Ok, I'll admit it. Kayaking scares me. I see paddlers out there playing and rolling and looking like their boat is just another appendage and I wonder if I will ever reach that point. I get in the kayak and I feel trapped, slightly claustrophobic, and scared. That is before I even get on the water.

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I enjoy river running, but the idea of flipping is a mental hurdle I just can't get over. And, I'm impatient. I want to get out there NOW andstart having fun with all my kayaking friends who won't play with me on the class II waters that I am restricted to in a hardshell. Then I discovered inflatable kayaks. One trip through the rapids and I was hooked. I was able to have fun running rivers and not stress out about rolling. I was pinballing down the river with the greatest of ease (not the recommended way to get down a river, but it worked). I enjoyed the feeling of having total control over my craft (unlike a raft) and was exploring rivers in a way that had previously been less than accessible.

Before I knew it I was on my first kayak expedition on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. Inflatables were ideal because they fit snugly into the small plane that took us to the remote put in.

Inflatables often open up new opportunities for neophyte kayakers. Inflatables help novices become comfortable on the river, learn how to read water, and allow paddlers to run rivers that may surpass their skill level in a hardshell kayak.

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Inflatables are forgiving, stable, and downright fun. Also called, duckies, you'll understand why when you're bobbing through the rapids, inflatable kayaks are part raft, part kayak. They are buoyant like rafts, but allow for a more intimate river experience - like a hardshell kayak. At first you will feel a lot like a pinball, especially if you are used to a more nimble boat. It is kind of reassuring for a beginner to bounce off the rocks that their boats seem to be magnetically attracted to.

Inflatable kayaks combine the air tubes of a raft, sized down, with the hull shape of hardshell kayaks. This allows the inflatable to be more responsive and maneuverable than a raft. Many inflatables are built with a self-bailing floor, air filled or foam, to allow the water in the cockpit to drain out the bottom of the boat. Since you will be sitting ON not IN the boat, many inflatables come with thigh straps, which will keep you on board in rough water and allow you to lean and control you boat. This also allows gifted inflatable kayakers to roll the boat.

However, there is no need to roll. If you fall out, just flip the boat over and jump back in. Remember, it isn't always safe to swim and you need to be mindful and take safety precautions.

Like other whitewater boats, inflatables are designed to perform differently. There are high performance inflatables designed with hardshell characteristics for surfing and quick maneuvering on technical water. The Aire Force is the Ferrari of inflatables, high performance, quick, slick lookin', corners well, but may be a little too much for an inexperienced driver. The NRS MaverIK is the family sedan. Safe and fun for the whole family, take it on vacation and let everybody try it out. In between that, you've got the Aire Lynx. Which compares to an SUV, it can carry some gear, punches through holes, surfs, and maneuvers, but provides a little more stability than the Ferrari (Aire Force). Two person inflatables are a blast, and can provide assurance to a novice paddler who wants an experienced paddler on board.

Not into whitewater? Inflatables are versatile. They make wonderful fishing or diving platforms. The bonus is, they are packable, perfect for travel. You don't need a roof rack. Just deflate it and shove it in your trunk.

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Don't get me wrong, just because you are in an inflatable kayak doesn't mean you should jump on a Class IV river your first time on the water. Know the basics of safety. You should be proficient at swimming whitewater since you will most likely swim if you capsize. Know how to rescue yourself. Don't paddle above your ability or comfort level. One thing to keep in mind with inflatable kayaking is-you will get wet. It is imperative to dress for the water temperatures.

Many rafting outfitters will offer guests a chance to try an inflatable during a raft trip. This provides a great introduction to controlling your own craft and the sport of kayaking. Some inflatable kayakers eventually graduate into hardshell kayaks. Some people never do because inflatables are just so much fun. Heck, even Jim Snyder paddles an inflatable every now and then.

There is a new activity out called "striding" standing in an inflatable while paddling down river. Perhaps that will be my newest adventure.