Stohlquist’s newest sea kayaking feature laden drysuit has arrived and delivers building upon the design of the EZ drysuit but with a super stretchy latex neck gasket. Add to that a detachable hood, thigh high pocket, sleeve pocket, sprayskirt tunnel, lots of reflective trim and a button down neck gasket cover. This will fit the needs of the sea kayaker or detach the hood for playing in the surf or on whitewater.

Stohlquist has the particulars listed along with general detail pictures. Below I have some detail shots of the hood and neck gasket area.

Not that I’m up to race speeds yet this year but below are a the results recorded by the Motion X application on the iPhone paddling North against the tide and back with it.

2/22/12 High Tide 1:24pm of 3.57 feet  Low Tide 7:46pm -0.42 feet Ebbing Current 1.78mph.    Weather : overcast with South winds 7-11mph light non-cresting chop.  Equipment : Mitchell Black Magic 215cm wood/carbon hybrid euro blade high angle paddle

Note: I did need to stop by the Vanderbilt Estate to strip off some layers as overdressed for the exertion level.

I’ve known of this project for awhile and have chatted with the crew at Astral during gestation but it is a reality now and the first shipment just came in today (2/21/12)

Like the Willis and the Bella this can be donned/doffed as a side entry or plop it on over your head like a tee shirt.  The feel when worn is very unencumbered around the shoulders and a cumberbund like fit around the abdomen and very light.  I added a Quick Release belt for a bungee cowtail tether which the large kong biner tucks behind the semi stretchy mesh side pocket quite securely but can be yanked out in a flash.

This is the as listed on our eBay! Storefront:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/260963107927?var=&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_955wt_1141

This is so new that there aren’t mfg. photos of it as of yet so please excuse my amateur photography.

The Sea Wolf PFD

The Do-All Purpose PFD!  Sea, Whitewater, Canoe, Kayak, Sail, Etc.!!!!!

Mfg. Description:

This unique project has been underway for a couple of years with the intention of bringing the market a true sea kayak pro’s vest built on our popular Foam Tectonic platform. Its sleek profile will allow you to tuck under exploding waves with ease, offering exceptional mobility while both paddling and swimming. In many ways this is the Greenjacket of expedition sea kayaking, loaded with technically-minded features that apply to a wide audience of paddlers.

When creating the Sea Wolf we knew that it had to address some of the following design parameters:

• Excellent mobility and comfort
• Loads of gear storage with easy access
• Tow belt compatibility
• High visibility with strobe attachment
• Hydration compatibility
• Durable and quick drying shell material
• Lightweight (Just 1.8lbs. vs. the Green Jacket at 2.8lbs.)

Over the last year we field tested the Sea Wolf prototypes in a variety of exotic locations including Nova Scotia, Alaska, the Carolina Coast, and the Grand Canyon. We quickly realized that not only did we have the makings of an amazing sea kayak vest, but that it could also crossover into many other disciplines including: whitewater paddling, surf kayaking, and fishing.

Perhaps the most notable feature of the Sea Wolf is its large clam shell pocket with plenty of gear storage and organization. You can see below that it holds all the essentials needed for a Grand Canyon self-support trip.

We have added belt loops to make the Sea Wolf compatible with the quick release tow belt (sold separately), as well as two side pockets for long term gear storage and housing for the WebToe during whitewater applications.

• Buoyancy is feather light 100% PE Foam weighing in at just 1.8 lbs.!!!!
• Quick drying 200d x 400d Ripstop Nylon Shell
• 200 Denier Nylon Liner
• Acetal plastic buckles
• Polypro Webbing

Sizing: (measured in inches at widest torso circumference)

• Small/Medium: 31-37’’
• Medium/Large: 38-44’’
• Large/Extra-Large: 45-51’’

For the official Astral Version here is a YouTube Link to the Sea Wolf overview by Bryan Owen of Astral.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KELIoCGgXxU&context=C49df0a0ADvjVQa1PpcFNUqWM40NdPhDMrsPE_x9WQiGonNYCRKis=

Drysuit up and SUP it up.

