PaddlerUK magazine issue 3 lo-res

ALAN WARD

Richard Harpham

Great River Ouse

GREAT COACHING ARTICLES FROM:

David Rossetter Paul Bull

GREAT GLEN

Paddling across Scotland

NORFOLK microadventure Sonja Jones

Steve Childs takes us on a

Issue 3 July 2015

PROJECT 24

Interview with…

UK

THE UK MAGAZINE FOR RECREATIONAL PADDLERS

Contents

Patagonia, Chile Photo: Erin Bastian Editor

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Alan Ward by Dave Wortley

Not all contributors are professional writers and photographers, so don’t be put off writing because you have no experience! PaddlerUK magazine is all about paddler to paddler dialogue: a paddler’s magazine written by paddlers.

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Issue 3 July 2015

004 An interview with…

Alan Ward

014 Coaching

Perfecting static turns by Paul Bull

018 Project 24

Paddling the Great River Ouse by Richard Harpham

026 Kicking Multiple Sclerosis

Paddling the 60-mile Great Glen by Sonja Jones

036 Norfolk microadventure Scolt Head Island by Steve Childs

046 Chile

The wilderness of Patagonia by Erin Bastian

060 Coaching

Transfer of knowledge by Dave Rossetter

065 Two nations separated

By Steffan Meyric Hughes

068 Testing, testing

Tons of new kit reviewed and tested

Additional contributor credits: Aidan Egan Tranter, Dave Wortley, James ‘Pringle’ Bebbington, Dale Mears, Chris Brain, Erin Bastian, Richard Harpham, and Phil Carr.

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The PaddlerUK reveals the personality of the well-known freestyler of the ground breaking FUSE video…

Photos: Dave Wortley Video: James ‘Pringle’ Bebbington PADDLERUK 5

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W

here and when was your first paddle?

I started out at Marlow Canoe Club, where I met some of my best friends in between squirt turning Blades, RPMs, Attacks and Prozones. I tackled my first river (the Dart Loop) at the tender age of 10 years old and picked up my first sponsorship deal with Pyranha at the age of 15 at Marsport the Canoe Shop’s open day back in 2002.

What gear are you currently using and why?

The kind people at Palm Equipment keep me dry and warm, Robert from Robson Paddles generously keeps me with a paddle in my hand, Matt from Perception keeps me afloat in my favourite Wave Sport Kayaks and James from Melon Optics keeps the sun out of my eyes.

I use what I believe to be the best kit, made to the highest standards so that I stay dry, compete at my best, train at my best and generally enjoy my time on the water because I’m a firm believer that if I don’t enjoy it I won’t put my all into it.

Where and what was your first paddle and competition?

I’ve been in and around boats all my life, I remember watching the water swirl off my dad’s canoe blade when I was only a few years old in the sunshine, on our way down a gentle river for a picnic with my parents’ friends. Not long after that messing around in a swimming pool with some fibre glass kayaks.

Before we start – just let our readers know a little about you, your family, background, etc.

I’m from a very small village called Stokenchurch in Buckinghamshire, about 40 minutes west of London, and about 15 minutes from Hurley Weir. My dad started kayaking when he was 11 and has been on the water as much as possible ever since, so naturally he encouraged me to start kayaking just as soon as I could hold a paddle. He’s a BCU Level 5 Coach and used to run a canoe/kayak shop and even made my first kayak (a Nipper).

My first competitions were the PeakUK freestyle series, from which I have very fond memories of dancing to Burdock, and doing all sorts of stupid things, some of which we’re lucky to have walked away uninjured from !

My first international was the Pre-Europeans in Sort, Spain in 2002 ? Mark Birkbeck drove Jon Best and me out in his pimped out Transporter road trip style with the sub in the back pumping.

What got you hooked on freestyle kayaking?

Going to the canoe club and messing around with friends started me off, then travelling and having a great time at competitions and parties, the thrill of competing and just loving being on the water carried on my enthusiasm.

A kayaking friend of mine said recently that in a lot of cases, “the friends you make through kayaking are the ones who stick around.”

Proof of that is she is getting married to another of my kayaking best friends this year.

Any advice for those starting in freestyle kayaking?

Join a club to start off, make as many friends and talk to as many kayakers as you can, travel and enjoy being on the water, whatever the weather. No matter what you want to take from the sport, it’s important that you enjoy it and you’ll find that you can never put your paddle down!

Tell us about the spots you tend to paddle the most frequent – both at home and abroad. What are your favourites?

Hurley – in a word. It’s my local, it’s a place that I love to paddle whether it’s on two, three or four gates as long as it’s running I’ll be there as much as I can.

If Hurley is too high then you’ll see me busting out my tow-rope at Marsh, bouncing around at Sunbury or if it’s too low I’ll be at Lee Valley having a great time on the crystal clear water.

I have too many favourite spots abroad to list but way up at the top has to be the White Nile. The combination of rich culture, scorching sun, amazing parties, peaceful relaxation and great people mean that it should be top of any freestylers list. If you haven’t been then go! Get in touch with my good friends Sam and Emily from Kayak The Nile and they’ll make you feel very welcome.

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Which young guns are coming through the ranks to challenge in freestyle?

Hugo Scott (Hugo 1) and Hugo Anthony (Hugo 2) have already started blazing through the freestyle scene and took home the first and second places at GB team trials this year.

I’ve been working closely with Hugo Anthony in particular from the start of his freestyle career and both he and Hugo Scott are even starting to challenge me at times.

They’re great young lads, and good fun to be on the water with.

What is the biggest accomplishment in your career?

I took home Gold at the 2005 World Championships as a Junior (U18), which was a real highlight, but more recently I’m really proud to have come 5th in the 2013 World Championships considering I was (I believe) the only man in at least the top ten to have a full time job.

I’ve also been on the GB Team for some 12 years now and have enjoyed every minute.

https://vimeo.com/user15297342/fuse

What are your goals for the next 12 months?

I’m currently coming out of winter gym training stronger than I have ever been and starting to get back on the water to build up my water based fitness. So you could say everything is on track for the Worlds this year, in which I hope to place at least in the top five. However I have been suffering from a shoulder injury and I am still searching for a decent sized wave I can train on, so we’ll see!

I’ve also been planning a trip out to Austria for Sickline, which should not only be great fun but I also hope to be at least competitive. It’s difficult to have a realistic idea of where I should aim for because I haven’t done much river racing, but since my competitive attitude runs in my blood I will be aiming to achieve my best.

What would be your ultimate achievement?

To win the Freestyle World Championships as a junior and man – that has been my goal since my first international competition and I’m not ready to give up yet. Every year I learn more and get closer to my goal.

Who are your kayaking buddies?

I’ve made lots of friends over the years, both locally and internationally, whom I love going for a paddle and having a beer with. I am however, still best friends with a few people I started out with – Piers Bucknell, Sam Conibear, Scott Simmonds and Doug Cooper.

If you had to choose one last thing you wanted to achieve within freestyle before giving it up what would that be and why?

To win the Worlds, it’s been my goal since I started international competition and I’ve not made it yet. I want to prove to myself and everyone else that I can do it and with a full time job.Can you talk about your

training?

Greatest inspiration? Role models/who/what kept you motivated?

If you truly want to be the best in the world you have to know deep down what your motivation is.

It took me years to figure mine out, it is quite personal and it’s what pushed me to achieve the top five at the 2013 Worlds. The feeling of not achieving what I know I should. Whenever I need motivation, that’s the feeling I imagine and it pushes me onwards.

My dad started me off in my kayaking career all those years ago, and because of that he will always remain to be a role model and inspiration. Other role models and inspirations are the people I want to beat, they push me to try harder, adopt their styles and ultimately beat them.

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If you could head anywhere in the world to freestyle where would it be and what appeals about the location?

Right now I would love to move to Canada, not just because of the huge water and incredible freestyle it offers but because of the snowboarding in the winter! It’s become a real passion over the years and if the mountains were closer I’m not sure which would win…

Tell us a bit about your coaching setup and how you help others to improve?

The only time I have ever struggled to enjoy coaching was when I got on a Hurley for four hours of coaching when the car park was three inches deep in snow!

I really enjoy seeing people improve and enjoy their kayaking and like to pass on my knowledge as much as I can.

I happily coach any level of kayaking from beginner to expert at weekends and evenings when the light and water levels permit.

I like to spot small things to change in people’s technique that naturally solves much larger problems that others have over complicated.

It’s this style of simple and encouraging coaching that I most enjoy.

Apart from kayaking – what other sports do you like?

Snowboarding is top of the list, keeping fit in the gym, climbing (preferably bouldering), wakeboarding when I can and I’m always keen to try any other outdoor sport.

You’re the kayaker in the excellent FUSE video. Any other vids in the pipeline we should look out for?

There’s been a lot going on recently with my involvement in the Freestyle Committee as Publicity Officer, building my new website and moving house so I haven’t had much time to think of any new inspirations but watch this space!

FUSE was great fun and it’ll be a tough one to follow up on.

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Quickies…

If you could paddle with anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be?

The 2003 GB Team – fantastic group of like minded people.

Pick two celebrities to be your parents…

Bear Grylls for the adventures, not sure who I’d pick as a mum.

Which famous person would you most like to see play you in a film?

Brad Pitt – legend!

Favourite iPod track?

Oh That I Had – Ruby Frost and Mt. Eden.

Kill Your Heroes - AWOLNATION.

Cats or dogs?

Dogs.

Facebook or Twitter?

Instagram But if I had to chose between those two I would say Facebook: www.facebook.com/AlanWardCoaching Shameless plug!

An ideal night out for you is?

International competitions usually have the best parties.

What one luxury item would you take with you on a desert island?

A satellite phone, but I suppose that’s cheating.

What would I find in your refrigerator right now?

Not much, I tend to live day-to-day. Milk, chillies, ale, gin and general healthy food, nothing processed or fast food.

