Wave Sport WHITEWATER User manual

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW WAVE SPORT WHITEWATER KAYAK.
You’re getting the most insane performance technology available in whitewater,
but your new kayak is much more than that. It’s your boarding pass to the journey.
It’s the same journey that those of us at Wave Sport started more than 20 years
ago in a small Colorado factory. A couple of guys channeled their love for
skateboarding, snowboarding, and whitewater kayaking into a revolution of
performance on the water.The rest is history.
You’re now ready to push your limits. Fortunately, a Wave Sport kayak doesn’t
have any. Whether you want to go faster, slice easier, carve smoother, or just turn
more heads, your boat was uniquely designed by somebody who wanted to do
the same thing.
So tie your kayak down and get your gear together, we’ll be looking for you on
the water.
JOIN THE JOURNEY
Camping out. Hanging out by the re. Telling stories all
night long. Running steep creeks. Gauley Fest. Enjoying
the journey. Hook up with Team Wave Sport by joining
our website at www.wavesport.com. 2 KAYAK ANATOMY
4 SAFETY
5 STORAGE/TRANSPORT
6 CARE & MAINTENANCE
7 ACCESSORIES
8 WARRANTY
9 SERVICE & SUPPORT
This owner’s manual and additional information is available at www.wavesport.com.

32
RETRACTABLE SKEG
Some Wave Sport kayaks have a retractable skeg
to help aid in boat control. The deployment of
the skeg helps balance the boat to the specic
conditions by adding more tracking at the stern of
the boat. Experiment with dierent skeg positions
to nd the best balance point.
RETRACTABLE SKEG OPERATION
Rope skeg- Find the lanyard on the right side of the
deck just behind the cockpit. Lift and release the ball
out of the cleat to drop the skeg down. Gravity and
the weight of the skeg blade allows it to deploy. Pull
the ball forward to raise the skeg and re-cleat after
adjustment is made.
Skeg system design may vary from image above
Stern
Bulkhead
DROPDOWN
SKEG Bulkhead Foot Brace
STERN BOW
BACKBAND
ADJUSTMENT WATER BOTTLE HOLDER/ HULL STIFFENER
STERN
BUNGEE SEAT
DRAIN
PLUG COCKPIT COAMING
BACKBAND TREKKING
THIGH BRACE SECURITY BAR SECURITY GRAB HANDLE
18” OVAL
DRY HATCH SKEG CLEAT POCKET
SECURITY BARPARTING LINE
COCKPIT RIM/COAMING
WATERLINE
STERN BOW
SECURITY BAR
*DRAIN PLUG: Not available on all models
SECURITY BAR THIGH BRACESBACKBAND SEAT
WATER BOTTLE HOLDER/
HULL STIFFENER FOAM PILLARCOCKPIT RIM/ COAMING BACKBAND ADJUSTMENT
KAYAK ANATOMY CROSSOVER
OUTFITTING
The CORE Whiteout Outtting system is Wave Sport’s
innovative outtting system designed for maximum
comfort, performance, and safety.
For tips and useful information on getting the
most out of your outtting, check out our CORE
Whiteout Outtting adjustment manual or visit
www.wavesport.com.
WHITEWATER

54
STORAGE / TRANSPORT
STORING YOUR KAYAK
Boats made from polyethylene plastic are strong,
rigid and highly impact resistant, but due to the
nature of plastic in general, it is important to store
your boat properly. It is always best to store your
kayak indoors, out of direct sunlight and protected
from inclement weather.
Preferably, you should stand your boat on end or
hang it suspended by slings. Hanging your boat
from its grab loops or handles increases the chance
of warpage. You can also store your boat on the
oor, upside down.When storing upside down, it is
recommended that the load is spread evenly along
the length of the boat.
TRANSPORTING YOUR KAYAK
Because of their light weight and shape, kayaks are
ideally suited for car topping. Your primary concern
in carrying your kayak is that it stays securely tied to
the vehicle. As with storage, another concern should
be potential distortion of the hull.
