Tiderace Xtra Sea Kayak

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The TideRace Xtra is the new benchmark for surfing sea kayaks. It's extremely maneuverable yet tracks well, it's stable yet easy to edge, it's quick, it's comfortable, and the way it catches and handles on a wave is truly fun! The Xtra doesn't just surf, it can dance! The Xtra is going to change the way sea kayaks are designed from now on. If your still paddling a sea kayak that was designed in 2011 or older, you've got to try this.

Like the other TideRace sea kayaks, the Xtra is built extremely stiff and strong so it can take a lot of punishment. Tiderace kayaks have a new kind of cockpit ergonomics which make them both more efficient to paddle and more comfortable.

Tiderace kayaks are the creation of Aled Williams - an experienced British kayak designer who created the Rockpool and earlier British expedition sea kayaks. Tiderace Kayaks are the newest, most up to date of all the British style kayaks on the market. Tiderace's goal is to make them the stiffest sea kayaks. Of all the British kayaks on the market, the Tiderace kayaks have the most comfortable seat, most aggressive knee/thigh braces, most comfortable and durable back band, and best skeg system. Think of Tiderace as Brit kayaks Version 4.0

As a rough guide, we find:
The Xtra is best suited for paddlers 5' 4" to 6'3", 130-220 lbs

Xtra comes standard with front and rear main hatches and front and rear day hatches a forward day hatch (at last, a hatch you can use while on the water!). Xcites also have a retractable skeg, recessed deck fittings & reflective safety lines, kayaksport hatches, and an adjustable back rest.

The Xtra has the looks and proven seaworthiness of the Greenland/British look, but updated. The Xtra has a hard chine in the mid section of the hull that transitions to a moderately chine toward the ends. This combination helps it surf so well and glide well too. The Xtra comes standard with features such as: a retractable skeg* with state-of-the-art precise, smooth slider cable control, front and rear hatches, front and rear fiberglass bulkheads (two rear bulkheads), fiberglass seams, recessed deck fittings for safety lines, and chart holder bungees, keyhole cockpit with good hip and knee braces, and a comfortable back band.

*A skeg looks like the fin on the bottom of a surf board except on sea kayaks this skeg is designed to retract into a trunk on the bottom of the hull. With the skeg up, Xtras are very maneuverable; put the skeg down and an Xtra tracks straight even in side wind conditions where most kayaks without rudders weathercock (turn up wind). This combination of good hull design and a retractable skeg are fast making rudders (and all their problems and limitations) obsolete on sea kayaks (at least for people who know how to paddle).

Whether choosing your first sea kayak or upgrading from an older design, you can't go wrong with the Xtra. The Tiderace Xtra is the hottest new Brit style day trip rock garden, surfing touring kayak.

People that demo the Xtra say:

"It surfs great!"

"It's so maneuverable I could feel the difference right away"

Here's what Tiderace says about their kayaks:

Our hulls are reinforced throughout. We pay particular attention to keel strength as this is the key factor in making the boats last many years. Repeated landings, especially on boulder strewn or rocky beaches can be damaging to a kayak, and we build into our kayaks a high degree of survivability. Our kayaks are slightly heavier than boats from other manufacturers due to the extra reinforcing we specify. All gelcoat is sprayed; this guarantees a consistent coverage to a correct thickness, not too thick as it risks cracking. Strength comes from a laminate high in fibre mixed with the appropriate amount of resin. We believe a kayak hull should not oil-can when sat under its own weight on a rocky shore, nor should it deform when held securely on a roof rack.

Give our kayaks “the squeeze and flex test”! Grab either bow or stern keel section just above the waterline, then squeeze and flex the boat. You’ll notice the difference compared with other manufacturers’, and feel the rigidity that we specify in our construction.

We also pay particular attention to the deck construction. Decks often receive localized stress over different areas. Our back deck easily supports the weight of the paddler, and is ready reinforced to take a towing system. A large pressure is exerted through the knees while paddling in rough water conditions, this area is made strong. The front deck is designed to take the weight during a rescue, and hatch recess areas are stiffened by shape and laminate to reduce flexing while fitting hatch covers.

All seams are glass reinforced, inside and out as standard, as this is a key area in a boats’ overall stiffness. Recess deck fittings are bolted in place and then glassed over on the inside. This gives a smooth interior finish and a high degree of reserve strength to the fittings. The kayak tips are made solid, and the bulkheads are glassed into place for ultimate security. Our seats extend the rigidity of the kayak’s structure by closely conforming to the hull shape, and making contact over two large base flanges padded with high density foam. Bolts join the seat tops to the cockpit rim and also secure the backrest.

 

The Kayak Academy waited a long time for a Brit kayak that was designed well enough that we would want to sell it. The Tiderace Kayaks got it right and the Kayak Academy is proud to be their exclusive dealer in Washington State.

Call the Kayak Academy to arrange a demo.
206 527-1825