Beginner Kayaks
Overwhelmed by choice? This short video will help you with how to choose an inflatable beginner kayak:
Check out our range of quality beginner kayaks:
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CompareAdvancedFrame Sport Elite Kayak with Pump
Original price was: $1,697.00.$1,247.00Current price is: $1,247.00. -
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AdvancedFrame Convertible Elite Kayak with Pump
Original price was: $2,697.00.$1,997.00Current price is: $1,997.00. -
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AdvancedFrame Elite Kayak with Pump
Original price was: $1,847.00.$1,397.00Current price is: $1,397.00. -
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AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite Kayak
Original price was: $2,197.00.$1,647.00Current price is: $1,647.00. -
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AdvancedFrame Ultralite Kayak with Pump
Original price was: $1,697.00.$1,297.00Current price is: $1,297.00. -
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Air Glide Advance 385 Full Drop-stitch Kayak with Pump and Paddle
Original price was: $2,079.00.$1,578.00Current price is: $1,578.00. This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
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Air Glide Advance 426 Full Drop-stitch Kayak with Pump and Paddle
Original price was: $2,179.00.$1,678.00Current price is: $1,678.00. This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
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Air Glide Hybrid 285 Inflatable Kayak with Pump and Paddle
Original price was: $1,579.00.$1,279.00Current price is: $1,279.00. -
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Air Glide Hybrid 385 Inflatable Kayak with Pump and Paddle
Original price was: $1,779.00.$1,479.00Current price is: $1,479.00. -
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Kokopelli Platte Inflatable Kayak with Pump and Paddle
Original price was: $1,699.00.$1,529.00Current price is: $1,529.00. -
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Kokopelli Platte Plus Inflatable Kayak with Pump and Paddle
Original price was: $1,899.00.$1,709.00Current price is: $1,709.00. -
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StraitEdge Angler Pro Kayak with Pump
Original price was: $2,397.00.$1,797.00Current price is: $1,797.00. -
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Comparing our Beginner Kayaks
| Product Info |
 AdvancedFrame Convertible Elite Kayak with Pump |
 AirVolution2 Kayak |
 StraitEdge2 Pro Kayak |
 AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite Kayak |
 StraitEdge Angler Pro Kayak with Pump |
 AirVolution Kayak |
 AdvancedFrame Sport Elite Kayak with Pump |
 AdvancedFrame Elite Kayak with Pump |
 AdvancedFrame Sport Kayak |
 AdvancedFrame Kayak |
 AdvancedFrame Ultralite Kayak with Pump |
 StraitEdge Inflatable Kayak |
 Kokopelli Platte Inflatable Kayak with Pump and Paddle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 23.6 kg | 23.5 kg | 18.6 kg | 19.1 kg | 20.4 kg | 17.7 kg | 13.3 kg | 16.3 kg | 11.8 kg | 16.3 kg | 8 kg | 15.4 kg | 10.8 kg |
| Solo or Tandem | Tandem | Tandem | Tandem | Solo | Solo | Solo | Solo | Solo | Solo | Solo | Solo | Solo | Solo |
| length | 15′ (4.57m) | 14’6″ (4.45m) | 13′ (3.96m) | 13′ (3.96m) | 10’5″ (3.18m) | 13′ (3.96m) | 10’5″ (3.18m) | 10’5″ (3.18m) | 10’5″ (3.18m) | 10’5″ (3.18m) | 10’5″ (3.18m) | 9’8” (2.95m) | 10’2″ (3.2m) |
| width | 81cm | 94cm | 90cm | 81cm | 98cm | 83.8 cm | 81cm | 81cm | 81cm | 81cm | 81cm | 89cm | 86cm |
| Stability | Stable | Stable | Stable | Stable | Stable | Stable | Stable | Stable | Stable | Stable | Stable | Stable | Stable |
| Sit-on-top or Sit-in | Sit-in | Sit-on-top | Sit-on-top | Sit-in | Sit-on-top | Sit-on-top | Sit-in | Sit-in | Sit-in | Sit-in | Sit-in | Sit-on-top | Sit-on-top |
