For years now I have been looking for the ideal travel paddle, one I can throw on jeeps, horse carts and the odd local bus all across the Himalaya. It’s always been a pain to have 200cm of carbon and glass as well as my kayak. I’ve chopped paddles stuffed then in my boat, glued them in tea houses, tapped them on sand beaches and more.
Over the last 6 years I’ve gone from a simple tape join through the traditional push button which have always cracked under heavy use and by heavy I mean as my main paddle for a year on class five – nice repair with tash tape.
All my issues are now over with the new Robson varilock. I simply split the paddle stick it in my boat and sling the boat on a plane or cart or bus or jeep then join and hey hey win win a good choice made. I also love how the paddle an be adjusted in length and feather. So it’s great as a loan paddle for guests on trips.
Words and pictures by Daz Clarkson-King.
Bio:
Old man river Darren Clarkson-King (DAZ) will be supplying a series of ‘Dirty First Aid’ articles for river runners.
Darren offers in-house training in the Himalaya and is a consultant for Nepal Association of Rafting Agents (NARA) making a blue print for an Industry standard.
He also paddles a bit.
www.purelandexpeditions.com
info@purelandexpeditions.com
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