Peak UK - News

Peak UK Multisport Gear

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 01:01:01 GMT

New for the Spring 2010 we'll be adding several more Multisport products to our line. The products truly are Multisport, great at most of the activities we do, not compromised at all. To date we've used them extensively, to a high level for sea kayaking, open canoeing, rock climbing, mountain biking, fell running, and even cross country skiing. See the pics below showing Pete, Sal and Georgie last week in the Peak District on a stunning evening. Peak UK's Mulitsport line is truly "master of all, jack of none..."

New products include the Multisport Hoody, a 2.5 layer waterproof and breathable jacket, based around the H2O jacket with the addition of a great hood and hand pockets. Multisport leg wear comprising of strides and pants, constructed again from 2.5 layer waterproof and breathable fabric. The new products will be available from the end of May.

BBC Sport Relief

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 01:01:01 GMT

Peak UK are proud to help BBC Sport Relief. We supplied Neil Baxter, Fred MacAuley and Dougie Vipond with paddling equipment to keep them warm in their challenge. The paddled 100 miles accross the Great Glen Canoe Trail which joins Inverness to Fort William via the Caladonian Canal. To find out more check out the BBC link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00qgwz2

The 60 minute programme for Sports Relief will be aired on the evening of Wed 17th March so place this in your diaries!

Viking Mid-Season Review

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:01:01 GMT

Viking A have started this season as they left last. Last season saw the team complete the National Double, winning both the National League and Club Championships. To date the 2009/10 season has proved just as good if not better. At the halfway point the team has won every game scoring an impressive 39 goals in seven games conceding only 13.

As impressive as the team's home form is, they are constantly looking to improve and make more of an impression in Europe, with a major goal of winning the European Club Championship in September. Having already defeated several of Europe's top teams Viking A are looking to improve their consistency, this is a must if they are to win major competitions.

As part of the road to glory the team travelled to Denmark to play in the Odense International. This was an ideal opportunity to get some practise against the top European Club sides as well as a few International teams. The early stages of the competition saw Viking taking their league form abroad. Their quick style of play rewarded them with some great goals and several cheers from the foreign crowd. The games ran from 7am till midnight on the first day, this seemed to take its toll on the team as did golden goal in the quarter final. Viking progressed to the semi final where they met international side Denmark. For the second game in a row Viking found themselves playing golden goal extra time, this time for a place in the final. The long days had taken their toll, several tired arms mean that Viking would be playing for third place.

With a podium place calling Viking found some extra energy to win third place comfortably, not quite what they wanted but they showed consistency throughout the tournament and played some of the best polo in the competition, showing they are one of the top European teams and definite contenders for the European Club Champs crown later in the year.

Words by Martyn Williamson, Photo by Glenn Summerbell.

Steve Brooks, Back in Europe

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:01:01 GMT

Just before I was due to leave Pucon for the trip down south into Patagonia I managed to run a little classic with David called the Rio Maichin. Nothing taxing, a few fun drops and an amazing little gorge at the end!

It was now time to leave. So off I headed to the Futaleufu, I had changed my plans and hitched a lift with Nelson and the team as they were heading directly there. So we took a night in San Martin de los Andes in Argentina where I managed to meet up with an old friend Alex (Kmionero) for a coffee, then we headed to Bariloche via the amazing 7 lakes route. Bariloche brings you to the best steak in the world, hands down it is amazing, nothing tastes just like it.

We left Bariloche with full stomachs and headed back into Chile and the Futaleufu. I did not realise just how many people I knew in the Cara del Indio campsite. It was great meeting old friends and kayaking with new ones!

The Futa is amazing, I only managed to run the Bridge to Bridge section as the river was double the volume of what it should have been. Apparently it had been continuously raining for the previous 7 months!!

I am now back in Europe after an epic time in Chile, I would like to say a big thanks to some amazing people who helped and checked on me while I was in Chile. I will be coming back that is for sure. I still have not visited Fico!!!

The Spring is coming soon and we are getting ready for what should be a great season kayaking here in Europe. My first full European summer season since 2001, bring it on!!

Words by Steve Brooks, Photos by Steve Brooks and Nelson Rubilar, Valle de Maipo, Chile.

