Kanumesse 2009, Part Deux

Ty Warp have a new foam core paddle "The Fire". Finish is nice and looks a lot better than before. Production facility has changed so that has something to do with it and assembly technique is more normal than in the past. They have also lost the destinctive "nose" on the tip of the blade and the graphics have matured (slightly).

The new Native Mariner comes with either the pedal-drive or electro-drive and judging by the size of it, it'll need more than a paddle to power it. Also available for either the Mariner or Ultimate is the new sailing rig so it looks like they're attempting to give Hobie a run for their money. As usual, all the bells and whistles are available to add on - deck covers, deck bags, cooler bags, etc... Bi-Hull should give extreme stability while fishing.

New Commander from Wilderness Systems (another of the new boat style Sit On Tops) with tracks to bolt on as many accessories as you can shake a stick at and a rather funky style sliding seat to allow a low paddling position and a high angling position.

Possibly THE most comfortable sea kayak in the world - the New Native Inuit with Bad Ass Outfitting (yes it is comfier than it looks and sounds!).

Liquid Logic are re-entering the sit on top market with the Coupe which features a similar hull and lines to the Remix but in an easy to use sit on top design. Optional drop-skeg, hatch and Bad-Ass style seating round out a package that could finally bridge the gap between sit-in and sit-on-top whitewater. Also available in a 2 person version.

Das Neuer Robson Funky Paddels mit ein Super Cool Grafix. Made in four standard prints but the limits are endless. Blade material is similar to laminate sandwich (Mmmm) found in snowboard industry).

The Pyranha Fusion series with new Small Size in hot pink colour in Angling(?) spec! Also includes detachable bow pod.

Folding canoe anyone? Great idea, shame about the 3000 euro price tag!

New brand Duemstuff - bringing the street to da river. Yes these guys have more attitude than sense but you have to admit they're probably THE most original thing in kayaking-wear at the moment. Pornstar imagery and marketing mixed with some innovative ideas and a non conformist attitude - or something like that.

Kanumesse 2009

Well Kanumesse 2009 kicked off last Thursday (18th Sept) to showcase what's new and innovative in the world of paddlesports. As it turned out there were few major, big name product launches although there were a few unexpected surprises (a new Jackson Fun anyone?), stand up paddleboards coming out of every angle, pedal-drives and electric engines, kayaks that look more like a small boat, and folding or sectional or 2-piece surfboards, sit on tops and sea kayaks.

Composite is IN for 2009 (especially from some notable experts):

From left, Prijon Pure Creekboat (prototype), Pyranha "PDX" (rumoured to be going to production in composite), the Lettmann "?" (prototype) and lastly new kid on the block, Titan Kayaks "?" in close to production spec and rumoured to be available in both composite and plastic in time for next summer - along with more sizes, more models, incl. a creekboat.

Riot came back out of the woodwork after a year in hiding showcasing their "new" range of Chinese produced kayaks - well as far as whitewater is concerned, it was just the Astro, Magnum and Thunder (and no sign of the elusive composite playboat - as you can see from above, they were one of the few company's without a composite kayak on display). They had a full line of sea kayaks and sit on tops on show too which are now embraced under the Riot brand as they had previously been marketed under Azul in the past.

PFD's were also hot to trot with new offerings from Stohlquist, Sandiline and NRS.

It's been a while since Stohlquist have released a new WW PFD on the market (esp. a rescue equipped one - think X-Tract circa 2000) so now they have a replacement which is available as a river-runner/playvest and a rescue jacket (i.e. with or without QR belt). They have also developed possibly THE most complicated adjustment system in the world with 6!, yes 6 webbed adjustments on EACH side - so that's a whopping 12 in total! It's a zip entry so once you get the fit initially dialled in it shouldn't be a problem but it still leaves a lot of webbing tails flapping around.

Sandiline came up with a reasonably well looking PFD but I can't help but feel if the basic cut and shape has been borrowed from someone else - any suggestions???

And last, but by no means least we had NRS's new Ninja PFD which should give the Astral Willis/Bella and Kokatat Orbit a good run for their money in the river-runner/freestyle section. It's a side entry style with good adjustment webbing where needed and an unrestrictive fit. It has a dual front plate (similar to Newton, Willis, Green, etc...) which doubles as a hand warmer and a front lash-tab. Tiny, tiny pocket and lack of reflective striping let down what is otherwise one of the best looking PFDs of this year. All NRS PFD's will be CE approved for 2010 which means these babies will be readily available on this side of the pond from March/April onwards.

More to follow in the sit on, stand up and sea kayak ranges later...