The Paddler ezine issue 22 March 2015 SUP cover

Joe Morley interviewSICKLINEdouble CHAMP

KayakPaddlerRegularPaddler SaltyPaddler SUPPaddler CanoePaddler

ThePaddlerezine.comThePaddlerezine.comInternational digital magazine for recreational paddlersIssue 22 Feb 201

5

Punching large holesCORRANSwhite water SUP

Candice Appleby interviewSIX-TIMEBOP CHAMP

Contents

Not all contributors are professional writers and photographers, so dont be put off writing because you have no experience! The Paddler ezine is all about paddler to paddler dialogue: a paddlers magazine written by paddlers. Next issue is April 2015 with a deadline of submissions on March 20th.Technical Information: Contributions preferably as a Microsoft Word file with 1200-2000 words, emailed to [email protected]. Imagesshould be hi-resolution and emailed with the Word file or if preferred, a Dropbox folder will be created for you. The Paddler ezine encourages contributions of any nature but reserves the right to edit to the space available. Opinionsexpressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publishing parent company, 2b Graphic Design. The publishing of an advertisement in The Paddler ezine does not necessarily mean that the parent company, 2b Graphic Design,endorse the company, item or service advertised. All material in The Paddler ezine is strictly copyright and all rights are reserved. Reproduction without prior permission from the editor is forbidden.

Four-year old Markus ready for his first paddle Photo: Frode Wiggen

EditorPeter [email protected]: (01480) 465081Mob: 07411 005824www.thepaddlerezine.com

Advertising salesAnne EganTel: (01480) [email protected]

CoversKayak: Joe MorleySUP: Candice ApplebySalty: Sarah Outen by Justine Curgenven Canoe: Inverpolly by Calum Rogerson

Additional contributor credits: Phil Carr, Aidan Egan Tranter, Tez Plavenieks, Lynne Percival, DavidBain. Jordy Searle, Tim Burne, Mark Skirrow, Amie Burne, Sarah Outen, Wivian Wiggen, Jim Walsh, GregPanas, Harry Wiewel, Onit Pro, Mike Leeds

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Issue 22February 2015

004 The Paddlers PlanetChristian Wagley

006 Eight of the BestThe best paddling films from around the planet

008 Testing, testingTons of new kit reviewed and tested

022 CoachingPlanning by Dave Rossetter

025 PhotographyDale Mears - positioning, location & post production

034 ChilePatagonias kayak stewards by Patrick J. Lynch

042 ScotlandInverpolly by Calum Rogerson

054 Interviewadidas Sickline champ Joe Morley

062 MexicoA paddlers wonderland by Rebecca Jones

074 EuropeThe Vikings are coming by Chris Paton

084 EuropePyranha tour of Europe part two by Matt Cooke

096 South AfricaThe Triwaters tour by Franz Fuls and Troy Glover

108 United StatesThe Aleutian Islands, Alaska by Justine Curgenven

118 NorwayPostcards from Norway by Frode Wiggen

120 EnglandThe Jurassic Coast by Richard Harpham

132 United StatesWW SUP skills by Corran Addison

141 InterviewSix-times BOP Champion Candice Appleby

The joys of the winter seasonBy Christian WagleyIt is the height of winter in the northernhemisphere, a time of long cold nights and shortdays that push us to slow our pace. I find morejoy than ever as growing wisdom helps meadjust to and appreciate the subtleties of theseason, both on and off the water.

In my yard, I notice the long shadows of winter are cast abit shorter as were now more than a month beyond thesolstice and days are getting a bit longer every day. Evenas days lengthen and the sun feels warmer on my face,the winter garden goes dormant as cool temperatureshalt kale and lettuce plants that stand straight but growno taller. In the kitchen my tastes turn to warm and oftenhearty fare-root vegetables, soups, beans, and sautedgreens from the garden.

North Florida gets cold but not bitter, with a few nightsgetting down to about -6 degrees Celsius what we inthe US call the low 20s Fahrenheit. I still venture out onthe water on some of the fairer days of sun and calm,when temperatures can climb into the low 60sFahrenheit. Im rewarded with scenes that only a winterpaddle can bring.

North winds push water away from the bay shore,exposing mud flats supporting mussels, oysters, and theoccasional fossil horse teeth or shards of NativeAmerican pottery. The water is clearer, an annualchange that happens as cold temperatures kill much ofthe tiny plankton that often tint the water brown orgreen. Wintering waterfowl bob on the bay waters, andthere is much solitude as the ambitious paddler enjoysopen waters while other boaters stay home in wait ofwarmer days.

There are also lots of foggy days as warm moist airmoves over colder near shore waters. Its an interestingpaddle when enveloped in the moist grey that waftsashore, making for an eerie scene as the fog furtherquiets the placid winter waters on which I paddle.

Despite the layering of protective clothing, the alwayscool mornings and occasional breeze carries cool anddamp air into my core. A protected spot on shore callsme to rest and warm-up.

Steam rises as I open a flask of hot tea and another ofcurried sweet potatoes and lentilsone of myfavourites. I savour them anywhere in winter, butespecially on the water.

The warm meal fills my belly and relaxes me like a child.I ease into the softness of the salt meadow hay for agentle nap in the sun.

The return paddle chills me again but makes thecomfort of home more savoury as I return to my warmbungalow soon filled with the smell of baking cornbread.After dinner I relax on the sofa beneath a fleece blanket,a favourite book held close as I squeeze-in next to thewarmth and light of the lamp. My eyes grow heavy earlyon these long nights.

It is in appreciating the seasonal changes and living inconcert with winter that I thoroughly enjoy it. The waythe light projects across the sky, the birds wintering onthe bay, the dormancy of the garden, the comfort ofwarm foodIt is the subtleties of the season that makeit special.

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For more information on howyou can participate whereveryou may be on the Planet visitwww.supradioshow.com/wpftp

Stay tuned for my weeklypodcast of The PaddlersPlanet with my guest host

Christian Wagley onwww.supradioshow.com,

Where we are Standing Upfor the Planet!

Photo: Joan Vienot

Leslie

Kolovich

ThePaddler 6

Erin BastianPatagonia;, Chile

The Mackenzie River

Carlos RodriguezCanada Lo

fer Lettmann Granate L

Philipp BrunnerAustria

Fly Air Inflatable XL

Fanatic InternationalAustraliaIn

Search of the Hidden Glaciers

Neptunes RangersUnited States

Canoeing Cyprus Caves

Hans RoelofsGreece C

anoe

ing & W

ildlife

DonnyOutdoorsUnited Kingdom

The Island of Death

GBPaddlingIrelandID

H - Rocking the Ages

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Kayaking is funBruce Jolliffe Kayak Coaching

Kayaking Catalonia Spanish PyreneesIn 2015 we will be offering our:

Revolutionary Week for budding freestylers, freeriders and free-dom fighters. This week will be focussed on playing, both park andplay and downriver fun. (Freestyle 3 Star and possibly 4 Star availableon request). 4-11th July.

Improvers Evolution Week for river runners that wish to pushtheir grade in as forgiving a learning environment as is possible. 11-18th July.

Learn to Guide Week for those that wish to grow their river senseand look after others on the water, this includes the BCU WWSR and4 Star WW Leader course. 18-25th July.

SEA KAYAKINGCOURSES and expeditions

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TOP OF THE RANGE KIT AND EQUIPMENT.