Rio Maichin

Rio Maichin

Rio Maichin

Rio Maichin

Volcon Lanin

Cara del Indio

Futa

Futa

Futa

Futa

NSR 2010

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 01:01:01 GMT

Renowned for being the largest kayaking event around the globe, March the 5-7th will see this years National Student Rodeo at HPP, Nottingham. With over 750 students making their way to Nottingham for their annual kayaking pilgrimage, this year is set to be bigger than ever. To coincide with the event the Peak Shop will be holding a massive sale, which will include samples, prototypes, last seasons and ex-team kit along with deals on kayaks and ex-demo boats. There will be films playing on the big screen throughout the weekend and free hot soup and bread will be served in the afternoon. There will also be a chance to win a one off limited edition PFD in our free raffle not only that but all the offers, deals, discounts and soup will be available to all our customers so to make sure you don’t miss out come down to the Peak Shop and enjoy the friendly atmosphere.

Odense Canoepolo International

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:01:01 GMT

Odense Canoepolo International 2010 is over and the dust has settled...

The tournament went well throughout a very hectic weekend. The atmosphere was great and we witnessed some very good canoepolo. In all more than 50 matches were played - Saturday 07:00am until midnight and beginning again Sunday morning.

After some thrilling finals the results were as follows:

Men
1. Deventer, Netherlands
2. Denmark, national team A
3. Vikings, UK
4. KCNW Berlin, Germany
5. BWS Hamborg, Germany
6. Rothe Mule Essen, Germany
7. St. Albans, UK
8. Sweden, national team
9. Groningen, Netherlands
10. Denmark, national team B
11. Idroscalo club, Italy
12. TNT, Belgium

Womens
1. St. Albans, UK
2. Denmark, national team
3. ACC Hamborg, Germany
4. MOSW Choszczno, Poland
5. Sweden, national team
6. KCNW Berlin, Germany

Words and Photos by Nicky Plok.

Winter Hurley Session

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 01:01:01 GMT

After spending a week in the Thames Valley on a mini Kayaking holiday during my half term I decided to put together a video of some of my sessions, we spent some time trying out new angles of the weir and hopefully you will like the result! Check out the video below and I have put together a blog update HERE!

Joe Bradley

'Camping' in Krakow

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 01:01:01 GMT

Poland. Not the first answer one would come up with to the question, "Where would you like to go on a slalom training camp?". Especially at the beginning of February. But that’s where Gaz and I found ourselves, knee deep in snow drift, paddle in hand and arguing as to whether the current temperature was -7 degrees or -8. How does one manage to train in -7 degrees you ask? Well... the answer is simple... get a tent!

During the colder months, the artificial white water course at Krakow has a tent erected over the channel, for a generous proportion of the slalom course. This eliminates the wind chill factor on the paddler and once inside and paddling around the tent soon warms up (reaching the dizzy temperature heights of 0 or even +1 degrees). Lighting within the tent, means that training is not solely restricted to day light hours.

Although the white water configuration did not make for a difficult course to navigate, it did allow a great amount of physical and technical work to be done. With 3 other GB C2 crews joining us on this trip, it made for a great training atmosphere and productive days on the water.
The centre also boosts fantastic on site facilities, Krakow does make for an ideal training venue- with a huge swimming pool, sports hall, sauna and gym.

During the camp we (and the other crews) managed to stay dry and warm by wearing the PeakUK, Winter slalom topdeck. Available online at £99 or in the Peak Shop, along with the 'Open Palm Mitts' (£15) and 'Mitts' (£20) they are all a must buy if you find yourself shivering on the banks.

Words: Paul Ramsdale
Pictures: Paul Ramsdale, Gareth Wilson

Riot Kayaks 2010

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 01:01:01 GMT

Riot Kayaks are BACK!

They're operating from their brand new High Tech factory in China and are still producing their highly acclaimed whitewater kayaks, now at fantastic prices. And for 2010 Riot are launching an awesome composite surf kayak range including the new Ninja and Sword with prices starting from just £999. 2010 is set to be an exciting year for Riot...

Photos by Olivier Trudel-Languedoc.

Trip of a lifetime...

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 01:01:01 GMT

WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS JULY?

WHY NOT JOIN GLENMORE LODGE FOR ONE OF THE BEST SEA KAYAKING JOURNEYS IN THE WORLD!

Glenmore Lodge has been running an annual expedition to the Southern coastline of Greenland since 2004, and the overwhelming feedback from all those who paddle in this
area is…. 'a sea kayak journey of a lifetime'. Greenland is the home of sea kayaking, from the Inuit people, and this combined with the incredible coastline has led to it becoming the 'mecca' for all sea kayakers.