If we came to your house for dinner, what would you prepare for us?

Hot spicy wings (blow your face off hot), a big salad, home made wedges and some delicious ale.

If you could be a superhero for one day, what superpower would you choose and why?

Immortality, that way I could do absolutely anything with no consequences.

Favourite sports team?

England - Rugby.

What three words would you use to describe you?

Fun, outgoing and driven.

Top notch Alan many thanks for your time

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ThePaddler 14

By Paul Bull –UKCC Level 3 Coach at Paul Foundation Open Canoe Skills

In our paddling history, at one time we will have all been taught the forward and reverse sweep stroke - a big wide stroke, starting at the front of the boat and finishing at the rear - “like you’re painting a rainbow in the water”!

However, have you ever questioned whether the sweep stroke is the best way of statically turning an open canoe?

Does your boat travel forwards when attempting a turn? Is there something that’s more efficient and effective? When paddling solo, once my students have grasped the concept of a sweep and reverse sweep stroke I’ll then introduce them to “Pivot Turns” and the affects of heel and trim.

Perfecting static 1

2

4 5

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3

Bull Coaching Lets say we want to turn our canoe towards the side that we’re paddling on. In terms of strokes we could use a reverse sweep, or we could use the “Inside Pivot Turn. Lets explore the two in more detail:

The Reverse Sweep:

Kneeling on our thwart in an offset position, facing a little towards the side we are paddling on, we windup our core muscles as we reach to the back of the boat. As we unwind our core, sweeping the paddle in a wide arc from the back of the boat to the front, with the back of the paddle blade active and used throughout the stroke. If we were to use our thumb as a flag or marker, it would be pointing upwards. As a consequence of this action the front of the boat turns towards the paddle. If we need the boat to continue to turn then we take the paddle out of the water and repeat the stroke until the desired amount of turn has been achieved.

turns

The Inside Pivot Turn:

For this stroke the initial wind-up, paddle position and kneeling position is the same as for the reverse sweep stroke. However, after the first half of our reverse sweep has been completed (as the paddle reaches an angle of about 90 degrees to the boat) we roll the top hand towards our body and downwards so that our indicator thumb is now pointing down. This action has switched the active side of the paddle from the back of the blade to the power face. We now continue the arc towards the front of the boat - almost like a long bow draw. In the case of an inside pivot turn, if we want to continue to turn the canoe we can neutrally slice the paddle through the water from bow to stern and repeat the stroke.

So what’s the difference?

The paddle has travelled the same distance - all we’re doing differently is using both sides of the paddle blade with the inside pivot turn versus the back of the blade with our reverse sweep. The differences may be subtle but they are significant:

With the reverse sweep stroke, as the stroke nears the bow, our muscles have already unwound to their fullest extent and the stroke loses power.

With the inside pivot turn, once we switch the active blade side at 90 degrees, we engage a different set of muscles and wind up our core again, making the start and finish points of the stroke equally as effective and powerful.

I often set this as a guided discovery task for my students to go and find the differences. The feedback speaks for itself as they feel the differences for themselves. Go and try it if you haven’t already done so!

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ThePaddler 16 Spinning around…

When discussing open canoeing, I often hear that one of the barriers to this discipline is how hard people find canoes to manoeuvre.

Well there are a few things we can do to make it all a lot easier for ourselves. If we continue our breakdown of the inside pivot turn then there are a number of options:

We can heel (or edge) our boat towards the side we’’re paddling on. This changes the shape of the boat in the water and makes it much easier to turn. The more we heel the boat over, the easier the boat will turn.

We can also change our position in the boat, or trim, for the desired outcome. The more stern heavy we are for the inside pivot turn the tighter we will turn, or spin on the spot. The more neutral to bow heavy we are the wider our turns will be and the further the boat will travel backwards with each stroke

Paul Bull Paul is an enthusiastic full time UKCC Level 3 Coach who’s passionate about helping people to develop and enjoy kayaking and canoeing whether thats more advanced skills on the more technical or bigger volume rivers of the UK and Europe or grass root sessions nearer to home. Paul delivers a range of BCU and personal skills courses in both canoe and kayak. More information about Paul and the courses he offers can be found at www.paulbull.co.uk or via Facebook at www.facebook.com/PaulBullCoaching

Turning the other way…

We could use the forward sweep to achieve this, but let me introduce the more efficient “Outside Pivot Turn”. This is essentially a cross deck bow draw, followed by a forward sweep stroke. To set up for the cross deck bow draw we reach across the bow towards our “offside”, and with our indicator thumb pointing up, plant the paddle as wide as we can, and draw the bow of the boat to the paddle. We then lift the paddle out of the water and move over the bow of the boat and start the forward sweep.

The initial bow draw maximises our turning potential by initiating the turn, with the sweep completing it. To make the turn more effective you can heel or edge your boat towards your cross deck draw by moving the knee nearest the centre line of the boat into the other bilge, before changing the edge back and completing my forward sweep stroke.

What will different trim positions do to this turning stroke? Well, why don’t you go and explore and let me know your findings…?

Happy paddling!

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PROJECT 24 Project 24 is a series of 24-hour human powered micro adventures on foot, paddling, and cycling to challenge ourselves and our potential. Project 24 is the brainchild of husband and wife team,Ashley Kenlock and Richard Harpham to provide an opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors with regular adventures.We hope it is aspirational to encourage others to participate and challenge themselves and ask big questions.

By Richard Harpham Richard is a professional adventurer who has completed over 7,800 miles of adventures around the world. Our family and friends will hopefully also join us on different challenges for encouragement, fun times and to share the experience. You can follow Project 24 as we tackle some of Britain’s most iconic locations at www.richadventure.com.

Our first 24-hour challenge was walking for 24 hours on the beautiful Pennine Way, in winter with deep snow, freezing conditions and whiteout blizzards. Our second was…

24 hours canoeing on the River Great Ouse The adventure was to canoe the River Great Ouse, upstream of Buckingham down towards our home in Bedford. Despite being the fifth largest river in Britain, 50% of it does not have access rights (we can only access 3% of the rivers and water in England and Wales – see www.riveraccess.org.uk). For me personally I was really excited to be exploring the top section of our river (non-navigable) having lived in Bedford for a large part of my life. Previously I had paddled the 78 miles downstream of Bedford to the Wash in Norfolk and we also run a canoe, kayak and SUP business located on this part of the River. www.canoetrail.co.uk The canoe challenge was in the close fishing season.

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As with many challenges getting to the start line is sometimes tricky

Getting ready for launch

We launched at a tiny village called Radclive, negotiating our way past the local sheep and over a fence to get on. Our team consisted of myself, my brother, Matt, (in a canoe), Jay Goss, one of our coaches (kayaks) and a couple of friends, Tom Rowland and Ed Taylor(kayaks). Tom and Ed has contacted us the previous year wanting to learn to kayak and do a charity challenge and we had become friends.

We set off close to mid-day and paddled down to Buckingham wading and dragging our boats to get past shallow stretches which reminded me of a similar trip at the top of the Thames. We arrived in the county town of Buckingham passing old stone

bridges and meandering past the back of the University. Since the river is not widely accessed it also means portages and obstacles are not easy to traverse.

A different challenge

We also found different places were the river was blocked with fallen trees, debris and other rubbish.

Each one posed a different challenge to get past without losing considerable time.The best options were to wriggle and pull our boats through small gaps, bushes and branches without getting out.

We shot various weirs and carried around many obstacles. It was tough going and we worked as

Matt rescues Ed after capsizing The team: Richard Harpham Matt, Harpham, Jay Goss,Tom Rowland and Ed Taylor.

teams to move the kit, waterproofs and rations we had with us. To pass the time we also began to count the number of footballs we found lost in reeds or blockages and you will be amazed at the final total. On one occasion we waded through deep mud on an overflow channel next to a large sluice.

Plenty of laughter

Launching in the longer touring kayaks resulted in instability and one of the team capsized. Whilst I observed with plenty of laughter my brother jumped straight in to try and affect a rescue. The result in deep mud was a swimmer in a drysuit

(the rescued) and my brother soaked in cag and shorts (The rescuer). After much laughter, a change of clothes and plenty of advice about look before your leap we paddled on!

It was amazing how the river changed from deep, slow and meandering to shallow, narrow flow through the rural countryside. On several occasions we were the source of much curiosity from bullocks who insisted on chasing us down the river bank. As dusk approached we made it to Milton Keynes and the aquaduct where the Grand Union Canal passes over the River Great Ouse. It was a great photo opportunity so I jumped ship and walked up to get some pictures.

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Once darkness descends it becomes a different mental challenge as we literally couldn’t see anything. We were fortunate to have USE Exposure Lights which helped show the way. As fatigue set in we began to introduce simple reward strategies at the portages including coffee, malt loaf and jelly sweets. Portages become more difficult with high banks, narrow paths and slippery put-ins in the dark.The combination of tired arms and minds coupled with finding our way in the dark meant things were taking longer.

New paddler

The pace began to slow as a couple of the team nodded off in their boats. In some ways it was easier for my brother and I, as we were used to paddling together and I think it helped to be in a canoe working together. As we approached Newport Pagnall, the home of Aston Martin, we were planning to rendezvous with another friend and fellow member of Viking Kayak Club, Dom Milner. This provided a great boost to tired paddlers and also changed team dynamics with new conversations and chat. The fact that one of our mates would venture out at 1 am after a charity function also meant a lot to us.

Dawn slowly arrived although never quite ‘broke’ in the usual sense of stunning iconic sun rises. We were closer now to home territory with local

villages we knew and had paddled from time to time. We stopped for a quick comfort break and within five minutes both Jay and Matt were asleep where they sat. By the time we reached Harrold Bridge we had found daylight and felt like we were on the home straight but as so often there was still a sting in the tail to come.

