LIP GRIPPER [S P LAS H] VIKING INVASION


A SLEEK, SPORTY NEW ZEALAND KAYAK HITS AMERICA’S ROUGHEST SHORES BY RIC BURNLEY


Viking Profish Reload FISH FRIENDLY FEATURES:


A


lmost a thousand years ago, Norse adventurer Thorfinn Karlsefni left Greenland heading west. He established a settlement in Newfoundland


and explored as far south as New England. That was the first Viking invasion of America. Last summer, Vikings invaded again. This time they came from New


Zealand. Instead of a horde of giant, blond warriors wearing horned helmets, this invasion brought a sleek, light, spunky kayak that the sea-faring natives welcomed. As a die hard coastal kayak angler, I was on the front line. A few days


after the boat became available, I picked up a Viking Profish Reload at Appomattox River Company (www.paddleva.com) and drove directly to the launch. A couple minutes later, I was paddling out into Cheaspeake Bay. I subjected the Viking to two tests. The first one I call, waves. Three days of


• Reload Tackle Pod system


• Large front hatch • Optional Kid Pod • Three round hatches


• Large recessed side handles


• Rod slots on bow • Flush mount rod holders


• Starport accessory mounts


• Stern and bow handles


• Optional Chill Pod cooler


northwest wind whipped a mean chop down Chesapeake Bay. The outgoing tide at Little Creek inlet ripped into the onshore wind creating a set of three- foot standing waves that served as a perfect test ground for the Viking’s rough water capabilities. I pulled the Viking into a set of waves. The boat’s pronounced


rocker and primary stability kicked into gear as the first breaker pushed me forward. Despite wind, waves and current swirling in different directions, I was in complete control of the kayak. On the paddle back out, the narrow bow sliced into the froth. I took several


direct hits, but the water quickly drained through oversized scuppers. I played in the waves until the current died out. Then I stopped to slime the boat with a couple trout on the paddle back to the launch. Part two of


the test I call, wind. Anxious to get the Viking on the open ocean, I was determined to fish the next day. The wind was blowing offshore 44…KAYAK ANGLER


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