Just had the maiden paddle in my new Dagger Axis E10.5 on the Thames and adjoining Surrey river network. After reading reviews I modified the cockpit by dropping in Contour Lite hip pads and thigh braces to tie me into the boat a bit more, they all work great as performance accessories. I also have a bow flotation bag on order to fill out the bow space, which is a shame Dagger did not fit a dry bulkhead upfront in case of a capsized. Anyway took it out in good conditions and it performs very well, maneuverable with both skeg in the down and up positions and obviously tracks very straight with the skeg down. Very happy with the Dagger Axis 10.5, which is often described as a recreation boat, which seems a bit disingenuous, but modify the cockpit, throw a spray skirt on (Palm Roanoke size R6 fits), combine with a decent set of paddles like Werner carbons, and you have a boat the performs as a crossover should with complete versitalty. Not tested on above Class I moving water, but would be comfortable on Class II in this boat. All in all a very strong boat for intermediate paddling.
