Paddling tips, tricks, news and gear reviews from an Unsponsored point of view
Over the last two weeks I have welded up a number of boats here at Unsponsored HQ. So I thought I would share some of the work carried out “Welding – A Review” if you like.
The first boat a Dagger Mamba was welded twice. Once on the nose which also included getting a huge dent out and again on the hull under the seat.
Losing a GoPro because the sticky mount has failed is not a nice experience. I have been there. Using a leash or tethering system has become a key part of using a GoPro, especially when attached to a kayak, paddle or helmet. Since the release of the Blackout housing and GoPro Hero 4 the usual place to add a leash to tether the camera has gone.
GoPro have removed access to the metal bar that acts as part of the hinge, this was used by many to attach a thin piece of cord although some cases have failed due to this. There are two alternatives to using the hinge that depend upon the thumbscrew on the QR mount.
Having a good kit bag is pretty important to me. It keeps my wet and often dirty kit safe and secure and helps prevent kit (or the inside of my car) being damaged.
A while back I bought an NRS Bills bag, which is an awesome bit of kit. Absolutley cavernous and very well put together. However if out for a quick paddle it is probably too big.
Recently I purchased a fluid bazooka because after a few beaterings it became apparent that to run the bigger rivers in wales I’d need a bigger boat!
The Bazooka is one of the smaller white water boats on the market coming in a just over 2 and a half metres but has shed loads of volume. It’s a boat designed for steep technical rivers but will still look after you on bigger rivers.
The Middle Palguin class V waterfall near Pucon Chile was arguably one of the most cherished cascade features in the kayaking world. During 2014 heavy flooding milled porous basalt below the cascade formerly known as Stout 10. Tons of bedrock literally collapsed out from under Stout 10 just above the kayaker destination Middle Palguin 70 footer. Now, kayakers consistently ask, “What’s at the bottom?” “Can you send a probe kayak?” “Is it runnable?” A little known study abroad program for kayakers decided to kayak probe the cave siphon drop and document the mission for a video production course.
The guys from Whitewater The Canoe Centre have one of the first Ace of Spades kayaks and have kindly agreed to these images being shared on Unsponsored.
The Ace of Spades is the first boat from new kayak company Spade Kayaks. They deploy the blow moulded technique to produce the Ace.
A great edit from friend of Unsponsored, Mark Mulrain. Mark takes a run down the Coe Gorge – a classic Scottish run.
The new 2015 Palm Horizon shorts landed a month or so ago at Unsponsored HQ. Since then they have been used several times, even when it was a little too cold for shorts.
First of all these are lined shorts, the inner shorts are made from soft fleece but the waist band is neoprene. This band sits nice and high and gives good lower back coverage when sitting down. I find this to be probably the most important feature in a pair of shorts that will be used for kayaking/canoeing. Sometimes board shorts don’t give the additional coverage. The shorts’ waist is fastened/adjusted by a lacing system in the same style as many board shorts. What is quite nice is that the laces cannot easily be pulled through the lace holes.
Andy Butler takes a P&H Hammer On The Mawddach. The P&H Hammer is a 13ft sea kayak. Could it also be a great river runner or creeker?
A change of car has forced me to seek out a new set of roofbars. I wanted the best set of roof bars for my car without going silly on the cost. This time I have went for the Thule Wing bars. These are known as the Thule Aeroblades in some parts of the word. I love cars that can have a set of roof bars bolted to them, either to fittings hidden within the roof or roof rails. The new Unsponsored HQ paddle wagon/family transporter is a very sensible two litre 184bhp BMW 320d Sport.
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