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Joby Suction Cup andLocking Arm/GorillaPod Armhttp://joby.comBy Dale MearsJoby has been releasing great accessories foraction cameras (POV) for many years now.The original GorillaPod being anoutstanding product and now available in allsizes, colours and materials to holdwhatever you can throw at them or fit inwith your fashion. Easy to carry, intuitive touse and outstanding performance. So what isJobys latest offering and how will it improveyour game?

The Joby Suction Cup and Locking Arm/GorillaPodArm is another suction cup to add to the currentmarket. Now I know there are quite a few knockingabout, GoPro produce one, Contour produce one,you can also go on eBay and pick one up for areasonably cheap deal, but like those annoying satnav suction cups they fall off, or simply dont have thesuction to hold onto most surfaces.

I have been using Jobys new Suction Cup since theprototyping stages and the ability to stick onto a kayakwith ease is something many people just dont seemto try. I assume its fear of losing their precious camerabut things have definitely moved on. The Suction Cupcomes separate to the locking arm allowing you touse this with the full range of Joby Action Seriesproducts. On top of the Suction Cup is a quarter inchthread to screw in the Locking Arm or any otherdevice. Once tightened this doesnt budge and holdsin place thanks to a small rubber washer supplied onthe Locking Arm even when wet this holds in placeand allows you to continue shooting.

The Suction Cup itself looks like any other however hasa good amount of travel before locking into place, somesuction cups are very shallow so you do not get a verygood airlock. This allows you to use the Joby SuctionCup on not only flat surfaces but a good range ofcurvatures (test it first, as this is hard to measure). I haveused these or seen them used on my WavesportRecon, Wavesport Mobius, Pyranha Burn, LettmannGranite, and Zet Raptor with ease. My one bit of adviceis to keep it to a shiny surface. However, Joby has arange of cool stickers to allow you to expand yourstickability they really have thought of everything!

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gThePaddler ezine test station. If youwantyourproductreviewedanditwillbeofinterestto paddlers - email us: [email protected] 01642 520234in association with

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The Suction Cup is very intuitive, it has a red rubber band aroundthe exterior, which can easily be gripped and twisted to lock the cup.I use these and have had no issues on my kayaks in the wet, or onmy car bonnet, windscreen etc in the rain. I shall be taking mine skiingin February to try out on a ski/board too. Oh yeah and Ive evenstuck it onto a storm troopers helmet!

The Locking Arm features two ball joints and one allows you topivot through 180 degrees and rotate through 360 so you havefull control how you position your camera. I am a Contour user, sofor me having the adjustability is great. Both ball joints lock in placethanks to a single twist lock knob making it quick and easy toadjust.

My advice for the most secure system is to lock on the SuctionCup first, separate to the locking arm and then screw in andtighten the Locking Arm in place before tweaking your positioning.This way your Locking Arm is tight into the Suction Cup. I alwaysrecommend using a tether with the Suction Cup for extrasecurity, I have knocked mine off a couple of times but only due tohitting it with my paddle when on a short freestyle kayak and ofcourse the dreaded slalom poles! Amazon sell some cheap 3Mtethers that do a great job.

I used these earlier on this summer when filming for Joe Morley whowas cartwheeling his creek boat with the Suction Cup and it stayedon strong with no problems.

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Testing, testinThe front pocket is huge and is easily accessed via alarge zip. Inside is a useful clip in point, D ring and smallmesh panel for keys etc. The zip is easy to spot as it is ina contrasting colour to the rest of the PFD. The pocketand the foam slab sit low on your body, which againgives great levels of movement for paddling and dare, Isay it, makes swimming pretty easy.

In addition to the main pocket is a small knife pocket.This is located above the main pocket and runshorizontally at the top of the foam slab. The pocket iseasy to find/access and is fastened shut with a press-stud. I have tried a couple of folding knives in thispocket and have found that it works well.

Palm have made a really good looking and highlyfunctional PFD with the FXr. It has taken the FX, whichis a superb PFD to a new level. Palm has a PFD that Ithink will be a huge success with a wide range ofpaddlers who will love the fit and comfort of the PFD.Creekers and river runners will like the robust fabricsand addition of the rescue belt. You have therefore aPFD that can be used equally as well in a number ofdifferent scenarios. The only negative I have spotted isthe odd fact that Palm may have inadvertently createda lower cost PFD that is actually better in manyrespects that the Amp PFD.

Features include: Low profile foam panels. Slimline front pocket with inner compartment, key

ring clip. 3D anti ride-up waistbelt. Easy Glide strap adjustment throughout. Continuous loop failsafe shoulder straps with

strap keeper pockets. Reflective detail on shoulders, front and rear panels.

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Palm FXr PFDwww.palmequipmenteurope.comBy Phil CarrThe FX PFD from Palm Equipment hasbeen around in one form or another foryears and has been one of Palms top sellersthroughout its lifetime. In 2013 Palm tookthe FX and totally overhauled its fit and thematerial used.

The new FX has been such a success that it seemedto make sense to move things up a gear and developa rescue vest using the same platform. Palm have doneexactly this and have released the FXr in early 2014.

I have used the FX for almost a year for playboatduties and have used a Palm Extrem River Vest whilstout in my creek boat of river runner. The FX is asuperb bit of kit and I was intrigued to see how theFXr would measure up against both the FX andExtrem PFDs.

In many respects the FXr is just the same as the FX.The majority of the features have remained thesame. However, some improvements have beenmade in a number of key areas. The easiest change to

spot between the FX and FXr is the addition ofPalms rescue belt. This is the same system used onPalms entire rescue PFDs and includes a metal O-ring for clipping in to. The belt is threaded throughthe fabric of the PFD, which gives the PFD a reallynice and clean look. Both the metal O-ring andrescue belt can be easily removed.

The FXr like the FX is a slab design that is put onover the head. The slab is a much better fit than onthe previous FX model, as it has been shaped tocontour with your torso. A better fit is a safer fit. Inaddition the low profile design of the FXr allows forgreat range of movement. Adjustment to all of thestraps is simple and straightforward. The waistband/belt is coated with a rubber material (3d antiride up), which helps to keep the PFD in place.

The fabrics used are pretty heavy duty 500D Cordura,the same as used in the more expensive Extrem RiverVest and match in colour to those used in the dry toprange. The FXr is available in Sherbet (a bright orangewith contrasting blue zips/stitching) and Aqua (a brightblue with lime green zips/stitching). Nice little toucheslike the contrasting stitching and reflective piping reallymakes the FXr stand out.

Peaks Pants www.peakuk.comPeak UK has two newwaterproof pants in therange for 2014.

The Tourlite/Multisport Pants areconstructed from tough x2.5ripstop fabric with reinforcementsin all the right places. The flatelastic and shockcord waist andneoprene/Velcro ankle seals makethese pants ideal not only forkayaking and open boating, butalso for other activities such aswalking and biking, saving youmoney and space in your luggage!

The new Semi Pants are madeout of Peaks eco-friendly recycledpolyester and feature an Aquaoutwaist seal with double Aquaoutouter/Superstretch neo coneinner ankle seals. The Semi Pantsare ideal for most scenarios andcomplement perfectly Peaks newSemi Jacket.

The Tourlite/Multisport and SemiPants are both available now andretail at 89 and 115respectively.

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Lowepro Dashpoint AVC caseshttp://www.lowepro.comBy Dale MearsThese purpose built lightweightcomposite cases have beendesigned for use with all actioncameras. Ive been using boththe AVC1 and AVC2 for awhile now and both arehandy sizes for storingyour gadgetry!