We finished just north of Bedford at Oakley Bridge having been hammered by storm force winds for the final few miles with gusts estimated over 30mph. We would loved to have made it as far as Bedford, only a tantalizing 12 miles away but given the long and difficult portages this seemed more than a bridge too far. A massive thank you to our support team who brought us two hot meals and really brightened up the mood.

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The final tally of footballs turned out to be 43, five rugby balls and more tennis balls than it was possible to count. Since the top section of the River Great Ouse of restricted we would suggest it should only be tackled during the close fishing season (March to June). However if you want to explore the navigable section then you can drop us a line info@canoetrail.co.uk or visit www.canoetrail.co.uk and we can provide canoes, kayaks, SUPs and even use of our woodland campsite adjacent the river for families, groups and of course kayak clubs.

You may also join Viking Kayak Club if you are local to Bedford to experience a wide range of paddling disciplines from racing to Slalom. (Viking Kayak Club is the home of Etienne Stott, 2012 Canoe Slalom C2 Olympic Champion 2012). www.vikingkayak.co.uk

Rich and Ash

Richard is a human powered adventurer and paddler who has completed over 7,800 miles of adventures by kayak, canoe, ski and bike. He runs www.canoetrail.co.uk with his wife and co founded www.inspiredlife.org which inspires young people and communities. He is a motivational speaker drawing on his stories from adventure, in corporate life and managing the Ghana Ski Team at the Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Richard’s adventures test equipment in the harshest conditions and he is proud to be supported by: Paramo Clothing,Valley Sea Kayaks, Up North Adventures, www.bambooclothing.co.uk , Leatherman tools, Scott Skis, Mountain Fuels, Canadian Affair (airlines), Aquabound Paddles, Reed Chillcheater, Surly Fat Bikes, USE Exposure Lights, Garmin GPS systems, Sealine Drybags. Richard and Ash are members of Viking Kayak Club.

So in case you were wondering we managed to cover 55 miles in our two man canoe in 24 hours which given tricky portages, the mini kit mountain to allow us to be self supporting and challenging weather was pretty satisfying. Watch this space for the next one.

Your Project 24?

Project 24 hinges on a strong personal and team challenge based around what is possible within a 24 hour period? How far could you kayak, SUP or canoe, or even run within 24 hours? You can set your own challenge, or as part of a team, hopefully raising a few quid for charity.We are not full time athletes nor do we have endless hours for training so it is about a ‘can do’ spirit and getting out there.

We would love to hear from you with details of your challenge or adventure.

What did you do? What charity did you support? (contact us @ www.richadventure.com)

We believe that, “The best adventure is the one that you take…start now, and of course stay safe!”

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Five into three will go Student-coach symbiosis Six months of kayak training has led up to May’s incomprehensible achievement; in three days, rather than the recommended five, a team of 10 of us paddled the full 60 miles of the magnificent Great Glen by sea kayak and open canoe, and wild camped loch side. As hoped, I kicked Multiple Sclerosis’ butt, raised approximately £1,500 for charity, and to top it all off, I met some incredible people and saw and did some magical things along the way.

By Sonja Jones

It’s amazing to think that May 2014, I was finding it difficult to walk up stairs or walk around town for longer than 45 minutes, open jars and bottles with my hands, not to mention the battles I was facing with lethargy and getting used to peculiar sensations and pain throughout my body. Now, not only have I kayaked across Scotland, I did it two days shorter than the recommended time frame and with energy and strength spare to do it all over again.

Under the guidance, support and belief from my coach, Chris Brain, I have paddled my way to strength, both physically and spiritually, and in turn, to a new way of life. This has been a whole new league of rehabilitation; paddling, in all forms, beats the gym hands down.

When I started this journey six months ago with Coach Brain, I struggled to paddle to midday, and there was definitely a very noticeable slump post 2pm where I would become so weak that my paddling would rapidly deteriorate. Back then, I even found a regular bag of shopping incredibly difficult to lift, let alone share the load of carrying a kayak; Chris used to have to do everything for me, that’s probably why he has such big muscles now.

At all times, Chris employed S.M.A.R.T to my paddling which enabled us to maintain focus in order to complete the quest of both physically completing the challenge, and the journey towards expedition fitness. This technique will be at the fore of my mind at all times during my future paddling career.

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Coaching sessions Our coaching sessions were so varied that I feel we had prepared for every possible eventuality. Although we weren’t going to do any river running on the trip, the skills I obtained during those sessions crossed over to the flat and open water environments, such as how important the core is for efficient kayaking. I am especially thankful for the 50mph gusts and freak weather that we experienced during a particularly choppy open water training session on Bala Lake; no matter how fresh and gusty the weather became during the trip, I felt competent and confident to see it through, whilst having enormous fun surfing the waves along the way.

Getting out on the water and having lovely picnics and adventures in freezing (in the main) to sizzling temperatures weren’t the only aspects of my training regime.

I had a daily routine of Theraband exercises to help build strength back up in my arms (particularly the one that suffered paralysis) as well as squats, crunches, and press-ups to increase the power in my core.

In order to maintain motivation, Chris created a spreadsheet using the magical ‘Cloud’ which we were to update once we had completed some exercise, and where we could write motivational messages to each other, especially when the sheet looked sparse – Chris could be quite the Army Officer, even with those funky dreadlocks. This was particularly useful in the early days to get into the habit of training, as even though we were physically apart, it was like having an exercise ‘conscience’ on my shoulder, a ‘cyber coach’. At the beginning I could only plank for five seconds, but by the time we reached the expedition, I was able to plank for at least one minute at a time – what a victory.

Chris has surpassed my expectations in a coach and has empowered me to believe that anything is possible. I no longer believe in disability, I only believe in ability, and I certainly don’t consider the option that I can’t do something, only that I can – there is always a way. I hope that one day, I too will be good enough to coach others to reach their personal paddling potential, and take them on adventures.

I no longer believe in disability, I only believe in ability

I think the key to a successful coach-student relationship no matter your strengths or weaknesses, is complete honesty and communication. Some hurdles that you might have may be invisible to the naked eye, such as lethargy, pain, or processing problems. If you don’t communicate that you do not understand something and that the instruction needs rephrasing or that you are in pain or tired and need a break, how can they support you whilst being the best possible coach they can be in order ensure you are achieving your maximum potential?

From day one I knew I needed to be 100% open with Chris, and by doing so, the support and guidance I received was unquestionably bespoke, where in the end, he knew me so well, that he was able to read me with ease, and so a trusting and almost innate symbiosis was born. He would take me far out of my comfort zone, but would be aware of any limits should they arise, and was always on hand with a buoyancy aid sweet treat.

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Meet the team Initially the trip was simply a rehabilitative goal, but as time moved on, it became so much more than that.

The more we talked about it, the more external interest grew in what we were doing, where we developed from a team of two to a group of 10 paddlers conquering The Great Glen: Bottom left to right: Chris Brain (The Boss ), Daniel Horsfield, Charlotte Lever, Beth Godfrey, Andy Lees (Go Kayaking North West), Jane Langton (my dear friend), Arron Hodder (Jane’s handsome boy and dear friend), Mathew Wilkinson (Pyranha), Erin Bastian (our documentary maker), and that’s me in the middle.

The group had a range of abilities, from never having paddled a canoe before right up to professional instructors. Fear not for the newbies, as they each shared a canoe with a professional.

On a trip such as this covering vast expanses of deep open water, having experienced paddlers with additional skills in rescue and first aid is absolutely paramount; especially because the weather can change in a heartbeat where the water can go from glassy to moderate water environments and beyond in a region where help may be miles away – this did happen for us.

No matter our team members’ backgrounds, as Coach Brain rightly said “Every single person brought something unique to the expedition, whether it was motivation, technical skills and knowledge, marshmallows or even songs, everybody was 100% valued and earned their place”.

It was a trip of firsts for every single person regardless of experience, be that physically paddling, doing this particular route, wild camping, or even kayaking along a canal rather than white or open water. The bond

we share as consequence will remain with us for a life time. At the end of the expedition, Chris commented “I am so proud of what we all achieved, overcoming our fears, personal expectations and what we accomplished ultimately as a team” – I echo his sentiments.

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The route Fully loaded with cargo, we paddled unsupported and wild camped over three days, 60 miles from Fort William to Inverness.

The surrounding mountains, wildlife, and forests could have placed us anywhere in the world, and to me, it felt like we were on another planet. Some of the gang likened it to Canada and New Zealand how lucky we are in the UK, to have such a majestic landscape all within a train or car ride.

Deeply immersed in Mother Nature and each other’s company, I quickly forgot about modern life.

I felt at peace and at home.

On day one, the weather took a sudden turn from sunshine to hail, rain, rainbows, and Force 5 winds eliciting moderate water. I remember a moment, where I was surfing some waves (there was nothing else to do but surf in that situation - awesome) with sleet beating against my face with my hood up and glimmers of rainbows between the veil of diamonds falling from the sky, at that moment, I fell in love. I had a fixed grin, my heart was pounding, and I didn’t want the deliciousness of this erratic weather to end – who needs to pay a fortune to go on a rollercoaster, when you can surf the elements for free.

Glimmers of rainbows between the veil

of diamonds falling from the sky

Some of the gang likened it to

Canada and New Zealand how lucky we are in the UK This, along with toasting marshmallows on the campfire on our own secret island on Loch Ness and physically crossing the finish line, along with the awesome company and general frivolity, were my absolute highlights of the trip. To be honest, I loved it all and would do it all again tomorrow.

On this trip, we paddled around eight hours a day (a far cry from struggling to paddle to midday) and had to carry luggage and portage four sea kayaks and open canoes around many lock gates. As a word of caution regarding portaging, particularly at Fort Augustus with its five locks, should you wish to embark on the Great Glen, in the words of team paddler, Andy Lees, “don't over pack. The extra weight is a nightmare” and if you have a mix of kayakers and canoeists, Andy found that, “the slow pace of our prospector fully laden, meant we were always at the back chasing and it was quite tedious. Mix the paddling up a bit with some sailing, and leave some time spare for the chippy in Fort Augustus!”