Car-topping the kayak is best done with a quality
roof rack specically designed for attaching kayaks
(Thule, Yakima). Foam blocks/cradles attached to the
rack are another option. The boat should be tied to
the vehicle as well as the rack by its grab handles.
Use slings or webbing straps suspended from the ceiling or wall.
Use foam to pad the areas where the kayak comes into contact with the wall.
Foam cradle or pad
Carry a single kayak cockpit down Carry two or more kayaks cockpit to
cockpit - use upright roof bars
IMPORTANT:
It is recommended to always stop shortly after the start
of your trip to make sure all ttings and connections
are secure and that the kayak will not shift during
travel.
USING FOAM BLOCK RACKS
Foam block racks can be used for short distances or
lower speed transportation. They should be wide
enough for adequate support, as well. Use extra caution
with foam blocks as they are not as secure as cross-bar
racks. Foam blocks also make it essential to tie o the
bow and stern of the kayaks directly to the vehicle.
AIR TRAVEL
Many airlines do not allow kayaks to be transported
on the plane when you travel by air. Contact your air
carrier well in advance of your trip to see if they allow
you to check a whitewater kayak and how much they
charge. You should invest in a kayak travel bag if you
do transport a kayak by air.
CAUTION:
TRAVELING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER
Position kayak upside down if possible when
inclement weather is threatening. A kayak can ll
with water when it rains and become dangerous
to your vehicle or others as it becomes heavy. Use
a portage cover to seal the cockpit if a “bottom up”
position is not possible. Be sure to periodically check
your straps to make sure they have not stretched
while wet.
SAFETY
Any person using kayaks built and/or sold by Wave
Sport is personally responsible for determining that
their abilities are equal or superior to the conditions
encountered and exercising proper judgment in
choice of where and when to paddle.
Any person using Wave Sport kayaks assumes all
risks and takes complete responsibility for any
and all damages, or injuries, including death,
which may result from use of or participation in
Wave Sport kayaks.
Consult your physician prior to beginning your
paddlesport training.
DON’T :
• Never exceed your ability and assess how far and
how long you can paddle or swim.
• Never paddle alone.
• Never consume alcohol, drugs, or any other
substance that may aect your coordination,
judgment, or ability when paddling.
• Never paddle in ood conditions.
• Never allow minors to use the boat without adult
supervision.
• Avoid bracing yourself in the kayak in such a way
that you have to release any outtting to escape.
• Do not impair entry or exit access to the kayak
when installing additional outtting.
DO:
• Wear a Coast Guard approved personal
flotation device (PFD).
• Wear a helmet when paddling whitewater or
in the ocean.
• Get paddlesports instruction from a licensed or
certified instructor.
• Dress appropriately for weather conditions; cold
water and/or weather can result in hypothermia.
• Check your equipment prior to each use for
signs of wear or failure.
• Scout unfamiliar waters. If necessary, paddle to
shore and carry your boat past uncertain areas.
• Stay aware of appropriate river water levels, tidal
changes, dangerous currents, and weather
changes.
• Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for
use and outfitting of your kayak.
• Leave your paddling location and agenda with
someone at home before departing.
• Obtain certified first aid and rescue training
and carry first aid and rescue equipment.
• Always use supplemental flotation.
WARNING:
Kayaking can be hazardous with potential risk of
serious injury and even death.

7
6
CARE / MAINTENANCE
CARE HULL DISTORTION
Our rotomolded kayaks are made of high-density
linear polyethylene, which is virtually maintainance
free. A minimal amount of care in storage and
transporting will help the kayak maintain a like-new
condition for many years.
Polyethylene will become more exible when in
warm conditions such as a hot, sunny day. Improper
storage or transportation of a plastic boat, especially
in the heat, can potentially distort the shape of the
hull on your boat.
If your kayak does become the victim of slight
distortion, correction is a simple process. Brief
exposure to the heat of the sun is often all it takes to
restore the hull to its original shape. If that doesn’t
work, the hull can usually be restored by applying
heat to the outside of the boat with a hair dryer.Take
care – high, focused heat could cause damage.