The AVC1 is the smaller of the twocases ideal for holding a singlecamera and accessories or twoaction cameras. This case livesin the boot of my car usuallycarrying a Joby Suction Cupand a few other bits andbobs and a Contourcamera. The casefeatures an easy to openzip with a good plastickeyring to open easy even ifdamp or muddy. Inside you aregreeted with a slightly padded lined case and asimple velcro divider that can be placed to suit. In the top sectionof the case is a drop down divider that features a velcro flap that secures itand prevents it from opening. Inside this flap panel is a removable piece oflined and padded board with various elastic attachment loops for securingyour bits and bobs, mine generally has relevant cables, attachments etc.

The larger AVC2 case is roughly double the size allowing you to store muchmore within the case. The AVC features two dividers and a larger topsection so more accessories can be stored such as remotes, mounts etc.

Both cases come in a navy and black colour scheme and feature a grab loopwhich you can use to attach to a carabiner or backpack with ease. Thesecases also easily stow away in a backpack and are very compact.

I find them very useful and a great way to protect my action cam gear. At alow price tag of 26 and 30 respectively, these are quite affordable.

Dagger RoamDagger have launched the Roam, a crossperformance sit-on-top kayak. The Roamdelivers a package of greatmanoeuvrability, solid tracking andpredictable stability, combined withthoughtfully-designed, ergonomicoutfitting and storage space.

Dagger recognizes that todays outdoorenthusiasts need a boat that broadens the on-the-water possibilities without compromisingperformance, says Jessica Prescott, Daggersmarketing manager. The Roam not only satisfiesthis demand, but offers a boat with roundedutility for multi-sport athletes.

The Roam features the new Contour Surroundseat system, designed to be comfortable,manoeuvrable and versatile. The ContourSurround seat system cradles the body with foreand aft seat back adjustment, complemented byside bolsters that are comfort-inspired fromwhite water hip pads. The outfitting featuresergonomic thigh straps, which, when combinedwith the boats leg lifter, allow more connectionwith the kayak for quick responsiveness. Storageoptions include two deck hatches, multiplelashing points and a mesh tank well storage bagwith a zippered sealed enclosure. The thigh strapcan also be attached to the mesh bag, convertingit to a courier-style daypack for hiking.

A confidence-inspiring hull design is powered by amould similar to the popular Axis crossover boat.The boats spring-loaded adjustable skeg allows forsteady tracking in flat water, and a water-sheddingtrim boosts buoyancy in whitewater. www.daggereurope.comwww.dagger.com

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The front pocket is huge and is easily accessed via alarge zip. Inside is a useful clip in point, D ring and smallmesh panel for keys etc. The zip is easy to spot as it is ina contrasting colour to the rest of the PFD. The pocketand the foam slab sit low on your body, which againgives great levels of movement for paddling and dare, Isay it, makes swimming pretty easy.






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Peak UK 2015Whitewater JacketsPeak UK have updated their popularFreeride and Combi jackets for 2015.Both jackets are now constructed fromPeaks X2.5 recycled polyester and will beavailable in brand new colours orange orblue.

The Freeride is an enduringly popular all roundwhitewater jacket, featuring double neoprene /latex wrists, double waist and neoprene coneneck with tension strap. Suitable for freestyle,river running and surfing all year round, theFreeride is available in sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, andXXL, has an RRP of 155 and is out now.

The Combi is one of the most versatile paddlingjackets around, featuring double neoprene / latexarm seals with the ability to attach Peaks CombiSleeves (sold separately) for a full winter jacket!Like the Freeride, the Combi also has doublewaist seals and a supersoft neoprene neck conewith tension strap and is suitable for all types ofwhitewater paddling. The Combi comes in sizesS, M, L and XL, has an RRP 155 and is also inshops now.

The Titan pumphttp://redpaddleco.com The Titan pump (A Red Paddle Coregistered design) dramaticallyreduces the time taken and effortrequired to inflate your board. The pumpmixes double chamber performance and a cleverswitching system and unique Hi-Flo handlesystem to achieve the new bench mark in inflatableboard pump technology. The Titan is part ofRed Paddle Co's commitment to producinginflatable boards that offer an authenticpaddling experience. Stiffer boards create abetter ride. One of the majorcontributing factors to board rigidity isthe pressure inside the board.

Red Paddle Co founder John Hibbardexplains more, Weve pumped up a lotboards since 2008 and weve come along way since we started! Thecurrent crop of high pressure stylepumps came from our closepartnership with the leading pumpmanufacturer. They work ok for small, low volumeboards but we wanted to upgrade andproduce a pump that addressed themajor issues of the inflation process time taken and effort required.

Using a Titan Pump can half theinflation time and, unlike the dual actionstyle of pumps used by many brands, it drasticallyreduces the amount of effort required to reach the correct pressure. Weprefer to spend our time paddling rather than pumping so for us the Titan is agame changer. We cant wait to share it with everyone.

We always want to offer a hand pumping solution. While electric pumps canbe used in some circumstances they are expensive and most can't reach a highenough pressure to give the best paddling performance. You also need apower or recharge source. Not so with the Titan Pump. Take it anywhere!

The Red Paddle Co Titan pump offers turbo like performance with amaximum power output of 62mph! More than double the air speed ofstandard pumps.

Pump comparisonhttps://vimeo.com/116194023

Stable and forgiving, the Katana C is the ideal fl eet

kayak. The gentle rocker, built-in skeg and soft

chines inspire confi dence, to develop essential skills

and make it easy to simply enjoy paddling. Outfi tted

for quick set-up with proven durable parts.

MAKING LEARNINGEASY

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http://www.neptunesups.comBy Tez PlavenieksHere at The Paddler ezine were keen to layour hands on new products especially onesfrom fledgling brands such as NeptuneSUP. Their10ftAllrounderhas been gettinga bit of attention in the world of social mediaand we wanted to check out what the fusswas about.

Coming in good looking bamboo veneer finish withblack wrap around rails and deck, the 10ft is certainlydistinctive. Designed for a mix of flat water andsmall/moderate waves, we were keen to get it wet.

Jumping on board, the Allrounder offers a stable ridewith its full rounded nose rising just above coastal chopand flotsam. In a straight line it was fine at coveringdistance, although if this is your thing then check outthe brands Race/Cruiser.

As much as the Neptune 10ft Allrounder is billed as doit all we feel its actually kick ass as a nose ridinglongboard style surf SUP. Dropping into waist/shoulderhigh sets the Allrounder comes off the bottomsmoothly and is happy being sent full chat into acrumbling lip.

During testing a number of other riders commentedhow similar it looked to a traditionallongboard surfboard. And we concur as much as the10ft Neptune Allround is good on the flat, its a realtreat once out in some moderate surf.

Neptune also offers a Pro version that comes withcarbon rails and carbon honeycomb performance fins.

ConclusionNeptunes 10ft Allrounder is a stable yet lively platformcapable of cruising around your local spot and checkingout the coastline. However it really starts to shine oncethe waves turn on. Taking drops with ease, feeling loosefrom the tail, the 10fter loves a liquid wall and flattersthose with a longboard paddle surf riding style. Goodfor beginner surfers or those looking for a moderatesurf wave board.