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Documentary

The aim of the documentary is multifaceted; it intends to raise awareness of what life can be like with Relapse Remitting Multiple Sclerosis, and to inspire ordinary people to embark on adventure, no matter how big or small, or what hurdles you may have to jump in order to make your dreams become a reality.

You can watch the trailer below and keep your eyes peeled for the release of the full film – we hope you enjoy watching it as much as we enjoyed making it (one of my many firsts on the trip).

As our training sessions went on, we began to realise that this is a story that needs sharing and felt a documentary would be the perfect way of doing this.

Watch Erin’s video: https://vimeo.com/129386715

After a serendipitous sea kayaking training session with Erin Bastian at The Ladies Paddle Symposium, she very kindly offered to join us on our adventure up in Scotland to film the expedition from start to finish.

Kayaking has not only been a rehabilitative tool; it has also allowed childhood me and adult me to meet, physically and mentally. I feel I have discovered my inner explorer, from the days of tipis and hay-bale dens. Kayaking has allowed me to be reborn.

This is the beginning of a lifetime of adventure.

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BY

Steve Childs

We live in a world with everincreasing demands on our time, constant bombardment of information from every angle, and the expectation that response to messages / phone-calls / emails / tweets should be instantaneous, regardless of time or day sent.

So the new year’s resolution in the Tootega and Silverbirch office was to do something about it…

Start/finish

https://goo.gl/maps/keun4

Nothing huge and involved, that would defeat the point. But rather taking little opportunities to tie in paddling trips with delivery runs and meetings, and perhaps one ‘night out’ a month where we would down tools at 5pm and head off to explore one of the endless paddling options right on our own doorstep, the only caveat being we had to be back at work by 9am the next morning!

Once we started thinking about trips we could do that were ‘within range’ for an evening adventure we were staggered.

There are literally hundreds of interesting paddles on our doorstep here in Norfolk – almost all of which we had overlooked until now, and several of which looked like really interesting and varied trips.

One that really stood out for us was a circumnavigation of Scolt Head Island on the North Norfolk Coast.

Norfolk

The ironic truth is running a kayak company is no exception – there is always a reason to work late, always a reason to spend another evening working on a new design rather than paddling what you already have, and courtesy of a wonderful network of dealers around the world – always someone you need to call, regardless of the time of day or night.

l

microadventure

It is easy to get trapped, trapped in an endless cycle of work without time to ‘decompress’ trapped in a rut of being so attached to your smart phone, tablet, or computer that you never truly spend quality time with friends and loved ones, and trapped into the mindset that you don’t have time to do anything about it.

Campsite l

In itself a stunning paddle through a mixture of remote salt marshes, little creeks, and open sea, but one that could be made better by tying it in with some seasonal foraging – surely the ideal modern world ‘antidote’?

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Our planning was minimal, again another point of our overnight ‘microadventure’ was to keep things simple and uncomplicated – we consulted the tide times, checked for any dangers or restrictions in the area, and checked when the Samphire and mackerel seasons would begin – 20 minutes of planning had us a date when everything would align.

As luck would have it the day came around very quickly and was matched with perfect weather.

We finished work, loaded up our gear, and made the hour or so drive out to the coast.

We arrived at Brancaster Staithe just before 6.30pm, it was about three hours before high tide and the creeks and inlets had just started to flood. We got our gear together, loaded our boats, and got ready to set off.

Useful info…

Start point: Brancaster Staithe Grid reference: TF 79199 44331.

End point: Brancaster Staithe Grid reference: TF 79199 44331.

Distance: 18-20km dependant on route through the marshes.

Best tide time to leave: 2.5-three hours before high water at Brancaster.

Tide times can be found here: www.deepdalefarm.co.uk/tides/

Now I don’t know about you, but paddling has a magical effect on me. The second I push off from the bank all the thoughts and worries whizzing around in my head just seem to vanish. All that matters is the paddling itself and the world around me. This trip was no different – the abundance of wildlife, classic Norfolk sailing boats, and endless rolling sand dunes instantly felt a world apart from everyday life and with all the distractions it didn’t seem to take much effort to paddle the few kilometres from the staithe to the sandbank marking the western end of the island and our pathway out into the open sea.

We were paddling around the island in a clockwise direction. By setting off at mid tide this allowed us to get out into open water about two hours before high tide which gave us a few hours of helpful tidal flow along the outside of the island and plenty of time to cross the shallow bar at the eastern end of the island before the salt marshes started to drain again.

The second we crossed the sandbank and got into open sea we dropped several strings of mackerel feathers with the aim of catching dinner. The helpful tidal flow meant we could have a leisurely paddle along the outside of the island and it seemed an ideal time to fish.

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The scenery was incredible – not a soul in sight, and from the outside the island looked more like a desert island than a small offshoot of the Norfolk coast. We would have stopped and had an explore, but Scolt head island is internationally renowned for its population of Sandwich Terns (amongst others) and it was smack bang in the middle of breeding season so we chose to treat the entire island as a no go zone!

I’m not sure what distracted us most – the fishing, the impressive displays put on by the Terns, or the incredible scenery, but it didn’t seem to take long to get to the eastern end of the island and our inlet back into the salt marshes and the inner side of the island.

Sadly we hadn’t caught any fish yet, perhaps it was just a little late in the day when we started to fish, perhaps we were just rubbish at it, either way it didn’t matter too much as we had bought some with us so we decided to pack down our gear and paddle in to find somewhere to camp.

Useful info…

Scolt Head Island: A national nature reserve and an internationally important breeding site for Terns.

During the breeding season several parts of the island are subject to landing restrictions and it is important these are respected.You can find out more information here: www.nnch.co.uk/Scoltheadisland.pdf Samphire: Samphire is a sea vegetable that grows abundantly in marshy shallows and on salty mudflats. It has a crisp texture and tastes of the sea. It is delicious lightly boiled and served with butter. Often referred to as ‘poor man’s asparagus’ it has become increasingly popular in trendy bistros and restaurants over the past few years. Samphire season is late May to late August. Read about some cooking tips for Samphire from David Truzzi-Franconi in PaddlerUK magazine.

Once on dry land James and Aran started to unpack our kayaks and get our campsite set up whilst I went in search of some Samphire. Turns out that unlike the Mackerel, this isn’t very hard to find! It was everywhere around us, and a few quick handfuls gave us as much as we would be able to eat.

Whilst James got the BBQ nice and hot and the fire going Aran and I stripped the fresh green samphire shoots from the woody stems and popped them into some water to lightly blanch before adding some butter.

We also got some local new potatoes on to boil and made a few vegetable kebabs to go on the BBQ with the Mackerel. All in all not a bad meal for a ‘school night’ and definitely not a bad meal to rummage up on a deserted beach.

We ate dinner as the sun set over the marshes.

With a drink in hand, a roaring fire, and some impressive aerobatic displays by the Terns over head it was hard not to feel smug and was only made better by the fact we were completely out of sight of the real world and with the added benefit of absolutely no phone reception to distract us, we talked well into the night!

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Soon enough we rejoined the main channel of Norton creek, and were back insight of Brancaster Staithe – our start/endpoint.

All that was left to do was paddle across the open stretch of water outside of the staithe that forms at higher tide heights and up the last few hundred metres of creek back to the car park. At this point mother nature treated us to a pretty impressive lightning show, which definitely sped up our paddling, but thankfully never got too close!

The morning greeted us with bright sunshine, but with some ominous clouds on the horizon and some rumbles of thunder in the distance we decided to get a move on and get on the water.

We left our campsite about 30 minutes before we had intended, which meant an extra few hundred metres of walking across the flats, but was more than worth it to get ahead of those storm clouds!

Once on the water we headed up the main channel that runs up the inside of the island called Norton Creek. About 400 metres or so from the end of the island the creek splits into two channels. It is worth having a little look at a map before getting to this point as the obvious right hand channel is NOT the correct route, Norton creek actually continues along the left channel, the right takes you a fair way into the island before abruptly stopping, but this is not obvious from the water.

A kilometre further on again we took another left hand channel this is actually a detour from Norton creek called Trowland creek. It does add a little distance to the trip, but takes you right out into one of the remotest parts of the marsh, and was well worth the effort.

We didn’t hang around in Brancaster for long as we needed to get back to work, but whilst driving back it began to sink in how much we had achieved in an evening, how much we had experienced, and how easy it had been to do.

We will never overlook our backyard again, and when those stresses and strains of modern life get a bit much – we know exactly how to ease them – go boating!

Useful info…

Hazards/restrictions: As already mentioned, please make yourself aware of the national nature reserve restrictions.There can be significant tidal flow at both ends of the island and in the creeks at certain tide heights – please make yourself familiar with the local conditions before setting off. At higher tide heights the flooded marshes are very popular for sailing and windsurfing – keep an eye out for other water users.

Sea conditions can change quickly, please check the sea state and weather before leaving – if unsure, please contact the local coastguard!

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{ Sea kayaking is just an excuse to travel the world, access hidden wildernesses and explore the corners where no one else goes. It offers the opportunity to take on a challenge so huge, even you question whether you’ll reach the finish line. I now have a bad case of the sea kayaking expedition bug. When I look at maps I see new routes, when I see islands, I have an overwhelming desire to explore them.This is how I ended up, in the remotest region of Patagonia, toughing out blizzards and eating freeze dried food, for weeks on end.

By Erin Bastian

Accessing the hidden wilderness of

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Did you know: The area of Patagonia spans a massive 1,043,076 km², occupying almost half of each country and yet only home to less than two million inhabitants.

