Rob and Islay head to Makinito
Rob Crowe at Millau A couple of weeks back I set sail for Europe, like a large majority of Brits, for what is now becoming an annual Euro trip. This year there ...
Ryan Westley reports on WC1
Hi there! Ryan Westley here, the teams FIFA expert and aspiring angler, attempting to give you some insight into my (and the team’s) experience training and competing at the start of ...
Look after your kit this summer!
Following the recent post on how to best store your winter kit, we figured it made sense to offer a bit of advice on how to get the most out of your equipment during the warmer months.Being out on the water in the sun is the best, but summer brings a few issues that can all have a detrimental effect on the more delicate parts of paddling wear. Let's start at the very beginning... UV - we touched on this one in the last post but extended exposure to UV has a serious effect on man made fabrics. Try to dry your kit away from direct sunlight if possible, and definitely don't leave your kit in the sun for long periods of time when camping, on trips etc. Kit dies in hot cars! If you do have to leave your kit in your vehicle for a longer period, stick it in your boot, or at the very least in a kit bag. Latex seals, seams and printing - along with seam tape - can deteriorate rapidly on your parcel shelf / car seats in the sun, as anyone who has ever left a pair of shoes on the dashboard can attest to (guilty...). Really important this one, you can trash kit in a short time by making this mistake. Sun cream and insect repellant (e.g. DEET) - both handy in the warmer months but both pretty brutal on man-made materials, especially rubber and latex. Be really careful when applying these products: do it after your kit is on so you will transfer as little as possible to the materials. Also be particularly careful to get as little as possible on to your spraydeck! DEET is especially powerful, treat with caution. Look for natural alternatives, but do not hold us responsible when your citronella oil fails miserably to hold the west coast midges at bay. Recommendations anyone? Everyone loves the beach (right?) but salt and sand are both fairly abrasive on, well, everything. Rinse your kit! Wear a base layer. Obviously you don't need to go for multiple thermals in summer, however wearing a thin, wicking base layer will not only reduce condensation by helping your waterproofs to breathe, but will also reduce damage to kit (and odours) caused by sweat. And base layers are a lot easier to wash than a dry cag... Finally, when camping keep your kit in a kit bag in your tent- don't leave your kit lying around on the grass. Mice, like paddlers, love waterproof kit. We've seen the evidence. You'll only do it once...Have a great summer!See you on the water... ...
Soca Summer with New Wave Kayaking
With summer in full swing it was that time of year to rally across to one of my favourite coaching destinations. A quick turnaround from coaching in Scotland followed by a ...
Joe Clarke reviews the Euros
Where to start I guess, that’s the question! I could begin by quoting some facts which are rather impressive, like 11 out of 12 GBR boats made it through to the ...