You can see a video of the board being tested here

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Neptune10ftAllrounder

Price: 549.00 (regardless of size) or 649.00 for the Pro version (+100 more to include adjustable carbon paddle). Info: [email protected]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek9ZJUE_cXw

BOBY FRIESER LIKES IT SPORTY.HERE AT THE DEVILS SLIDE AT THE SORBA RIVER HIS STIKINE BENT-SHAFT IS HIS LOYAL COMPANION. LEARN MORE ABOUT BOBY AT SPORTBANDE.DE

www.wernerpaddles.com

European Distribution by System Xwww.systemxeurope.com

Scan QR-code to fi nd your nearest

dealer

www.wernerpaddles.com

European Distribution by System Xwww.systemxeurope.com

Palm Gear for 2015 http://www.palmequipmenteurope.com/Extrem womens whitewater PFDFor 2015 Palm have re named their flagship womens PFD and introduced twobright new colourways. An updated version of Palms Luna, the Womens Extremincludes the full set of whitewater safety features, in a foam shape designed toprovide exceptional fit and comfort for female paddlers. Failsafe shoulder strapsare stitched right through to the waistband, creating an integrated harnesssystem, and youll find a quick release safety harness, plenty of pockets for gear,and high visibility reflective detailing. For female paddlers who require the best inwhitewater flotation.Size: XS/S, M/L, XL/XXL; Colour: Aqua/Sherbet; Price: 169.95/219.95

Surge whitewater jacketPalms mid-range whitewater jacket, the Surge, has been re-launched for 2015,with new colours and bright contrast detailing. Palms do it all whitewaterworkhorse made from breathable 2.5-layer fabric, it features latex neckand wrist seals to keep the cold stuff firmly on the outside. Afterextensive fabric testing and refinement of its construction and tapingprocess, the Surge is back; more reliable, and harder working.Size: S - XXL; Colour: Red/Blue; Price: 169.95/219.95

Zenith whitewater jacketThe Zenith is Palms do it all three season whitewater jacket.

Available in a male or female versions, it features a GlideSkinneck seal for comfort, with latex wrist seals, and bright, contrast colourdetailing. The Zenith is made from Palms XP 2.5-layer fabric, and features anew neck seal construction for improved longevity. Whether yourepaddling rivers, playboating, or surfing, the Zenith is the perfect onejacket to keep you on the water from spring to autumn.Size: S - XXL, WS - WXL; Colour: Mens: Sherbet/Green, Womens: Plum; Price: 149.95/199.95

Bora touring JacketNew for 2015, the Bora is the premium touring jacket fromPalm. Constructed in lightweight, durable 3-layer ripstopfabric for warmth and comfort, the Bora is loaded with features to keep you warmand safe in foul conditions.

Inner and outer zipped neck closures, with a fleece lined ventilated collar andvolume adjustable hood allow you to configure the Bora for a variety ofconditions. Asymmetric cuffs keep wind off the back of your hands, andyoull find a fleece lined handwarmer pouch for hunkering down against thewind. The Bora is available in both male and female versions, in threebright, safety conscious colours.

Size: Mens S-XXL, Womens S-XL; Colour: Mens: Red / Yellow, Womens: Aqua;Price: 249.95/329.95

Vantage touring jacketPalms versatile Vantage touring jacket is available in three new colours for 2015. At homeon the water or on land, the Vantage is a pullover jacket constructed in Palmsunrestrictive 3D cut. Featuring a fleece lined handwarmer pocket, zipped storage

pocket, long asymmetric zip for ventilation, it will even pack down into itsown hood for easy storage. Keep wind and spray off whilst paddling,wear it on your bike, to the pub at the end of the day, or pack it as

a back up on your summer paddling trips. Available in Yellow , Green,or Purple, with contrast zips and detailing.

Size: Mens S-XXL, Womens S-XL; Colour: Mens: Green / Yellow;Womens: Purple; Price: 99.95/129.95

Sealskinz mid-length sockIve used Sealskinz for some timenow whilst walking, biking andkayaking either inside my dry suitfor added warmth or under myPalm Paw shoes when wanting tokeep my feet dry and warm. Thesocks always keeping my feetsuper dry and cosy. I recentlyreceived a few new pairs inmedium and thick mid lengthsock from the new range. Is thereany difference?

Yes, the new socks have beenredesigned for a better fit foryour feet, noticeably around thetoe area and also sport newstyling, new colours and morebranding. I personally think this iswhat the socks were missing.

With regard to quality I have notnoticed any difference. They stillhold the water off and offerincredible warmth I describethem as my own littlemicroclimate! I truly love thesesocks and due to the currentwinter weather have beenwearing them not only underwalking boots and for paddlingbut inside my trainers for day today warmth.

If youre wanting a goodwaterproof sock constructedfrom merino wool, waterproof,comfortable, warm and stylishthen look no further thanSealskinz, especially if youparticipate in a wide range ofoutdoor activities.Dale Mears

ThePaddler 16

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The Embankment

Great Barford

Call Ashley on 07960 087235 or Richard on 07710 616520Proathlete ltd trading as Canoe

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Canoe & kayak hire Stand up paddle board safari Wild campsite located next to river Tuition, guided tours & multi day trips Canoe & kayak sales Group deals, kids parties & corporate days Activity vouchers, bushcraft & adventure activities Other locations including the River Thames, River Ivel & River Wye

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Trail



ConfluenceOutdoorAcquiresBoardworksConfluence Outdoor hasannounced that it hasacquired Boardworks, apremier surf and stand uppaddle board companybased in Carlsbad, California.

Boardworks product line includesstand up paddle boards, surfboards, paddles, and accessoriesunder the Boardworks brandname as well as Infinity, Badfish,Morrelli and Melvin, Hynson,Strive, and Hansen.

We have been carefully andpatiently watching the SUPmarket since it emerged as agrowth category in our industryseveral years ago, said SueRechner, President and CEO ofConfluence Outdoor. We knewSUP would be an integral part ofour strategic plan, and we haveenjoyed watching the success ofBoardworks as we workedtowards entering this category.Boardworks has established itselfas a true leader and innovator andwe are excited to welcome theminto the Confluence family ofbrands. We know this newpartnership will provide an evenmore well-rounded set ofofferings to our consumers andwill enhance our ability to fosterpassion and enthusiasm foroutdoor adventure.

Boardworks' operations willcontinue business as usual at theirCarlsbad campus. The managementteams from both Boardworks andConfluence will work closelytogether on a plan to determine thebest ways to optimize the strengthsof each organization to achievefuture goals.

For more information visitwww.confluenceoutdoor.com orwww.boardworkssup.com

ThePaddler 18

Katadyn Gravity Camp 6L http://www.katadyn.com

These filters simply use the power of gravityto filter water and therefore require nopump action or battery power. This makesthem particularly suitable for use aroundcamp, where the filter will continue to workwithout any interaction from the user,freeing up time to set up tents/cook etc.

The filtration systems are built around Katadyns newUltra Flow Filter, which is a pleated glass fibre filterwith a pore size of 0.2 microns that meets theindustry standards for reduction of bacteria andprotozoan cysts. It is extremely lightweight and itspleated nature means that it has a huge surface areafor water to filter through. This vastly benefits theflow rate of the system and allows the Ultra Flowcartridge to filter water up to 2L / min the fastestfiltration rate of its kind.

Glass fibre depth filters like this, in comparison tohollow fibre filters, are less prone to clogging whichomits the need for back flushing. They are also muchmore frost resistant, making them suitable for use inall conditions. The cartridge has a capacity of around1,500 litres but this will depend largely on the waterquality used. It is therefore worth always choosingthe cleanest possible water source available.

To get the most from the cartridge, Katadyn haveimplemented a few design features, which essentiallyact as pre-filters: firstly, the cartridge sits slightlyabove the base of the bag over a small recess calledthe sediment trap. In use, gravity will pull largerparticles past the filter element towards this recess,preventing the sediment from entering the filtercartridge even when all the water inside the bag hasbeen filtered. It is also supplied with a cleanableprotective screen which wraps around the cartridge.This traps the majority of any remaining suspended

matter before it enters the filter. If the output rateslows, the protective screen can be cleaned usingthe provided sponge.

