Profile

I have been an avid whitewater kayaker since 1975 and a surf kayaker since the mid-80's. I am 6'3" tall and weigh about 197 lb. I was using a iMAKO composite surf kayak until I had a knee replacement and could no longer slide into the boat because I could not fully extend my leg. I reluctantly sold the boat and purchased a Cobra Strike. I love the boat in smaller to mid-size waves. The only downside is lower hull speed compared to my iMAKO, so it takes more effort to paddle out through waves and the take off point is closer to shore. One big advantage of the kayak in my advancing years is that a bombproof roll is no longer required, you just float away, right the boat, and climb back on. I use it without a fin and have no trouble paddling in a straight line or carving a longer radius turn by putting it on edge. I have also been taking up paddling a standup paddleboard and surfing small waves. But it's difficult going from being an expert kayaker to a beginner SUP surfer, so I keep going back to using my Strike, much to my paddleboard friends' disgust.