Tuesday 15 May 2018

To The Beach!

The summer has arrived and it’s time to hit the beach and get in the surf. What a better way to do it than jumping on a body board.





Sound good? Then here’s a few things you might need to get you on your first wave!

The Board –




The Gul Response bodyboard will get the whole family on the water without breaking the bank. It features a crescent tail and slick bottom meaning you will be able to give your best performance out on the wave. With 3 colour choices you’ll be spoilt for choice and to top it off it even comes with a leash to help keep you safe on the water.

The Bag - 




Keep your bodyboard in tip top condition by storing and transporting it in a bodyboard bag, The Gul Arica Bodyboard bag can hole 2 body boards with extra room for some of your kit.

The Wetsuit –




The Gul Response 3/2mm BS wetsuit for both ladies and men is perfect for the surf thanks to it’s super stretchy design. The wetsuit has blind stitched seams all over and a thermospan core heating system so you’ll be warm on the water from spring through to autumn.

The Fins –


Increase your speed and power through the water with the Weapon Swimfins. The Swimfins will help propel you into the surf allowing you to catch more waves and get back out faster too.

Monday 30 April 2018

Look after your head and look good whilst doing it with our top helmet picks.



Kayaking is a great way of spending time outdoors and going on fantastic adventures. However from sea to white water there can be risks, so here are some of our top helmet recommendations to help keep you safe out on the water.


Shred Ready Sesh

The Shred Ready Sesh helmet is an affordable and durable water sports helmet. The Sesh comes in one size and includes fitting pads so you can adjust it for a secure and comfortable fit. Shred Ready made this a great all-round helmet for kayaking, rafting or canoeing and comes in a range of bright colours so you won’t be missed on the water.


                                                            


RRP- £44.99
Our Price – £40.49


WRSI Current

WRSI has combined elite modern protection with a classic look to produce the WRSI Current. The Current helmet features a 3 layer impact absorption and an interconnect retention system, meaning your head will be kept safe at all times on the water.  This simple but stylish helmet is built to last and look good at the same time.


                                                           


RRP - £74.95
Our Price - £67.95

WRSI Current Pro

The WRSI Current Pro is the step up from the Current making it a top choice for a white-water helmet. It features a multi-impact shell that dissipates any knocks you might take, plus comes with the bonus of removable ear pads. Great for extra warmth but also helps prevent impact from waves to help in reducing surfers ear when in place. The Current Pro’s visor isn’t there to just look cool but will keep the sun out of our eyes allowing your to perform to your best on the water.

                                                            


RRP – 89.95
Our Price - £80.95

Shred Ready Full Face

The Shred Ready Full Face is a brilliant white water kayaking helmet with the chin guard offering you the ultimate protection out on the water. The Full Face helmet features the Shred Ready HOG retention system which has an adjustable strap that grips the back of the head as well as two rear twist buttons to ensure a your head is protected on the biggest of water.

                                                            


RRP - £119.99
Our Price - £107.99


With so many great helmets to choose from it's a tough decision, but one thing is for sure you'll look good and more importantly you'll be safe !

Monday 16 April 2018

Sanuks, a summer must have!

Stylish Sanuks are what everyone needs this summer!

Here are our top picks from our range to keep you looking smart, stylish and most importantly comfortable.

MEN'S


Our first pick is the Sanuk Offshore: With a boat shoe style design, the Sanuk Offshore is smart, comfortable and an all-round favourite.

Ideal for everyday use, the Sanuk Offshore has good arch support and gets even more comfortable with each use.

RRP £49.99
SALE PRICE £9.99



Second on our list is the Sanuk Brumeister Primo: This is an extremely comfortable and stylish shoe,  which is perfect for almost every occasion.

The Brumeister comprises of real yoga mat food beds and full-grain leather straps which makes these perfect for chilling at the beach with the sand between your toes or wearing them out to a bar.

RRP £49.99
SALE PRICE £19.99

Next up on our list is the Sanuk Pick Pocket: The Sanuk Pick Pockets are one of the most comfortable summer shoes on the market. With a lightweight canvas upper and a foam-like sole, they are ideal for people on the go, yet don't want to compromise on style. No matter your outfit, these Sanuk Pick Pockets come in a variety of colours and designs to keep you looking your best.

RRP £45.00
SALE PRICE £9.99


Fourthly, the Sanuk Latitude Sandals are a casual, easy to wear sandal with "breaking in time", thanks to a super soft strap that allows you to get them on and go straight away.

These are perfect for days chilling at the beach, but equally as comfortable during day to day activities. The Sanuk Latitude ticks all the boxes.