The reservoir consists of a rolltop drybag withwelded seams and a water level indicator window.The outlet cap features a Quick Disconnect systemwhich is self-sealing until the outlet hose isconnected, there will be no throughflow of water.

To fill up the bag, you can either use a separatecontainer where available or the bag itself, takingcare not to let contaminated water get in contactwith the outlet connection or end of outlet hose.Roll down the rolltop closure at least three timesand clip the buckles together. This can then be usedto suspend the system.

To start and stop the flow of water, simply open orclose the pinch valve. If you have a compatiblehydration bladder (e.g. camelback), you can connectit directly to the outlet hose.

As with all portable Katadyn water filtration systems,the Gravity Camp and Base Camp Pro are suppliedwith an outlet hose bag, to prevent any crosscontamination in transit. When not in use, the entiresystem packs away into the black carry bag to aidtransportation.

The range will consist of two products: the GravityCamp 6L filter and the Base Camp Pro 10L filter. Thebase camp pro features D-rings and a shoulder strapto aid suspension or transport its larger capacitymakes it ideal for group use when you dont want tocarry in lots of drinking water.

When the filtration systems are not being used tofilter water, they can be easily converted into a solarshower using the optional shower adaptor. Simply fillwith water and let the power of the sun do its job.

Price: 90 for the Gravity Camp (6L) or 100 for Basecamp Pro (10L). Replacement filter cartridge: 45 Shower adapter: 10. For stockists: www.lyon.co.uk/outdoor/all-stockists/katadyn

http://youtu.be/weMQbJMVKIo

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Yak Riwaka dry top The Yak Riwaka in a very loud green has arrived atUnsponsored HQ. Now this is the third bit of gearfrom Yak that has landed here at the HQ in as manyweeks and once again Yak have made a really goodimpression (I need to find out who is designing thisstuff) heres why.

The Riwaka is a fully featured dry top thatappears to be made out of a fabric thatshould stand the test of time. It feelstough without being too rigid. The cuthas been designed for paddlingand has clearly been tailored well.I have the large size and it fits mewithout any form of restrictionor discomfort whilst at thesame time it doesnt have anexcess amount of materialflapping around.

Darts in the rear of the jacketallow greater freedom ofmovement. They also hide somereflective detailing. I am sure that ithas some performance advantagebut I would prefer them not to beincluded within the design.

The fabric is both waterproof andbreathable as you would expect ina dry top that has a RRP of 200(can be found for less online).There has been some carefulconsideration given to how thejacket is pieced together andwhere/how the separate elementscome together. The taping within thejacket looks good and has been wellexecuted.

Now the colour wont be everyones cupof tea but I do really like it. I have several bitsof gear in GREEN but this has to be one ofthe brightest. The contrasting blue logos and

detail works well and matches the new Yak PFDperfectly (as you would expect).

The top comes with both latexneck and wrist seals with additionaladjustable wrist seals and aneoprene neck seal. The neck sealis pretty damn good. Its formed bya cone and then joined to anadditional band of neoprene at thetop. The seal on my 15.5 neck issnug but comfortable and createsa really good seal. Its a small design feature that Ireally like.

The waist has the usual Velcro adjustment and deepinner tunnel. Matching it up with a spray deck is verystraight forward and initial impressions of the sealcreated is good.

The Riwaka has a couple of smallpockets, one on the chest andanother on the arm. Useful forstorage gear that is OK to get wet.My car keys in an Aloksak dry pouchfitted nicely inside each of thepockets.

So initial impressions are very good.The fit and feel of the dry top really puts it up therewith some of the best offerings out there. A couple ofnice little touches help it stand out.

After a few months of very regular use the Riwaka isstill as bright as ever and still performing well. Evenafter a couple of nasty portages late last year, thefabric is still holding up really well and the DWRtreatment is still in place.

Yak Chinook Dry TrousersThe Chinooks come in a very subtle yet practical greycolour. this is the only colour option. Both the outerwaist and outer ankle seals have Velcro adjustment.whilst the Knees and bumare re-enforced with a500d Cordura typematerial.

The inner waist band istaller than the outer andincludes a deep elasticsection with a series ofsilicon rubber strips, thatshould help keepeverything in place. Thistwin waist arrangementshould allow the Chinookpants to be paired with anytwin waist dry top tocreate a pretty good twopiece system. I have usedthe Chinooks with YaksRiwaka and SweetsSupernova dry topswithout out any issue. Infact the seal between topsand the Chinooks was veryimpressive even whilst swimming.

ThePaddler 20

Yak Riwaka dry top Chinook Dry TrousersHallertau PFDhttp://www.crewsaver.co.uk/YAKPhil Carr on Unsponsored

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Yak are the paddling side of the Crewsaver company. In the past Yakhave catered for the middle to lower end of the market with somefantastic kit for centre and club use. Although functional andhardwearing they didnt have the same appeal as some of the morewell known brands. Over the last few months I have been testing a fewpieces of Yak gear including the Riwaka dry top, Chinook dry trousersand Hallertau PFD.

The double fabric knees even have built in drain holes as does the re-enforced seat area a great idea that has been well executed withoutcompromising comfort by using a grommet/metal drain hole. There is nochance of these grommets being ripped out.

Just like the Riwaka dry top the quality of the taping within the Chinooksis very impressive. Underneath you can make out that all joints have beendouble stitched before being taped over.

Throughout the winter, the Chinooks have been usedextensively and have mainly been paired with theRiwaka dry top. Again the performance of theChinooks as been impressive. The taping remains inplace and the additional layers of tough fabric hasallowed the Chinooks to stand up to some seriousabuse.

If I had the chance to improve the Chinooks in anywayI would increase the height of the inner part of the twin waist and eveninclude some sort of bib/straps. This in addition to a pee zip would takethe Chinooks up into a completely different league.

Yak Hallertau PFDThe Hallertau is a top specriver running PFD with a quickrelease harness and all thestorage options you couldever want. If I were to drawup a shopping list of all thefeatures that a rescue PFDshould have then theHallertau would have itcovered.

The Hallertau has a large zipon the front and is put onmuch like a coat. This means

that it is easy to get on even over bulky dry suit zips. The zip seems solidand the top of the opening is secured with a small plastic press-stud. Itworks well but can sometimes be a little fiddly to snap into place withcold hands.

First and foremost there is loads of storage. The Hallertau isnt short ofpockets at all. In fact Yak has gone as far as including little card cut outsshowing what accessories could be stored in each of the areas. Thisincludes a knife pocket with lanyard and a whistle pocket with lanyard.

The QR rescue harness is the same as the ones found on most otherrescue PFDs and includes a steel ring for clipping into. The strap alongwith most other PFDs is almost completely hidden within the fabric andcreates a nice clean look to the PFD and minimises the chances ofsnagging a strap whilst on or off the water. All other straps have slots inwhich the loose ends can be stored, thus once again reducing the chancesof snagging.

The PFD has a great deal of adjustment and getting a secure fit is supereasy. The Hallertau sits nice and low and has an incredibly low profile.

Paddling and swimming in the Hallertau is very easywith no adverse signs of movement and certainly nohint of the PFD riding up.

One superb little feature is the shoulder padding. Itworks really well and has just enough padding to takeaway some of the discomfort suffered during longportages with a kayak on your shoulder.

