Half Slice Roundup

For most paddlers a half slice is the perfect boat, combining a comfortable, predictable bow to get you through the rapids, with a low volume playful stern for tearing up every eddyline on the way down. With their soaring popularity manufacturers are bringing out boats in every shape and size to cover all your half slice niches. Maybe you want a more stable river runner, or maybe you want to get vertical on every ripple and micro eddy, we’ve done a roundup of our favourites to help you choose.

The best way to work out what you want in a boat is to take it for a spin, and all the boats below can be found in the Flow Kayaks demo fleet.

Ripper 2

The original Ripper is a fantastic river runner but the changes made for the Ripper 2 make it a phenomenal play machine. Paddling downriver the tall bow rocker keeps you dry and skipping over the chaos, and the easy edge to edge transition makes the boat feel lively and fun. Play is where the Ripper 2 shines. The super low volume stern is easy to initiate, and once on end it’s easy to keep it there. On a wave the sharp front edges really let you throw the boat around and carve to your heart's content.

If you’re not feeling on top of your game, the low volume stern and sharp edges can catch you out in messier water, but the Ripper 2 is super easy to roll in case of any accidents.

Strengths:

Surfs like a dream
Lots of rocker for a dry predictable ride
Long super slicey stern, easy to control

Shortcomings:

Stern can catch in squirrelly water
Loses some of the speed and directional stability of the ripper 1

Paddler: Matthew Footitt, Image: Beth Kirby

Firecracker

The Firecracker is a bit of an anomaly coming in at a foot shorter than the rest of the boats on this list, but with most UK whitewater being low volume it really comes into its own. This boat plays like a freestyle boat with a flat hull that you can carve, spin, and even blunt on a wave, and in a hole you’re going to be getting the biggest loops and pop outs of your life. If you like paddling rivers like the Tryweryn but get frustrated hitting the bottom when playing, the short stern of the Firecracker might be just what you need. Downriver, the added volume and aggressive rocker keeps you upright and going where you want, but the lower speed and short length can sometimes catch you out if you’re not ready for it.

Strengths:

The most playful of half slices, paddles like a freestyle boat
Short enough to play in shallow spots, such as Tryweryn
Big bow rocker, lifted stern edges, and good volume distribution make it a stable and predictable river runner

Shortcomings:

Shorter than 9ft so not as fast
Smaller stern not as stable on end

Image: Jack Ledwith

Image: Tom Clare

Lettmann Machete

If you’re not sure what kind of half slice you want, the Lettmann Machete is a fantastic option for a boat that does everything well. There’s lots of volume packed into the front 3/4s of the boat, and combined with the wide flat hull this keeps you upright, but it’s still snappy edge to edge. A slicey tail makes it easy to get on end, and once it is up it is a joy to keep rotating. On a wave or in a hole, the sharp edges keep you carving and spinning, and the massive rocker keeps your bow from burying on steeper features. The Lettmann outfitting can be a bit divisive, but there’s lots of flexibility to adapt it to your own needs.

Strengths:

More volume and defined edges make it a fantastic river runner
Stern very stable and controllable on end
Easiest kickflips ever

Shortcomings:

Love/hate outfitting
Easy edge transfer may make it feel unstable

Image: Tamsyn McConchie

EXO Zion Slalom

If you want to go fast and feel confident flying through rapids the Zion Slalom is a great option. The super stable hull lets you aggressively drive the boat over boils and eddy lines, with the bow rocker helping to keep you from getting caught up and losing speed. The stern makes eddy turns and slalom style pivots easy and this boats a great option for Boater-X and racing.

The extra volume in the stern makes the Zion Slalom harder to get vertical than other boats on this list, but plenty of fun can be had, particularly if you’re towards the higher end of the weight range. If you’re looking for a sporty river runner this is the one for you.

Exo also makes a Zion Creek, with the same hull as the Slalom, but with added volume to make it more predictable on hard whitewater. If you don’t like adjusting your paddling style when switching between boats the Zion Slalom and Creek could be the perfect pair for you.

Strengths:

Fast
Very stable
Skips beautifully
Very similar to the Zion Creek so a great opportunity to grab the set

Shortcomings:

Not as playful as others
Softer edges

Paddler: Eoghan Kelly, Image: Ant Mitchell

Zet Ninja

The new Ninja from Zet is definitely one to drive if you’re looking for a fast, manoeuvrable boat, that still feels at home on harder whitewater. With a high volume bow with plenty of rocker it’s easy to keep the Ninja skipping over holes and easy to drive into eddies. The hull stays wide and flat to just behind the cockpit, where the distinctive “wings” stick out, giving you a boat that feels fantastically stable paddling hard downriver. The stern has more volume than other half slices, and it’s a lot less playful than other boats on this list, but with some good technique and a decent eddyline it’s still possible to get vertical. Slalom style pivot turns are where it shines though, and if you’re looking for a boat for harder whitewater, but with the benefits of a half slice, this is definitely one to try.

Strengths:

Big bow, super stable
At home on harder whitewater
Fast

Shortcomings:

Larger stern, more of a ¾ slice
One size only

Paddler: Jake Boswell feat. Ibbo, Image: Jack Ledwith

Zet Chili

The Chili is a speed machine designed to excel at racing. It paddles like a slalom boat and wants to be driven like you’re in a race. With skinny low volume ends and a lower rocker profile the Chili feels different to paddle to other half slices, but it rewards you with speed and agility. Coming in one size this is a great option for paddlers on the smaller side

Super lightweight outfitting keeps you locked in, and sturdy Zet plastic lets you splat every rock with confidence.

Strengths: