INTEX Challenger Inflatable Kayak Series: Includes Deluxe 86in Kayak Paddles and High-Output Pump – SuperStrong PVC – Adjustable Seat with Backrest – Removable Skeg – Cargo Storage Net

----I purchased the Intek Challenger K1 to try kayaking and see if I enjoyed it enough to warrant spending $500-$600 on a solid-shell vessel. I spent the first few weeks paddling around a small lake behind my home and had no complaints. The Challenger is easy to inflate, easy to deflate, and fitting it back inside the carrying bag was easy as well. I would recommend purchasing a higher quality paddle because the one that comes with the Challenger is a bit short and not very durable. After approximately three weeks of use my paddle cracked, but since the packaged deal was so cheap I didn’t mind purchasing a new one.----After about two months of paddling around in small bodies of water, some friends of mine and I decided to go on an 11 mile trip down a popular local creek that we heard was ideal for inner-tubing and kayaking. In hindsight, that decision turned out to be one of the worst we had ever made. Our trip took place in early May, 2011, and just two weeks prior much of our area was devastated by tornados. The creek was low, so we all drug out kayaks through ankle-deep water for the first half-mile. Once the water deepened a little bit we were kayaking like some pros, but at around the three mile mark we encountered some trees that had fallen across the creek. I was particularly nervous since my kayak was the only inflatable of the bunch, but I threw it on top of the pile of trees, climbed up beside it, threw it down into the water, and began cruising again. Less than 5 minutes after our first climb over trees, we encountered several more fallen trees. Again, I threw my Challenger on top of the pile of trees, climbed up beside it, threw it down into the water, climbed in, and paddled on. We all kept telling ourselves that we had to have gone through the worst of it, but the fallen trees we kept coming up on proved us wrong. The estimated three-hour casual kayaking trip we planned turned into 8 hours of tossing or pulling kayaks on top of tree piles (most of which were 10-12 feet high), dragging kayaks through shallow water, and navigating around all of the household items (lawn mowers, refrigerators, etc.) the tornados had dropped in the creek. About four hours into the trip I was hoping that my Challenger would get a hole in it so that I would have had a good excuse to scale the wall of the creek, walk to the nearest road, and call someone to come pick me up. Unfortunately, none of the abuse my Challenger received that day fazed it….not one single hole!----After the “trauma” of that trip I decided kayaking was not for me and I draped my Challenger over a fence in my yard to dry. The kayak remained on top of that fence in blistering heat, rain, and cold for the next 9 months. In early 2012, I finally removed the Challenger from my fence, folded it up, put it in its bag, and stuck it in my shed. Recently I decided to give kayaking another try so I broke out the old Challenger and pumped it up to see if its time on the fence had damaged it. The Challenger pumped up as easy as the day I bought it, and it did not have a single leak.----Overall, I would say that the Intek Challenger K1 Kayak is a great product and ideal for beginners or those who have to walk long distances to get to where they are going to be paddling. The kayak, paddle, and pump are relatively lightweight and easy to carry in the included case. As I said before, I would recommend purchasing a separate paddle since the one that comes in the kit is not the best quality. The Challenger does not glide through the water like most high-dollar solid-shell kayaks, but it easy to paddle and steer. If you are like I once was and want to try kayaking without investing a lot of money, the Intel Challenger K1 is what you need.

If you’re thinking about trying kayaking but don’t know if it’s something you’re gonna want to stick with past a single summer, this really is a great way to test the waters. ((full pun intended)) It’s cheap, easy, and if you decide you don’t like it, you don’t have a giant plastic boat laying around you have to try and sell… Take the time to dry and fold it up after each use in the handy carry bag they provide and it’s super convenient to toss one ((or more)) in the truck of a small car and go off on adventure. No giant roof racks you have to install on your car and pray it doesn’t scratch the paint. No trying to manhandle a bulky heavy boat possibly by yourself…I know a lot of people gave poor reviews to this inflatable kayak because it’s inflatable, but honestly, all I can think is they must not have been doing it right because things went fantastic from the first time out.Luckily, I guess for me, I was very excited to try kayaking, but skeptical of an inflatable boat. So in addition to reading reviews here on Amazon, I also watched the “unboxing” videos other customers provided. This turned out to be a blessing because in doing so I learned you want to inflate the boat past what you think you need to. Also that there’s TWO Boston valves you need to fill and one is hidden inside the boat.A lot of people complain about maneuvering and it sinking but I’ve learned that comes from not inflating the boat enough. This isn’t a pool tube, you need to make sure it has enough air to function right. Basically, use your little powered air pump to fill it as far as it will go, then use the provided foot pump to give it 8-12 more pumps. You will have a much stiffer boat that’s easier to use.As for the handling, I’m not sure it would be the best for river rapids where rocks or branches could cause it to pop, but for some weekend lake paddling it’s super nice, and a ton of fun! It can be a little hard to squeeze in and out of, especially if you’ve got long legs like me ((I’m 5’10”)) but after a few tries I got the trick of it, and can even pull my legs out in the water and straddle the boat to cool off.The videos and other review also mentioned good ways to dry your kayak before deflation so it doesn’t get musty in storage.One thing they don’t tell you as an inexperienced kayaker:: it WAY easier to get in from the ground than a dock. Take the boat out into the water about a foot deep so the fin doesn’t scrape the bottom of the lake. Straddle the boat and lower yourself down. Then bring your legs in. Far less chance of tipping all over the place.The paddle is decent. Compared to the paddles provided by different inflatable kayak companies my friends got their boats from, this one is a real nice quality. Neither the paddles nor the pole are super flimsy and the paddles are rounded for easy movement. They will also float for moment so you don’t have to panic if you drop it in the water. I can easily get up a nice little bit of speed with it. Wouldn’t try and use it for competition kayaking or anything, but all in all this whole set up is exactly what I said.A nice, inexpensive way to test out kayaking and see if it’s for you before dropping huge amounts of money on big plastic boat you have to store, clean, mount to the roof of your car, etc… If I had a single complaint about this boat it’s that my friends’ boats had places to pop the paddle in and hold it on the side of their boats, while I have to juggle mine.