RRP £39.99
SALE PRICE £19.99

Last but no means least, the Sanuk Beer Cozy Hop Top Slide is the perfect treat for your feet. Give your toes a break and slide your feet into a massage after a session in the surf with the Sanuk Beer Cozy Hop Top Slide.

The footbed of the Sanuk Beer Cozy Hop Top Slide is made from real yoga mat to keep your feet comfortable all day long. Give your feet a treat and slide into these bad boys and you'll be the envy of your mates.

RRP £29.99
SALE PRICE £14.99


WOMEN'S


In at number 1 is the Sanuk Womens Yoga Gora Gora are the perfect combination of mind, body and spirit… for your feet! The Sanuk Yoga Gora Gora is suitable for any occasion, from walking along the beach on a warm summers day to sipping cocktails at the bar. You'll be able to wear these day in and day out with the help of real yoga matt sole.

RRP £49.99
SALE PRICE £29.99


A close second is the Sanuk Womens Yoga Sling 2: This stylish comfortable sandal is perfect for everyday or those walks along the sand. The Yoga Sling 2 won't let you down.

RRP £24.99
SALE PRICE £19.99


Be the envy of all your friends in the beautiful Yoga Slinged Up Prints, these sandals will add some extra style to any summer outfit. The comfort of the Slinged Up Prints is second to none, meaning you can show them off all day in ultimate comfort.

RRP £34.99
SALE PRICE £22.99

The Sanuk Yoga Chakra is a basic yet chic sandal: The footbed is made with real yoga mat so your feel will feel pampered all day long.

RRP £32.99
SALE PRICE £19.99


And last but by no means least is the Yoga Joy Metallic. This sandal will add a bit of sparkle to your outfit and your day. The Yoga mat footbed will look after your feel whilst the metallic look will look after your style.

RRP £29.99
SALE PRICE £19.99

Friday 6 April 2018

New to Kayaking? Here are our top buys to get you started.


So, you’re thinking about getting into kayaking but don’t know where to start? Well here is our starter's guide to what you’ll need to get out on the water.


                                                            


Everyone who takes up a water sport is going to end up in the water sooner or later so it’s best to keep safe and always wear a buoyancy aid, below are our suggestions:

The slim design of the Palm Roam makes it a diverse buoyancy aid which is great for kayaking, sailing or SUPing.
The Roam has shoulder adjustment straps and a waist strap to ensure that you get a good, comfortable fit to help prevent it slipping off while in the water without restricting movement.

                                                            
                                                                                                                                        
RRP: £34.95
Our price: £29.95

The Palm Quest kid’s buoyancy aid is specifically designed for little ones on the water. It features adjustable leg straps to ensure the buoyancy aid will not ride up over their face, keeping them safe and secure.


                                                                                   

RRP:£36.95
Our price: £31.99


After getting your kayak, you’ll need a paddle to get you going. The Palm Drift Livery 2-piece Paddles are very popular amongst recreational kayakers.

The Palm Drift Livery 2-Piece offers paddlers an affordable yet comfortable paddle, whilst still delivering on performance. The Drift Livery has the extra bonus of being able to separate into 2 pieces for easy storage and transport.


                                                                        

RRP: £37.95
Our Price: £34.99

One thing you don’t want to be worrying about on the water is getting your valuables wet, so a great addition to your kayak kit is a drybag.

The RUK 6L drybag is a heavy duty, durable and more importantly waterproof drybag. It is ideal for storing your phone, keys, medication and a basic first aid kit in while on the water, giving you one less thing to worry about.

                                                            



RRP:£8.40
Our Price: £8.00

When out in the elements it is important to stay warm and dry, whilst not overheating. The Yak Sladek Cag and Palm Pop Jacket do just that by protecting you from the wind and rain.

The Yak Sladek Cag is a brilliant entry level water sports jacket. It features glide skin inner wrist seals and a Velcro adjustable collar to give you a more watertight seal, helping to prevent water coming in.
                                                                        

RRP:70.00
Our Price: £35.00

The Palm Pop Jacket is a durable entry-level jacket. It offers comfortable neoprene wrist gaskets and an adjustable neoprene collar which can be opened wide for extra ventilation.

                                                            

RRP:£39.95
Our Price: £35.95

Keeping your feet protected and warm is important on the water, so give your feet the luxury treatment with the Gul Round Toe Zipped Power Boot.

The Zipped Power Boot is flexible but with a reinforced heel and toe for extra protection. The EZ zip entry system makes getting this boot and on off easy, perfect for first-timers.

                                                            
RRP:£25.00
Our Price:£22.50

So now you know what kit you need, you will be out and about on the water in no time. See you out there!


