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

Tag: Kokatat (Page 2 of 2)

Simple Times – Self Support Trip on the Grand Canyon

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Trip leader and permit holder Alex Ransom invited an all-star cast of paddlers to join him on a winter self-support expedition of the Grand Canyon. This trip report offers a glimpse into the magic this trip of a lifetime can offer. Continue reading

Reader’s Rides 2014 – Ben Hawthorne

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Name: Ben Hawthorne

About me: Been paddling for a while now, maybe 24 years?? Christ I’m old!!! I have however been fortunate to take my passion all over the world and paddle in a whole lot of places including New Zealand, Nepal, Chile and Canada. For the last 2 summers and next I have been running the Sjoa Kayak Camp in Norway along with my beautiful wife and the Gene 17 boys. I’m lucky enough to be supported by Colorado Kayak Supply in the US, super cool guys, check em out.

Location: Currently, Chamonix for the winter. Stoked.

Boat: ZET Raptor. Now when these came out I thought they looked a bit industrial, rough around the edges and wasn’t that keen. Then I ended up paddling one for a bit, and after a couple of runs was completely converted. It does everything a creek boat should do. Fast (for a creek boat), boofs and rolls easy, light, comfortable and most importantly, bomb proof. I do think its not really a great beginners boat, it definitely needs to be driven around the river and will kick your arse pretty fast if youre not a pro-active paddler but I love it. It really suits my paddling style. I’m pretty excited to see the new boat they’ve got lined up, details boys details!!! Also a Bliss-stick Smoothy for my play boat, like a project in my size, love it.

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Paddle Expo – Day 2

Quite a few little gems in this gallery from Tom Pattison.

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Thomas Richard Spring 2014

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Here is a little video recap of French Kokatat Ambassador Thomas Richard, training for the World Cups and running his local rivers. Continue reading

New XL Pyranha Burn On Aysgarth Waterfalls

New XL Pyranha Burn on Aysgarth Waterfalls, Yorkshire, England.

Turns like it’s on rails, you put it where you want it with sweet boots and ski speed and a load of ass to carry you on your adventures, this ones my favourite!!!

Get some, get one!!!

Kokatat GoreTex Meridian Drysuit – Review

Nick Pearce gives us his views on the Kokatat Meridian Drysuit (Goretex).

So, for the last 6 months I have been using the very well tried-and-tested Kokatat GoreTeX Meridian drysuit. Before this suit I used an array of dry suits from the likes of Palm and Level 6.

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Cold Hands

Keeping warm is often difficult when you paddle whitewater during the winter. The one area that is always difficult to keep one and can often lead to a great deal of pain is cold hands. Cold hands can turn a good trip into an absolutely terrible one and can leave you with damage to your hands if it occurs time and time again.

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Making sure the rest of me is nice and warm does help but quite often the after the initial 30 mins on the water with super cold hands I get a surge of heat in conjunction with a super amount of pain as my hands begin to warm up. The pain is pretty unique!

I’ve tried neoprene gloves (which work once warmed up), the woollen/washing up glove combo and various other bits/bobs but prefer using pogies. One of the biggest benefits of any pogie or glove system is the fact they help keep the wind off your hands. This simple fact goes a long way to ensure that your hands remain warm.

Cold Hands

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Reader’s Rides 2013: Liam Chambers

Reader – Liam Chambers

Country – Chasing water in Wales/Lakes

Currently in my final year studying Civil Engineering at the University of Liverpool.

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Unsponsored Q&A Series – Sam Ellis

I’ve waited a while for this one and I’m really please that Sam has taken the time to take part in the Unsponsored 2013 Q&A series. I’ve known Sam for many many years, I reckon 12 years +.

Sam has consistently and quite quietly been out charging some of the biggest whitewater around the globe and hunting down some first descents closer to home. Sam is simply a superb paddler and it’s been great to have the opportunity to paddle with him over the years. Keep on charging!

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Tell us a little a bit about you accomplishments in the canoeing/kayaking world.

My accomplishments, I got “most improved paddler award” at my old canoe club one year when I was 13ish which I was well proud of!! Been on GB freestyle team for a few years competed in a World Champs and some European champs, a few first d’s. Paddled some of the most amazing whitewater on the planet with some great friends.

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Custom Drysuit?

Kokatat make some of the best kayaking kit – period. Kokatat’s reputation for well fitting and bomber kit is well deserved.

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As yet I haven’t been fortunate to try out any Kokatat kit, but I am blown away at the fact I could have a custom drysuit direct from the factory. This is well worth checking out.

Here is my custom Gore Tex Meridian.

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Unsponsored Q&A Series – Adriene Levknecht

Adriene Levknecht is one of the most if not the most talented female white water boaters in the world – World Class Kayak Academy graduate, 2012 Canoe & Kayak Female paddler of the year, Teva Steep Creek Champion 2011, multiple times Green Narrows race winner….the list goes on.

I have found that following Adriene’s rise in the kayak world to be be truly inspirational and I am stoked that Adriene agreed to take part in the Unsponsored 2012 Q&A series. Enjoy!

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