We are happy to welcome a few new additions to our sea kayak demo fleet this coming year.
Firstly – welcome to the Valley Genesis 15.1. The Genesis is a reworking of the fun, playful Valley Gemini. The range of this new model consists of the Genesis RM (triple skin plastic construction MV size), Genesis 14.10 (composite constructions LargeLV size) and the Genesis 15.1 (composite constructions LargeMV size).
We’ve started off our demo range with the 15.1 which for SKO Mark has turned out to be the perfect Falls Of Lora boat. Mark is 104kg, 6ft1, with size 13 feet.
“As a larger paddler but not a traditional ‘HV’ I’ve always struggled to find boats which work for me. I wanted something sporty and fun but most boats for folks my size are very long pointy distance boats or they are wide uninspiring bathtubs. I fit in the Genesis with room to spare on the footpegs and as someone who has wide shoulders its nice to feel like I’m sitting inside the boat rather than on top of it. On the Falls I’m used to trying to make a boat that is too long for the environment get across messy eddylines into very fast flows; in the Genesis with its shorter length and medium rocker profile I could generate enough speed in 3 strokes to punch enough of the boat into the flow without getting the backend stuck in a messy boil. It still has 4 hatches which I need in my daily work with kayak clients but the reduction in length (and therefore weight) versus my usual coaching boat means you’ll see me out guiding in our Genesis on a daily basis in 2026.
At the other end of the scale we are happy to welcome the P&H Volan 156 to the family.
The Volan 156 is the final boat in the 4 boat Volan family from P&H.
This Volan is aimed at the very smallest adult paddlers and we describe it as below average LV size, an XSLV. The paddler weight would likely be something between 45kg -70kg. Usually as boat waterline length decreases speed can decrease however SKO Laura came back happy to report that actually this boat feels just as fast as the Volan 158 (the next boat up in the range). If you are looking for a shorter playful alternative to your already awesome Etain 17.1 then come and give this brand new boat a demo.
The full 2026 list of demo boats with links to product pages is massive, 42 and counting:
Composite/Kevlar Carbon
Plastic/RM/Single & Triple Skin
Buying a sea kayak is an investment, and you need to take the time to get it right. Kayaks come in all different shapes and sizes, so it’s crucial to at least sit in a variety of them before buying. But those different shapes and sizes also mean they will handle very differently – stable or exciting, fast for long straight lines or rockered for turning on a pin, shorter and lighter for day trips, or long and load-bearing for expeditions. All these things matter, and the only way to really find out what works for you is to try a range of boats, with expert advice and assistance on hand.
Almost all the sea kayaks we sell are available to demo. You can start by sitting in a range of boats to see what’s comfortable, and work out what you want to try on the water. Our shop is just 50m from Oban Bay, which provides a range of conditions to test the boats in. Our staff can either help you down to the water and back, or lend you a trolley so you can manage on your own. You’re welcome to use our equipment during the demo, or to bring your own.
Bookings are required for kayak demos, so please get in touch at least a few days in advance. There is a charge for demo-ing of £45 for plastic kayaks and £60 for composite kayaks. This is fully refunded if you buy a kayak from us; you can try as many boats as you like for that price, for as long as you like on that day, and if you want to come back another day for a longer test, or to confirm your thoughts, there is no extra charge.
Please note we DO NOT accompany you on the water during your demo, we believe your boat choice shouldn’t be influenced by us. You must be self sufficient and confident you can deal with the weather conditions on the day; Oban bay is tidal and is extremely busy in the summer. Please ensure you check the forecast and tides BEFORE you travel, we reserve the right to not allow our boats to go out if we think you don’t have the experience necessary for the day. If you need someone to accompany you on the water for safety please enquire well in advance, if we have staff available we can facilitate this for an extra charge.