A Sea Kayak
like no other.

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 Edge Alnes.

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. This whitewater experience gave me a unique perspective when testing sea kayaks, and it made the transition to the Edge Alnes even more interesting.

I've taken the Edge Alnes 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 Edge Alnes exceeded my expectations.

One of the most striking features 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 Edge Alnes is in a class of its own — significantly faster than the P&H Hammer, and holding its own against the Valley Gemini. The chiseled hard edges caught me by surprise; even in moderate flow, edging felt controlled and predictable.

The even rails running bow to stern reminded me of the Spade Royal Flush — consistent enough that you trust the boat through gentle leans or aggressive maneuvers. On a larger feature, the rocker kept the bow lifted and the flat bottom with those sharp edges let me traverse the rapid like a slingshot. Even crossing the turbulence of a stream pouring in at 25.6 m³/s, it stayed stable — something you can't say about most whitewater kayaks.

While the Edge Alnes is exceptional, there are a few things I'd love to see:

• A seat similar to whitewater kayaks, where you can tighten it in rough conditions.
• A larger foot peg for comfort when things get rowdy.
• A simplified design — fewer hatches to bring the price down while keeping the core performance.

After testing the Edge Alnes, I decided to sell my P&H Hammer. While I've loved the Hammer for years, the Edge Alnes outperformed it in every category. If there's ever a PE version of the Edge Alnes, I'd definitely consider converting to it.