Paddling tips, tricks, news and gear reviews from an Unsponsored point of view
Team Unsponsored used Bomber Gear equipment for a number of years until they became very difficult to get hold of in the UK. It’s great to see Bomber Gear launching a new line of what looks like a range of very interesting gear.
The Palguin Series is the most innovative line of dry wear in paddlesports history. Featuring Polartec Neoshell fabric, the Palguin series from Bomber Gear keeps you Dry 365.
I bought myself an IR (Immersion Research) Arch Rival drysuit for a trip to South America, and it got some pretty heavy use over the 6 months I was there as it’s not always as warm as it looks!
It’s had some long multi-days and endless hikes through forests full of spikes, been in strong sunlight pretty much the entire time and all the abuse you’d expect from a long paddling trip. I’d guess I used it around 3-4 times a week (as my cag had no neck seal) and the river water is usually really cold!
This is a MTB edit from Hafjell Norway to show off the new Summer 2015 collection from Sweet Protection.
Name: Aaron Kendall
Location: Loggerheads, Mold, North wales
I’m currently a outdoor instructor for Kingswood, based at the Colomendy outdoor centre. What seems to be the perfect location, although I seem to of missed most of the rain due to other commitments. Still getting plenty of low water runs in and the odd bit of water too.
Name: Eddy Mead
Location: Cardiff, South Wales
Boat: Liquidlogic Remix 79
I’ve paddled the Remix for a year now and have loved every minute. It’s super long with a narrow hull so it accelerates quickly and maintains speed. It’s got soft edges so it’s really forgiving but at the same time carves into tight eddy’s and into strong currents with ease. The Remix doesn’t have masses of rocker so boofing can require a little more effort but if the boat is being driven it cruises over everything. What’s unique and cool about it is the scoop on the tail, if dipped in the green whilst punching a big hole, it will give you a boost and accelerate away from the feature. Also the LL Badass outfitting if fantastic, super easy to adjust and super comfy without adding too much weight.
Name: Dave Brown (aka Redneck Dave, Full Face Dave, Small Head)
Location: Barrow or North Wales
Boat: Currently an XL Burn Mk3 in the sickest colours you’ve ever seen – Rasta
I really like the way the rails allow you to carve hard without stalling and tripping you up unlike the old burn, making it easy to fine tune lines and snap into eddies. It has quite a flat hull which allows it to surf easily, staying high on features and keeping you in control as you move laterally across the flow which is really cool. It has the Connect 2014 outfitting it comes with which allows the seat to be varied in both height and pitch. I have this set in the highest position, with the largest block installed under the front of the seat to really lock me in which works well, even though I’m the bottom end of the weight range. Seeing as I have the attention span of a gnat, I’m considering swapping out for a 9R to get some speed in my life.
1. A good dry top/trouser combo or dry suit. Keeping dry inside makes keeping warm that much easier. Even some of the two piece systems (dry top and dry trousers) available are getting close to being as good as a dry suit. Price is some much better as is the flexibility of the system.
2. Solid footwear. Wet river banks and slippery rocks are not a great combination if you have dodgy footwear. A good pair of river shoes or boots are worth there weight in gold. Currently using Five Ten Water Tennies or the new Astral Rassler.
3. Good socks. Conventional socks only really work if you have a dry suit with built in dry socks. However various manufacturers make thin 3 and 4mm thick neoprene socks that can help keep your feet warm even when wet.
4. Base layers. I love merino kit – it’s warm when wet and doesn’t smell! But any good, thin base layer will do the job. Colder = more layers. Polartec fleece also works really wet in cold/wet conditions.
Although this guide is directed at students in reality it will apply to anyone thinking about taking up the sport. Over the next few weeks many students will be starting Uni and will be looking at joining a club. In most cases the Kayak/Canoe club in a university will be the best club to join.
Sweet are no strangers to the paddling world and over the years I have tried and owned a fair few items from their range. However earlier this year saw the arrival of the newly updated Shambala shorts. Compared to previous models the new 2014 have a more fitted and articulated fit. In addition to the improvements made to the overall fit the fastenings and adjustments on the shorts have also been tweaked.
For kayak instructors everywhere, here is an edit courtesy of Shane Benedict.
The Clinic: Getting Geared Up from Shaneslogic on Vimeo.
I think it was 1995 when Bob Beazley and I did a bunch of videos under the Coriolis Productions title. Unfortunately these tapes went through a fire but were salavaged. Sorry for the quality but if you have ever taught kayaking I think you will find this a little funny. The Clinic was a 45 minute video that I have now broken up into shorter bits. At this point Beaz and I had been teaching kayaking a long time and this was a culmination of all the crazy things we had seen to that point while teaching actual students… with a little embelishment.
There is a great deal happening behinds the scenes at Unsponsored HQ. Lots of developments and some huge news for later in the summer.
Lots of paddling kit is currently in for review including some kit from Sweet. This includes:
The new Supernova Dry Top, Shambala Shorts and the Jail Break Jacket.
I also have one of Astral’s Limited Edition Hawkeye Greenjacket PFDs that is being put through its paces, and loads of new GoPro accessories. So…busy times!
The Exped Cloudburst is a roll top dry bag that also has a set of rucksack straps allowing it to be used as a pack.
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