ThePADDLER
4
REVIEWS
P & H Volan 158 sea kayak www . phseakayaks . com By Dimitri Vandepoele NORTHSEAKAYAK
Would you like to field test our new Volan ? That was the question I got from Mat at P & H some time ago . My answer was equally straightforward . I had seen the design before its launch in 2020 and was very curious . The first model , the Volan 160 , proved too big for me . Eventually , I had to wait until the beginning of 2022 for the Volan 158 . I couldn ’ t even imagine what the Volan had in store for me at that point !
On the P & H website , the Volan is introduced as the compact combination of the Cetus and the Aries . Not everyone has the space to store two different kayaks , and this could prove the solution for those who want the best of both worlds . Both the Cetus and Aries are proven designs and are specialist boats in their own way , whether you like longdistance paddling , multiple-day tours or even expeditions or open crossings ( Cetus ) or if you ’ re the more playful paddler that seeks thrill in surfing , rock hopping or tide race paddling ( Aries ).
I ’ m not the patient type of guy , and I ’ ve seen and paddled the Volan 160 before in 2021 ( on flat calm water ), so I was eager to put the Volan 158 through its paces . The second question I got from P & H was if I would like to test the Performance seat . I have used the Connect seat for many years on all my boats for obvious reasons ( see reviews on the Valkyrie and Cetus , and you will know why ). Although I had not that much interest in the Performance seat , Mat was able to persuade me . I must thank him for that , but more on that later .
TESTING CONDITIONS I took my time for this review as I wanted it to be thorough . Writing a review just after an ‘ unboxing ’ isn ’ t my style . Many fellow paddlers from around the world were asking me questions during the past months on behaviour , sizing , and what I felt about the Volan compared to other models . Since I ’ m testing during summer , I had to wait for bigger surfing conditions .
There is always surf along the Belgian coast , but I wanted to push the Volan into the same conditions as my P & H Delphin . My patience was rewarded as we suddenly had a few rare days with bigger surfing conditions . Besides surfing , I used the Volan to do day trips , rock hopping and a single tide race session . We pushed the Volan through the same training sessions as usual , with many different rescue