It happened. I think I fell in love with another kayak! Since I started paddling, I just bought whichever boat was the cheapest, never paddling them first. I never thought much about it until I had an opportunity to paddle a Dagger Nomad. I instantly fell in love with it! But… as most kayakers know, it can be a long time until you get the kayak you want. It’s been over 6 months since I discovered my love for the Nomad and I still don’t have one. But, now I might be falling for another boat – the Dagger Mamba!
Lori Leaving an Eddy in the Mamba
Thanks to the expanding fleet of kayaks at the Sundance Kayak School, I had a great experience paddling the new Mamba. It was everything I hoped it would be and more! The outfitting was exceptional, and my favorite part was the thigh braces. I felt confident and in control because the Mamba was forgiving and very easy to edge. I was even comfortable side surfing in small holes. I choose more technical lines to test its maneuverability, and was very impressed by the results. Despite my skill level, I was able to catch micro eddies I never thought possible! It was incredible. I can’t wait to see how students react when they paddle a Mamba on the Rogue River this summer!
Lori Side Surfing the Mamba
Now I’m faced with a big decision – Nomad or Mamba. It’s a hard choice. I think I’m going to paddle the Mamba a few more times before I decide. Maybe I’ll even read about selecting the right boat in A Paddler’s Guide to Brightly Colored Tupperware!
