Lori’s Dagger Mamba Review

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

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

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!

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About JR

JR's enthusiasm for life readily extends to all things whitewater and at Sundance, we consider him the guru of everything kayak. He spends his summers on the Rogue River as an awesome kayak instructor and during the off season, he gravitates toward any body of water that will give him some thrill. He tends to surround himself with others that share the same passion.