They Drove 1,200 Miles for the Ultimate Kayak Demo Experience!

Tamara taking her first stokes in the Osprey 120

Getting an email from someone across the country asking for kayak advice is almost an everyday occurrence in my world. People find me on the internet through my YouTube channel and reach out with questions about kayaks, paddles, etc. What is super rare is to have one of those customers drive 2,500 miles round trip to come ask questions in person! It started with an email asking what I suggested for lightweight kayaks that would work well for kayaking with their dogs. They saw my recent video demoing 4 Sit on Top Kayaks for Dogs with Eileen from Oregon and thought to themselves this is exactly what we need to do! We planned a date and they made the big drive. With a little help from my parents, I loaded up 5 demo kayaks and we made our way to the lake.

On The Water Demo and Lesson

Flowers in bloom up and down the lake

We spent the day paddling together on a dammed section of the Sacramento River called Keswick Lake. I always want our demos to match what people expect from watching our YouTube channel. Everything we do is a learning opportunity, from how we decide on where to paddle, how we get in and out, adjusting yourself to your kayak, and essential strokes to maneuver the kayak. In my opinion, a kayak demo should really be a solid paddle, and not just a circle around the dock on a flat lake. You don't really get a feel of a kayak unless you put some time in the seat. On our demo, we did a total of 4 miles in all flat, calm conditions. We used our environment to help hone skills, like reverse paddling into a giant culvert, using sweep strokes to make our way around islands, and following the shoreline. The animals were a highlight too, as we saw a fox pup getting its morning drink from the lake, and a family of Mergansers speeding along the shoreline. My personal highlight was the pink flowers floating around from the blooming oleander bushes.

Paddling the old culvert is always a treat on a hot day!

By the end of the demo, they knew they’d found the perfect match: two Hurricane Osprey 120s sit-on-tops. Although they both liked the added speed and glide of the Hurricane Prima sit-insides, it was the ease of getting in and out, and the open deck layout for the dogs that won them over. It was a reminder for me that everyone has their own unique set of parameters and priorities when getting into the sport. My job as an expert demo center is to guide them into the best options, teach the skills needed to be successful, and ultimately let the customers find the kayaks that feel like home for them. I set the scene but it's they who get to be Goldilocks for the day.

Sit Inside vs Sit On Top is a question as old as time.

Dialed in transport setup

The education doesn't stop when the demo is over. One of the hardest and sometimes most intimidating parts of buying a new kayak is loading and transporting kayaks, especially when you have to drive them 1,200 miles home! Thankfully, Jim had a dialed-in Thule Rack setup, and we walked them through the best way for the two of them to load the Ospreys onto their J-Racks. With a few tips from my folks and me, they had a system they felt confident with. All that was left now was to head to town and grab some Mexican food!

They left with huge smiles, full confidence, and the skills to make the most of their new kayaks back home. I can't thank Jim and Tamara enough for their willingness to travel and putting their faith in me to help them find their perfect kayaks. Whether you're new to kayaking or looking to upgrade, our personalized demo experience helps you try before you buy—in beautiful locations, with expert guidance every step of the way. Please reach out if you're ready to set up a demo for yourself!

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