Staff at Glenmore Lodge have been exploring this coastline for twenty years. Some expeditions lasting up to two months.Through this exploration, they decided that the
Southern coastline of Greenland was the prime destination to base their 14 day self supported kayak journey. They know this area of Greenland as well as anyone and with the above experience in Greenland, an expedition with the Lodge is going to be unique.

The 14 day journey they offer is arguably one of the best
sea kayak journey’s in the world!

For more information check out this PDF.

Steve Brooks Chilean Boating

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 01:01:01 GMT

It has been 6 days since Team Peak UK kayaker Steve Brooks arrived in Pucon. Since then he has run some classic rivers like the Rio Puesco, Upper Palguin and the Upper Trancura to name but a few.

The Upper Palguin is a classic, a bunch of drops in a little gorge with beautiful water. It is just 20 minutes from the centre of town!!

The Upper Trancura has some great whitewater and some amazing back drops, check out Volcan Villarica in the background....

I am now heading out of Pucon and going south. I have managed to persuade Yan, Claire and Anna to let me in their truck with all my boating and camera equipment for a road trip down to San Carlos de Bariloche in Argentina.
Until then, Chao, Steve!

For more photos and Stories check out Steve's Blog - http://comingdowngently.blogspot.com

Creek One Piece beats the weather in Slovenia

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 01:01:01 GMT

Slovenian Peak UK Team Member Andrej Bijuklic has been making the most of the cold weather in his Creek One Piece suit!!

After many amazing days in the Soča valley last year with perfect flows, hot days and good weather, Andrej has started this season early. The weather is cold, the snow pack is big and the Soča river is a perfect level.. In December the area had a fifty year record flood, with an incredible 600 cumics on the gauge. Really curious to see the changes in the katarakt gorge Andreg switched from snowboard to kayak and went straight down the river on the first Sunday of January.

"It was an awesome day, the water level was super good and the color of the river is something special in the winter time. Worth to do it even with frezzing cold."

Steve Brooks Update

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 01:01:01 GMT

With abysmal snow conditions in St Anton and a big freeze hitting Europe it was time for me to head to Chile!
I arrived in Santiago with the temperature at 31 degrees and clear blue skies. David picked me up from the airport and after having lunch at his in-laws house we packed and got ready to head south to Pucon.

David getting the final stickers put onto his van in Santiago

The Marina in Pucon

Downtown Pucon

Just another blue sky and the view of the Volcan Villarica from the centre of town.

I am off boating, more to follow...
Chao
Steve

Besty and Pringle in Uganda

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 01:01:01 GMT

With winter hitting the UK it was time for Peak UK freestyle rippers Besty and Pringle to head down to Uganda for sunshine and big water.

Pringle:
"Back home to the Nile for the Winter back to warm weather, sick waves and some of the last moments paddling on the Silverback section before the Dam cuts it off :-("
Read more at Pringle's Blog

Jon Best:
"From a cold, wet, dark November to an action packed hot December back on the Nile.
The water level is pretty low at the moment but that’s not such a bad thing as different waves and rapids appear and disappear as the day goes on. Club wave works in the morning from about 7am till 1pm. Club is a large piley wave, pretty consistent but as the day goes on it becomes more and more trashy and surgey, until it hits about 1pm then it’s not worth paddling. There’s a gap of about 3 to 4 hours where neither Club or Nile Special work properly, and then at around 4 pm Nile Special kicks in, a large peaking wave with a pile. When Nile Special kicks up you get an awesome steep green wave where any big wave move is possible."
Read more at Jon's Blog

Photos by Pringle.

Steve Brooks - Ganges Update

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 01:01:01 GMT

Nobby had now left and it was now our turn to say goodbye to Manali and head to the Ganges. We faced either a 2 day journey by chicken busses or a 6 hour taxi ride at breakneck speed. 6 hours later we got to Rishikesh, just the road to Silversands to go, oh they are still moving all the landslides and are also trying to widen it!

2 hours later we reach Aquaterra's Camp, Silversands.

From the cool hillside dwellings in and around Manali the climate had changed and it was sticky, hot and the monsoon rains had still not finished!

We spent 5 days with Aquaterra at their camp kayaking, chilling and sometimes savouring some grilled meat!

Our 3 month trip was now coming to an end, it was an amazing journey through Northern India and we met up with some great people, got used to unpredictable weather and kayaked some wicked rivers!!

A big thanks goes out to Peak UK, Robson Paddles, Aquaterra Adventures, Vaibhav, Slime and his group, Himanshu for the snooker and los tres Bob, Chris and Rup!