When the hull is pliable enough, it can be pushed
back into shape by hand. A weight can be placed
inside the boat to maintain the shape of the hull
as it cools. Allow 24 hours to ensure the process is
completed.
CLEANING
Usually, a quick rinse of fresh water is all that is
necessary to keep your kayak clean and functioning
in good order.This is very important after paddling
in salt water. Be sure to rinse the skeg, cables,
and foot braces with fresh water to remove salt
residue. To minimize long-term degradation caused
by UV exposure, use an ultraviolet protectant such
as 303 Protectant, available at your local dealer or
HarmonyGear.com.
However, a certain amount of impact and abrasion
damage is to be expected due to the nature of
whitewater paddling.
Continual exposure to abrasion can roughen the hull
surface. Scratching is often cosmetic or supercial
and requires no repair.
It is important to be able to determine when
damage is cosmetic or extends to impacting the
structure of the hull. Impacts are much more likely
than scratches to result in structural damage. Inspect
your hull after suering a collision.
As strong and durable as it is, polyethylene is not
indestructible. However, should the worst happen, it
is repairable – simply contact your local Wave Sport
dealer.
REPAIR OPTIONS
Although it is unlikely that your Wave Sport kayak
will need any repairs during its lifetime, it is pos-
sible that a hull crack or puncture may occur due
to extreme impact or contact with a sharp object.
If this happens, contact your local Wave Sport
dealer to determine if the damage falls under the
boat’s warranty (see warranty section).
We will need the serial number of your kayak, a
good description of the damage (a photograph
is required) and a description of the incident
during which the damage occurred. All of this
information will help us determine the best
course of action.
WARNING
Avoid dragging your kayak across the ground to
prolong its life and maintain its look and perfor-
mance. Two people, using the carrying handles,
is the best way to transport a longer kayak.
ESSENTIALS CHECKLIST:
PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE (PFD
A USCG approved, comfortable and secure tting
PFD should be worn at all times. Shorter PFDs are
available that are ideal for kayak paddling.
HELMET
A helmet should be used in rivers that are very
shallow or that feature rapids above Class I and any
other situation in which capsizing could result in your
head hitting a jagged or hard surface. You should
always wear an appropriate helmet while paddling
whitewater.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
USCG regulations require an audible signal device (a
horn or whistle) to be used in all watercraft.
PERSONAL GEAR
Items you should keep with you on every trip include
sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, plenty of drinking water,
insect repellent, compass, waterproof ashlight,
matches or lighter, pocket knife, and a rst aid kit.
DRY BAG
An ultra-light and water-resistant dry bag is a good
idea for storage and an extra level of protection and
accessibility for gear.
SPRAYSKIRT
A sprayskirt is worn by the paddler to create a
watertight seal, preventing the cockpit from lling
up with water You should always paddle with a spray
skirt in place to facilitate rolling and prevent the
kayak from getting swamped.
WHITEWATER PADDLE
Typically, a whitewater paddle will be shorter than
the average touring paddle and have a larger blade
face. Your local Wave Sport dealer should be able to
help you decide on a paddle to suit your needs. It is
always a good idea to carry a backup paddle that can
be broken down to t in the stern of your kayak.
FLOTATION BAGS
If you are forced to exit your kayak and it becomes
swamped, recovery becomes more dicult. By
installing inatable oat bags you can reduce the
volume of water a swamped kayak will take on.
Typical installation on a kayak will be two bags, one
on either side of the stern pillar.
THROW BAG
In the event of an emergency while on the water, a
throw bag can help you reach a swimmer or help
free your kayak. A throwbag should have a minimum
of 50 feet of cord.
ACCESSORIES
PADDLES
Premium paddles with innovative materials and
patented technology unmatched on the water.
www.atpaddles.com
ACCESSORIES
A complete line of paddling accessories and
outfitting at the best value in the industry.
www.harmonygear.com
ACCESSORIES
Premium sprayskirts and dry gear with material
bonding techniques that set the standard in
innovation.
www.bombergear.com
GET MORE ACCESSORIES
To nd out about many more accessories available
for your Wave Sport kayak, visit these websites: