The Sit on Top, beach toy or whitewater accessory?

When plastic boats burst onto the scene manufacturers were suddenly left looking for the boat to
suit everyone, a boat which could be manufactured stockpiled and sold to the masses not a
whitewater machine with a relatively small end user group but a general purpose safe for all the
family style boat.
Mirages, Dancers, Europa's came and went being replaced by shorter more playful designs, gone
were the days of one boat did everything.
Eventually sit on tops were born.

With UK based company's building boats Perception, feel free and islander other companies have joined
on to the expanding market. Now in Ireland we have a huge choice of sit on tops for every need.
Sit on tops are a fantastic choice for all the family from taking your first paddle strokes through to
experienced fun.
In the past a sit on top was widely seen as a 'beach toy' with designs like the Perception Scooter and
the Islander Kayaks Calypso Sport two very similar boats both UK built and sold hugely in Ireland.
These created a family friendly platform for getting adults and kids out on the water. These general
purpose sit on tops range from between 8-10ft in length with cheaper options like the Winner Purity
II and the Islander Hula perfect for smaller guys and gals up to the increasingly comfortable
Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 this range of boats were designed to do everything, whether its
pottering around your local coastline or playing in the waves they will feel at home on canals and
inland waterways manoeuvrable yet super stable. The shorter a boat is, generally the wider it gets these
boats all provide a fantastic platform for getting out on the water with the worst case scenario involving falling in, getting wet before simply climbing back on, a sit on top takes the hassle out of paddlesport.
So why are they not more often used??
Well now that is the question over the past few years companies have expanded their ranges of sit
on tops looking at specific uses for many boats to draw people in to the non covered way of life.
Tandems

There's not a lot of things better than a sunny day on the water in a boat except for sharing that
experience with friends and family, a tandem offers that experience with space now for 2-3 people
for both adults and kids the capacity of the boats is huge which provides a stable platform for kids
playtime and adult enjoyment boats like the Islander Kayaks Paradise 2 comes with really soft seat
backrests to keep you comfy and stable whilst out for a paddle other boats like the Tarpon E from
wilderness systems provides solid flip up backrests for extra support. both designs offer the centre “third” seat, a moulded space to bring a little one along for the ride.
Surfing

With wave skis being used the world over it was natural for a company to attempt to build a surf
specific boat the Perception 5-O at the time the only high performance sit on top-esque wave ski of
its class, hard rails and fins with a flat belly and lifted nose provided the platform for a popular
introductory surf boat but soon many would be upgraded to a lightweight ski.
Touring boats

With sit on top designs the big factor has to be the length and the width, as a boat gets longer it gets
narrower. As with sit in kayaks the 14foot designs like the Tarpon 140 and the Venture Kayaks Islay
14 SOT offer a fantastic option to take your beach toy and suddenly give it some speed and you can
start exploring coastlines, islands and caves. By extending the length will allow the boat to track better and
provide the extra speed to head off and explore with boats like the Tarpon 160 a 16ft monster taking Sit
on Tops right up into the performance sea kayaking end of things. Being able to load up these huge
capacity
crafts with the built in hatches and head off on your adventure. Add a rudder for better steering in
bigger water and you have a boat you can paddle all day. What you gain in length and straight line
speed you will lose in manoeuvrability, the longer the boat the less easy it is to turn around so before you
pick yourself up a speed demon just decide if your canal is wide enough to turn in!
Fishing

Probably the most practical use for sit on tops had to be there stable nature and load capacity. This has
meant thousands of fishermen worldwide are now availing of these easy going craft.
With Sit on tops easy to launch and recover as well as being able to get into places a boat may find
difficult the cost of a Sit on Top in comparison to a motored boat has led to a new culture with top
fisherman now pulling in huge fish onto their sit on tops. With many favouring the likes of the
Tarpon 14 and the Ocean Kayak Prowler series it's easy to look at the Jackson Kayak a whitewater
brand now makes more fishing kayaks than whitewater boats. With boats turning into full on fishing
platforms now makes it much more accessible.
At the budget end of things the strike angler from Islander Kayaks provides a simple set up with flush
mounted rod holders which can be used for trailing lines and accessories.
Many of the fishing boats have comfort in mind with better seating positions to give you comfort and
support whilst out for the day, with many now offering higher seats and ability to stand as well really
proves the stability of many sit on tops.
Seating
As previously mentioned throughout the article the seating, probably the biggest area of change in
Sit on tops, from simple plastic moulded seat locations providing an area in which to sit, next the
fabric backrests and seats, a simple clip on clip off design which can be adjusted to offer support and
comfort this is the standard as found on many a sit on tops.
Next comes the solid backrests with simple flip up designs to go with padded seat areas provide solid
support and very user friendly,
At the top end the boats look like arm chairs wilderness systems have a unique three way
adjustment system to provide height adjustment in the backrest as well as angle of the back rest and
a leg lifter to take pressure off of your legs.
If you look at Jackson kayaks with their rock and roll seat
which provides height adjustment and then lift out of the way to provide standing room you might
as well be in heaven, Sit on tops provide some of the comfiest seat positions going because of their
nature the seat doesn’t need to be able to fit into a round cockpit to be fitted this allows more space and
more comfort for the end user.
Many of the boats have simple moulded in footrest positions this allows the user to choice a spot
and put their feet on the right mark, this makes boats really user friendly, for slightly more comfort
an adjustable footrest is then used whereby the user is able to slide the pedal into position for
optimum comfort.
To combine usability with performance knee straps can be used a simple foam and fabric pad which
is clipped along each side of the boat allows knees to slip under and grip this provides the user with
extra control in rough water and waves it also helps to be able to roll some of the boats. In the event
of a spill simply straighten your legs and you will easily fall of ready to hop back on.
Storage
All of the kayaks mentioned have their own storage compartments many are done by the way of a
watertight hatch cover which allows access to the inside of the hull. Many of these are highly water
proof but because of the nature of the boats not totally water tight so dry bags should definitely be
used as well.
The bigger the boat the more storage with larger hatches and hinged covers making loading easier
and specific areas on the top deck designated for bait boxes and rod holders on fishing specific
boats.
Maintenance
As with all kayaks a Sit on Top is virtually maintenance free with the exception of the odd hose down
after being in the sea many a folk leave the boats outside, as with all plastics the biggest thing to
degrade a boat is the UV damage from the sun so a good idea to keep them covered if possible but
as far as being waterproof the rain provides no threat. A quick hose down after being in salt water will help keep fixtures and fittings in good working order.
Accessories

Sit on top accessories are a huge thing with seat upgrades through to camera mounts and rod
holders all available my personal suggestion would be a paddle leash. First thing when buying your
boat, PFD, paddle and paddle leash so when you fall in or put the paddle down its attached to your boat and
won’t be off floating without you, your paddle is your engine and without it makes things fairly hard
going.
Whitewater

So the article had to lead back to whitewater, as many may have seen over the years people have
tried to create whitewater sit on tops whether it’s a good idea or not has led to much debate, with
boats like the Liquid Logic Coupe and the Fluid Doitnow not really taking off in Ireland its now turn of
the Pyranha Fusion Sit on Top.
The Fusion has been an excellent crossover boat for a few years now paddling whitewater and
flat-water with ease so Pyranha have taken the ever stable hull, made it more stable and changed the
top deck to a sit on instead of a sit in.
At first glance I had never thought much about the idea of whitewater and sit ons thinking about
how much it might hurt falling off, but then again how much does it hurt when you fall out of a
kayak? So having taken a demo Fusion sit on top for a spin I found it easy to paddle, very
manoeuvrable and not a whole heap different from my standard river kayak, almost disappointing
how good it was. So over the past while I've been pushing it further and further paddling class 1-3+/4
on it with relative ease, I've had it sea surfing and bouncing down weirs whilst still surfing holes and
spinning on waves. Firstly the control means the boat rolls with the thigh braces and if rolling isn’t
for you hop off and hop back on within seconds your away again no more emptying boats or lifting
swamped boats.