ThePaddler 21







ThePaddler 11












ThePaddler 10

Testing, testin

View Palm FXr video

gThePaddler ezine test station. If youwantyourproductreviewedanditwillbeofinterestto paddlers - email us: [email protected] association with


01642 520234

in association with


ConclusionHaving been familiar witholder Yak designs I wasexpecting gear that wasfunctional at a very basiclevel, i.e. the gear would doits job well enough butwould not compete withthe big names in themarket place. However Ihave been blown away bythe style, fit and function ofall the new Yak gear that Ihave tried to date. Asidefrom a few minor nigglesthe Riwaka dry top,Chinook dry trousers andHallertau PFD are all wellworth checking out.

ThePaddler 22

How big is your recipe book?

By Dave Rossetterpaddlesport instruct

I have been coaching, running coacheducation courses, running leadershiptraining and mentoring other coaches/leaders for a long time. As the saying goes,Everyday is a school day and this pastyear has certainly been true of that for me.I am currently studying for the British Canoeing Level 4 award.This is for a Postgraduate Diploma in Performance Coaching(Paddlesport) through the University of Stirling. For those thatdont know me, this is a big thing to enter the world of educationafter coming out of school to kick a football around. This didnthappen for me so the world of skiing and paddling came instead.

I enjoy the variety of environments, the challenges that needto be overcome, the stories to be told and the sense offreedom that travelling through the stunning environments.We will come back to this!

Having been exposed to great coaching (and not so greatcoaching) over the years I have a fair handle on what theattributes of a good coach should be.

One thing that I was always impressed with is that they alwaysseemed to have plenty of tasks and activities for everyone. Itdidnt seem to matter at what level the skills were gettingworked on or the ability of the student the coach always hadsomething for them to do. This is something that keeps thesessions happening and learning continuing.

Planning building y

PlanningThe more experienced the coach the more I started to see good flow in thesession and very intuitive decisions being made. As I assess coaches at all levelsthis flow is something that I look for but how do you train it?Some of the answer goes back to the variety of experiences that we have as a performer. We have solved problemsourselves and therefore we as coaches are keen to prevent others having the same problems. This problem solvingapproach is one that is great for the challenges that we have in our boating. It aids the students in understanding thecontext and the reason why a lot of paddlers come and get some coaching. They are looking too short-cut theproblems and get someone to aid them who have already solved them.

This recipe approach is one that the sports coaching educationalists mention at length in a variety of sources.These recipes use existing knowledge that may come from a variety of places.

On coach education courses we often help the newcoaches with how to deliver sessions so give them ourrecipes. This gets the new coach up and running and givesthem a framework to work from. The recipe can alsocome from the coachs own experiences. Sessions thatthey have delivered in past that were previously successful.It can also be templates they have seen in books or videos.

These recipes are to be encouraged and are a great wayto get up and running. However, the challenge withinrunning based on a recipe is do you have you the rightingredients for the paddlers in front of you. As coaches weneed to ensure that we have the correct ingredients toform the recipe.

IntakeWho are you coaching and what are their wants butparticularly what are their needs?

With the experiences that I have as a paddler and that I doa lot of coaching over many years, I have many of theserecipes to choose from. However, I still lose sleep at nightworking out what to coach and how I am going to deliverto these wants and needs.

By ensuring that I work with the paddlers, that I help themto achieve their goals and aspirations, aids in getting thecorrect solution for the challenges in their boating. Byputting the individual paddler at the heart of the coachingchallenges our recipes.

One size doesnt fit at all. Some get what they need butothers dont. As coaches we can fall short of meeting thepaddlers wants and needs. Also like earlier where the greatcoaches always had the next task/activity if working to justa recipe we can run out of the ingredients and thereforenow what?

This falling short or what next can leave the paddlers thatcome for coaching feeling frustrated and not engaged.

ThePaddler 23

ctor at Glenmore Lodge

your recipe book!

ThePaddler 24

Options In my own coaching when working on new courses,courses that I havent delivered for a while or having a newchallenge to solve then I need to put a bit more into theplanning.

There is the real formal approach where using a proformasession plan can aid the coach. This helps with thinkingthrough variety of strategies such as timing, where, types ofpractice, delivery strategy and space for our notes. Byhaving this written down aids the coach. The saying ink itdont think it comes to mind here. This can be a lot tohold in the head.

By spending time before the activity reflecting on existingrecipes, looking at the ways to deal with the challenge,writing down our thoughts it aids focus and forces thecoach to have a plan. Even if we dont follow the plan wehave thought through our options. We have options planB / C / D and so on. We have thought about ourquestions and what we are asking them for.

By having adopting this planning approach it can aid ingetting a good nights sleep knowing that I can at least getup and running with the session. Sometimes for the morechallenging courses or new courses these plans can be a bigmind map.

Being able to write it down and read it helps with mythoughts and ensures that I follow the great coaches that Ihave witnessed and have enough tasks / activities for thepaddlers that I coach.

One of the challenges to the formal approach can be thesticking to rigid plans. Not allowing our natural decisionsmaking instincts to kick in can lead to the same frustrationsas the recipe approach.

To help me overcome this and something that you see a lotof the great coaches do is to write down in bullet pointformat the top line information. Taking these bullet pointsout onto the water with me gives me the starter of therecipe. If I am stuck or unsure of where next I have myplan to go back too.

Keeping the recipe/ingredient analogy going. When youwatch the cooking shows we see the chef start of with arecipe. They get the ingredients out. Missing ingredient ordifferent taste requirements no problem we see themadapt to meet the specific need at that time. So it is withcoaching. We have the existing knowledge / plan and recipein mind. We write it down and check it over. Meet thepaddlers and adapt as required.

This more formal approach or writing them down in whatever format builds on our existing experience. It starts theprocess over as we have added to our recipe book.

SummaryCoaching is a messy unpredictablebeast. It is ever changing and thechallenges keep on coming. Be theybecause the manufacturers keepchanging the boat design, harder piecesof water are looking to be paddled, ourunderstanding of the sport is everincreasing and as paddlers come to uslooking for different challenges /problems to be solved. We, as coaches,need to adapt and overcome.

We shouldnt forget the recipes of oldbut we should be using them to help uscreate new and exciting programs /solutions for those that we coach.

So my question for you coaches outthere is, How big is your recipebook?

Happy Paddling and hope to see you onthe water.

Dave RossetterDave is the full time paddlesport instructor at Glenmore Lodge Scotlands National Outdoor Training Centre. He hasbeen involved in the development of the new awards and provides expert advice throughout the industry on all things todo with coaching, safety, leadership and personal paddling. He is passionate about all things paddling and specialises in whitewater kayak and open canoe where he will most often be found. He is supported in his paddling adventures and coachingby 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/

ThePaddler 26

So you're heading out with your camera, you have got your gear and have an idea what settingsyou're going to try out on location. Great! However have you thought about where you are going tolocate yourself? When I talk about location I am referring to you and your camera, where do youneed to be? What is safe and what will get you good results? Hopefully I can shed some light on thesituation for you.

Positioning

,

location and p

postproductionThePaddler 27

By Dale Mears

ThePaddler 28

The first bit of advice I have for every photographer, you'vemade your purchase and are in love with your gadgetry,

so get it insured.

