This is my turning-point video: running the Sandy River in my AIRE Lynx inflatable kayak in 2024.
Video: The Sandy River 2024 By Jacob Linkhart on the SOLWYRX Paddlesports YouTube channel.
Disclosure: SOLWYRX Paddle Gear sells SOTAR gear, and I earn money when you buy it here. SOTAR also sponsors me as an athlete.
It started on New Year's Day 2024, rowing the Sandy in the Super Puma. I kept looking at the river and thinking about kayaking it. So I came back and did it in the Lynx, and it slingshotted me into harder whitewater kayaking. Everything since, from my SOTAR SL to the Rondel to racing at Clackfest, traces back to this run. I tell the full story in From God, for God: the SOLWYRX story.
Why an inflatable kayak was the right step
An IK forces you to make every decision yourself, and that's how you grow fast. It's more forgiving than a hardshell in some ways, since you're not locked in, but swims in an IK still carry real risk, so build up with a good group. If you're deciding where to start, read Raft or Inflatable Kayak: Where Should a Beginner Start? For my current kayaks, check out the SOTAR SL in the shop.
The Sandy stayed a tradition: see Sandy river new years day trip 2026.
Personal trip report: flows, wood and hazards change, and what worked for me that day isn't a rule for your boat or group. Check current conditions, scout, and boat within your training.
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Updated October 28, 2026 · By Jacob Linkhart, owner of SOLWYRX Paddle Gear · Spot a mistake? Email me and I'll fix it.
