Paddle X

Hi, Im new to kayaking, and I got this kayak second hand last year, I am happy with it and enjoying it other than the fact that I don’t have the little dashboard piece with a cupholder etc. Is there anything I can get that would work? I found ones made for specific kayaks, but none for the one I have. This is a picture of my kayak’s cockpit (red one) a picture of what Im looking for, and my husbands (yellow one). It can be a lot simpler, like my husbands built in one on his kayak (yellow one) the main thing is having cup holder that I can reach, for my water bottle, I hate having it between my legs. Im also open to easy diy or unconventional solutions. lol

Today is my 3rd Boofday: anniversary for when I first got into whitewater kayaking

Unlike my first 2 years; where progression felt like a rocket ship, I was bagging PFDs left and right, and constantly straddling the line of comfort and safety... this past year I took the gas off the pedal some.

This was mainly due to:
1. Further progression meant gnarlier class 5s, where there’s both greater and likelier consequences
2. I had my first serious injury, reality check
3. One of the worst creek rain seasons in history

PFDs
New York:
Black
Raquette
Moshier section of Beaver
Eagle section of Beaver

Kentucky/Virginia:
Russell Fork Gorge

Alabama:
Tallapoosa

Tennessee:
Lower Crooked Fork
Daddy’s
Cain Creek

Idaho:
North Fork of the Clearwater
Kelly Creek
Black Canyon (NF of Clearwater)
Lower Lochsa
Upper Lochsa

I’m grateful for both the ups and downs, I learned a lot and found peace in enjoying where I’m at vs. looking ahead and reaching the next milestone. The dry creek season beat me down and I lost a lot of motivation. My first trip out West, however, has reignited the fire. It confirmed that I love big water and provided my first taste of far travel kayaking, and this is just the tip of the iceberg… I’m eyeing my first international trip sooner than later.

What keeps me coming back is the best community I’ve ever been a part of. We’re unified by the varying number of screws that’s missing, among other things. I’m continued to be amazed by the acts of love and generosity that this community provides.

This photo, taken by Branden Baltich, was my favorite because despite how it looks, it was candid. I wasn’t cheesing for the camera, I didn’t even realize Branden was there… that’s just genuine joy and bliss of being on the river, especially one the quality of the Russell Fork.

Blast from the past- 1993 World Championships and I got to paddle this wood strip open canoe prototype by Dagger. This boat is at the take out of Daddy's Creek at the Lilly Pad today. it is a "plug" that the actual production canoe was made from. I didn't win, but I did get 4th in Canoe. I did win in kayak however. I was a big fan of the HF team gear seen here in the photo back then. My helmet is a "Savage" helmet from Corran. 29 years old at "hell hole" on the Ocoee... Fun times!