Most decent photography insurers will insure your camera, lenses, flashguns etc for a reasonable price depending on the value of your kit. Whyis this so important? Well, if you are like me and every other water sportsphotographer and youre constantly around water, we always want to getcloser to the action and suddenly: splash youre in the drink! I alwayssaid this wouldn't happen to me but working at Holme PierrepontWhitewater Sports Centre in Nottingham every weekend for threeyears, it was inevitable it was going to happen at some time. I went inwith a Canon 7D and a L series 28-300mm lens (sorry Dave at RapidFocus). Luckily the gear was insured. I have many friends who have lostcameras in the Nile and other locations so you are better safe than sorry.My advice is to look for an insurer that definitely covers water damageand replaces new for old.

ThePaddler 29

its hard to see what your camera is taking, so shoot nice and wide and

time your shots

Now the sensible bit is out the way, its timeto have fun. Obviously if you are heading to awhite water course check that you dontbreak any of their rules before getting started.Most will insist on where you can and cantstand and some (most) insist on use of abuoyancy aid or vest of some description. Ifyoure hitting the riverbank I guess you haveto make a decision based on where you arestood. I always carry a buoyancy aid in myboot just in case.

In my last article I mentioned getting up closeand personal to the action and shooting witha nice wide lens this is still one of mypreferred options when trying to capturefreestyle action. It relies on you being able toget right out to the edge of the water andsecuring a good footing. In this location I oftenlike to get down low and lie on the banksometimes hanging my camera over the edgeto get even closer. From there its hard to seewhat your camera is taking, so shoot nice andwide and time your shots (always worth a fewtest shots to ensure your settings arecorrect). If you are close to the waters edge,try and find something to anchor to or hookyour foot around. If you are really concernedthen maybe secure yourself with a sling onyour buoyancy aid I find a decent hand orshoulder strap helps too. I use a Joby UltraFithand strap as I prefer this to a shoulder strapbut used to wrap a strap around my wrist afew times to secure my camera. Now this is agreat technique for certain shots but whathappens if thats not the shot you want?

Always look to alter your location, can you geta better vantage point, other photographersare always looking for new shots something tomake them stand out, so do the same. Is therea fence you can climb? Can you get a highervantage point? I like to mix up my locationduring a shoot and hills provide a great shotlooking down on the action a mix betweentaking photos from an upstream position anddownstream position can give you verydifferent viewpoints on the action. Try to avoidshooting into the sun as your camera willstruggle to calculate the correct exposureoften resulting in poor images. Have you triedboth banks if possible? If looking over a bigdrop or waterfall have you tried taking shotsfrom above? Below? Midway down the drop?Further down stream looking up?

The key is to mix up what you are doing andalways keep looking for a new location. Takeinspiration from other sports photography. Skiand boarding photography is superb, so dosome research and see what maybe hasntmade it over to the paddle sports world yet.

ThePaddler 30

Post processing can often be seen by purists ascheating. Is it cheating or is it taking on board theadvantages of modern technology? I think there aremany small changes you can make to your photos toreally make them stand out. Here are a few basicstweaks that will quickly enhance some of yourshots.

I use Adobe Lightroom, I find it the best suite forediting photos along with Adobe Photoshop,however, most software will also complete a mostof these of these post processing tweaks.

ExposureLets face it, sometimes you copy your photos onto your computer screen and they dont look asincredible as you first thought. Most of the timethe image may be under or over exposed (toodark or too light) and most software will have aslider that you can alter the exposure tocompensate either way. This can often bring backsome of the image that you thought had been lost.

Highlights/shadowsAs most of the time your camera is trying to metera scene and make adjustments sometimes you willlose a lot of detail. Around kayaking often you losethe detail in the water with a quick adjustment youcan pull back some of this detail by adjusting thehighlights slider. Likewise with the shadows slideroften we lose detail as our camera is having to find abalance. Again play around with this slider and seeyour lost detail return from out of the shadows.

VibranceOften here in the UK, conditions can be a bit grey anddull and our beautiful green grass looks not quite sogreen! Our lovely gear might have faded and the coloursagain dont look as sharp as they once looked. Thevibrance slider is another great tool to add a bit of va vavoom to your shot.

SharpeningMost packages will offer a sharpening tool, this will add aslight amount of crispness to your image. Again use thiswisely you can overdo it! The more you add the noisieryour image can appear. I usually aim to sharpen between25-30 in Lightroom.

Noise reductionImage noise is usually caused when shooting at the wrongexposure, over sharpening or when shooting at higherISOs. Sometimes on a DX body you will have to ramp upyour ISO to get the shutter speeds you require and thehigher you go the more noise you will see in your image(this is the grainy effect). Most software will offer a noisereduction slider this will remove some of the grain yousee in your image but be careful the more noise reductionyou use can make your image a lot softer potentiallycausing a loss in detail. It is all a careful balance.

There is no right or wrong thing to do when editing yourphotos, I guess you have to look at it and decide if it looksnatural or have you enhanced your image and made itlook highly false. Even then its a dark art photography andvery subjective. My advice to anyone is to open up a fewof your old images that you were once happy with andplay around with a few of these controls. If you start tosee your images improve then youre onto a winner.

AFTER SHADOWS AND VIBRANCE

BEFORE SHADOWS AND VIBRANCE

AFTER SHADOWS ADJUSTED

ORIGINAL SHADOWS

Post processing

SHARPENING

ThePaddler 31

Your photos are no good sat on your computer for no one to see, but then again you can share too many. Agood way to host your images is to pick a social image sharing site such as Flick or 500px. These websitesallow you to upload and share your images with the world.

Advantages of using these sites:BACK UP OF YOUR PHOTOS. If you want access to your photos anywhere in the world you can quickly pull them upto share with friends. If you have issues with a hard drive your photos are often backed up and you can download theoriginal images.

TAG YOUR PHOTOS. You can tag your photos this means using hashtags such as #kayaking a hashtag is a way users canfind your images, so someone searching for kayaking will find your new images. Think of it as a way to filter what you wantto see.

GROUPS. There are a few groups amongst Flickr for kayaking Whitewater kayakers Action Photography and manyother groups are set up by users for like-minded people to share their goods. A great way to see what others are doing andshow off your work.

ALBUMS. You can also set up your own albums, maybe by location, event names, or simply by dates. Albums allow peopleto browse your images with ease. Also allowing you to share an album of a recent event you have attended.

Like any sites most ask for a fee for more features such as statistics and more uploads but Flickr has a free version withlimited uploads. Check the small print and it will explain what you get. I pay for a pro account for about $24 its not a lotreally for what you get.

I hope my articles have given you an insight into paddling photography and how to get yourself up and running, producingsome great new images and share them with the world! I would love to see what you come up with so feel free to tweet orshare your new photos with me.

ThePaddler 32

Sharing is caring

Many thanks Dale Mears

Twitter@DMPhotogrpahy

Instagram@dmphotography_uk

Flickrwww.flickr.com/dalemears

FacebookDale Mears Photography

DayMen U.S., Inc.

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ThePaddler 34

Chiles Kayak River Stewards

ThePaddler 35

All over the world, our planetsrivers are at risk. Rivers needstewards to monitor theirhealth and communicate what theysee to groups who can takeresponsive action. Who better to dothe job than paddlers? This article byAmerican attorney Patrick J. Lynchintroduces the Kayak River Stewardsprogram, a new effort by FutaleufRiverkeeper, Patagonias FirstWaterkeeper. Interested readers canvisit their website atwww.futaleufuriverkeeper.org tolearn more about the program.Paddling in Chile has never been just about the qualityof the rapids. Its also about seeking inspiration. Itsabout joining a community, a select group ofadventurers who have made it to this far corner ofthe world in search of some of the best whitewateraround. And increasingly, its about discovering ways togive back.

