6 hours of driving + 2 hours of research = 1 nap

I recently found out that the worst type of kayak you can use in the Adirondack Canoe Classic is a short, fat one - aka my recreational kayak. This was some discouraging news. Looks like another chunk of money I'm gonna be spending. So, I hit the road on Saturday before my husband was even out of bed and made it to the canoe/kayak demo in Farmville, Va in three hours.

Though I drove around the little town for 20 minutes, I finally found the poorly marked entrance to the top of Wilkes Lake. The parking lot... err, field was starting to fill up. I made my way over to the boats, signed in and got fitted with life vest. The shore of this lake, which would be considered merely a pond in NY, was lined with all different types of kayaks and canoes. The angler crowd was there, white water kayakers, first time boaters looking for a rec. kayak or canoe, there were surf kayaks, kayaks with sails and catamarans. It was your basic one-stop-shop for self propelled water craft. I seemed to be the only one looking for a boat to complete a marathon paddle.

After wandering for a bit, I finally got the attention of staff member. Nice guy. Can't remember his name. He was from New Hampshire and I was glad that he'd actually heard of my 90-miler. He told me some war stories of friend of his... I really didn't need to hear about his friend, in great shape, who couldn't finish the race. Anyway, he was stoked to help me out and showed me a great touring kayak - the Wilderness Tsunami 165 (though he said the 160 would be better for me since I have a smaller frame). This boat has some nice bells and whistles that my current kayak can't even dream of. Adjustable seat, thigh and hip support, and a ratcheting backband to keep your posture on point. I was impressed.

He told me to ditch my Teva's. Asked me if I minded stepping onto the mucky bottom of the lake. And steadied the boat as I slipped down the bank and stepped into the kayak. Everything about it felt more comfortable then what I'm currently using... except the crappy paddle.

Note: If you go to demo a kayak BRING YOUR OWN PADDLE! It makes a huge difference and is just as important a piece of equipment as your boat.

The Tsunami weighs a heft 65-lbs and I could feel the difference a bit as I paddled. Because the lake was so small I couldn't really get a good reading on if I was cutting through the water efficiently or not. Plus, I had to dodge all the other people on the water. Many of them didn't know how to steer and a touring kayak doesn't turn like a rec. kayak. There were no collisions.

After 20 minutes or so I headed back to shore. I climbed out. Was glad that I didn't tip her since I'm not used to the narrow design. I was then directed to the P&H kayak dealer. These boats are classified as sea kayaks and are lighter (55-lbs) and more narrow than the boat I just left. Didn't have the same great adjustable options as the Tsunami but is supposed to be made of a layered plastic that's more ridged. This info is a bit lost on me cause I'm not at that level yet. Getting it out on the water I could feel how much less stable I was. The kayak wobbled in the water with each stroke. I grabbed a worse paddle than before and it seemed to be welded with the blades at too great an angle from one another. I had an annoying 15 minutes in the water veering left. I felt like a total novice.

That wrapped it up for me. I was wet (not sure how all that water got in the kayaks before I tried them out), hot from paddling in blazing sun, and not looking forward to the three hours back to northern Virginia. I don't think I found "my" new kayak at the demo day but talking to the staff there I have a much better understanding of what I need to get. Now it's time to surf the net and find the boat of my dreams... or a boat I can afford. Either one will do :)