| Packed Dimensions | 91cm x 53cm x 33cm | 98cm x 50cm x 28cm | 97cm x 53cm x 33cm | 83cm x 52cm x 26cm | 81cm x 46cm x 28cm | 86cm x 48cm x 28cm | 76cm x 43cm x 20cm | 76cm x 43cm x 25cm | 76cm x 43cm x 20cm | 76cm x 43cm x 25cm | 79cm x 46cm x 15cm | 76cm x 43cm x 25cm | 53cm x 40cm x 25cm |
| Maximum Capacity | 249 kg | 250 kg | 227 kg | 204 kg | 181 kg | 136 kg | 113 kg | 136 kg | 113 kg | 136 kg | 107 kg | 136 kg | 150 kg |
| Recommended Max. Paddler Weight (individual) | 110 kg | 150 kg | 110 kg | 150 kg | 150 kg | 136 kg | 100 kg | 110 kg | 80 kg | 90 kg | 80 kg | 100 kg | 150 kg |
| Recommended Max. Paddler Height | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 6’8″ (2.03 m) | Unlimited | 6’4″ (1.93m) | 6’2″ (1.88m) | 6’2″ (1.88m) | 6’2″ (1.88m) | 6’2″ (1.88m) | 6′ (1.83m) | 6’2″ (1.88m) | 6’4″ (1.93m) |
| Recommended for Coastal / Open Water | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Max Whitewater Class | Class 2 | Class 2 | Class 3 | Class 2 | Class 2 | Class 2 | Class 2 | Class 2 | Class 2 | Class 2 | Class 2 | Class 3 | Class 1 |
| Self-bailing | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Compatible with Spray Skirt | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Compatible with ePropulsion Vaquita Propeller | Yes – via ratchet straps | Yes – via SUP fin box | Yes – via ratchet straps | Yes – via ratchet straps | Yes – via US slide fin box | Yes – via SUP fin box | Yes – via ratchet straps | Yes – via ratchet straps | Yes – via ratchet straps | Yes – via ratchet straps | Yes – via ratchet straps | Yes – via ratchet straps | Yes – via SUP fin box |
| Maximum Trip Length | Multi-Day | Half day | Multi-Day | Multi-Day | Multi-Day | Half day | Full Day | Multi-Day | Half day | Half day | 1-2 Hours | Half day | 1-2 Hours |
| Suitable for Taking Small Children | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Suitable for Dogs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes, with drop-stitch floor added | Yes, with drop-stitch floor added | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Suitable for Fishing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes, with drop-stitch floor added | Yes, with drop-stitch floor added | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rod Holders | None | None | Included | None | Compatible with rail-mounted rod holders | None | None | None | None | None | None | Included | Included |
| Backpack straps | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Can ship to new zealand | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Set-up Time | 8 minutes | 7.5 minutes | 7-10 minutes | 8 minutes | 10 minutes | 5.5 minutes | 5.5 minutes | 6 minutes | 4 minutes | 5 minutes | 6 minutes | 5 minutes | 7.5 minutes |
| Warranty Period | 3 years from purchase date | 3 years from purchase date | 3 years from purchase date | 3 years from purchase date | 3 years from purchase date | 3 years from purchase date | 3 years from purchase date | 3 years from purchase date | 3 years from purchase date | 3 years from purchase date | 3 years from purchase | 3 years from purchase date | Lifetime |
| Sku | AE1007-E-P | AE3030 | AE3027-Y | AE1009-XE | AE1055-P | AE3029 | AE1017-OE-P | AE1012-OG-E-P | AE1017-O | AE1012-R | AE3022-G-P | AE1006-Y | 23-20500-04 |
