Paddling tips, tricks, news and gear reviews from an Unsponsored point of view
Is having a throw line on a belt a good idea?
Many years ago PFDs were produced with rear pockets to accommodate a throw bag. Many of those original bags were a flat envelope type and were pretty compact meaning they would fit in the PFD easily. Unfortunately they didn’t throw that well compared to cylindrical bags, had relatively short lengths of thin rope and repacking could be a nightmare. That said it was better to have one than not at all.
Continue readingWe’ve got the scoop on Predator’s new full face helmet. This helmet as yet has no name.
We have the new Palm Equipment Bolt throwline in for review at Unsponsored HQ. The Bolt is the big brother to the Lightning throwline released last year and replaces the Palm Alpine throwline.
Chris Wing from H2O Dreams has launched a new series of videos (“The Flow State”) covering some important issues that all paddles may face.
In this episode Chris discusses some of the utility of a rescue PFD for paddlers and the common myths of different uses.
Peak UK added a stainless steel ring to some of their throwline bags a few years ago.
For 2017 the range has been updated but still includes the ring. This great edit talks through the construction and setup of the 2017 throwline range.
We’ve had this Spyderco Spydersaw in for a while at Unsponsored HQ. We love sharp things at Unsponsored HQ and sharp things arriving from the guys at Spyderco are always very welcome. We’ve been using various Spyderco knives both on and off the water for years and have found them to be top performers.
However this new arrival is a departure from the norm. It’s not a knife that has multiple uses, quite simply put it’s a monster of a saw with the prime purpose of cutting through tough material really quickly. Think boats, trees/branches etc.
Rescue tapes are super useful pieces of gear and I would recommend everyone who paddles has one and knows how to use it.
This particular one (Python 5m) is from Whetman Equipment who have taken the concept a couple of steps further. This video is also useful for those who use other brands are have made their own as it shows a multitude of ways a tape can be used.
Kelvin from Silverbirch canoes gives a great run down on how to outfit a canoe with lacing, airbags and gab loops.
Another nifty invention from Steve Whetman.
The Krab Stick is a simple rescue device. It converts certain karabiners into hooks to enable a reach contact.
Last week saw a delivery of Peak UK gear at Unsponsored HQ. This included the Peak UK River Guide Vest PFD.
We first saw the new line up of gear from Peak UK bask in 2015 at the Paddle Expo in Germany. To say we were impressed was on understatement. One of the designs on display was an updated version of the very popular River Guide vest, and it is this very item that we have in for review at the moment.
Looking back on my introduction to paddling on moving water, the extent of my tactical knowledge was based purely on ‘looking where I wanted to go’, developing my technical skills and progressing onto more difficult rivers. This approach soon put me in positions looking at eddies I want to be in as I flew past them! As technical proficiency and just ‘looking where I wanted to go’ wasn’t always getting me where I wanted to be, something had to change, it was time to develop my river running tactics!
In the many years that I’ve been dabbling in whitewater kayaking technical rope work has always been the hardest thing for me to grasp – I’ve got it nailed now but not after constant repetition of reading the amazing Ww safety books and practice, practice, practice. I’m all for making things easy and I just wish all those decades ago the whetman equipment system was available. It take the mystique out of the black art of ropes and knots. Takes the worry away from do I have the correct kit and skills.
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