Tuesday 20 March 2018

This Week's Hottest Products

Yak Styrian Paddle Bag

The Yak Styrian Paddle Bag is lined with a foam layer to prevent knocks and scrapes from damaging your paddles while in transport.

The Yak Styrian Paddle Bag is adjustable up to 2.3m, allowing you to store up to 4 white water or sea kayaking paddles at a time, and makes it ideal for home storage too.

RRP: £50.00
NOW: £34.99


Five Ten Canyoneer 3

The Five Ten Canyoneers are often used by swift water rescue services as well as activity instructors across the world. The boot features welded rubber rands which interlock with the mesh upper, eliminating any chance of delamination.

The Five Ten Canyoneers also offer great ankle protection, making the boot fantastic for long walk-ins or portages with heavy Rafts, Kayaks and Canoes.

RRP: £110.00
NOW: £79.99




Gul Felxor Hoody

The Gul Flexor is a warm, comfortable, neoprene hoody ideal for kiteboarding, SUP, and canoeing. It can also be worn as an extra layer over your wetsuit for added warmth.

The Gul Flexor is windproof and waterproof, making it the perfect garment for hanging around on the beach before and after activity.

RRP: £90.00
NOW: £63.00



Peak UK Adventure Drysuit

The Peak UK Adventure suit has all the features expected of a first class touring dry suit. Breathable and equally as durable, the Peak UK Adventure drysuit helps to maintain your body temperature at a comfortable level inside, while shielding it from the harsh weather outside with reinfocred high wear areas.

An articulated cut positions your body ready for kayaking, maximising your freedom of movement while paddling. The suit also features a flexible waterproof zip system, which is curved around the shoulder for easy entry and exit.

RRP: £569.00
NOW: £425.00


Peak UK Kidz Zip

Buoyancy aids don't often come as brightly coloured as the Peak UK Kidz Zip, making it a sure way for the little one to be seen on the water.

The additional buoyancy collar helps support the head and neck while floating in the water, providing extra comfort and keeping the wearer facing up allowing them to breath.

RRP: £65.00
NOW: £48.99

Wednesday 7 March 2018

Top 5 White Water Buoyancy Aids

Recently a big talking point in the whitewater kayaking community was a video posted by Pat Keller, which focused on the importance of wearing an appropriate flotation device.

So we've put together our top 5 buoyancy aids suited to taking on whitewater rivers.


Yak Hallertau

Yak has a top class range of PFD's and the Hallertau is right up there. This buoyancy aid certainly offers good value for your money. The Hallertau is both comfortable and practical with all the features you would need while tackling the whitewater environment.

RRP: £150.00
Our Price: £127.50




Peak UK River Guide Vest

Peak UK are well known in the industry for producing top quality products. The River Guide vest has been around for a while, but the 2018 colours are drawing plenty of attention.

The River Guide vest offers enough storage space for your snacks and safety gear, making this a great whitewater option.

RRP: £139.00
Our Price: £117.99

NRS Zen Rescue

My favourite feature of these buoyancy aids, hands down (excuse the pun), are the fleece lined hand warmers. On cold days, stick your hands in them and it's heaven! 

The Zen has a comfortable low profile design, to allow the ease of core rotation. The positioning of pockets are well thought out and are a good size. The overall look is fantastic, with choices of red and black this is definitely a good option to consider when choosing a new PFD.

RRP: £174.95
Our Price: £149.99



Palm Extrem

The Extrem has everything you would need within the whitewater environment. Palm has been making great buoyancy aids for many years and this one is no exception. 

Its front entry fit gives you the ability to throw it on and off with ease. The Cordura 500D fabric is hard wearing, and the pockets are more than enough to carry important safety equipment, plus you even get a place to put a hydration bladder for those long days. 

RRP: £174.95
Our Price: £148.99





Astral Green Jacket

Ask a lot of people in the industry, and they'll say this is the best buoyancy aid you can get if you are a guide, whether you are kayaking, canoeing or rafting. 

It is the most expensive out of our top, but for a valid reason. This is not just a life jacket, but a jacket for life, with 500D Cordura nylon and a YKK zip means that makes it tough. The wrap around fit with the front freestyle tectonic panel and added rear protection makes it a super comfortable PFD that you can trust to protect you from an impact. 

The front pocket is massive and easy to access and comes with extra pockets on the sides perfect for karabiners or a pulley. The Green Jacket is a firm favourite and has been tried and tested by many of the worlds best expedition kayakers.

RRP: £243.00
Our Price: £205.99

Tuesday 20 February 2018

Top 5 Buoyancy Aids For The Recreational Paddler

Buoyancy Aids are an essential part of surface watersports.


Everyone ends up in the water eventually, it's just a matter of time, and this Spring/Summer we will see thousands of new kayakers take to the water both alone and with their families.

