Several weeks ago, I agreed to do a seminar session at the Inland Sea Symposium titled "Intro to Racing".  Mostly, it seemed like a good idea at the time.

So a week or so later, I was talking to the Sales Manager at Wenonah/Current Designs, who asked what I was paddling this season, and offered to let me use a new boat for a couple of races like that one.  Which of course I graciously (gratefully) accepted.  So last night after the weedfest at Hoigaards (another post, maybe), I picked up my new boat.  It's basically the same underwater design as the CD Stratus, which is a very fast 18' kayak.  Very fast.  But they changed the layup and made major changes to the deck rigging (none) and lowered the deck height a bit as well.  Also, no back band, no thigh braces, and well, it really isn't a sea kayak any more.  I took it out this afternoon for a first paddle, and was very pleasantly rewarded by the responsiveness, weight and speed.  Not quite as fast as my K1 on calm water, but I'd never drop my paddle in the water and reach around behind me to grab a hose.  I can do that in the "Freedom".  I'll be playing with it quite a bit this summer, and will hopefully get a few more details ironed out. It still needs a little more bevel to the cockpit combing, and the seat will need some adjusting for comfort, but *this* is the boat for skiers to paddle for the Tri-Loppet, Midnight Sun, and Hoigaards Canoe Derby.  If you want to try it out, grab me on Thursday night, or have Kenn get you in touch with me.  The boat needs to be paddled.