Paddling tips, tricks, news and gear reviews from an Unsponsored point of view
Name: Dale Mears
Country: England
I am a member of team wavesport here in the UK and a keen paddler of both freestyle and river running. I am a secondary school teacher so manage to hold a successful career and paddle. I think for all you young guns out there it is just as important to have a back up in life in case anything happens or you become injured. I am also a keen photographer both water based and off the water check out my photos here www.flickr.com/dalemears. Continue reading
Name: Ben Johnston
Location: Carlisle, Cumbria, UK.
Kayak – Zeroattivo Orgasmo – fast boat, sharp edges, not best looking outfitting but super comfy and simple, not yet fully used only had 1 month (been on river 3 times). Continue reading
Name: Gavin Hart
Location: England
Student studying BA (Hons) Adventure and Media @ University of Cumbria
Fluid Detox M, Werner Desperados, Sweet Rocker, Yak Koast, Sweet Shadrach, Level 6 Reign, Delta Shock Deck, Adidas Sick Line Boat Shoes, 15m Throwline, FA kit.
Currently an intermediate boater in a game of catch up. I’m striving to progress my paddling so I can keep up with my friends and aim in the future to be able to hold my own on harder whitewater whilst getting great photography and video too.
This is your chance to get some of your own images and words on Unsponsored. I’m running a series that will showcase the kit that boaters just like you are using – Readers Rides.
The format will be as follows:
At least one image of the Reader and their Ride
Name of the Reader
Country
A list of kit currently being used – boat(s), paddle, helmet, dry gear, PFD, safety kit, footwear etc…
Detail of how often the kit has been owned and what kind of use it gets
Details of what is particularly good or bad about the kit – it’s design, fit, robustness etc. You can focus on all of your kit or just a small selection.
Images and words should be sent via email to phil ATTTT unsponsored DOTTT co DOTTT uk
Please keep it kayak related!
A couple of examples – Callum Strong, Ben Johnston
Reader – CHRIST DO YOU NOT KNOW WHO I AM.
Country – Wales and Nepal
I have a few sets of gear at the moment, I use a Mamba in Wales and a Phat, Everest or Remix in Nepal. I have a Gus in India and an RPM. I use a Jimi Styx on soul days, and use Lightning Gradients on expeditions (200). I wear a Sweet Wanderer on creeks and a Strutter in the sun/cruise days. Sweet drytop/pants and base layers. Chaco footwear, IR pogies in the cold. Snap Dragon/Playboater/IR/Palm skirt depending on boat. Pfd, I have a Langer AKC shape in Nepal, Nookie in UK, Peak in UAE and a Stolquist in India. I also have a Hydraulics. As for safety kit. I always carry 2 throw bags, a waist mounted Salamander or NRS Guide along with a longer line in my boat. All my lines are stripped and have Krabs and prussiks as part of the system held within.
Name: Kirstie Macmillan (Kmac)
Location: Scotland
Above: Falls of Feugh, Banchory
Current Kit: Wavesport Diesel 65/Wavesport EZG 50, Playboater Workdeck, Werner Sherpa 191, Sweet Wanderer, Palm Naiya Cag and Sidewinder Pants, Astral Bella, Palm 15m throwline, Palm Granites/Lomo boots. Continue reading
It’s super important that not only should you be carrying the correct kit you should also know how to use it. Get the kit and learn how to use it. These guys have done both of these things.
Go to any event or any other large gathering of paddlers and you’ll be guaranteed to spot loads of folk wearing a Shred Ready standard. There are a number of good reasons for this.
Sportpursuit have GoPro HD2s with a 8GB SD card for just over £190.
Waterproof kit from Aquapac is also listed along with quite a few other pretty good deals.
The shots below show the Wavesport Recon 93 and Dagger Mamba 8.6 (Creeker Spec).
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