Here are our top 5 buoyancy aids that will keep novice paddlers safe on their first adventures, and won't break the bank!

PALM ROAM

The slim design of the Palm Roam makes it great for a range of watersports activities like kayaking, sailing, or SUP.

Shoulder adjustment straps help to fit the Palm Roam to your torso and help to prevent it slipping off when in the water.

RRP: £34.95
Our Price: £29.95
Palm Roam

SHOP NOW <

The Crewsaver MK3 features a low profile with torso and shoulder adjustments, giving you fantastic freedom of movement and less to worry about.


The bold colour scheme will ensure that you are visible at all times, whether you're on your kayak or in the water.

RRP: £29.99
Our Price: £24.99

SHOP NOW <



Yak Blaze

The Yak Blaze is a simple yet cleanly efficient buoyancy aid that's a great choice if your just starting to get out on the water.

The Yak Blaze has an internal key pocket and zipped front entry for ease of entry.

RRP: £34.50
Our Price: £26.99

SHOP NOW <


Crewsaver Response

Ideal for new sailors and kayakers who want a buoyancy aid that keeps them safe on the water.


The Crewsaver Response guarantees a comfortable fit thanks to a contoured foam construction and padded shoulder straps. The buoyancy aid also features an adjustable waist, and a small pocket to hold a key.

RRP: £35.00
Our Price: £31.50

SHOP NOW <


Palm Quest Kids

This is one specifically for the kids.

There is plenty of adjustment on the Palm Quest Kids including adjustable waist and shoulder straps with added adjustable leg straps which means that if the worst should happen the buoyancy aid will not ride up over their face.

RRP: £36.95
Our Price: £31.99

SHOP NOW <

Tuesday 6 February 2018

Off The Water Wishlist

We've put together 5 bits of kit that will instantly improve your paddling experience.

Gul Changing Poncho

A firm favourite in most outdoor watersports, making changing on the road side a lot more comfortable, with a lot less nudity!



Palm Changing Mat

Another favourite for those changing on cold surfaces. The changing mat makes feet happy, simple.
Palm Universal Changing Mat

HF Turtle Back

Turning your kayak into a backpack makes carrying the thing so much easier. Strain on your shoulders is shared and balanced out, creating a more pleasant experience overall.



Madness Neoprene Seat Cover

It's not all about you, you know. Give your paddle wagon the attention it deserves by protecting the seats from sand and dirt with a neoprene cover.

Madness Neoprene Seat Cover


Yak Styrian Paddle Bag

Fits up to 4 paddles at a time, protecting them with a soft foam inner layer. Ideal for storing your paddles both during transport and at home.
Yak Styrian Paddle Bag

Tuesday 23 January 2018

Five Things I Wouldn't Be Without On The Water

Five things I wouldn't be without on the water. In no particular order here are just a few items I always carry, don't take up much space, and could possibly keep you and your buddies safe on the water and make sure you have the best possible day out! 


Overboard Multi-purpose Waterproof Case

Before I have even considered getting kitted up, I always check I've got a waterproof case that I can keep on me and not in my boat. Definitely important to make sure your vehicle keys and phone are dry and secure, in case you lose your boat for any reason. 

Throw Line

Right now there are some great choices when it comes to throw lines. The days of having some old climbing rope stuffed under your inflatable PFD have long gone.
My personal favourite at the moment is the Palm Lightning throw bag. I really like the weight, size and length. Anything longer than 18m and I just haven't got the accuracy I need.

Often people will carry a larger bag with longer rope, ideal for setting up more technical pulling systems, as well as something they can throw to a swimmer more accurately.




Watershed Ocoee Dry Bag

I've owned a Watershed Ocoee bag for quite a few years now. Having a bag I can trust makes me less stressed about carrying my kit, and allows me to concentrate more on the job at hand. Speak to working professionals in the paddlesport industry and they will tell you the same as me, that there isn't a better dry bag on the market.

Spending the money is totally worth it. I leave my DSLR camera in mine constantly, that's how much I trust this bag!




First Aid Kit

When the worst happens, and in the great outdoors that's not out of the question, you want to be prepared.
One piece of advice, don't carry too much in your first aid kit. Keep it personal to you and suited to the environment you are entering. Keep it simple and effective, it's called first aid for a reason. You don't need to be carrying a 2kg bag of cough medicine and headache tablets...



Rescue Tape & Karabiner

Okay so this one is 2 items, but they really do go hand in hand. Why have one and not the other? Having a safety tape and karabiner can be a cheap and valuable tool when rescuing, towing or even carrying your lunch up the hill.

The possibilities and uses are pretty much endless, and a crucial part of your kayaking kit.