If you come to Chile for the summer paddling season(November through March), youll find plenty offestivals along the way to get you started. Thesefestivals can introduce you to local causes like oursand keep you motivated. Theres the Adventure FilmFest up in Santiago, the countrys capital and thestarting point for many adventure seekers. From thereyou can hit up the threatened Maipo River (which hasweekly protests and flotadas to fend off AES Genersdevastating Alto Maipo project) or go straight toPucn, where you can camp out at PuescoFest.PuescoFest was a new one in 2014 but broughttogether over a 1,000 paddlers, locals and indigenousleaders from the Curarruehue region. Pucn is alsohome to the Kayak Film Fest in December, which isco-hosted by Patagonia Inc. and Rivers Lakes andOceans.

These are just some of the prominent events eachyear that unite people and inspire action. FutaleufRiverkeeper and our volunteers celebrating at eachone, talking to people about what it means to protecta watershed. And one thing we discovered is thatpeople want to help, but dont always know how.

Riverkeeper volunteer Jane K

oopman travelling the

rivers of Chile to set up the K

ayak Stewards P

rogram

Its because of this realization thatwe are introducing the Kayak RiverStewards ProgramThis program aims to strengthen a growing networkof river protection groups in Chile, from the Maipo tothe Futaleuf. Many paddlers who have experiencedChiles rivers have expressed frustration that theywant to help but dont know how.

How can you help? You can become a Kayak River Steward by travellingto Chile and filling out the survey when youre donewith your trip. The survey allows you to act asstewards of the river throughout your travels, treatingyou not only as our eyes and ears on the river butalso as a way local communities can pass alongsensitive information. Any information you can gatherand report is useful. Basic observations, informal chatsand photos can all add key details to the stories aboutthese rivers that will help us illustrate to governmentand big industry why river conservation in Chile is soimportant. This survey will also help us establish amethod for more detailed reporting in the future.

ThePaddler 36

ThePaddler 37

Why now?Now is when we need paddlers to play an active rolein showcasing the need to protect Chiles rivers. Thepotential for cross-pollination of ideas and informationis tremendous and the number of paddlers isexpected to grow. By 2020, the Chilean governmentestimates 500,000 people will visit Patagonias twolargest regions each year. Thousands will stop byFutaleuf along the way, from countries all over theworld.

However, Chiles government is largely ignoring thelong-term benefits of this influx in favour of dammingthese rivers for hydropower, which would bring a newmining boom to one of the most wild and scenicplaces on earth. The only way we can convince thegovernment that these rivers are far more valuablewhen protected it to show them. We need to be co-ordinated, vocal, and extremely visible. Each and everypaddler who visits the country and joins the KayakSteward Program becomes an ambassador for theserivers. By uniting with the cause you bring your entirenetwork of people with you, all of whom together canmake an already visible campaign to protect Chilesrivers go global.

ThePaddler 38

A movement has been growing among thepaddling community in Chile. Are youtravelling to Patagonia this season? If so, pleasehelp us and become a Kayak River Steward byfilling out the online survey here:https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RWBMHVG

Futaleufu Riverkeeperis a member of theWaterkeeper Alliance, an internationalnetwork of clean water advocates workingaround the world to protect our planetswaterways. They protect the rights ofcommunities to free-flowing rivers by unitingstruggles across all watersheds in thecountry, many of which are threatened bylarge dams. To support this initiative visit

www.futaleufuriverkeeper.org/donate

ThePaddler 40

CanoePaddler042 Scotland

Inverpolly National Nature Reserveby Calum Rogerson

White Water ConsultancyOld Village HallBronwydd Carmarthen SA33 6BE

Tel: 01267 223555wwc.co.uk

The Prospector 15 is a scaled-down version of our larger

Prospectors, thats faithful to theoriginal lines in every way. You

get all the great handlingfeatures that make the

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A canoeadventure into the unknown

ThePaddler 42

For most people in the UK, they are unlikely to know muchabout, or indeed heard of the Inverpolly National NatureReserve in the north west of Scotland. Its about as remote asyou can get in the UK and really can be considered as one of thelast true wildernesses on our shores. Thats what makes it such anawesome place to explore by canoe!

So, why should you go paddlingthere?Ok, it takes a long time to get there from just aboutanywhere south of Inverness. It does have the oddmidge or two during the summer months sniffing outtasty human prey and it occasionally gets a bit breezy,but thats all part of the fun!

By Calum Rogerson

TIP oneTravel as light as possible, yet dontleave anything behind that couldreally spoil your trip

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in what lies beneath our feet, the rocks youll find inthe Inverpolly area, and indeed that run up the northwest coast of Scotland, are about as old as it gets, ingeological terms. These rocks provide the foundationfor a stunning landscape, which is so different to whatyou see anywhere else in the country. Indeed, theNorth West Highlands has Geopark status, endorsedby UNESCO as an area with a high quality ofgeological heritage (http://www.nwhgeopark.com).

As you approach the reserve, the landscape becomesmore barren; only after a while does it dawn on youthat you havent see many trees recently. Youll seeplenty in the way of water, with lochs and lochansstretching off into the distance as you drive up the A835towards Elphin. Even in the height of summer this areawill remain relatively quiet and should you decide totake your canoe with you, the chances are that youwont come across another living soul out in thewilderness. This really is an adventure waiting to happen.

Where should you paddle?Theres one particular route I wanted to tell youabout that provides an opportunity to get well off thebeaten track with your canoe, although I should add,not without a bit of hard work. This trip is alsotempting because it offers the chance to don yourwalking boots and rucksacks for a bit of uphillexploration. One such diversion from your canoejourney might be to climb the iconic Suilven, whichrises from the barren landscape like nothing elseyouve seen.

For those of you interested

Suilven

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TIP twoIts extremely important that you carry out all yourrubbish and leave campsites as you found them.

Think leave no trace

Once you reach Fionn Loch you have the idealopportunity to pitch your tent in the shadow of Suilven,and if daylight permits you could even nip up for aglorious west coast sunset that evening. Alternatively,you could nip up the next morning after porridge andcoffee, to take in the awesome views that await youacross to Canisp and Quinag in the north.

A choiceAt this point you have a choice: return the way youcame to Elphin, or with a bit of hard work get out andpull your boat!

From Fionn Loch you paddle for a short distance onRiver Arkaig, landing again soon and making your wayover land to Loch Sionascaig. However, if you havetime to spare you can take a wander down to see theFalls or Kirkaig, but probably best to avoid them inyour canoe!

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Allow yourself three

You wont find much in the way of firewood to burn so dont plan on havingcampfires. If you take your own wood, use a firepan to

protect the ground

or four days for this trip, and starting at the tiny villageof Elphin, make your way from the road, down thetrack to Loch Veyatie. Unless youre lucky and the gateis open, this will involve a 500-600m portage to thewater, so take your trolley!

In terms of paddling, the distances youll encounterarent huge, but what they lack in size, they certainlymake up for in interest. Paddling west along LochVeyatie you have Cul Mor to your left and Suilven willgradually come into view as you approach Fionn Loch.Its only around 11km to the far end of Fionn Loch,where the River Kirkaig starts its tumbling descent tothe coast about 5km away.

TIP three

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You may need to empty some of the contents outof your canoe, depending on how many homecomforts you take along with you. Youll have aportage of around 600-700m over to the nextlochan before jumping in your boat again. After ashort paddle you have a similar length of portagebefore reaching Loch Sionsacaig. This canunderstandably be tiring, so do think carefully aboutwhat equipment you take along with you on t

Documents

The Paddler ezine issue 22 March 2015 SUP cover