Two different prototypes have been made, with the main difference being the size/number of compartments. The roll shown below has been made with a ripstop Cordura so it’s really tough. It has separate compartments for -

A Phillips screwdriver
An aLOKSAK pouch containing my spare battery and SD cards. The pouch is completely waterproof.
A Gorilla-pod tripod
Assorted mounts including a new multifunctional mount that I am trying out for a new UK based firm.

The whole unit rolls up nice and tight and is fastened with a military spec fastek buckle.

It is my firm belief that this has to be one of the best kayaking related books around. Nealy has managed to capture something really special, a combination of wit, humour and instruction rolled into a single book. I guess what I’m really trying to say is that its fun to read whilst at the same time being informative. I know that during my early days of paddling (some 20+ years ago) that this book made a massive difference to how I ran whitewater.

Kayak – the New Frontier: The Animated Manual of Intermediate and Advanced Whitewater Technique

Kayak has recently been updated. A few tweaks here and there. Still the same great book, same great humour.

If you have never seen or read Kayak, I would strongly recommend picking up a copy.

This made in the USA tool is 100% stainless steel (also available in titanium) and comes with a loads of features including: needlenose pliers; five screwdrivers, including Phillips head; two knives, one serrated; a wire cutter/splicer; a saw; file; can/bottle opener; and scissors. The newer version also has an attachment that will accept changeable driver bits.

The Leatherman is extremely sharp and is happy dealing with paper, wire, metal, or wood. The Leatherman Wave is a great tool that is guaranteed for 25 years – no questions asked, if it breaks, bends, weakens it will be repaired or replaced. It is also very compact.

The Leatherman Wave isn’t just a handy, versatile tool – it’s a practical investment. They aren’t cheap, £80 in sales but I think it is a solid investment.

The Video basically showcases some of the UK’s finest boating talents, including Cheesy, Debs Pinneger, Andy Phillips, Mark Birkbeck, Ed Cornfield, Simon Westgarth and one German (I think), Katrine Prase thrown in for good measure. Each paddler gets a 4/5 minute slot including entertaining interviews, good old Brit humour, and of course some full on freestyle and creek action!

The Boating includes everything from good old Shepperton weir on a cranking ten gates, to the mighty Zambezi, with playspots and rivers from all over Europe in-between.

The best bits: Its Hard to pin point a best bit, however Birky’s section is entertaining, and deb’s bit is some what inspiring!

The worst bit: For some reason they decide to feature Andy Phillips at Nottingham of all places!

Final verdict: A wamdangler of a vid that makes you want to pack your bags and buy a van! Well worth having in your collection.

Ian White (the Airbitchproject team)

Time: 30 minutes max.
Cost for materials: £2

I have been using Petzl head torches since the purchase of a Micro and Zoom almost 20 years ago. I have since stuck with the brand and now have a collection of Tikkas.

The Tikka Plus 2 headlamp integrates two light sources for versatility: one white, high-output LED and one red LED. The white LED delivers 70 lumens in maximum mode and lights up to 40 meters. In economic mode, it can reach a burn-time of 185 hours. The red LED provides lighting to preserve night vision or to become a strobe light for increased safety, for example in an urban environment, etc. TIKKA PLUS2 can be used with lithium batteries to decrease weight or improve performance in cold weather.

The final bit of outfitting for my new Pyranha Jed was a GoPro guide sticker.

I have spent the last couple of hours dressed in my paddling kit to get the outfitting correct. Here are a few images from this afternoon. They do not do the “Wham” colour scheme justice.

More images can be found on the Unsponsored Flickr Stream.

http://www.facebook.com/unsponsoreduk

The hoodie was purchased from Sport Pursuit and was my first order via the private sports sale site. I’m now looking forward to my Icebreaker order from Sport Pursuit .