If there is one thing freestyle paddling has proven, is that if you want kids to perform to their maximum ability, their equipment needs to be a scale replica of “adult” equipment.
Slalom has suffered in its youth development in that all kids slalom boats conform to the ICF length and width regulations. These are made for adults (and assume that all adults are the same height and weight and body type), and so all “kids” slalom boats are little more than low volume full size boats. You cannot possibly expect a 10yr old to be able to paddle a boat correctly that was essentially designed for an adult. This means that they develop a certain set of skills to be able to handle and turn the over sized boat, and as they grow, they’re constantly having to reinvent their skill set to conform to their now larger size in the same boat.
Our solution is to make a kayak that is an exact scale replica of an adult slalom boat. Everything about it is scaled down proportionately, so an 6yr to 12yr old is learning the skills immediately that they’ll use their entire slalom career, or learn slalom skills they can apply to their paddling in general. No attention is paid at all to the ICF regulations in this design, so that we can achieve this goal.
Finally, kids can develop the correct skill set they need, in a kayak thats built specifically to fit them.
If you're looking for a custom size in this, or want a traditional race construction, go here: https://www.soulwaterman.com/products/angelcustom
We've called this boat the Angel, after the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, as this boat is the first step to getting kids there.
The Angel is available in Two specifications.
The Yellow, Orange and Pink are lightweight and outfitted with our kids fittings, and Blues are a heavier construction with the bare bones Hooptie outfitting.
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Main technical Specifications |
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Kayak Name |
Angel |
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Length |
8'10"| 270cm |
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Width |
20”| 51cm |
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Height (front) |
8” | 20.5cm |
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Height (Back) |
6.9” | 17.7cm |
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Nose Rocker |
6.7" | 17cm |
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Tail Rocker |
6.2” | 16cm |
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Rocker type |
Continuous |
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Cockpit Length (Outside) |
27”| 68cm |
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Cockpit Width (Outside) |
15”| 38cm |
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Plastic Type (Orange/Yellow/Pink) |
Hilex 14 HDPE |
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Plastic Type (Blue) |
HDPE |
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Boat Weight (Orange/Blue) |
27.5lbs | 11.8kg |
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Boat Weight (Yellow/Pink) |
23.6 lbs | 10.8kg |
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General Paddler Weight |
40lbs-100lbs | 18kg-45kg (max approx 13yr old) |
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Slalom Paddler Weight |
40lbs – 80lbs | 18kg-38kg (max approx 12yr old) |
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Internal Outfitting |
Skeletor Simple or Hooptie |
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Grab Loops |
2+1 |
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Footrest |
Yes (except Hooptie version) |
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Adjustable Seat |
Yes (Except Hooptie version) |
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Volume |
30 Gal | 115ltr |
You might also need one of the Kids Gremlin Paddles.
This self popping Dino skirt is a winner for young kids
Great Gear you need from some of our industry friends
This great KIDZ Skirt by Peak UK fits the Angel cockpit.
This is a great lifejacket from Level6
Fantastic kids lifejacket for our European customers from PeakUK