Two nations

Patagonia is an incredibly hostile wilderness, known for its rugged landscape, inhospitable mountains and rapidly changing weather. A region, which is shared by both Chile and Argentina, yet divides Chile almost in two, due to the untameable barrier it creates for roads and transport.The west coast consists of an intricate maze of fjords and islands, where a single tiny village is the only civilization for thousands of kilometres.

Puerto Eden is a brightly coloured fishing village patched together with wooden walk ways and bodge materials scavenged from goodness knows where. The people eek out a simple living by fishing, collecting muscles and shear determined toughness. The village has a grand backdrop of towering mountains all still caped in thick snow; spring was only just settling in. We somehow persuaded the only tourist ferry to drop us off there, so that we could continue through the fjords to the nearest town Puerto Natales, still some 600km further south as the crow flies.

Excitement buzzed around the village with the sight of crazy strangers and brightly coloured kayaks. Enjoying the atmosphere, we chatted away to interested locals, in a classic mix of

world recognised sign language (pointing), and broken English. Attempting to pack the five weeks worth of food and gear into our boats was no easy feat and with the nod from the Port Captain we were ready and raring to take our first few paddle strokes.

The nerves bubbled away at each stroke we took as we paddled deeper into the heart of Patagonia. I knew only in theory what lay ahead, icebergs and glaciers, whales and sea lions, violent storms and swift tides. This adventure was to be my biggest test yet. To reach our goal we needed to paddle a distance of 800km over the course of five weeks and tough out some of the harshest weather I have ever witnessed.

I knew only in theory what lay ahead,

icebergs and glaciers,

whales and sea lions, violent storms and swift tides

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Lee Franklin, Mike Burnett and myself made up our small team of three. Jokes and stories entertained our rainy first few days and the landscape fascinated me – it was like nothing I had ever seen before. Bushes so thick that access to the land would be limited only to the rocky banks below the trees and steep sided mountains framed the channels with intimidating stature. For hours we paddled with no possible landing opportunity, as the mountains seemed to fall directly into the sea.

Streams would pump down the steep inclines creating white creases through the rocky crags and above the tree line, lingered the still melting winter snow.

Our journey would take us to the heart of Patagonia, as close to the ice fields as it was possible to approach from the sea and to the very tip of a fjord called Estro Peel, where glaciers flow directly into the sea. The first week was littered with blizzards and hail storms as we began to learn the difficulties of locating a possible camp spot and thanked our decision to invest in our toasty Palm Dry suits. The first taste of Patagonia's unpredictable and powerful weather had us realising the state of play for the next four weeks.

We woke one morning to blue sky and mirror still waters where hunting dolphins broke the glass-like surface, sending circular ripples for miles. The reflection of the mountains in the water added immense depth to the already dominating landscape.

The rhythm of paddling continually ticked along like the second hand of a clock as time was now measured by light and dark, hunger and fatigue. Our goal was to paddle 30km a day and in the calm condition this was a pleasure. During this period of high pressure weather, we reached one of the largest Glaciers in Patagonia, Pio XI. Standing about 60 metres in hight and 5km in length it was colossal!

Chunks of ice regularly broke from its front surface and crashed into the calm water below. Shock waves would travel out, thrusting the large floating icebergs around with an unnerving amount of ease.

The dry weather was short lived and the inevitable wet weather soon greeted us again. Winds helped and hindered us in equal proportions, but always with fierce strength. Gusts would hurtle down the steep sides of the fjords, rumbling as they grew closer, before knocking us sideways as we griped our paddles tightly. When the waves picked up the Albatrosses would come out to play. They provided endless acrobatics and performed breathtaking manoeuvres on the face of the growing waves. At least they distracted out attention from the unnerving winds and occasional open water crossings.

The reflection of the moun added immense depth

Did you know: There are six national parks located in Patagonia, each with their own unique charms: Torres del Paine (Chile), Los Glaciares (Argentina), Laguna San Rafael (Chile), Nahuel Huapi (Argentina),Tierra del Fuego (Argentina) and Alberto de Agostini (Chile)

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ntains in the water h to the already dominating landscape

The closer we get to ThePaddler 52

the tip of Estro Peel, the more testing the weather conditions became as the cold seeped into our bones through our now damp thermals. Slipping into our cold wet fleece each morning, took incredible amounts of motivation and by this point we had not felt the warmth of the sun in over ten days.

dodged the hefty icebergs that were all being swiftly carried by the currents. We weaved our way through the crunching, grinding and clashing motorway of ice, until we reached the bowl where the western side of the ice field flows down off the mountains.

As the fjord began to narrow the currents controlled our forward progress and the pinnacle of our trip was now within touching distance. The last corner of this dead end channel narrowed to around 20 metres. The ebbing tide nearly always dominated due to the influence of the melt water flowing through. Moving onwards we carefully

What met us here was staggering. Five colossal blue glaciers dropping into the sea, steep jagged rivers of ice, cracking and booming ricocheted around the natural amphitheatre, this place was certainly alive with activity. Chunks fell regularly off the glaciers front wall, creating yet more icebergs to choke our escape passage. A single night was incredible but

The next morning we headed west, retracing our steps through the narrow ice choked channels. Once out of the high mountains there would be a possibility of dryer weather, but an increase in wind.

The wider channels offered less protection, but the breeze was dry enough to air our damp kit. The low level islands didn't build rain clouds as much, and we enjoyed warm evenings by drift wood fires. The luxury of washing cloths was now on the cards, and I took full advantage of one dry breezy evening.

It amazes me how much you appreciate the tiny things in life when on expedition. Clean dry socks or finding that long lost mars bar, does wonders for moral. I strangely enjoy the simplicity of the daily expedition routine and the things to stress over, such as the route we to navigate and the weather forecast. We floated past colonies of loud smelly sea lions basking on the rocky islands and started to spot previously rare sights of local fishing boats, an early sign we were getting closer to Puerto Natales.

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steep jagged rivers of ice, cracking and booming ricocheted around the natural amphitheatre

certainly enough, it was hard to sleep with the noise of the ever moving ice, and the cold and wet was now becoming intolerable.

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The biggest highlight of the trip was when we bumped into an old red fishing boat, which didn't look much more than a floating garden shed. The fishermen greeted us with excited smiles and curios eyes, undoubtingly questioning what we were possibly be doing out here. We explained our journey and they seemed suitably impressed with our efforts. The next thing we knew they were swinging a king crab over the side, offering us this spiky and very much alive creature. Our eyes lit up with the thought of our fresh food in weeks. We feasted that evening on meaty crab legs, it is easy to say that it was the best seafood I have ever tasted.

Time had hurtled by, and distance had gradually been swallowed up by our determined paddling.

Before we knew it we only had days left to go.

The pushy winds now truly on our side, thrusted us ever closer to our finishing destination. We dreamt, talked and thought of only pizza and chocolate. The finish was so close now we could almost smell our celebratory pizza.

Did you know: Ushuaia is the world’s southernmost city and is a busy port and adventure hub; cruises and tours to Antarctica also depart from this seaport for individuals yearning to explore the world’s seventh continent.

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As if it were a reward on our last day we were greeted by blue sky and silky still waters. Our final hurdle was crossing a wide open gulf but in this weather is was a total pleasure. Fishing boats tooted and waved as we approached the fishing harbour and it felt as if word had got around of our travels (although that may have been my imagination). Stepping out of our boats to take in our first taste of civilisation in weeks, was mindblowing. People, roads, cars and buildings overwhelmed our senses and a feeling of utter achievement soon flooded our bodies.

Links

www.erinbastian.com Twitter & Instagram: @erinbastian

Its almost unbelievable to me that a journey I’d dreamt up, just by looking at a map, was now engraved into my memory as life changing experience. It is crazy to think of the amount of wilderness you can explore from a kayak and I can’t help but think this will not be my last sea kayaking expedition.

Watch Erin’s Patagonia video: http://vimeo.com/117658247

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By Dave Rossetter –paddlesport instruct

Transfer of – knowle In a previous article I mentioned the work of Simon & Chase, 1973 about the 10,000 hours rule. Where to become good at a skill, or more especially to become an expert we must put in the time and practice, especially deliberate practice

That article looked at various ways to help us with this practice.This one however, is concerned about building on this and the work of others to aid us in our development.

Sir Isaac Newton back in 1676 stated in a letter about his attempt to, “See a little further” phrased, “By standing on the shoulders of giants.” This built on the writings of theologian and author John of Salisbury back in the 12th century.The meaning behind this seeing further by being taller isn’t about being superior but by using the work of those that went before aids us by adding their knowledge to ours, this in turn moves on our development.

Definition Transfer of learning is the ability to apply knowledge learned in one context to new contexts.

Transfer of learning occurs when the learner: l Recognizes common features among concepts, skills or principles. l Links the information in memory. l Sees the value of utilizing what was learned in one situation in another.

By building up ways to help students with their ability to tap into previous learning, schemas and past experiences we can speed up the learning.

The following are some examples of ways that could apply to us and hopefully give the inspiration for coaches and leaders to look into how they aid their paddler’s development.

Problem solving

Previously I touched on the work of Brymer and Renshaw (2010) about the constraints that we could change to aid in a paddler’s development. This ability for a paddler to problem solve by looking at how the task is

achieved in a different way or in a different environment or seeking ways for the individual to reduce the effort. By changing these constraints the paddlers are continually looking into their past experiences as to how they have achieved the task previously and forces the looking into the internal question of, “What did I do previously?” and in turn therefore, “What do I need to do this time?”

This works well with those that have an outcome already achieved and therefore have the knowledge that they can complete the task a way.When paddling harder waters, newer waters or trying to do something new this tapping into previous knowledge allows the transfer of what is common between the new task and previous.

Tasks can also be set where the paddler hasn’t previously done it. By using questioning with them about how they might go about completing the task with periods of discovery will tap into previous learning. This could be linking to similar manoeuvres from other areas, understanding form other areas such as water flow knowledge etc.

tor at Glenmore Lodge

edge/practice/learning Problem solving at what ever stage a paddler is at forces tapping into existing knowledge and opens up new areas for the paddler to go and explore.

