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

Category: Gear (Page 56 of 135)

Dirty First Aid Series – Part I

22 January 2016 / / 2 Comments

We all love to kayak, sure. It has some things we love and some we hate. First Aid often becomes the elephant in the room.

When was the last time you or your peers did a course or a workshop? Do you keep ‘up to speed’ on developments?

In this series I am pleased to offer a ‘dirty’ First Aid approach. This is suited to kayakers and river users. Using a ‘find it fix it’ approach to incident care and management.

Dirty First Aid - The Series
Dirty First Aid Series – Part I

This first article will lay the foundations of rapid emergency aid. It’s a simple approach that a basic personal First Aid kit and things carried on you can deal with. Now is not the time to discuss what you should or should not carry in your kit. Read the series and make your own mind up.

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Benefits Of The HMS Karabiner

21 January 2016 / / 0 Comments

If you haven’t done so already take some time and check out the range of gear being developed and produced by UK firm Whetman Equipment.

Benefits Of The HMS Karabiner

In addition to some great gear Steve Whetman has also been producing a number of videos. This one on the benefits of the HMS Karabiners is definitely worth a watch.

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Dirty First Aid – The Series

21 January 2016 / / 0 Comments

Old man river Darren Clarkson-King (DAZ) will be supplying a series of ‘Dirty First Aid’ articles for Unsponsored. The series of articles will be posted here over the next few months and will centre around first aid for river runners.

Dirty First Aid - The Series

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Soul Waterman – Outfitting

15 January 2016 / / 0 Comments

Corran Addison has released several new images of the new Soul Waterman outfitting that will used in the new Soul Waterman whitewater kayak line up.

Soul Waterman Outfitting

Corran is keeping things pretty simple with the setup. There are no ratchets, ropes, pulleys, straps, or water absorbing padding. But the system is designed to offer maximum adjustability and comfort.

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Nikon AW110 – Review

11 January 2016 / / 0 Comments

The Nikon AW110 has been my main on the water camera for the last few years. Many of the images on the site have been taken with this camera or a Nikon DSLR (D5100 or D7100). I had previously used a Sony TX10 with great success but it was getting a little long in the tooth and technology had moved on.

The Nikon AW110 is now around 3 years old and things have moved on with Nikon releasing the AW130 a few months back. However after using the AW110 for so long and the price reducing so significantly I thought many readers of Unsponsored would be keen to find out more about this rugged point and shoot camera.

Nikon AW110

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RPM Adventures

10 January 2016 / / 0 Comments

The Dagger RPM is one of the best boats of all time, read the review here. If you haven’t paddled one you need to get your hands on one as soon as possible.

RPM Adventures

This edit from Matt Brook shows some Dagger RPM adventures around the UK including – Trent Lock, the Swale and the Middle Tawe.

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Carabiners

10 January 2016 / / 3 Comments

Walk into any climbing shop and you’ll be presented with a wide array of carabiners, loads of sizes, loads of shapes, loads of colours and a range of prices.

What ever carabiner you choose to buy please make sure that it is a type that is rated for climbing/caving and that it is suitable for job you will be asking it to do. A carabiner suitable for climbing will have its strength rating forged, stamped or etched on it. It should also conform to the relevant PPE standard (EN 12275, the standard for mountaineering connectors), this again should be present on the carabiner.

Carabiners

There are some really super light carabiners available out there that are great for climbing but could be too easily damaged/compromised whilst on the river. In instances where hauling, belaying or security are required locking carabiners are best. I carry four locking carabiners as part of my kit, but also have a couple of non-locking carabiners in my boat for clipping gear into that can be called into service if required.

The number you should carry is subjective – Mountainbuzz, Pin Kit.

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Petzl eLITE – Review

9 January 2016 / / 0 Comments

The Petzl eLITE is an ultralight and compact head torch designed for emergency use. I have had one of the 1st generation units for years.

Petzl e+LITE - Review

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He Lost His Drone And GoPro

6 January 2016 / / 0 Comments

A few years ago Geoff Otto lost his DJI Phantom Quadcopter and attached GoPro Hero 3 Black edition.

He Lost His Drone And GoPro

The drone And GoPro were lost to the murky depths of the Tees Barrage International Whitewater Course here in the UK. The course takes water directly from the river Tees before returning the water below the barrage and back into the tidal section of the river.

unsponsored_Aug15_Tees 175

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Latex Gasket Repair

3 January 2016 / / 0 Comments

There is always a chance that every time you put on piece of gear that has latex gaskets that the gasket could split. This recently happened to Dave Kersey. The choice of not paddling, getting wet/cold or carrying out an emergency latex gasket repair was an easy one to make.

Dave managed to use some woven medical tape to quickly and effectively repair the split.

Latex Gasket Repair

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Titan Kayaks – Yantra

21 December 2015 / / 0 Comments

Titan Kayaks have recently launched the new Yantra 8’5″ whitewater kayak.

Titan Kayaks - Yantra

If you’re looking for a great all round boat this new year look no further!

Speed, forgiving sides, semi planning hull with a staggered rail giving rails to carve without the edge to bite.

We’re also now using a new Super Linear HDPE plastic formula thats now even stiffer and more impact resistant.

Also featuring the newly updated lighter and stronger 2016 Reactor Outfitting which focuses on supporting a large surface area of the hull while also distributing your weight into the rails of the boat for more control and stability.

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Vertical Element Explorer Aircore Pro Paddles – Review

21 December 2015 / / 0 Comments

I have been using VE paddles for some time now as I was able to very quickly order a set of customs left handed cranked full carbon paddles and have them delivered within in matter of days. Superb service. This was a lifesaver and I have found that the construction and durability is as good as the customer service.

I was intrigued when I saw that VE also make a range of Sea Kayaking/Touring paddles. I managed to get hold of a set of Vertical Element Explorer Aircore Pro paddles for review.

I grew up on the North East coast of England and spent a great deal of time paddling in the sea whether it be surfing or exploring the cliffs and rocky shore a matter of a few miles from my home. Although I really enjoy paddling in the sea if on a long trip in heavy swell I do get seasick and remember a number of trips when I was younger where I was hit hard by seasickness. I must confess that over the years the surfing has continued but the exploring the coast has dropped off.

However over the course of the summer I spent some time up on the West Coast of Scotland at the Unsponsored HQ summer retreat centre opposite Knoydart. This part of the world is a haven for both whitewater and sea kayaking, so it made sense to take advantage of the sheltered waters around Loch Hourn.

Vertical Element Explorer Aircore Pro Paddles - Review

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