Personally I feel previous whitewater sit on tops have never really taken off because they haven’t
been paddled, my best advice for any one whether experienced whitewater paddler or intermediate
just give it a go. Get it out and see what you think it's some of the best fun I've had. Mentally the fact
you're not enclosed brings about a sense of comfort for many who feel kayaking claustrophobic and
entrapping. Being able to jump off when things get scary will give people a lot of confidence and
then the ease of hopping back on quickly gets more time in a boat and less time underwater.
Sit on tops have many positive factors and very few negatives, they will never completely replace a
closed in kayak but for sure will make paddlesport more accessible for many users whether an
introduction, an afternoon hire or a trip down a class 2 rapid it's about the fun the excitement and
the exhilaration it brings to the end user.
 
.Sit On Tops are available in a whole heap of shapes and sizes for the best advice on what your require always visit your local kayak store before ordering to make sure you pick up the right boat for your needs
As always thanks to the photographers for use of images Palm Equipment, Conflueance watersports and Irish Photographer @Oisin McHugh - http://www.oisinmchughphoto.com/

Closing of another chapter.

After 2 years and 9 months as Watersports Manager of Great Outdoors, Dublin I’ve decided that its time to move on,

Id like to publically thank everyone instore for firstly giving me the opportunity back in 2012 they came to me with a plan and that they wanted me to be a part. at the time it was a gamble on their behalf but over two years on the the gamble was rewarded with a thriving kayak business once more.

And Secondly, for putting up with me, whether it was the stores lads constantly shipping boats, or the web manager to help with products and promotions everyone in the store was always super helpful

Id like to thank Ken Costigan and Derek Moody the two directors in the company for the time and effort they have put into the business and the help they have given me.

The Great Outdoors is 40 years old next year and I now feel like part of the family, the managers and staff were open and friendly but were all actual outdoor people who understood what was needed because they did it. I want to wish the store and it management all the best for the next 40+ years.

So about me,

Simply sometimes a change is needed, I've spent the past few years contending with Dublin bus in and out of town on a daily commute and its mind numbing, I spend more time on the bus each day that I could be using to paddle or enjoy. The store change around and loosing the watersports store had a huge impact on me losing part of my personality with it.

all the time I spend on the road paddling theirs so many times I wonder why am I going back. money is surely not the motivation so its got to be about enjoyment and the spark. once the spark has been extinguished its time to move on. 

I've a few plans up my sleeve but for the most part I wont be too far away, Ireland is a small community and I'm still a paddler (an injured paddler but still a paddler)

My main plan is to get fit again, with surgery later in the year to repair a torn Labrum, before then I can get fitter to help speed the recovery process to get me pushing hard again.

I want to be back on the water again, coaching, guiding and doing the things I'm good at, I wont be walking away from Kayak retail completely by rekindling a relationship with Colm @ I-Canoe, now I won’t be the competition but an ally I'll still be able to point people in the right direction for the kit they need.

Alongside these the creation of a new website is a high priority. More info will come later on this project but its a new idea and plan not really currently facilitated in Ireland. but I need to learn more on websites which is delaying this.

and did I mention myself and Jen are getting a new Puppy…. I guess its another life change His names Marlon and he's had an accident and also needs to work on some rehabilitation

So lastly thanks to everyone who has supported me and Great Outdoors, Customers and friends, if you ever want some advice or a chat give me a shout.

