Paddling tips, tricks, news and gear reviews from an Unsponsored point of view
Mexico part 2 from Creek Sides on Vimeo.
Veracruz, Mexico is such a special place. Rio Alseseca is one of the best rivers in the world. There’s really no way to describe it other than to see it for yourself. There are so many world class sections of whitewater and at least one tributary that’s right up there. If you haven’t been, you must go. Sorry if I missed ya in the credits.
Entry Moves from Jez Jez on Vimeo.
From time to time this will happen and is far more common than even the great boaters like to admit. Capsizing and swimming is what helps us all get better, it’s part of the learning curve no matter what level of the sport you are currently at.
There are two main goals if you find yourself in the water. The first is to stay safe whilst in the water and second is to get out of the water. Continue reading
I’m very fortunate to be in the position of getting hold of new kit well before it is released. This now includes the Intergalactic dry suit from Norwegian company Sweet Protection.
Sweet have been in the whitewater game for years but the Intergalactic marks their first and long awaited move into the dry suit arena. The Intergalactic is built from Gore-Tex Pro material and is backed onto a fabric that is both supple and tough. The Gore-Tex used is the 3 – layer Performance variety that is designed for extreme and extended use. I have a number of bits of kit, including a Sweet Shadrach made out of the same material and although it feels quite soft I know that it will take a beating and come back for more.
Peak Design are a US based company who design innovative camera accessories. The one that has caught my eye is the Camera Capture Clip with the POV kit.
From Peak Design:
Need to turn any backpack strap, belt or strap-like object into a mount for a GoPro® or any P.O.V. video device. Shoot video in ways you’ve never imagined with these durable and ultra-versatile products. Buy Capture and P.O.V. Kit together and save $5 off retail prices when purchased separately.
What you essentially have is a quick release system that allows you to attach your GoPro to belts and straps. I’m thinking it could be a great addition to my GoPro mount kit as it will allow me to securely fasten the GoPro to the shoulder strap of my PFD.
I have a set on order and expect it very shortly.
As well as making sure I have all the necessary safety kit (PFD, helmet, throw line, whistle, pin kit) I like to have a range of kit with me that can be used in emergency situations. If a trip were to turn into an epic it is possible that someone may have been injured and/or we could be stuck out in the middle of nowhere.
Therefore my kit centres around three key elements/purposes:
I like to carry a range of kit that will help keep me and/or my paddling buddies warm and offer a little shelter.
If someone gets injured I’d like to go someway to help patch him or her up.
I’d like to ensure that morale stays high.
I have to weigh all of these needs against what is practically possible and the weight I can actually carry in my boat. Regardless this kit needs to be carried in my boat or on my person and needs to be kept dry. I am currently using an Exped Cloudburst dry sack for the bulk of the emergency kit that I carry. It is based around a traditional roll top dry bag but it has straps so that it can be used as a rucksack. It has a volume of 15 litres which means it is big enough to hold the essentials but will still fit in the back of my Liquid Logic Stomper.
Call Out 104 from Becky Kukla on Vimeo.
‘Call-out 104’ explores the second busiest UK team of dedicated Mountain Rescuers based in North Wales, Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation. A team who make an increased number of rescues without government funding every single year. Continue reading
Sam Crooks kindly edited his River Erme video for use on Unsponsored. Thanks Sam. It is well worth the watch and highlights the importance of undertaking whitewater rescue training.
River Erme Kayak Pin Rescue. from samcrooks on Vimeo.
Short video of a kayak becoming pinned on River Erme in Dartmoor UK. The video highlights the rescue of paddler and multiple technique attempts to extract boat. This video has been edited to remove faff time however I feel the essence of the rescue is outlined and other paddlers can learn from the techniques we used.
Salzachöfen & Lammeröfen 2014 from Philipp Brunner on Vimeo.
Ever and anon this beautiful paddling-days in the alps *_*. Continue reading
An A-Team Christmas from Rogue Compass Media on Vimeo.
The D.C. A-Team headed to Tlapacoyan in Veracruz, Mexico for three weeks to escape the cold and run the shit. The Alseseca River provided numerous sections to keep us busy and never failed to put a smile on your face. This world class whitewater, combined with Aventurec’s awesome lodging and the ability to point at a picture in a guidebook and be dropped off there an hour later soon made it clear why Mexico is a kayaking mecca.
Paddlers: Wyatt Hyndman, Nathan Sass, Julio Danger, Dane Jackson, Kyle Burton, Jordan Poffenberger, Dylan Evans, Patrick Heindel
My review of the Dragorossi will be appearing in the next issue of The Paddler.
Many thanks to Martyn Butler for supplying some awesome images and to Phil Mitchell for styling it in the shots.
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