Most of the time at the clinic there are boats for you to look at and sometimes to try, I have tried several there. I am currently in a BlackFly Octane 1. After owning and playing in different boats it works great for me. I am a older. heavier paddler so the young thin man’s boat created some problems for me and instructors. Lot’s of swims and rescues! As one owner of the blackfly octane 1 states it has increased the fun of being on the river and not in the river. Good luck hope to see you on the river in April.