Ok punning aside, it was a bit too windy to go out on the Hudson with the Tahoe Woody and Zephyr but the harbor worked great even when Ben walked the plank and bodily checked the water depth a few times.

Water temps are just above freezing. Yeah drysuit!

Sorry, no pics of the photographer this time.

Oh, we did discover an Oreo milkshake energy influx lasts exactly 2 hours in a young teen. (Ben in red). Once kayaking I should have put him in the model with the propeller. Dad reports that nap mode was fully implemented on the way home.

Click to view slideshow.

Introduction:

Saltwood paddles is a novel take on carbon/wood laminate hybrid paddles to grant the paddler the warmth and lively feel of wood with the light swing weight of carbon blades.  The result is a very attractive paddle that weighs in at about the same as the Premium Fiberglass paddles by Werner with a toughness that allows for use in rock gardens or Class III whitewater but with a swing weight and blade feel that is on par with the Performance Foam Core Werner line.  I will make frequent comparisons with Werner as that manufacturer is more commonly known than the closest cousin to the Saltwood paddles which would be the long time elegant design of The Black Magic by Mitchell Paddles.

Construction:

Shaft: Sustainably grown Spruce is used in computer milled hollow shafts.  Yes, this paddle is a tubular one section shaft design that reduces weight without reducing the strength.  Significant indexing is milled into the powerface side of the shaft in right/left positions of whichever degree of offset you wish (in 15 degree increments).  The two halves of the shaft are then laminated together and covered is an ultra-thin scrim of fiberglass again adding strength but also surface durability.

Blades: The blades are significantly stiff with noticeable additional carbon cloth at the tips to eliminate blade flex and add enough strength for whitewater use.  The powerfaces of the blades are a smooth curve in a high angle design.  The blades do not have a spine as on more typical fiberglass design.  Rather they have a buoyant core  in the center of the blade filled with sustainably grown laminated balsa wood oriented cord wise to the blade rather then span or length wise.  This adds a nice lift on the blade when exiting the water but as the buoyant core does not extend to the edges of the blade the buoyancy does not fight the paddler on the catch when inserting the blade into the water as I’ve found on the Werner Ikelos.

Performance and Feel: 

This is a tremendously subjective category so individual opinions will vary.

A quick backtrack note; Indexing – coming from having always used a feathered paddle (be it my Black Magic or any number of Werner Paddles)  this has been the first euro blade paddle that I’ve been able to use unfeathered without the habitual slice on my left side when my muscle memory wants to cant the paddle for entry on the left.  I’m going to attribute this to the significant areas of indexing at the grip zones on the paddle shaft.  While initially large feeling compared to other more common paddle shafts in the world, the shape quickly feels comfortable for a wide range of hand sizes and provides such easy feedback of blade position that adapting to unfeathered from my usual 60 degree right happened almost unconsciously.

Reggie – A bit more powerful bite on the water in the catch than a Werner Shuna or Cyprus but not so much as to be fatiguing over distance.  Transitions from active to static to planing strokes are as effortless as with a blade that has depth of cross section like a wood blade or a foam core model like the Werner Cyprus.  The shaft has a wonderfully live feel as it has just a touch of flex and power release on the catch and as you take tension off just before the exit.  The indexing makes precise blade placement for strokes or rolling second nature.

Habit – Whitewater and Surf Kayakers, here’s your paddle blade!  This blade shape and size makes for a rock solid platform to launch your propulsion strokes, turns or cartwheels from.  More bite than the Werner Corryvrecken and similar stiffness as the Ikelos but with the durability more of the Powerhouse.  The cork core design still makes finesse a snap for side slips while ferrying and moving the leading edge to catch current, etc.  Considering the bite of this blade the bit of flex in the shaft is welcome on the joints as it definitely helps for a day long playboating trip or surf session.

