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

Tag: Guide (Page 2 of 3)

10 Easy Ways To Become A Better Paddler

13 May 2015 / / 25 Comments

When you start your paddling career progression is often very rapid. Skill acquisition is quick and you develop the technique required to safely get you down a piece of water. After you have been paddling for a while it is easy to hit a plateau. Moving past this can seem quite difficult but a few changes or adaptations can help you to continue to make progress/develop.

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10 Easy Ways To Become A Better Paddler

Consider where you mainly paddle. Change venue if you can. Try a new piece of water.

Paddle more. It’s a simple step that can really speed up your progress.

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Molly’s Nipple Rapid Spotlight

1 April 2015 / / 0 Comments

Molly's Nipple Rapid

Molly’s Nipple, one of the most Iconic rapids on the Slave. The story is that one of the early paddlers on this river had met a local girl named Molly and one day, while laying on the rocks next to the drop, he decided it somehow looked like one of her nipples… I don’t see it but you’ll just have to check it out in person!

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GoPro Hero 4 Vs 3+ Vs 3 Comparison

25 February 2015 / / 5 Comments

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The new GoPro Hero 4 was released on the 5th October 2014.

[UPDATE: GoPro have released the Hero 7 Black Edition.  You can find more about it here.]

The new Hero 4 is available in two varieties the Black Edition and Silver Edition. The Hero 3+ Silver and Hero 3 White editions still form part of the range. A new lower spec Hero is also available.

The form factor of the Hero 4 remains the same as the 3 and 3+ with some slight alterations. This includes a change to the front LCD information screen that now houses the status and connection LEDs. The battery has also changed in both spec and shape!

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Student Kayak Kit Buyers Guide

10 September 2014 / / 0 Comments

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.

Student Kayak Gear Buyers Guide

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Current Kit – July 2014

30 July 2014 / / 0 Comments

The old current kit topics on the forum were always popular, so I thought I’d give you all an update of my current kit for July 2014.

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Immersion Research Guide Shorts

30 July 2014 / / 0 Comments

Around 15 years ago my favourite paddling shorts were my Playboater Neoprene shorts. Absolutely bombproof, curved to fit you well when sat down etc. Unfortunately too many pies forced the sale of those shorts and I have been on the hunt for a long term replacement for years. I have owned kayak specific and non kayak specific shorts (mainly board shorts) and although all have done a great job I have always moved on to try something else.

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My criteria for short choice is pretty simple –

A good fit (both standing and whilst sat in a kayak)
Bomber construction and materials

Fast drying

Value for money

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Spray Deck Skirt Modification

11 June 2014 / / 6 Comments

After reading through some old threads on liquid latex, I found some good reviews on the stuff but no pictures of how people got on, so I thought I’d share with you the pics of my repaired spray deck. Time for a little spray deck modification.

spray deck modification

My spray deck had always been fairly loose fitting so I could get it off easier in a panic, but now as my confidence has built up, I wanted a tighter fitting deck to keep me drier in pushier water or waves.

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Airbags

25 May 2014 / / 0 Comments

I have always used airbags in my boats as they prevent part of the boat filling with water during a capsize. After a recent forced swim I was interested in how heavy my boat was when it was filled with water.

I currently have a couple of liquid logic boats – a Stomper 90 and a Biscuit 65. The Stomper has a volume of 90 gallons or approximately 341 litres. The Biscuit has a volume of 65 gallons or approximately 246 litres.

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Unsponsored Q&A Series – Tom Parker

16 May 2014 / / 0 Comments

The first of the 2014 Unsponsored Q&A series has landed.

First up is Tom Parker. Tom Parker of Tomparkercoaching.co.uk is one of the UK’s most talented and experienced white water kayakers and coaches. With over 20 years experience on the water Tom has kayaked in around the world.

Tom started his coaching and guiding business in 2005 with the aim being to offer high level technical coaching in white water kayaking, comprising of skills courses in the UK and Europe, coach and leadership education and development, along with the full range of BCU courses.

As a talented boater and coach I was excited that Tom agreed to take part in the 2014 Q&A series. Enjoy….

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How did you first get into kayaking? Who introduced you to the sport?

Me and a load of my mates had just moved up into scouts from the cubs. Around the same time, the troop were putting a kayaking course on. I wasn’t too keen but my mates convinced me and it turned out to be quite fun.

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Strap It Down

2 May 2014 / / 1 Comment

Flying boats! I have seen it happen and it has happened to my kayak on one occasion. The sinking feeling you get as you see your boat fly off the top of the car isn’t very nice.

In the case of my kayak there was a flapping sound, followed by the clunk of the buckle hitting the car roof followed by a whoosh as two kayaks flew off down the road! Fortunately on both occasions no one was hurt and the damage to the boats minor. If it had been later in the day it could have been a different story.

Tying your boat onto the roof rack correctly is critical. It could save both your kayak and car from serious damage and keep other unsuspecting motorists that little bit safer. Using good quality straps or rope is a must and if the strap/rope is worn then they must be retired.

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Werner Paddle Fit Widget

26 March 2014 / / 0 Comments

A nice idea from our friends at Werner.

Werner Paddle Fit Widget

Titan Kayaks – Reactor Outfitting

24 February 2014 / / 0 Comments

As yet I haven’t seen any Titan designs in the flesh but would certainly like to try a couple of the boats out. Below is a video from Titan showing the Reactor Outfitting system.

Reactor Outfitting from Titan Kayaks on Vimeo.

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