IntexChallenger Inflatable Kayak Series: Includes Deluxe 86in Kayak Paddles and High-Output Pump – SuperStrong PVC – Adjustable Seat with Backrest – Removable Skeg – Cargo Storage Net

----I purchased the Intek Challenger K1 to try kayaking and see if I enjoyed it enough to warrant spending $500-$600 on a solid-shell vessel. I spent the first few weeks paddling around a small lake behind my home and had no complaints. The Challenger is easy to inflate, easy to deflate, and fitting it back inside the carrying bag was easy as well. I would recommend purchasing a higher quality paddle because the one that comes with the Challenger is a bit short and not very durable. After approximately three weeks of use my paddle cracked, but since the packaged deal was so cheap I didn’t mind purchasing a new one.----After about two months of paddling around in small bodies of water, some friends of mine and I decided to go on an 11 mile trip down a popular local creek that we heard was ideal for inner-tubing and kayaking. In hindsight, that decision turned out to be one of the worst we had ever made. Our trip took place in early May, 2011, and just two weeks prior much of our area was devastated by tornados. The creek was low, so we all drug out kayaks through ankle-deep water for the first half-mile. Once the water deepened a little bit we were kayaking like some pros, but at around the three mile mark we encountered some trees that had fallen across the creek. I was particularly nervous since my kayak was the only inflatable of the bunch, but I threw it on top of the pile of trees, climbed up beside it, threw it down into the water, and began cruising again. Less than 5 minutes after our first climb over trees, we encountered several more fallen trees. Again, I threw my Challenger on top of the pile of trees, climbed up beside it, threw it down into the water, climbed in, and paddled on. We all kept telling ourselves that we had to have gone through the worst of it, but the fallen trees we kept coming up on proved us wrong. The estimated three-hour casual kayaking trip we planned turned into 8 hours of tossing or pulling kayaks on top of tree piles (most of which were 10-12 feet high), dragging kayaks through shallow water, and navigating around all of the household items (lawn mowers, refrigerators, etc.) the tornados had dropped in the creek. About four hours into the trip I was hoping that my Challenger would get a hole in it so that I would have had a good excuse to scale the wall of the creek, walk to the nearest road, and call someone to come pick me up. Unfortunately, none of the abuse my Challenger received that day fazed it….not one single hole!----After the “trauma” of that trip I decided kayaking was not for me and I draped my Challenger over a fence in my yard to dry. The kayak remained on top of that fence in blistering heat, rain, and cold for the next 9 months. In early 2012, I finally removed the Challenger from my fence, folded it up, put it in its bag, and stuck it in my shed. Recently I decided to give kayaking another try so I broke out the old Challenger and pumped it up to see if its time on the fence had damaged it. The Challenger pumped up as easy as the day I bought it, and it did not have a single leak.----Overall, I would say that the Intek Challenger K1 Kayak is a great product and ideal for beginners or those who have to walk long distances to get to where they are going to be paddling. The kayak, paddle, and pump are relatively lightweight and easy to carry in the included case. As I said before, I would recommend purchasing a separate paddle since the one that comes in the kit is not the best quality. The Challenger does not glide through the water like most high-dollar solid-shell kayaks, but it easy to paddle and steer. If you are like I once was and want to try kayaking without investing a lot of money, the Intel Challenger K1 is what you need.

I’m new to kayaking. I had resisted for years, thinking it to be a confining death trap. Then my FOMO got the best of me. I tried it and, turns out I’m a kayaker. Not the kind who buys a hard-sided rig with all the accoutrements. I can rent those for longer or more difficult water. For local paddles in smooth water this kayak is perfect for me. As its product description states, it’s not for rapids. This is no problem for me as I wouldn’t be comfortable doing those even with a hard-sides kayak.I have two friends with the same kayak who let me try theirs first. I hoped I wouldn’t feel as though I was paddling around in a blow up mattress. Happily this kayak feels pretty substantial for an inflatable. Enough so that I purchased mine, on sale to boot.I think mine is an improvement over the friends’ models. The valves on my model (purchased in late 2021) are much easier to cap when filling and, more importantly, to open when deflating. I live in a warm climate but my fingers are often chilled and tired at the end of a paddle, when I most want to break down and leave quickly. By contrast with the borrowed kayak, I can open the valves myself without resorting to a tool fashioned from PVC that my friend uses to open her valves.Set up is surprisingly easy with the supplied air pump. It’s faster than getting an electric air pump. It is a bit of a work out. I try to think of it as a warm up before paddling.If I could wave my magic wand, the pump’s foot stem would be longer so I could stand up straight. I tried sitting on a camp chair but it works best and fastest standing. OP have mentioned this in their reviews and I concur; I, too, have waved my behind embarrassingly a few times, finding just the right back-saving position when pumping up my kayak. Still, it’s a matter of about 15 minutes to get it ready to go.I am 5’ 8”. The length is a bit stunted for me if I put the uterus-shaped float thingy in the bow. It is meant to keep the kayak from dipping in front. I use it for this reason but it does take up precious foot room.The seat is comfortable enough. There are Velcro strips and straps to keep it in place. Because I have to move the seat back as it will go so I can have leg room, I must sit bolt upright. I have a 6’ 3” buddy who wanted to try mine to see if he wanted one. We came to the conclusion that anyone taller than me would be happiest with the two-seater, using only one seat. Happily there is a two-seater version.The paddle is decent to get started. I plan to purchase something more suited to my skills but the included one is easy to assemble and will get you moving.I keep my supplies, including the pump and small repair kit for just-in-case, in a dry bag which I lash to my kayak with the net. There’s no space inside the kayak for stuff but this works for me.Another upgrade I plan to make is to add lights. We often paddle on a town lake after dark. It’s not easy but I found I can use my bike lights. It takes a bit of faffing to get the lights pointed correctly, especially to the rear. Sometimes I just wear my headlamp backwards with the red light on.It’s very durable for the way I use it. I haven’t tested the durability in places that might be rocky or with sharp trees, mainly because those are far enough distant that I prefer to rent hard-sided. Not a knock against this kayak, I think it would hold up. It just takes up a lot of space. While easy to transport locally, for longer trips that might include luggage and several people, it takes up too much room.I bought IKEA bags with straps that I use instead the included carry bag. The shape of the bags make folding up (dry, never, never store it wet) easier. It also means I can never fold it the same way twice, a good thing so as not to stress a fold and develop leaks.Overall I’m happy with my purchase. And even happier when I’m on the water in minutes.