Bent Shaft – Most of my earlier observations have been using a straight shaft.   I have used the bent shaft on a Reggie model and the general feel is that the indexed grip shape naturally nests into your hands.  The upper and lower surfaces are hollowed a bit more than on the straight shaft as it does say on the Werner Performance Core straight and bent carbon shafts.  Bent shafts do add a few more ounces which is to be expected and while I usually do not use a bent shaft this allowed me to feel more of what the blade was doing rather than holding a paddle shaft.  So in this case not to notice the paddle shaft I would consider to be a good thing.

Prices:

Straight Shaft = $350

Bent Shaft = $400

More pictures and in stock models available at our eBay! Storefront

http://stores.ebay.com/The-River-Connection?_rdc=1

The renowned Capella 166 RM of P&H has moved over to the Venture Kayaks side of the Family.

Now in a stout single layer plastic the classic Capella gains the cord controlled skeg of the Cetus/Delphin line with thighbraces and seats from the Pyrahna whitewater kayaks. Other than a material change the hull is identical to the Corelite version but at several hundred dollars less at $1500.

Description:

P&H Capella RM Sea Kayaks re-named to Venture Kayaks Capella
The Capella has a comforting initial stability and confidence inspiring secondary stability which makes this one of the most popular all round Sea Kayak there is. Three storage compartments provide plenty of storage space for camping trips with convienient storage in the day hatch for more accessable items. The outfitting is fully adjustable with a padded seat, thigh braces, backrest and foot rests so you will be comfortable paddling the Capella for longer periods of time. Venture Kayaks now mould the Capella in a single skin plastic, this means that you get the same proven hull shape and design at a fraction of the cost.
The RM Capella is the choice of many instructors and centres in the UK and around the world. This is a seriously good sea kayak for the money and one of our best selling Sea Kayak to date.

Specs:

Capella 166 Dimensions

Length 16’6″

Width 22″

Weight 54 lb.

Cockpit – 17.5″x31.25″ inside opening.

Optimum Load Range 143 lb.-264 lb.

The next evolution of the Stohlquist Drysuit Line!!!!    

The EZ!  

Black, which goes with everything, right?!

As this is immersion garment is so new, information and pictures are not yet on the manufacturers website (www.stohlquist.com) so I will try to give a bit of insight into the changes that have been thoughtfully worked into this new Drysuit.  This being such a new product also is the reason for my amateur photography in the slideshow above.

Drysuit Description as it appears on our eBay! Storefront – A bit of a blend of the manufacturer’s description and my own observations.

This is a Super New drysuit evolution from the popular Stohlquist Body Pod series with some refined upgrades.

Follow Up Report 1/3/12

With weather that turned absolutely summer like, 8 paddlers of all skill levels we got to cover a gamut of topics.

+Group Management
+Forward Stroke Clinic – very effective as rotating small group work stations.
+Biomechanics of paddling – worked into maneuvering
+Draws and sideslips
+Rescue Skills – on Marshall the dunkage dummy.(who got to work on his hang time)

KR even did the entire day with a shorty canoe paddle as a follow up from her Freestyle Canoe class the day before.

All in all, a lot was packed into 5-6 hours on the water but in a varied enough of a format to prevent mental sludge from taking over. We even got to do some yoga to counter lunch coma before putting on for the PM session.

Definitely look for this program again come in 2012 as well as Karen Knight at our PowerUP Symposium the first weekend of June 2012.

Morning Session – No Rain!!!!

Lots of rolling obviously.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSD_WSwGa7k

Or for a little Northern Light Surfing Action;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k7P6vMC–Q

You can also find pictures of these paddles at our eBay! Storefront;

http://stores.ebay.com/The-River-Connection/Kayak-Paddles-/_i.html?_fsub=5&_sid=160909317&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

See you on the water,

Marshall
The River Connection, Inc.
Hyde Park, NY
www.the-river-connection.com

PS: Coming very soon!  Saltwood Paddles!  www.saltwoodpaddles.com