| Price | Original price was: $2,697.00.$1,997.00Current price is: $1,997.00. | Original price was: $2,697.00.$1,997.00Current price is: $1,997.00. | Original price was: $2,497.00.$1,897.00Current price is: $1,897.00. | Original price was: $2,197.00.$1,647.00Current price is: $1,647.00. | Original price was: $2,397.00.$1,797.00Current price is: $1,797.00. | Original price was: $2,197.00.$1,597.00Current price is: $1,597.00. | Original price was: $1,697.00.$1,247.00Current price is: $1,247.00. | Original price was: $1,847.00.$1,397.00Current price is: $1,397.00. | Original price was: $1,347.00.$897.00Current price is: $897.00. | Original price was: $1,497.00.$997.00Current price is: $997.00. | Original price was: $1,697.00.$1,297.00Current price is: $1,297.00. | Original price was: $1,597.00.$1,197.00Current price is: $1,197.00. | Original price was: $1,699.00.$1,529.00Current price is: $1,529.00. |
| Kayak brand | Advanced Elements | Advanced Elements | Advanced Elements | Advanced Elements | Advanced Elements | Advanced Elements | Advanced Elements | Advanced Elements | Advanced Elements | Advanced Elements | Advanced Elements | Advanced Elements | Kokopelli |
| Add to cart | Add to cart | Add to cart | Add to cart | Add to cart | Add to cart | Add to cart | Add to cart | Add to cart | Add to cart | Add to cart | Add to cart | Add to cart |
How to Choose a Beginner Kayak
Want to get into kayaking, but not sure how to choose a kayak for beginners? Just look for these key features and you will have years of fun!
Easy To Paddle Straight
You might think all kayaks are designed to go straight, but believe me, that’s not the case!
Some kayaks are specifically designed to turn easily, such as whitewater kayaks, and this makes them no good at going in a straight line.
Some kayaks are just poorly designed and spin in circles with each stroke and it is VERY annoying, even for an experienced paddler.
Rather than go through the complexities of hull design, the best way to determine if a kayak is easy to paddle is to look at video footage of it, and to check the reviews.
Stable
It takes time and practice to balance on a narrow beam kayak. It’s best to start out with a wide, stable kayak so you can relax and enjoy the experience without falling in the water.
Comfortable
Kayaking for beginners can be a bit of a shock to the system, physically speaking. When you first start out, you are going to be waking up some muscles that have been sleeping for a while. It is important to take lots of breaks. A nice cushy seat with a supportive back will allow you to relax properly during your breaks. You can sit back and take in the beauty of your surroundings.
Durable
As a beginner, you won’t necessarily have total control over your kayak, so you need something durable enough to withstand a few bumps. Look for a good brand with a long warranty, like Advanced Elements.
Versatile
So what is your favourite type of paddling? Lakes? Mild rivers? Estuaries? Coastal bays? Kayak Fishing? Open ocean? You probably don’t know yet, do you? A versatile kayak will be suitable for a wide variety of paddling experiences so you can try them all!
Quick And Easy To Get Going
As a beginner, it’s a good idea to start out with some short trips until you know what you are capable of. In that case, you don’t want a kayak that is a lot of hassle to get out on the water. If you are only going to be paddling for 30 minutes you want to be out on the water with 5 minutes set up time.
Inexpensive
You won’t know if kayaking is going to be your next passion. So why spend thousands of dollars on an expensive kayak (plus roof racks) when you don’t have to?
“After doing a bit of kayaking in our younger days, as grey nomads we thought it would be nice to be able to paddle as we travel round. Due to space constraints an inflatable kayak was the logical solution, however I thought it would be at best a bit of a compromise. Well I was very wrong, this is great kayak, stable, fast, easy to paddle, all the things you would expect of a tradition kayak and then it packs away into a bag, that is easy to stow away at the end of the day. Brilliant product. Would recommend it for any couple wanting to spend some pleasant hours on the water.“
– Graham
