Paddling tips, tricks, news and gear reviews from an Unsponsored point of view
A couple of days back a SOL Emergency Bivvy landed at Unsponsored HQ. Essentially it is an alternative to the big orange plastic bivvy bags that most of us are familiar with. But it is much smaller and lighter.
It is certainly a very compact piece of gear when packed up. Size wise it probably is similar to half a regular sized can of your favourite soft drink beverage and weighs in at around 3.8oz. It is small enough to fit within a rescue PFD pocket.
Crossover kayaks are becoming more an more common with most manufacturers having developed designs over the last few years. The new Traverse from Jackson Kayak looks a little different from the other designs that are currently available.
We will have our hands on a new Palm Equipment Lightning throwbag very shortly and will be forcing members of Team Unsponsored to swim to try it out. We had close look a few weeks ago at Palm HQ and it is clear that they are going to be very popular.
A great edit from Brad McMillan out on the Green in the new 2016 Dagger Nomad.
I’m not sure which one I like more… The new Nomad or the Green at 2 units!
Spade Kayaks have released this nice little graphic detailing their three levels of outfitting for 2016.
My Ace of Spades is fitted with the full Pro spec outfitting.
After over a year of planning Plymouth University’s Canoe Club’s first Dart Dash took place on the last weekend of January. The Dart Dash is an inter-university white water kayak race with both ‘Advanced’ and ‘Intermediate’ being held on the last three drops of the Upper Dart towards New Bridge and the ‘Beginner’ section-taking place between New Bridge and Spitchwick Common. (The Advanced section also included compulsory slalom poles that had to be made).
The levels the morning of the Dart Dash race day were high (lapping the steps), however they were quickly dropping, presenting the perfect conditions for the time of the race.
A friend of mine and I were discussing paddling in Wales last Sunday. He described it as the best best place in world to paddle. Given that he has paddled the world over that is not a throw away statement.
This edit from Luke Farmer gives just a small glimpse of what Wet And Wild Wales has to offer the whitewater paddler.
After 3.5 years of kayaking, the inevitable happened. On Sunday I found myself a little bit stuck: I was in a weir.
The day had not being going very well for me; we had headed to the Kent in the Lake District with one car. We were 4 quite experienced paddlers, and although none of us had done the Kent at the high-medium it was rising to, there was little cause for concern. After taking my first swim of 2016 on S-Bend (embarrassing, but meatier than I recall), I wasn’t the happiest of paddlers but reluctantly got back in my boat.
I haven’t been totally happy paddling for some time, and that was rearing it’s ugly head once more. In our circle of kayaking friends we call it The Fear. It’s paralysing, frustrating, illogical and embarrassing. It has sucked the joy out of so many rivers since I had my first bite of it in Scotland last Easter, and it’s iron grip is incredibly hard to shake.
Shane Benedict from Liquid Logic kayaks has recently uploaded a video from Lower Joe Creek.
There is one kayak on there that doesn’t look familiar. What do you reckon, could this be a new shorter creeker from Liquid Logic. A replacement for the Jefe or Stomper may be?
Last year we had a custom carbon pole made by our friends over at Vertical Element Paddles. Essentially we wanted a light weight and adjustable camera boom that would work with the GoPro range of cameras. VE came up with the goods.
If you are at work and are working you need stop and take a little time to reflect on the fact that this is the last Movie Monday that will appear on the 29 of February for quite a long time!
So sit back, relax, turn the sound up and enjoy Movie Monday 29 February 2016 and be proud that you are part of making history. Share this via your many social media channels. It won’t happen again until 2044 (I think).
Lets just recap the principles of First Aid:
To preserve life
To protect the casualty from further harm
To promote recovery
Remember here that it also goes past the ‘find it, fix it’ to after care. Keep looking out for delayed symptoms and general health following the incident.
Good river guides come across this on a daily basis.
It’s about client care first and foremost.
This short tale from raft guide trainer Mark Hirst highlights the issues.
© 2025 Unsponsored
Theme by Anders Norén — Up ↑
Recent Comments