New Kokatat Gear!!!

The Aries PFD has been around for a while but this is the first year it is available with CE/ISO approval.  Light-weight, low cut, with a single pocket and 70N of buoyancy, this is a great allrounder especially suited to sit on top/touring paddling.

The Whirlpool Bib is one of those highly regarded, unique Kokatat pieces.  It was the first bib/drypant available with a twin waist to mate with any twin waisted drytop to give a completely dry seal (in the right situations) and drysuit style performance from seperates.  Now available in 3 layer Hydrus material and with relief zip (or dropseat) and socks as a stock item for only 300 euro!

Completely new for 2013, the Kokatat/Jackson collaboration to make a funky new drytop and (much awaited) shorty drytop.  Both have twin waists and latex seals with neo overcuffs.  Sizing is a little on the snug side so most customers will probably find themselves jumping up a size from normal.  The overall cut is very good with no excess material and the 3 layer material and Kokatat build quality give confidence of a hard wearing drytop that will last for years to come.

New Shoes!!!

Just in this morning, new booties from NRS featuring new Vaporloft (warm fleecy) lining!

http://www.i-canoe.com/Foot-wear/FREESTYLEWS.html

http://www.i-canoe.com/Foot-wear/NRS-WETSHOE.html

Paddle Expo 2012, Day 1

Some quick snaps from our first (busy) day at Paddle Expo 2012.

More to follow tomorrow plus a full write up!

Nottingham summer Training

Last week myself, Tom Galione , Craig Cummins and his dad Eamon headed over to the white water course In nottingham. We went over on the ferry and had the best part of a five hour drive on the other side between stopping off in Liverpool and traffic the whole way, But we had the laptop and the Ipad to keep us going .  When we arrived at the course we headed straight to the campsite and set up base.

Our Home for the week

Once that was sorted out we got our gear together and headed to the course. The plan was to get our act together for team Trials. Its my first year as a senior and Its looking like one of the tuffest years in a while.

heres a few photos from the week to give you an idea how we got on and a short video I made too. Thanks for reading.

Conor

Thanks to Surfplugs, Third Eye Media, Jackson Kayak and I-Canoe for the Continued Support.

Canada the great ottawa river

SO! this summer i decided to get out of boring old Ireland  and head to Canada to work on my paddling and coaching . And what can i say i left with the standard of both so so high thanks to the river and the liquid skills team including Joey Hitchins a legend in freestyle kayaking for the the 2 months i had access to an amazing river with the best coaching on and off the water!!! We worked shadowing for joey and some of his other world class coaches which in itself was an amazing experience .

The River was simply amazing i did not  paddle a mile without running into some top class white water .For the first couple of weeks all we got was corner wave and right side which was still pretty good . I guess what really hit of the summer was Garb this wave is everything you could ask for retentive bouncey and big air !

Just down From Garb  we had another sweet little nook on the river push button which was 2 features a nice fast hole and a mellow little wave just  behind it perfect for the best of both worlds . All in all it was a great trip and already have plans to go back .

Id like to thank my sponsors for supporting me in my trip over . Big Thanks to ( I CANOE , KOKATAT , JACKSON KAYAK , SNAPDRAGON , CORE PADDLES , )

Outfitting a Kayak

So after I spent some time with Muireann outfitting her boat I recieved a number of messages asking for input and help outfitting their boats

So heres a video guide to help outfit your boat

Boat Outfitting Video Guide

I used a Wavesport Project X and then shows The Jackson Rockstar at the end but most of the sections will cross over to most boats.

 

The most important thing is to be comfortable you will learn more and have better control if you you have good point of contact with the Seat, Backrest, hip pads, thigh braces and footrest. If you are missing any one of these you will move independantly of the boat and cause the wibbly wobblies!

Hope it helps

Adrian

 

Paddle4life.eu

Canada is over...

Well we have been back just over a week now and Canada was definitely the best trip of our Lives. Paddling everyday on some of the best whitewater in the world is unbelievable but when we got home It really put Ireland to shame. I think a video and a few pictures would do better than me blabbering on so here it is, our one month trip, 98GB of footage liquidated down in to a mere 400 Mb. Next time we will be off back to HPP, be sure to look out for that video, Later

European Freestyle Champs Lienz Wrap-Up

Lovely cake made by Hedwig!

Footage of Team Ireland’s competition runs.

 

Joaquim Fontane’s amazing winning ride.

 

Cardboard Boating at it’s Best!

 

The Remains of our boat

Mr Kebab – Our Number 1 Fan!

The closing ceremony was a stately affair.

And the Final Results for Team Ireland Were:

Mens K1

Tom Dunphy 26th

Adrian Durrant 34th

Rónán O’Braonáin 35th

Colm Healy 38th

Mens Squirt

Adrian Durrant 7th

Mens C1

Orky O’Rourke 11th

Womens K1

Aisling Griffin 15th

Muireann Lynch 21st

All results can be found at: http://www.euro-lienz.com/index.php/results

NRS 2012 REVOLUTION DRYTOP

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The new 2012 NRS Revolution Drytop is tougher, stronger and DRIER than ever before. 

Having owned the previous model for the past 2 years, I was reasonably happy with it.  That model featured the lighter weight eVent breathable fabric which was great in warmer climes and needed a little more TLC.

This new improved model is certainly more heavy duty, if a little less breathable.  It features the unique Liquid RSeal on the seams to ensure leak-proof performance (as used on NRS SAR suits).  The fabric thickness and cordura re-inforcing adds confidence if and when bush-whacking is required.

 

The fit of the cag is nicely tailored, stylishly designed and is available in black or red.  There is velcro adjustment on the wrist gasket protectors, a punch through neo neck collar (protecting the latex neck seal) and a pocket on the left sleeve.

I look forward to getting plenty of use out of this cag during the rest of the year and it should be especially good during those colder winter months when the thicker material will offer some insulation.

My only criticism is that with the thicker, less breathable material, and the non breathable liquid seams, you need to be more attentive when layering.  I would imagine that in all but the coldest conditions a single thin base layer would be required underneath it otherwise you may find it a tad sweaty.

Lienz, Monday Night Opening Party

So Monday started with our first official team training session - all 28 mins of it.

It went reasonably well but the nerves and frustration were still present.

That evening we attended the official opening ceremony in a local castle dressed in our official team kit supplied by Craft and I-CANOE.

The Austrians know how to throw a party and put on a full free bar which everyone helped themselves to. There was also some kayak drumming and speeches from the local officials welcoming us all to their city.

Tuesday training isn't until 5pm which gives the team plenty of time to recover.

Lienz - Day 3

So the team have finally got into the routine of paddle, eat, pool, ice cream, sun, ice cream, pool, paddle, dinner, beer.

We had a chilled out Sunday with two paddle sessions and on her last ride of the day, Muireann decided to play in the most retentive part of the hole. After many unintentional ends and wha-thunks she bailed out of the boat and went for a little body surf to finish.

We swiftly rescued everything minus a booty and while Muireann was picking the gear up of the bank, she nicked her ankle on a rock. What looked like a small gash, turned into a gushing wound so action stations, call an ambulance. A quick trip to A & E, and 6 stitches later and she is as good as new!

Official team training slots start today (Monday).