A Sea Kayak Like No Other
Review from Frederik Feyling
As an avid sea kayaker, I've had the pleasure of paddling some renowned models over the years. From the playful Valley Gemini to the legendary P&H Hammer—a craft that felt like a 4-meter Pyranha Burn with a skeg for better tracking—I've experienced a wide range of boats. But none have felt quite like the Alnes Ocean.
A Background in Whitewater
Foto: @henrikfeyling
Before diving into sea kayaking, my passion for whitewater paddling brought me through some exciting challenges. I’ve paddled a Royal Flush for a few years, and I currently own a Bliss and a Barracuda. I'm also eagerly awaiting my Full House! In recent years, I’ve explored the waters in a Dagger Rewind and a Dagger Code, though both have now moved on to new homes. This whitewater experience gave me a unique perspective when testing sea kayaks, and it made the transition to the Alnes Ocean even more interesting.
Exploring Playgrounds
I’ve taken the Alnes Ocean to a few of my favorite spots:
- Lower Tinnelva: A calm yet powerful Class 1/2 river where I tested its stability.
- Norwegian West Coast: On a sunny day with minimal swell, the boat cruised effortlessly.
- Bøelva: My go-to spot for excitement—a playspot with a 100-meter slide feeding into a large pool.
In every environment, the Alnes Ocean exceeded my expectations.
Foto: @henrikfeyling
What Sets the Alnes Ocean Apart?
One of the most striking features of the Alnes Ocean is its aggressive rocker. Unlike many sea kayaks, it lacks a keel line in the middle, allowing it to surf sideways on small formations with confidence. The bow and stern keels still provide solid tracking, especially when the skeg is lowered. Comparing it to river models, this kayak tracks remarkably well.
Speed-wise, the Alnes Ocean is in a class of its own. On the water with the P&H Hammer, the Alnes Ocean was significantly faster, and it held its own against the Valley Gemini. The chiseled hard edges also caught me by surprise. Even in moderate flow, edging felt controlled and predictable, which is always a pleasant experience when paddling a longer kayak.
The even rails running from bow to stern reminded me of the Spade Royal Flush. Their consistent feel allows you to trust the boat, whether you're making gentle leans or more aggressive maneuvers. When I tested the kayak on a larger feature where most of the water poured into the pool, the boat performed like a dream. The rocker kept the bow lifted, and the flat bottom with those sharp edges allowed me to traverse the rapid like a slingshot, bouncing into the eddy with ease.
Even when facing the funny water created by a stream pouring into the pond at 25.6 m³/s, the Alnes Ocean remained stable. Crossing the turbulence didn’t faze it, something you can’t say about most traditional whitewater kayaks.
A Few Tweaks for Perfection
While the Alnes Ocean is exceptional, there are a few things I’d love to see:
- A seat similar to whitewater kayaks, where you can tighten it during rough conditions.
- A larger foot peg to improve comfort when things get rowdy.
- Simplified design—fewer hatches to bring the price down while maintaining the core performance of the boat.
Foto: @henrikfeyling
Moving On from the P&H Hammer
After testing the Alnes Ocean, I decided to sell my P&H Hammer. While I’ve loved the Hammer for years, the Alnes Ocean outperformed it in every category. If there’s ever a PE version of the Alnes Ocean, I’d definitely consider converting to it.
