Paddling tips, tricks, news and gear reviews from an Unsponsored point of view
Andreas Kasprzok gives us the lowdown, a review of sorts of the Soul Waterman Booty Call (in yellow) and Gonzo (in orange).
The Soul range of kayaks are available with two different weights of plastic. The yellow is the light layup, and orange “normal” strength. The Booty Call has been all over the SE by now and, while somewhat beat up, still hasn’t cracked. It seems like the light layup is fine for most everyone except Green Narrows regulars, Cali slides, etc.
It’s no secret that in the world of paddling, females are the minority. Therefore it is very hard for us to find comfort in most paddling kits, as they are generally tailored to a male figure. I’m sure many ladies will agree with me that finding a snug fitting yet practical drysuit is probably one of the most challenging parts of being a paddler. But as the female paddling community continues to grow, the increase in women’s kit means a huge improvement in the overall experience for us all.
When I first began kayaking, I was 13 years-old and strongly against cold weather paddling. It only took a couple of winter club trips to persuade my Dad that a wetsuit just didn’t cut it. When choosing my first suit, I felt DamX was the best option, as their suits are made to measure. I loved my suit, but as I progressed, I found it to be restricting, mainly due to its weight.
Palm Equipment’s new Arun Baselayer arrived at Unsponsored HQ in May 2015 and has been used on a regular basis since.
The Arun is part of Palm’s new 3 layer system and is available for both men and women. Both retail at £29.95.
From Palm:
Core 1 baselayers use Channel Flow technology to rapidly draw water away from your skin‚ helping to keep you dry‚ warm‚ and comfortable. Made from soft‚ supple polyester‚ with ActiveSeam stitching‚ the Arun moves and stretches as you do‚ for a new level of layering comfort.
Friend of Unsponsored Dale Mears has put together a neat little walkthrough review of the new GoPro Hero 5 black edition.
Continue readingHere is my GoPro Hero 5 Black edition hands on review. Features a walk through of the cameras features and some stills taken whilst whitewater kayaking and some raw footage.
We have both the GoPro Hero5 Black and Hero5 Session here at Unsponsored HQ for review. Since the release of the Session we haven’t used the Unsponsored Hero4 Black edition so I was interested to see how the the new Hero5 compares.
Firstly the Hero5 takes on some of the features of the Session. This includes the lack of case and the use of the frame, one button video/photo and improved sound capabilities. The footage capability of the Hero5 is reportedly not that much different to the Hero4, it does have a better sensor and is supposed to be much better in lowlight so we’ll have a good compare once we have a set of side by side shoots. The biggest improvement has been with image stabilisation and we are looking forwarding to checking that out.
It’s always good to hear that others like the same things as you do. We love the Ace of Spades here at Unsponsored HQ and we still have one of the very first as our main kayak.
Adrian Mattern speaks about his first year with the Ace of Spades, with footage from Norway filmed by Olaf Obsommer.
We love tech here at Unsponsored HQ and when we can combine that love with the great outdoors it gives us a warm glow inside.
The GPS of choice up until very recently was a Garmin Foretrex 401 (as favoured by many members of the armed forces). It did its job well but I didn’t use a great deal of its features apart from getting a GPS location fix when things got a bit sticky. Although it did what I needed it to do technology has moved on and it’s always great to have an excuse to upgrade some tech.
After a couple of recommendations a Suunto Ambit 3 Peak was purchased.
We’ve had an original Petzl Vertigo here at Unsponsored HQ for a few years and have really liked it’s performance. Petzl have been on the case and have updated the Vertigo using i-beam technology. Just like the original the Petzl Vertigo has been primarily designed for ease of clipping in with the added bonus of having a locking key gate. The new construction has shaved off 2 grams.
We’ve been running the newest Sweet Protection Intergalactic drysuit for a year after running version 1 for just over a year. It’s now time for some feedback.
First and foremost this is an expensive suit at around £900. It must therefore function at the very highest level to payback some of those pennies.
“Ooh I love the colour”, “Such a pretty drysuit!”, “It matches your boat!”
These are comments that I’ve had about my Immersion Research Shawty drysuit which I’ve been using for the past couple of months. Don’t get me wrong, I love the colour but I also think it’s a great bit of kit and am disappointed that no one’s asked me why I actually bought it rather than assuming I got it because it’s purple!
Here’s my tuppence worth:
I’m 5ft 3, size 10/12 with short (T-Rex!) arms and I have a medium Shawty. I use my drysuit for coaching (when it’s cold), WW Kayaking, “freestyle” (being upside down a lot!), SUPing and bizarrely, rescuing sheep!
The Toro came hot on the heels of the successful Raptor and Director kayaks. Aimed at a wide cross section of paddlers and water conditions the Toro promised stability with a racing pedigree. The boat I have on loan was kindly supplied by North East Kayaks and Paddles.
I have had a Zet Toro in for review for the last few months.
If you have read any of my other reviews you’ll know my feelings on the basic outfitting so I won’t go into detail here. If you don’t wish to read the other reviews the summary is – it’s simple and works.
Who are you?
My name is Chris Macdonald, I was born in York, lived in Italy for a few years, went to boarding school in North Wales and now I’m a student in Falmouth. I’m studying a BTEC in water sports at Falmouth Marine School so doing that and kayaking I spend loads of time in the water!
Where are you based?
I’m currently living in Falmouth and live about 1 minute walk away from the sea that helps with the paddling! I travel all around the south west paddling on rivers such as the Tavy and the Dart every now and then. Most weekends I’m at Cardiff to paddle at the white water course there.
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