buy their boats based on that alone. And I've noticed some refinements that make it even better (easy access to the stern, for example). I like the XL cockpit; the thigh braces and seating position are comfortable and well placed for good posture and boat control--easy to work the lower body for edging and rolling.

I don't know how exactly to describe the first aspect of the boat that I noticed; it's really simply the feel of the boat on the water. It's responsive yet forgiving. You can get it way up on edge to carve and it just feels smooth. Not edgy or twitchy. It also feels really well balanced. It rides up nicely on the water, no bow diving or stern grabbing. It's one of those boats that just inspires confidence.
Rolling? Performs as advertised. Really easy to roll. As a result, I’ve noticed that I’m more confident and more aggressive when I drop into a hole to play. I spend more time upside down, and it takes little effort and minimal set-up to get it back up.
Surfing? Wow! This is a surfing machine. The extra length and associated speed is noticeable. It seems to work on auto-pilot to catch a wave. I just have to ease it out on the wave and it takes over. Other paddlers with shorter, full-on playboats don’t seem able to stay on fast waves that I’m able to hit and shred endlessly.
Playing? Again, I'm just trying to catch up with and learn more advanced (and basic!) moves, so better paddlers than me need to comment on that sort of stuff. But I can say that I feel really comfortable getting into holes, doing a bit of side surfing, 360 spinning, back surfing, and just sort of riding out the hole---exiting in various vertical forms or upside down.
River running? This is a champ---my go-to boat for most river running. It’s great on our shallow, rocky, technical Wisconsin whitewater runs (Class II/III) and it did great out west on the Arkansas River in Colorado (Class III/IV) down the Brown’s Canyon and the Royal Gorge. These runs pack more punch than my local runs due to higher volume and pushier water. The Freeride is a perfect fit for these kinds of runs.
If I had to get by with a single boat, this would be it. I like it so much I just bought a new one; my existing one is still in good shape, but I want to be sure I have a replacement for the day when I need to retire it.

This review was originally posted on liquidlogickayaks.com and was re-posted with permission.

Had the chance to demo this kayak for the past 2 days and had a blast. Took it down some class 3 and easy 4. Me: 6'3, 33 ish inseam, size 12 feet and 185-195 pounds without gear. I've been paddling for 7 years, class 4 boater that can run small 5s. I was looking for a Riverplay under the 60 gallons mark. What I really enjoy are wave wheels, stern skirts 180+ on eddy lines and kick flips while going down the river. All the boats I've tried were too small (53 gallons, my feet hurt) or too big (64 gallons, too much volume). Too big of a boat made learning those tricks I thrived for very difficult. Too small of a boat was very uncomfortable and basically meant you'd get a squirt boat feeling going in anything bigger then class 3.

First thing you'll notice is the foot room. First time I get in that small of a boat with enough foot room that I can use a foam block with my feet flat on it while the seat is centered. Tall skinny guys take note here, those 2 little bumps in the front are awesome.
Off the to the water ! Good hull speed on the flat, turn out the boat handle my weight really good. Stern is above the water, thumbs up. My flat water cartwheel technique is off but was able to thrown the boat around with ease. The volume/shape of the boat will make learning flatwater tricks easier for me. Took it down some big fluffy non technical class 4, was a bit worried because of the lower-ish volume at first, but turned out the ride down was very stable. Was able to navigate through it without issues, again good hull speed. It's not 60ish gallons kayak stable but for it's size I was very surprised.

Caught a few 1 shot deal surfing waves with ease. Good speed, not a twitchy ride, smooth carves, flatspins were easy and that's about all I can do while surfing :P

All in all great low volume river runner that allows you to get silly on your way down. I will definitely own one in the near future.

This review was originally posted on liquidlogickayaks.com and was re-posted with permission.