Analogies

These are great ways of piggy backing on previously learnt set of rules or guidelines for similar movements. Lots of sliding, riding and gliding sports follow similar structures. This could be where you look as you are going round corners. Consider the skier looking down the fall line, getting their body into a position where the skis can then follow the arc round. How about the biker taking a corner looking into and beyond the turn could these sets of principles aid you in turning a white water kayak through arcs on a river?

When coaching river running tactics a recent analogy is finding the ‘booster’ pads. If you have

ever played any computer games then you will be aware of these areas that once you pass over them they speed up your character. There are times when you want them and times when you don’t. As you play games you learn the ones that access new areas and the ones that you need to avoid. Tapping into this analogy focuses the mind in looking for these areas.

I am sure that if you have been coaching for a while you will have many that you use. From beach balls between your chest and paddle, billows between the blade and boat in a stern rudder, pushing on sponges during strokes, riding a bike round a corner, paddlers box etc.

The list goes on.

These analogies give the learner something that they can visualise or imagine happening and therefore add to their existing knowledge and develop from there.

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Capturing learning

Thinking back on sessions from when I was working in outdoor centres and talking through with those in outdoor education then the ability to capture the learning of whatever the task happens to be is critical for the personal development of the learner. How often at the end of a days boating do we capture the learning from the tasks that we were involved in?

This can be from successful and unsuccessful outcomes. Spend time to talk this over in a way that can shape what you do with the information. Sharing the experience and then planning to do something with the new knowledge the next time out builds the patterns and schemas required to move in our ability. Too often we share what happened but don’t turn this into knowledge that can be accessed at a later date.

Reflections

The previous article looked at ‘if’ and ‘then’ questions as way to be reflecting on the activity.

This works well within the transfer of learning.

What we can also look at though is critical thinking where in our own time we have the opportunity to make clear and reasoned thought out observations of what happened during the performance. Using this as a plan going into the next performance and then reflecting on both of these aids in the decision-making process and build up this bank of knowledge.

With these reflections it gives the opportunity to challenge your thoughts against the different environments and / or different paddlers. This

aids in pattern recognition and what works in one place gives the start of the problem solving for another situation.

Going boating!

That’s what it’s all about after all! Get out there and gain knowledge / experience. Paddle the same rapid a few different ways. Work the river or flow and see what the outcomes are. Then using some / all of the ways described earlier to add to your knowledge.

Without having experience we will struggle to reflect. To ‘see further’ we need to get the information that is available, use it then importantly challenge it and own it! It needs to be yours to move on not just what someone else has said.

Take the practices that you have been shown / working on and put them into context. If the skill should be used on a journey – do a journey. Does it work?

If you are coaching then look to set practices that put the skill into the context of where it will be needed.

Summary

Coaches – what do you do to aid your paddlers with transferring existing knowledge / practices / learning into the new or current task?

Tap into your existing ‘rules’ or ‘guidelines’ and use these to help you problem solve new areas as they unfold.

Happy Paddling!

Dave Rossetter Dave is the full time paddlesport instructor at Glenmore Lodge – Scotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre.

He has been involved in the development of the new awards and provides expert advice throughout the industry on all things to do with coaching, safety, leadership and personal paddling. He is passionate about all things paddling and specialises in white water kayak and open canoe where he will most often be found. He is supported in his paddling adventures and coaching by Pyranha Kayaks, Mad River Canoes and Palm Equipment.

http://www.glenmorelodge.org.uk/ http://www.pyranha.com/ http://www.palmequipmenteurope.com/ http://www.madrivercanoe.co.uk/

STEFFAN MEYRIC HUGHES

You call it class, I call it grade… let’s call the whole thing off Steffan Meyric Hughes on two nations separated by a common language

American modifications to English used to be a staple lament of the English. We used to complain bitterly that they removed the ‘u’ from ‘colour’, ‘favour’ and so on; that their expression was intemperate and crude, their new words so often rooted in the enthusiasms of the day rather than in the scholarly traditions of Greek and Latin.

These days, most of us just speak in American English – perhaps unconsciously (“I’m good” for instance, has largely taken over from “I’m well”). Nowhere has this backdoor cultural hegemony been stronger than in kayaking, starting with the word ‘kayak’ itself. When I started paddling in the late 80s, we were all canoeists, doing canoeing in… canoes. Our magazine of choice was, of course,The Canoeist. No one went boating, the only sending that was done was of letters and postcards and people did not fire things up.They just got on with it.

This Americanisation is all the more strange in a culture that (outwardly) at least has come to vilify, or even reject American values. Even would-be leaders of Britain lapse into American slang, like Ed Miliband, whose answer to Jeremy Paxman recently, on the question of whether or not he was tough enough to be PM, was the speakeasy-vintage “Hell Yeah!”. Sometimes though, American terms are better than their British counterparts. Even Fowler and Fowler, the best commentators on English usage there have ever been, are fair-minded enough to comment in The King’s English that ‘fall’, for instance, is a superior word to ‘autumn’ in every respect: more descriptive, more Anglo-Saxon, and shorter.

The willingness of English to accept new words is its strength, say some. This is not usually true: new terms usually displace old ones rather than complement them, and growth through ignorance is just lexicographical cancer.

So the challenge for those of us who care about our language is, therefore, one of judgement: if an American word or phrase is better than an English one, let’s use it. “Go big or go home” is, for instance, a lot stronger than “do your best or leave now”. If it’s not, let’s get high on our own (dwindling) word supply instead.

Access, egress/put-in, take-out

Steffan has been paddling on and off since 1988, when he first stepped into a Perception Mirage.

He is a keen historian of the sport and author of Circle Line: around London in a Small Boat (2012). These days, he paddles a dark blue Jackson AllStar (2010). He is a full-time yachting journalist in his day job.

Access points and egress points sound like Alan Partridge trying to write the Highway Code. The Americans open their score on this one, with the vastly preferable “put-in” and “take-out”.

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Shallow… I have no idea where this comes from.

Like most exuberant argot, it has the tang of the new world to it. But then it could be a British expression. Either way, it’s more descriptive than the old terms “scrapy” or just “shallow”.

Bow rudder/duffek stroke/ hanging draw

The bow rudder (UK) or the Duffek stroke (US), is now redundant in all but slalom, although it’s still a graceful and powerful way to turn sharply without adding forward or reverse speed. It is named (in US English) after the Czech/Swiss paddler Milo Duffek who invented it and developed it in the 1950s. The British term, bow rudder, is more instantly comprehensible, but loses the historical connotation. The term ‘hanging draw’ takes a poor third in this race.

Break out/eddy out

Break-out is the English term here. Both seem to describe the move well enough, so we might as well stick with the English.

Gnarly

1970s US surfer slang, by the 80s, it had sprouted a secondary meaning – its antonym.

Like ‘bad’, ‘wicked’ and ‘sick’, it can be used as a term of approbation but rarely is this side of the Atlantic. It’s more often used in kayaking in its ‘noun form’ – gnar, and often used to describe Norwegian creeking – and why not?

Photo: Steve Brook

Grade/Class

Because the Americans lack an evolved class system, they class rivers instead. Actually, that’s probably bollocks, but it makes me laugh. All the same, let’s stick with the word “grade”.

Hip flick/hip snap

Flick is the English term, and it’s more descriptive. So forget about hip snaps.

Inspect/scout

We used to ‘inspect’ rapids in the good old days of wetsuits, beards and long boats. Now, the US term ‘scout’ seems to have taken over.

Kayak/canoe

You could almost write an essay on British usage of the Native American term ‘kayak’ over the years.

The distinction is one that Americans, with their rich tradition in both, have always understood and observed. In reality, Americans go ‘boating’ and British kayakers, these days, go paddling. I suspect the reason is simply that ‘kayak’ although a beautiful word to behold (it’s almost a mirror-image palindrome) is awkward and ugly to voice.This magazine has got it right: the best term is “paddler” and “paddling” even if your civilian friends think you’re at Margate beach with your trousers rolled up to your knees.

Portage

Same word, different pronunciations. The US pronunciation that rhymes with ‘Nigel Farage’ is simply abhorrent, as awful as ‘pasta’ with a long initial ‘a’ or homage (again, to rhyme with Farage). The proper pronunciation is ‘portidge’.

Please never say it any other way!

Sieve/strainer

I’m sure we used to call these things ‘sieves’ in the old days, but ‘strainer’ has become the accepted terms. In the kitchen, sieve is a fine mesh (for sifting flower and so on) and strainer refers to colanders and so on, for quicker, simpler straining of, say, pasta. I suspect ‘strainer’ is the more American term.

Send

This is a strange expression that evolved from climbers (say climbers) and skiers (say skiers). It sounds very weak, as though the perpetrator has sent some sort of agent down the river and is re-living the experience vicariously (“I sent it down that drop”). Stupid really.

Sick

Sick is to now what ‘bad’ and ‘wicked’ were to yesteryear. I suspect it’s US in origin, although urban etymology is famously woolly. It’s powerful, intemperate antonym that works vividly. If I could get away with using the word to mean anything other than vomit, I would.

Spraydeck/sprayskirt

We don’t wear skirts. We wear decks. A point to English

Stopper/hole

A stopper was a stopper until some clever-clogs came alone talking about hydraulics. Then it was all holes – ledge hole, play hole, munching hole, river-wide hole, retentive hole (that’s just plain disgusting), and so on. The glossary of Mike Jones’s Canoeing Down Everest (1976 expedition) refers to ‘holes’ and ‘stoppers’ and even ‘hydraulic jumps’. Whether English or American, ‘hole’ has won. I mean no one is ever going to refer to a “play stopper” are they?

Sweet

Sweet is as weak as ‘sick’ is strong. It has overtones of sentimentality and lacks ambition as a word. It’s American urban English at its very worst and should be avoided by all. For some reason it’s sometimes uttered in a revolting faux-yankee crooning falsetto.

