Liz, you are perfect for the Hero. You are the paddler this boat was designed for and if you already like it in the pool, you'll probably like it on the river. I really liked mine. And it will help with the transition from playboating to creeking. Once you're running class V more regularly, a longer boat might be helpful, but I know guys who swear by them in the 5+/expedition environment, too. Have fun in pink!!

No boat handles the same on the river as it does in a pool!!!!  A creeker is designed for aerated water (bubbles in the water) no class three (IV+) pool will give you that feel to base your decision for purchasing a creeker.

My grandpa once asked me, Jimmers what do you want to do when you grow up, I responded, well grandpa I don't really know. So he gave me a shovel and made me dig his drainage ditches in the backyard. A few days later he asked me how I liked digging and I told him I wasn't so keen on it. He laughed and then gave me a bunch of PVC and had me put together the drain & sprinkler lines. A couple days later he asked me how I liked doing that and I told him It was better then digging but again it was not exactly enjoyable, he chuckled and showed me a few pallets of shingles in the driveway and told me to get busy on the roof. 1 week later he asked me how I liked doing roofing and I told him, I just want to go home grandpa. He laughed and told me that you can't live at home forever and the first step to enjoying life was finding out what you do and don't want to do with your hands, but no matter what you need to keep your hands busy.

While I was waiting for my dad to pick me up, quietly trying to avoid my grandpa I realized something. My grandpa might have wanted to teach me a thing or two about life but to this day I am pretty sure he was using me as cheap labor at my dads recommendation.

Moral of the story?
Lesson 1. Sometimes you have to find out what you like by experiencing what you don't like.
Lesson 2. If someone asks you what you like and not even you know, your probably going to get a run down on lesson #1.
Lesson 3. As good as Grandma's Apple pie might be, don't let grandpa talk you into a summer vacation when his house is falling apart.

I am not sure what thread this should go into but it works here, so N'Joy.

Thanks, friends, for the advice. I went ahead and got the boat, and I'm psyched about it. Hopefully I can paddle it with you soon!

no dude, that's not why I talk sh*t. I was born to talk sh*t. Besides, I was agreeing with you...