Paddling tips, tricks, news and gear reviews from an Unsponsored point of view

Month: April 2014 (Page 1 of 5)

Out And About – For Some UK Stout

Another great edit from friend of Unsponsored Mo Ritz.

Screen Shot 2014-04-29 at 21.59.36

After last years misfortune of travelling to the UK and finding almost nothing but frozen rivers, cold, and snow we decided to take the gamble once again. Packed the van, loaded the boats and hit the road. Continue reading

Arc’teryx Customer Service – Review

At the start of 2014 I managed to put a cut in my Arc’teryx Fission SL jacket. The Fission SL is a super light weight Goretex pro jacket that is insulated. It’s a great jacket that is both light and warm and it has served me well through the British winters for the last couple of years. Unfortunately I managed to brush past a wall (bricks had sharp edges) and put a 5 to 6cm straight cut in the front of the jacket.

Fission-SL-Jacket-Black

To say I was gutted would be an understatement. I looked at possible solutions for repair – tape, glue, patch etc. All were viable but to be honest if it’s less than perfect it would simply annoy me. So the only option was to contact Arc’teryx direct. To be honest I didn’t hold out much hope as I expected the repair to be hugely expensive and therefore not cost effective. But is was worth a go. Continue reading

Sunny Day On Linville

Sunny Day On Linville from Ryan McAvoy on Vimeo.

Robby, Mike, Matthew and I motivated early one morning for a low water lap on the famous Linville Gorge. Low water but still tons of fun. Enjoy.

Arcteryx Atom LT Jacket – Review

Arcteryx is a Canadian company based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Now I must admit I love Arcteryx as I find the fit to be perfect for my build. Read on to find out what I think about the Arcteryx Atom LT Jacket.

Arcteryx Atom LT Jacket

I own fair bit if Arcteryx kit and actually wish I owned more. However the bank balance won’t allow it. Out of all of the kit I own the Arcteryx Atom LT jacket and Arcteryx Atom LT hoodie get the most use. Construction, materials and fit are identical with the hood being the only difference between the two. Within the Atom LT range is also the sleeveless waistcoat version.

In total I have probably owned at least one of these for around two years. However the jacket is my main goto insulated jacket. I will often go for this over a fleece, including windstopper versions I own.

Arcteryx Atom LT Jacket

Continue reading

Choss Watch

Choss Watch

Join Phil Mitchel, Ben Johnston, James Mitchel and Martyn Butler for this latest instalment of Choss Watch when the team searches the sunny island paradise of Corsica for its most manky rocky rivers.

Continue reading

Current GoPro Setup – April 2014

I receive a couple of emails each day asking about my current GoPro setup so here is an update.

unsponsored_karma 073

I use both a GoPro Hero 3 Black and 3+ Black editions. Both have there firmware updated every time there is a new release.

Continue reading

British Universities Creek Race 2014

The second ever British Universities Creek Race was held earlier this year. Another great event. Check out the official video from The Outdoor Journal.

British Universities Creek Race 2014 | The Outdoor Journal from The Outdoor Journal on Vimeo.

Check out the write up from the event here.

Mathias Fossum Styling Lysaker

Mathias fossum styling lysaker from Grass Hopper Productions on Vimeo.

A short video of Mathias Fossum on the Lysaker river in Norway.

Mathias is one of the coolest guys i have ever paddle with. The best to paddle with him is that is always happy which make people feel comfortable around him
such a good kayaker if you come to Norway remember that name.

PURA VIDA

Lofer Schlucht, Kommentiert Von Olli Grau

Olli styling it on the steep stuff.

Lofer Schlucht, kommentiert von Olli Grau from Olli Grau on Vimeo.

Olli Grau kommentiert eine Fahrt auf der Saalach durch die Teufelsschlucht im April 2014. Continue reading

Escape To Corsica 2014

I’ve seen many photographs and videos of Corsica since I started kayaking 4 years ago but never imagined that I’d actually get to go and experience the crystal waters and steep creeks of this stunning island. It is difficult to get any detailed information on the kayaking out there aside from a few videos and German guidebooks from the 80s full of air bracing pioneers in fibreglass boats!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Getting to the island involved a drive to Dover, the channel ferry, a 13 hour drive to Toulon and an overnight ferry across the Mediterranean. Despite over 24 hours of travelling, once you’re on the island, the rivers are all very close by and range from relaxing grades 2/3 to some scary 5/6 with siphons the size of cars and portages as long as some British rivers!

corsica5

We spent the first day finding our feet on the grade 2/3+ Lower Vecchio and Tavignano Gorge, working out team dynamics and acclimatising to the Corsican style. Later in the week we paddled another section of the Tavignano which had some awesome surf spots and flair opportunities, a great river for beginner and intermediate paddlers to practice skills on! Continue reading

Confluence Watersports Become Confluence Outdoor

Confluence Watersports is the parent group that a number of big US brands belong to including Dagger and Wavesport. They have announced that they have been accuired by J.H Whitney a private equity firm and will now be known as Confluence Outdoor.

Screen Shot 2014-04-22 at 19.28.48

“We are very pleased to be brought into the J.H. Whitney family,” said Sue Rechner, who will continue in her role as President & CEO of the newly formed Confluence Outdoor. “Confluence has always been an active and invested member of the outdoor industry, and we are fortunate that our new partnership with J.H. Whitney will enable us to build upon our success in paddlesports as a platform for future expansion. Their respect for and commitment to our industry is well demonstrated, and I feel certain that our shared excitement will foster continued growth and achievement for Confluence and the industry.”

Kaituna Gnarly Gorge 100% GoPro

Another great video from SB Productions.

Kaituna Gnarly Gorge 100% GoPro from SB Productions on Vimeo.

Fun lap with the boys down the Lower Gorges of the Kaituna. Continue reading

« Older posts

© 2024 Unsponsored

Theme by Anders NorénUp ↑