See you on the river

Adrian

Palm Alpha PFD

The new alpha PFD from Palm  Equipment goes back to simplicity its a lightweight low cut PFD designed with slalom in mind having gone through the ICF procedures and now on the official register.
What Palm say…
Sometimes less is more. The Alpha is our minimalist PFD‚ trimmed down to the essentials‚ easy to adjust and cleanly styled. Featuring the same ripstop shell material as the Fuse jacket‚ with 60 N of floatation‚ and our 3D waist to hold it firmly in place. ICF accredited for use in slalom competition‚ it's just as smooth competing on whitewater as it is cruising around the bay on your SUP.
Materials - Nylon 50D ripstop
Entry - Pullover entry
Fit - Comfort Fit
Safety features - Bartacked shoulder straps with pulley adjustment
Adjustment - 3D anti ride-up waistbelt • Easy Glide straps
Pockets - Slimline internal velcro pocket
Weight - 607 g (M/L)
Certification - EN ISO 12402-5 / 12402-6 • ICF 6.12 kg
Other Features - Mix of PVC and EPE foam for optimal balance of weight and flexibility

The PFD though designed with slalom in mind has a whole host of uses, from stand up paddling to freestyle the minimalist feel makes it an excellent choice.
 
The easy adjustment through the side and shoulder buckles make the vest snug as a bug no matter what you decide to wear on the water in four sizes and two different colours there’s more than enough combinations.
 
The small velcro key pocket is just enough for well.... Your key and that’s about all you need, The jacket still holds plenty of buoyancy in the event of the spill you'll be high and dry unlike other minimal vests that are just.... Well ... Minimum the alpha holds it own.
Having tested this vest in the slalom boat, freestyle boat and the surf boat I can safely say I'm delighted with the fit and cut. Still taking nothing away from the FX which offers fail safe shoulders and a huge pocket the alpha just sits that little closer to give you space around the gates.

In the freestyle boat the PFD stays put with no slipping or sliding the vest moves with you with its soft foam to allow you full movement over whichever axis.
The fit is fairly true to size with the majority of paddlers using the M/L the XS/S is great for the smaller guys and girls, the XXS is the youth sixe and the XL/XXL finishes the range. the simple over the head design keeps things simple and effective.

Thanks to Palm Equipment for recreating something so simple its delightful and an excellent addition to any paddlers quiver of equipment.
ICF Equipment register Information here.
Can be purchased online or instore from Great Outdoors Dublin

What’s my buzz??

So this morning Phil, a colleague of mine asked myself “How's the progress with the hospital?” I replied that “The only efficient part was their accounting department” He then asked me… “So what’s your buzz? You know for when you can’t get on the water, what do you do?” I looked at him bemused by his silly question he continued “You know when I can’t go running I lift weights gives me the same buzz”

I thought about what he said for a moment with no real answer to him, I have no “Buzz” so I started asking myself, what is my buzz and where can I find it, these might seem very personal questions but a real idea that could be explored, so I told him “let me think about it and I'll let you know!”

The “buzz”

the word with a thousand meanings, (and I haven't even checked the dictionary!)

 Buzz like a bee, Buzz buzz the greeting, Buzz-ard flying so high, Buzz the annoying noise from a radio, Buzz as a lift approaches, Buzz the atmosphere from a huge crowd, Buzz the warm feeling inside that gets you going, Buzz the terrible kids game, Giving you a buzz on the phone, Buzz or an electric shock.

So for this topic I'm going to use Buzz as to mean the warm feeling inside that gets you going,

For as long as I can remember kayaking is the one sport that continues to give me enjoyment as a junior donning my shorty wetsuit for cold days on the creek (Stoke Lake) back home in Gosport freezing to the bone but cannot wait for the following week, to now being able to zip into my drysuit for wherever my next adventure takes me. Kayaking has given me so much with so many disciplines its shown me how to train and stay motivated on a goal its shown me adventure and expedition, its given me determination to push on when the seas howling in, it gives me the fun and freedom to surf big waves and fall on waterfalls. Kayaking has shown me hard times too, losing friends and putting myself in difficult, dangerous (don't tell my Mammy) situations, its given me injuries and proved I'm not indestructible. Kayaking has taken me to places and allowed me to meet people I never would of met and given me the respect of nature and her elements.

