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

Month: November 2020 (Page 1 of 2)

Dagger Vanguard

A really nice side shot of the Dagger Vanguard has appeared on Instagram courtesy of Bobby Miller.

That is a big old boat.

Movie Monday 30 November 2020

Welcome to Unsponsored and Movie Monday 30 November 2020.

Movie Monday 30 November 2020
Movie Monday 30 November 2020

Enjoy!

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ICF – Extreme Slalom

The International Canoe Federation is one step closer to adding extreme canoe slalom to the Olympic program after a virtual board meeting on Tuesday. The ICF Board voted to include men’s and women’s extreme slalom on its proposal for the Paris 2024 canoe program as it strives to continue to innovate and to deal with a reduction of Olympic quota places. Extreme slalom is a relatively new discipline to canoe, but it’s thrilling head-to-head format has attracted new fans and strong television ratings since its introduction to the ICF world cups and world championship programmes. The addition of the new discipline on the Olympic schedule would not require any extra athlete quotas, with many of the canoe slalom competitors likely to also contest the extreme competition.

International Canoe Federation

I’ve seen a lot of debate on this over the past few days and it’s an interesting conundrum, (Of which I’m on neither side).

ICF - Extreme Slalom
ICF – Extreme Slalom

Having worked within a Sprint set up I have upmost respect for the level of training and commitment they put in. The same also goes to slalom athletes. As Olympic disciplines it’s no secret this is where the money is focused but it’s also remembered that if you aren’t at medal contention level then you aren’t getting paid you are still training day in day out and working a full time job.

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First Descent – Upper Puesco

First Descent - Upper Puesco
First Descent – Upper Puesco

Led by LJ we ventured into the upper stretches of the Puesco river. What we found left us blown away. Super steep section with really stout rapids locked in a gorge. Big portages and hard stretches of whitewater kept us entertained for over 8 hours…. The ultimate hard run in Pucon is here 🙂

Serrasolses Brothers
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How To Get The Perfect Cartwheel In Your Kayak

How To Get The Perfect Cartwheel In Your Kayak
How To Get The Perfect Cartwheel In Your Kayak

Matthew Brook has rebased the first of his Webisode Wednesday videos. This one is how to get a perfect cartwheel in your kayak. We’ll be featuring Matthew’s webisodes on the site.

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Social Media Saturday 28 November 2020

Welcome to Unsponsored and Social Media Saturday 28 November 2020.

Social Media Saturday 28 November 2020
Social Media Saturday 28 November 2020

Enjoy!

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Always One Of The Best Days Of The Year

Always One Of The Best Days Of The Year
Always One Of The Best Days Of The Year

Racing the Green Race is so epic on it’s own, but it’s also the off water experience that makes it one of the best days of the year. Everybody wants to have a good run, but in the end everyone is just so fired up to be there. Even if someone has a bad run or even swims, they are still smiling and enjoying hanging out. The energy is always insane, the stoke is so high as people come through, it’s just a day I look forward to all year long.

Dane Jackson
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Immersion Research 7Figure Drysuit – Review

The nights are drawing in. The temperature is dropping, and the rain is falling. I should be excited; the Scottish paddling season is kicking off. Months of blustery days, where the heavens open and you go paddling almost every weekend.

Immersion Research 7Figure Drysuit – Review

This year however my drysuit is stranded in Canada. Summer boating plans got kiboshed due to the pandemic and I’m back in Scotland without my trusted latex companion. The long john wetsuit drafted in as a reserve haunts my hallway. It was great in the summer. Warm weather days, and a laugh at the retro styling meant I was happy in it. Now it hangs in the hallway, dripping, like a form of psychological torture. Reminding me of what lies ahead. Cold. Wet. Miserable. 

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Save Outdoor Ed

Dear Paddlesport Community, help us #SaveOutdoorEd 

Many of you will probably have had your first taste of kayaking or canoeing at an outdoor education centre with school, at a summer camp or with organisations such as the Scouts or Cadets. Indeed, you’ll never forget the late night dormitory giggles, writing postcards home, the skirmish for the hot showers or the smell of festering wetsuits in the drying room! Right now though, outdoor education centres across the UK are facing permanent closure due to COVID-19 restrictions on overnight visits and sporting activities. This article scratches the surface of the outcomes of outdoor education for young people with the insights of professionals from around the UK and concludes with some suggestions on how you can kindly help the fight to #SaveOutdoorEd.

Little imaginations running wild in the snowy Lake District. Did someone see a yeti!?

Since March, there has been no outdoor education residentials in the UK, with tens of thousands of children missing out on the opportunity to experience activities such as canoeing, rock climbing, archery, gorge walking, mountaineering and sailing, all whilst living away from home. Other adventures whilst on residential may include trying new food, helping with chores, cleaning boots and making a bed (this one’s often particularly traumatic!). Behind the activities, there is a whole range of benefits and developmental skills to be gained, most of which cannot be fully exercised in a classroom: problem solving in ‘real’ situations, developing resilience to new and challenging situations, following a routine or instructions, identifying and mitigating hazards and risks, environmental awareness, self-confidence and self-esteem, physical activity, communication skills, teamworking, timekeeping, independent living, resolving conflict, raising aspirations… the list goes on!

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Movie Monday 23 November 2020

Welcome to Movie Monday 23 November 2020 at Unsponsored.

Movie Monday 23 November 2020

Enjoy!

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Kokatat Rogue Dry Top – First Look

Joining the Kokatat HustleR in the Unsponsored kit bag is the Kokatat Rogue Dry Top.

Kokatat Rogue Dry Top - First Look
Kokatat Rogue Dry Top – First Look

The Kokatat GORE-TEX® Rogue is the industry benchmark for performance paddling dry tops. Backed by Kokatat’s limited lifetime warranty.

Kokatat
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Social Media Saturday 21 November 2020

Welcome to Unsponsored and Social Media Saturday 21 November 2020.

Social Media Saturday 21 November 2020

Enjoy!

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