Thankfully the sort of person who’s about to say it usually has it written on his hoodie as a warning so you can avoid them on sight (that’s the ed told:)

Next month: EJ and others explain the history and development of freestyle terminology

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Testing,

Dagger Roam sit-on-top kayak www.dagger.com

By Richard M. Harpham

Available in two sizes at 9.5 and 11.5, the Dagger Roam is Dagger’s new siton-top, which is designed for both flat water and easy going white water.

The Roam is a fantastic sit on top with high quality fittings and a responsive design, it is at home on flat water or surfing on the sea. The mix of strong secondary stability coupled with great handling makes the Dagger Roam a brilliant boat that can be surfed, edged and paddled hard.

It includes plenty of practical features for day trips and micro adventures with a main forward hatch with room for dry bags and camping kit and a smaller rear hatch. There is a small drop skeg allowing the boat to track better in windy conditions. The seat system is adjustable with side straps and a comfortable foam seat and paddlers can increase their connectivity in moving water with thigh straps.

Behind the seat is a net bag system allowing further space to stash luggage and kit. All of the fittings are well thought out with carrying handling with elastic shock cords and side mounted handles balanced for easy lifting. The foot rest system is fully adjustable allowing you to ensure a comfortable paddling position. The

Updated hatch design for improved seal and dry storage

Contour surround seat system with leg lifter and side bolsters

New thigh strips for Multiple storage options improved ergonomic with rubber hatch and comfort and durability attachment points hull also has drain holes located in the leg channels that can be plugged with foam bungs if desired.

The Dagger Roam represents a new generation in high performance sit on tops offering a great blend of manoeuvrability, speed over the water and quality fittings to allow paddlers to explore on rivers and lakes and also enjoy playing on moving water.

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testin

ThePaddle r ez ine te

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Dagger Roam 9.5 Length: 9' 7"/294 cm Width: 31"/79 cm Max Capacity: 250 lbs/112 kg Deck Height: 18.25"/46 cm Boat Weight: 52 lbs/24 kg Dagger Roam 11.5 Length: 11' 6"/350 cm Width: 30"/76 cm Max Capacity: 300 lbs/136 kg Deck Height: 17.5"/45 cm Boat Weight: 59 lbs/27 kg

At a glance – features

Adjustable foot rest system Self draining hull Knee braces for surfing/white water Carrying handles Adjustable padded back support Front hatch (40 litres) Rear zip bag INTEGRAL

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Specs:

Performance Durability Fixtures and Fittings Responsiveness Value for Money Transportability

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PeakUK Tourlite Storm Hoody www.peakuk.com

By Peter Tranter

The Tourlite looks quite unique in the flesh. Lightweight, waterproof, abrasion resistant, breathable X2.5 Ripstop Nylon and the individual styling make for a completely different kind of look, which is hard to ignore as signified by the SUP Inflation Day on the Thames in March, where the Tourlite gained plenty of attention from fellow paddlers.

The Tourlite slips on with ease and is a doddle to secure. Wrist neoprene seals with Velcro adjustment, grip as tight as you like. There’s a single neoprene waist and a very adjustable large hood, which has dual sided elastic cords to adjust to a perfect fit with a storm flap to keep the rain out. Everything about the Tourlite has a very reassuring quality feel with smart reflective detailing as you would expect from a company with the reputation and standing of PeakUK. The Tourlite Storm will keep wind and moisture at bay with ease and to ensure excellent levels of performance and comfort, which is aided by the articulated arms and shoulders for greater freedom of movement and a zipped venting front. Two large zipped side pockets allow for decent storage.

In summary, PeakUK’s Tourlite straddles many areas of paddling from sea kayaking, kayak fishing and touring to stand up paddling. Layer up

correctly underneath for chilly sessions and it will protect you from all but the harshest of elements.

The Tourlite is also available in short and long arm versions with an Aquaout neck seal.

The Tourlite Hoody has been granted the Glenmore Lodge Seal of Approval and that should be all the recommendation any paddler should need.

Tech specs l l l l l l

Articulated cut with bent elbows.

Fully taped seams.

Breathable and durable light weight X2.5 recycled polyester with 10m waterproofing.

Zip opening neck and large adjustable hood with easy stow toggle.

Aquaout wrists and waist seals.

Easy access side zip pockets.

Sizes: XS. S. M. L. XL. XXL

Colours: Orange. Green.

© Kelvin Horner, 2015 Argentiere, France

BUILT WITH PASSION

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The Royale spraydeck by Immersion Research www.immersionresearch.eu

By Phil Carr www.unsponsored.co.uk

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For the past few years I have been using Immersion Research (IR) decks for both play boating and creek duties. Now they have set out to create a leading Class V spray deck – one that would hold up to the punishment unleashed on it by the most extreme paddlers in the world.

To achieve this, the material used must be robust to survive tough walk-ins/outs, offer superior implosion protection and fundamentally ensure that water has the most difficult of times finding its way into the kayak.

For most of my paddling career (28yrs+) I have used Play boater decks and it has only been Immersion Research who have been able to tempt me away from the brand. Prior to getting hold of the Royale I have owned a couple of IR decks for a number of years.The first is a rand based (more on that later) skirt the Special K and the bungee based Klingon Empire.

Now if you combine the features of the Special K and the Klingon Empire you get The Royale.The Royale features the finned rand from the Special K with the materials and construction of the Klingon Empire.

The rand:

The rand is essentially a thick rubber band that is glued to the neoprene deck material.The rand has a tri fin design profile that allows it to seal really well against pretty much every boat I have tried it on.The rand has a relatively low stretch and can be a little difficult to attach to certain boats. As expected it is harder to attach to a boat than the bungee based Klingon Empire but not overly so. Fitting it to the boat overnight prior to its first use certainly helped.

The system is incredibly dry and the seal even around shallow cockpits is extremely good.The deck has been mainly used on my Dagger Jitsu and Wavesport Recon and I have experienced zero water getting into the boats, which I find utterly astounding.

Kevlar:

Around the high wear areas IR have used a Kevlar based 4-way stretch material. If you spend a great deal of time on the water, find yourself hiking through the bush on a portage or are generally harsh on your gear this extra re-enforcement is a must.

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The material has also been extended beyond the deck to create a dry lip or apron around the front/side edge of the deck.This increases the level of fit of the deck against the boat.

The design reduces even further the chances of water entering the cockpit via the underside of the rand.

HULA

CALYPSO

PARADISE II

STRIKE

The deck also has a number of other good features.These include a nice and bright hi-vis grab loop and a large area of sticky silicon coating on the inner side of the deck that will spend its life in contact with the cockpit. Again this helps prevent the chances of deck implosion and makes the deck stick.

The size I use is an XL deck with L tunnel waist (33-36”). XL or big deck will fit almost the entire current crop of kayak designs from Dagger, Liquidlogic , etc. With the Royale having a low stretch rand it is critical that you get the right size for your boat and if you are unsure of the size you need check out www.skirtfit.com which is a great resource for all paddlers.

SIT-ON-TOPS AND KAYAKS

Pros: l l l l

Tough deck that will take a beating.

Stays put no matter what you throw at it.

Good fit on a wide range of boats.

Really dry.

Cons: l l

Tough to get on initially.

Low stretch means getting the right size is more critical than with a bungee based deck.

New for 2015, the Approach is the do-it-all kayak in our range of sit-in kayaks. Nimble in waves and currents, it can hold a steady track with its retractable skeg, and it has plenty of stow space for longer trips.

Overall the Royale is a very impressive piece of equipment that is unlikely to let you down. Both fit and performance is good.

The Royale will be my go to deck until it wears out, but after well over a year’s worth of heavy and regular use, I’m not sure when that will actually be!

islanderkayaks.com

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Helly Hansen Hydropower 4

www.hellyhansen.com

By Peter Tranter

When unpacked and observed for the first time, I was a little skeptical on the durability of the Hydropowers – they looked a little flimsy and fragile looking.

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out relatively quickly. The shoes have a comfortable internal moulded EVA removable midsole which boasts a quick-dry antibacterial surface.

Summing up, first impressions don’t always count as the very well constructed Hydropowers have been resilient with superb grip making them ideal for all watersports.

Specs:

Upper: However, the saying, horses for courses comes l Synthetic/Mesh for support and breathability. to mind. Unlike the all-terrain shoes I had been l Helly Wear protection. wearing for weeks that were great for traversing l TPU stability and protection frame. slippery rocks, etc, these shoes come into their Midsole: own when working around the quayside and on l Internal, moulded EVA Removable midsole. www.nswatersports.com a

variety of slippery surfaces and that’s owed to l Serdia, Clarino; Antibacterial technology.

the excellent siping traction pattern01642 on the520234 sole.

Outsole: l Ultra Storm Grip.

Their practicality also comes to the fore with the l Multi-directional grip system. low cut design, draw cord lace system and large l Siping traction pattern. heel loops, which makes them a cinch to get on and off. Add to this a purposeful lightness with a generous wider fit than most shoes, which I, and you’re onto a sure fire winner.

The open-mesh construction makes them breathable, adds flexibility and helps to dry them

https://youtu.be/0zip2r6UWt4

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New tootega ‘Hydrolite’ Pulse Tootega kayaks have taken their already lightweight Pulse 85 kayak and reduced the weight by almost 20%.

The brand new ‘Hydrolite’ Pulse 85 by Tootega kayaks weighs in at a class leading 14kg, making it one of the lightest adult sit on tops available.

The Pulse 85 is already a firm favourite with smaller paddlers, families, and those who want to play in the surf thanks to its compact size and levels of stability – the super lightweight Hydrolite version will only help to increase the Pulse 85’s popularity yet further!

Tootega kayaks continually work on new material and production process research and Hydrolite is the product of the gains made through some of this research.