Kayaking is more than a hobby for myself and that's where the #Paddle4life came from, its all about my journey and I feel my journey is still only a journey not all paths need to have a end point merely milestones along the way. at the moment I'm currently heading for the rehabilitation milestone of fixing myself, this chapter of my journey I could call injury, its a part of the book that id love to write off but as an experience I learnt a lot about myself and my body, I need to refer back to this chapter often in the future to remember the feeling of waiting and being patient, and putting in place preventive measures to make sure I don't rewrite this chapter of my journey,

 

In the distance I've got other milestones these are my goals my aims and they are all in sight, the plans for King of the alps, Jura, Sickline are all there. just over the horizon there's always another adventure and goal but at the moment its about being realistic and getting myself back into the best shape possible.

I feel kayaking is my buzz and I don't have anything else to replace it. I can ‘do’ other sports but they are for fun they are there to complement my time on the water, some climbing, a bit of biking, anything involving an adventure, Id love to try some surfing as well but these are merely complimentary and not a replacement. The Buzz is the enjoyment the warm feeling if you think of something you love to do and in the best scenario close your eyes and believe your in that environment the sounds the smell the feeling, this feeling right here this is your ‘Buzz’

For myself a piece I wrote in a blog a while back keeps coming back to haunt me, summing up my buzz in one go.

The feeling of flying, or the feeling of falling one of the two, that last stroke to pull through and let the boat release from its downward pull to accelerate away from the pool and into the clear water. That’s a feeling I miss as I look at photos from sickline last year and cant wait to be back. Paddling is about feeling the water and the flow and forms it takes that's what I think of that's what I dream of and that's where I want to be.

 

I participate in kayaking hugely because of the friends I meet and for the moment I get a huge amount from simple things like a coffee with paddling friends or some coaching without hurting myself. I love watching other participate the smile on their faces because I really understand what they are feeling, its the same feeling I get every time I sit in a boat.

Luckily for me I've met an amazing girl who also understands my buzz and what it means to me, and will help however she can to get me back fighting fit and support my adventures. In return I will do whatever I can to support her adventures, she's a girl of many talents and expertise, and for me I get to help her hugely through support and through equipment I will do whatever I can to give her the best opportunity to explore as many adventures as possible with simple modifications that will really help her along the way.

Whatever your buzz is get out and do it, there are ways and means to facilitating participation in any activity and as long as it makes you smile its certainly worth doing.

#Paddle4life

Long Term Review – Palm Equipment Spark Suit

Having been using the Palm Spark suit now for 2 years fairly solidly I decided it was time to put some thoughts into words.
The Spark suit is designed as a lightweight freestyle / freeride suit, because of the freestyle aspect its built as a semi dry meaning as standard it comes with neo ankle gaskets and a glide skin neoprene neck as well as the standard latex wrists and Plastic master Zip.
Palm Say

They have hit the nail on the head!
‘Most comfortable and colourful suit yet’
That's the reason I'm wearing this suit for 90% of my paddling.
The Spark is built from Palms XP3 material so super breathable and lightweight without the bulk of reinforcing you will find on other suits making it a lighter weight suit.
Being a lighter weight suit makes this suit really comfy, the plastic zip gives far more movement and flex than other metal zips or the old TiZip. this extra movement makes you forget you even have a zip giving you full rotation and movement for any strokes.
The new ‘toothed’ zip looks more like your standard jacket zip just chunkier, this makes it much easier to do up on your own. you do have to have some flex but it is very easy to zip yourself up.
Compared to metal zips the flex is just perfect also making it extremely difficult to break (I haven't seen a broken one yet!)

