Paddling tips, tricks, news and gear reviews from an Unsponsored point of view
PeakUK have continued to develop their ever popular PFD range. The River Guide PFD is just one of many that has had a re-design over the last few years. In addition to the Red/Grey colour scheme PeakUK have introduced Blue/Lime to match the new deluxe drysuit.
Palm have significantly updated their line of drysuits for 2016. Fabric is tougher and the velcro flaps used to cover zips have been completely removed.
The cut has been improved with less panels and as a result less seams.
This is the second edit from my trip to South America. From our 4 day trip down the Rio Suarez, we had pretty low water but still turned out to be awesome trip starting in low volume bedrock finishing in big water good times all round enjoy a few shots a got along the way.
I spent a fair bit of time on the Yak stand talking to the guys about their range of products, the design team and the direction the company wants to move in. To say I was impressed would be an understatement.
Put it simply they want to make the best designed and functional kayaking/canoeing gear available and with the 2015/2016 line up they may have just smashed it.
There were a couple of sets of Werner Odachi on display last weekend at the Paddle Expo in Nuremberg. Throughout the few days I was there a constant stream of paddlers, retailers and manufacturers were checking them out.
The Odachi has been designed to fulfil the needs of the new breed of whitewater racers tackling the Sickline race and similar. The blade is some 49cm long and is symmetrical to allow for a more vertical paddle stroke.
Previously marketed under the Robson brand the Brooks range of canoes are made from Armerlite.
We have had a pre-production model of the new large Pyranha 9R at Unsponsored HQ for a few weeks now for review.
We don’t see much in the of Kokatat here in the UK so it was great to check out the neat Kokatat stand. On display up front was the Kokatat Maximus Centurion PFD.
Now the Maximus Centurion isn’t new as its been available since last year. Previous models have been available in navy or yellow, but this one in orange looks the business.
The Yak Highback PFD shown here is a prototype so some tweaks no doubt will be made before it is finally released in 2106.
From the front the PFD looks pretty conventional. Quality fabric, good cut, two large storage pockets and plenty of adjustment. However turn it around and it’s a different story.
Another set of whitewater edits to keep you distracted as the working week begins.
The Lower Oetz
The Lower Oetz from Nicky Ball and Rosie Florence on Vimeo.
A late season trip to Austria this year again, met up with some friends to paddle in Otztal for the day.
It’s been along time since we’ve seen an edit from Freestyle master James Bebbington. Thankfully he had taken his camera to the worlds and has put the following edit together. Enjoy!
On a safety PSA note if you are carrying a throw bag or rescue tape then you should always have the means to cut it if something were to go wrong.
We’ve had the Palm Folding Knife at Unsponsored HQ for quite a few months so I feel it’s time to do a full review.
Another new Palm Equipment product in for review at Unsponsored HQ. This is the new Palm folding knife.
The image below shows the Palm Folding knife with a Spyderco UK Penknife (Orange FRN), and Spyderco Ladybug.
© 2025 Unsponsored
Theme by Anders Norén — Up ↑
Recent Comments