Paddling tips, tricks, news and gear reviews from an Unsponsored point of view
How do you improve one of the best selling PFDs on the market? How about adding a chest harness and additional knife storage.
The Palm FXr is now out and is available in stores around the UK. There is also a FXr on its way to Unsponsored HQ for testing.
Whilst looking around the new Palm Equipment website I spotted the Horizon shorts. They look the business and it’s great to see a boating specific short coming to the market.
Chasing the endless summer? The cool surf inspired Horizon shorts hide some clever features. The windproof shell covers a warm, comfortable fleece liner, ideal for warm or cold weather. A neoprene waistband and lace-up closure keep the shorts in place while a roomy thigh pocket holds your keys close at hand.
Palm Equipment have launched their new website. It looks great. It has a touch of WordPress about it which of course I really like.
Palm Equipment have recently launched the new Snake Sling.
The Palm Snake Sling is a 4m length of tape with sewn ends allowing the sling to be used in various different ways when you add a karabiner into the mix. What I really like is the fact that the sewn loops have been down in such a way that it is super easy to get a karabiner in/out of without high risk of snagging. I have a number of pieces of climbing kit with this setup and know that it works really well.
Keeping warm is often difficult when you paddle whitewater during the winter. I find that the one area that is difficult to keep warm are my hands. I’ve tried neoprene gloves (which work once warmed up), the woollen/washing up glove combo and various other bits/bobs.
Many years ago I owned a pair of pogies (aka paddle mitts), I can’t remember the brand but they were blue/fluorescent yellow. They did a good job of keeping the wind off until they got wet, which meant my hands got wet and cold. Roll on ten years or so and I picked up a pair of Palm Rivertec Pogies. The ones pictured below are still used and must be well over 10 years old. Palm do a modern take on the Rivertec Pogies called River Tec Paddle Mitts
Pogies are designed to be fastened onto paddle shaft. Your hands go inside of the pogies and grip the paddle shaft as normal. Compared to wearing neoprene gloves or indeed any gloves at all improves the general feel and control. Some paddlers do find them restrictive as your hands need to be removed to access pockets, pull your spraydecks rip cord etc. In addition some designs can be difficult to get your “last” hand into.
Check out the new Palm kit for 2014.
I have been asked a few times about whether or not the Palm Rescue Waist Belt and Zambezi Utility Belt will accept throw lines/bags from other manufacturers.
If you are running whitewater I strongly believe that all members of the paddling group should carry and throw line/bag AND know how to use it safely/effectively. I would also say that if you are carry a line you must also carry a knife that is capable of cutting it.
The choice of throw lines/bags is vast and although they may look the same there are some distinct differences that you must consider before selecting the right one for you. Continue reading
Hitting my 5th year of paddling, I decided that it was high time I got a dry suit. With a free choice of the market, I was after something that fitted well, was tough and looked good! After looking at specifications and reviews of IR, Typhoon, DamX, Peak and Lomo drysuits, I decided to invest in a Ladies Palm Element.
I’ve been using Palm’s Impact spraydeck for a few months now and am ready to feedback on its performance to date. Thanks to Palm Equipment and Northshore Watersports (for piggy backing delivery) I have a Palm Impact that replaces the Extreme as Palm’s top end neoprene bungee deck. First impressions are good. The deck looks and feels solid. It is well made and the black/lime colour scheme is bang on trend!
On the outside there is a protective 4mm Armortex reinforcement to increase the robustness of the deck. This should make the Impact of interest to those who put their decks through a rough time.
We have had a little bit of a summer break with Q&A series but I’m pleased to announce that the series is back and we kick off with a Q&A with one of the most talented female paddlers on the planet – Martina Wegman.
Martina is arguably one of the most talented female kayakers in the world and is constantly pushing the limits of what is possible in a kayak. I am therefore stoked that Martina agreed to take part in the Unsponsored Q&A series.
Your Personal Flotation Device (PFD) is probably along with your helmet your prime piece of protection whilst on the water. Your PFD not only helps to keep you afloat it also offers vital padded protection for your body.
The Rescue PFD is something as yet I have not covered as part of the Pin Kit series. So here it is.
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