The colour, now this bit is important!
The lime green is perfect, this suit is designed to make a statement and it does, the Green holds its colour well without excess fading and doesn't show too much of the dirt the grey panels take most of the abuse keeping your Greens green you wont need any Daz!
 
As standard this suit comes with Latex wrists and a Glide Skin neck, the latex is essential on the wrists to keep water running down your arms and the glide skin neck is not only super comfy but provides a very good seal, whether its freestyle of creeking the neck gives a great seal, being able to step out dry at the end of the day is a nice touch from a semi dry suit
Me being a bit of a girl when I first got the suit I decided comfort was key and actually sent mine back for fabric socks to be added by the nice guys at Palm HQ and can honestly say its the best thing stepping into the river with warm dry feet, its certainly the best €50 I've spent.

As standard the ankle seals are neoprene cones, same as they use on the Neon pants and traverse bib, these are a semi dry closure as they will stop the bulk of water running up your leg but the neoprene will allow small amounts to pass between your skin and the cuff, if you add a set of neoprene socks you can stay pretty dry but for extra comfort of the fabric socks cant be beaten.
The suit is fairly lightweight this makes it ideal for alpine paddling and generally having fun, on tighter runs or Irish “ditches” I usually add a set of elbow pads both for my own protection and to take a lot of wear and tear away from the suit.

As with all the Palm kit the cut is second to none the 4d cut as they call it just means that they actually though about how a person sits and paddles in the boat, wrapping the suit to alleviate excess baggy areas and to give enough space to allow freedom of ,movement, Some other companies prefer to use a box style cut this means it fits a wider size range of people in a standing situation. when you look at a Palm dry suit hanging they look huge, then when you first put one on you find the excess length in the legs, but once you sit down the magic happens, suddenly that excess is taken into a nice comfortable fit with no pressure on the lower back or shoulders whilst paddling means your suit will not hold you back.

I'm very happy with my Palm Spark suit to the point that I own both this and a Stikine (Palms top end suit) to which I've only worn about 8 times in the same period because I'm so happy with the Spark. the only reason I'll be getting rid of this one will be to buy another brighter one!
See you on the river,
I'm the Man in Green!

Buy your Drysuits HERE at the Great Outdoors Dublin!

Pyranha Outfitting – Thigh Braces

  Lots of people lately have been purchasing club spec boats and asking about upgrading the boat with thigh braces, this is a really simple job to do and will take about 10 minutes to complete,

By adding thigh braces will give you much better control of the boat especially in moving water whilst edging the boat, it also allows you to upgrade to a ratchet backrest with the thigh braces pre drilled to take a ratchet.

Here's a quick step by step guide to fitting Connect thigh braces into a club spec Z-One

Collect together the tools needed

1 x Drill with 6mm bit

1 x Marker pen

1 x Philips Screwdriver

1 x Thighbrace kit from Pyranha containing

2 x Connect Thigh braces 4 x bolts 4 x plates 4 x washers and 2 x O-Rings

The boat is premarked during moulding for the thigh brace positions, Take the pen and clearly mark the four imprints

Carefully drill the four holes with the 6mm drill bit.

2 are on the top of the cockpit rim the other 2 come in from the sides

Place the bolts through the drilled holes, Long bolts come in from the side and shorter bolt from the top use the washers on the outside with the rubber O-ring on the longer bolt between the washer and hull

Lift the thigh brace into place, Lining up the bolts.

put the flat plate into the longer bolt and tighten gently

Now slide the thigh brace to check movement and push the bolt through the middle hole in the top (number 3 of 5 holes)

Offer the plate with the extended thread to the bolt, flat side first and carefully tighten

Now tighten the outer bolt untill hand tight.

To adjust remove the top bolt and loosen the side bolt carefully slide the thigh brace to the correct position line up the hole and retighten.

Add a sticker to the boat and you’re done!!

A simple addition to create a secure fit for any paddler,