Available to order now in either Electric blue or Candyfloss pink.

Specs: Length: Width: Weight: Max paddler: Hull:

MSRP: £399

259cm/8.5ft 72cm/28.5” 14kg/30lbs 90kg/195lbs double concave

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THE

PERFECT STORM A high performance tourer. Smooth and forgiving for beginners, with performance that experts will relish, the Stratos is stable and predictable in calm or stormy water. Fast and efficient on flat water, playful in currents and waves. Available in two sizes, 14.5S and 14.5L to suit you. The Stratos changes the rules.

STRATOS 14.5L

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AVAILABLE IN EUROPE FROM PALM EQUIPMENT

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EasyCover Silicone camera cases

http://www.easycover.eu

By Dale Mears

Kayaking photography has moved on leaps and bounds due to the accessibility of digital cameras and their reduction in size, meaning it’s now much easier to carry your camera on the river or the bank. Prices are dropping so more people are buying cameras and catching the bug. However, the big question remains: how do you protect your camera? www.nswatersports.com

520234 On the bank often brings dust, dirt, 01642 damp and splashes of water, now if your buying your first entry level DSLR it’s likely that it’s a plastic body

and not as water-tight as some of the intermediate/advanced DSLRs available.You can carry your camera in a dry bag to protect it when not in use but what do you do when want to use the camera? Maybe you run the drop, get out onto the bank and reach for your camera in your bag? However, you’re wet through and water is dripping off your helmet and kit all over your camera and accessories?

How you install it https://youtu.be/AhJbl9rgJYA

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Maybe this isn’t the case and you’re in Uganda sat on the bank between rides getting some shots of

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your mates. Its’ hot and dusty and everything you own is brown from the dirt.There are many scenarios where your camera is in the firing line for dust, water or dirt damage but there is now a good solution.

Easycover are a dutch company specializing in protecting your camera gear and have a huge range of products available. I recently took ownership of an Easycover silicone case. I have owned silicone cases for mobiles phones for years, it’s nothing new, so when I saw them for DSLR cameras I thought why not? I first noticed them at the NEC Photography Show and went along to meet the guys at Easycover.

Impressive product range

They were really helpful and the product range was impressive.The cases protect your DSLR body from day to day dirt, moisture, sand, dust etc, and they are custom moulded to fit individual models which they do really well. They obviously add a bit of size to your camera but not enough to cause any ergonomic problems. In my opinion they also enhance your grip, featuring many textured grip panels on the case. I find even when my hands are wet I have a much better grip on my camera than holding the body alone.

To fit these cases you slide your camera body in through the bottom and stretch the silicone case around your camera.To protect the screen they also come with two screen protectors and a built in clear plastic screen guard.The case obviously keeps any splashes off the body yet also allows you to easily wipe your camera clean after use in a dusty environment.

My buttons do not show wear and tear on those I always use and I no longer get scratches form day to day use. I also no longer worry about putting my camera down on the bank or concrete.The camera is protected from most things and better still my camera stays in good condition so will have more resale value.

I cannot recommend these camera cases enough, you can buy them in a range of colours and better still they only cost around £20, which is a bargain!

Easy cover also stock a range or silicone lens rims to protect your lenses from knocks and wear and lens bags.

Forget your PFD PEYTO TOURING PFD

Smooth looks and sculpted foam hide handwarmers, pockets to swallow up every trip essential, and rear storage for your drinks bladder. This one’s so comfy you can forget you’re wearing it. palmequipmenteurope.com/peyto

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Palm Meander Women’s PFD

www.palmequipment.com

By Anne Egan

The Meander is Palm’s entry level touring PFD‚ designed to be lightweight‚ slimline‚ and easy to use. A low profile design with a simple‚ secure zip and buckle closure.

I found the Palm Meander to be a an excellent entry level touring buoyancy aid. There is plenty of adjustment with the low profile design allowing a full range of movement of the shoulder and arms. The light weight construction adds to the comfort.

The Meander has a small internal breast pocket with security ring as well as a much larger front zipped pocket again with internal security ring.

It is an attractive looking PFD that overall gives generous amount of movement with a slim profile and at the moment is my choice of PFD, especially when SUPing.

Tech specs: l

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Nylon 420D ripstop Entry YKK front zip entry Fit l Reflective details l 3D anti ride-up waistbelt l Adjustable straps l Front zipped pocket with clip-in point l Small inside chest pocket Colours: Purple, red and blue Sizes: XS/S (40 N)‚ M/L (45 N)‚ XL/XXL (50 N) l

FatYak Kayaks, PDA Group, Slade Way, Roughmoor ghmoor Industrial Estate, Williton, Somerset TA4 4TB Tel. T 01984 632026 www.fatyak-kayaks.co.uk

http://hennessyhammock.com (888) 539-2930 US/Canada 1-250-539-2930 International Email: info@hennessyhammock.com

Explore Milos Island, Greece 6 Day-trips with 8 nights B&B for â‚Ź560 pp.

Genuine hospitality, quality equipment, an amazing place to paddle. BCU qualified coaches. We are open all year, everyone is welcome.

WWW.seakayakGreeCe.Com

Canadian Wilderness www.paddlersinn.ca

To advertise email: ads@thepaddlerezine.com or call +44 (0)1480 465081

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PalmVantage Women’s jacket

www.palmequipment.com

By Anne Egan

The Palm Vantage is a beautifully designed jacket for use in both paddling and off the water. It’s 3D cut facilitates comfortable movement along with the pre-bent elbows.The wind and the rain are kept at bay by the waterproof outer layer and heat is retained whilst also being breathable from the inner layer construction.

Style wise the jacket really has that look which allows uses in a variety of environments including the pub! Personally I used it on my SUP whilst paddling on the Thames and also to keep the cold wind out whilst walking on a typically chilly walk through St James Park in March. The hood is generously constructed and adjustable and the peak allows great visibility whilst staying dry. The dropped hem at the back is helpful in keeping one's behind dry whilst paddling or walking. The wrist cuffs are easy to adjust to keep the water out and the waist adjustment again helps retain the heat and keeps the wind and water out.

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The Vantage comes in only one colour combination of purple and turquoise but it’s one that I like. All in all an perfectly lightweight to wear and carry, with an essential large front pouch in which to store large items or to warm your hands as it is fleece lined and very cosy. A very impressive practical jacket.

Colour: Sizes:

Specs

Materials: Pockets:

Weight: Cut: Neck seal: Wrist seal: Waist: Hood:

Purple WS‚ WM‚ WL‚ WXL

XP 2.5-layer fabric YKK AquaGuard zipped kangaroo pocket.

Handwarmer pocket with fleece lined backing 406 g (WM) Female specific 3D cut 1/4 zip opening Velcro adjustable cuffs Drawcord adjustable waist Dropped rear hem Volume adjustable‚ helmet compatible storm hood

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The Sweet Wanderer – the poor man’s Rocker? www.sweetprotection.com/whitewater-kayak/

By Phil Carr www.unsponsored.co.uk

Since the launch of the Sweet Strutter baseball type helmet Sweet have been at the forefront of kayak helmet design.

As a result is very rare not see at least one Sweet helmet when you meet a decent sized group of paddlers on the water.

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For the last few years the Sweet Strutter (2012 model) has been my main helmet but I wanted one with a little more coverage and without a peak.

Now it is important to note that to really get a helmet that offers you the right level of comfort and protection it is important to try a number of them on. It would be very easy to select a helmet based upon what your mates wear or what see you see on the many video edits online. But everyone has a different shaped head and the most expensive helmet on the market may not be the one that offers YOU the best level of protection. After trying on everything that was available and retrying them all I settled on the Sweet Wanderer.

Additional comfort

The Wanderer is made from an ABS shell with carbon inserts for additional re-enforcement in key areas. The carbon can be seen around the four vents on the top of the helmet. EPP padding inside the helmet is moulded within and is covered in a removable Coolmax liner for additional comfort. The straps are also fitted with a press stud system that allows the optional ear pieces (available separately) to be used when it gets a little colder.

The Wanderer provides excellent all round head coverage and is also very comfortable when worn. Personally I find that the Wanderer is a much better fit for me than the Rocker, as it doesn’t seem to press uncomfortably against my forehead. This is an important point and really highlights the need to try helmets on.

The Occi-grip which has upgraded internals does a really good job, the helmet feels snug but comfortable and stays in placer even when the straps are unclipped. Importantly the Wanderer is certified to CE EN 1385 - which is white water use up to Grade 4.

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The Sweet Wanderer Helmet comes in at around £120, which is around £50 cheaper than the Sweet Rocker and a search around the net can find Wanderers for less than £100.

The small visor (now fully integrated on the new model) keeps water and sun (if it’s around) out of your eyes so you can focus on the task at hand.

Style wise I don’t think that the Wanderer is the prettiest helmet around and the Rocker is certainly better looking. The Rocker also has the option of using a large visor, which offers a little more flexibility.

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So how does the Wanderer compare to the Rocker. The Wanderer is cheaper than the Rocker, but I don’t think that this is the whole story. Is it a poor man’s choice? No, I do think that the Wanderer offers Sweet’s excellent quality and protection at a more reasonable price than the Rocker range but the big thing for me is the fit.

I could own a Rocker and I did for a short period of time but the fit wasn’t comfortable for my head. The Wanderer is shaped slightly differently and for me is the smarter and better choice. I am secure in the knowledge that Sweet offer some of the best looking and more importantly, functional designs in the market place and I am very happy to have my head protected by a Sweet Wanderer.

Sweet Wanderer helmet features: l l l l l l

Carbon fibre reinforcement keeps your head safe without added weight.

High impact ABS shell offers great durability and protection.

EPP padding w/Coolmax liner.

Occi-grip tensioning system.

Direct ventilation keeps air flow on the head.

Self adhesive fit pads can be placed between the shock absorbing liner and the stitched liner for fit perfection.

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