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

Great Outdoors Supports the Canoeing Ireland Club Championships

 
   2014 has brought with it a new format for paddlesport competition in Ireland wit the Canoeing Ireland Club Championships just days away its time to take a quick look at what's on offer!
Great Outdoors are the premium paddlesport sponsor of the event, having been a major supporter of Canoeing in Ireland since their birth 38 years ago, The Great Outdoors has always looked to support events it feels are really worthwhile and promoting paddlesport for all.
This year the Club Championships are no different with the training weekends giving people access to new disciplines and courses they may not have access to within their own clubs this has really had a positive knock on effect throughout the community.
With many people taking a fond interest in other disciplines and reaping the benefits they bring.

So the prizes

Here's the bit everyone's been waiting for,
We have lots of lovely medals and a couple of nice trophies

For the 1st place overall Club Champions and top placed junior club – Junior Club Champions will each be going home with a beautiful boat from Pyranha Kayaks. 

We also have some nice club prize packs for the top three clubs overall which includes a number of prizes from some top brands,

This includes PFDs, Helmets, Cags etc

 

But never fear if your clubs not the strongest overall,We will be on site all weekend looking out for people who deserve something extra I've some cool spot prizes on hand from some of the brands above plus

  Great Outdoors and Progressive Distribution will also be on hand all weekend with a selection of demo boats from your favourite brands

 

So come down have fun and Good Luck!

For Live updates over the weekend be sure to like and follow our facebook page

PaddleExpo 2013

Once again the circus roles into town, from hype machine to secret designs this years PaddleExpo was no different. A new hall and a condensed show continued to bring new product to retailers across Europe.

On first glance the show looks smaller with less big names than previous years, but step inside and you'll. Find all the big Brand names are about,

My show started with a Palm mega meeting looking through what's happening for 2014 after last years huge push on new products we wer'nt sure what to expect.

With a huge emphasis currently on updating and improving we were excited to see updated colours and styles across the range, with some really exciting developments in the kids department.

First off the amp and extreme vest have had some nice colour updates to smarten things up along with the Fx which is now coming in a sherbet colour to match up with the Fuse jacket.

A new piece for this season is the FXR which is essentially an Fx with a facelift and rescue harness to create a low cut, high buoyancy (70n+) pfd. This is a piece to come up against. The Zen from Nrs with an attractive array of colours this will work for both the freestyle superstar as well as the ultimate river rescuers. Ultimately this will replace the existing Axis pfd which has served many people really well over the past decade.

Other new product would include the updated team jacket now the Atlas along with the tempo two pieces which allow you straight from the mountain to the boat whether biking, riding, or hiking these pieces can go anywhere.

A really exciting piece for next year is the new women's Lofoten drysuit to complete palms range of drysuits its a women's specific touring and sea kayaking suit complete with drop seat. A women's Aleution something which has been missing from the line up.

For 2014 neo 3/4 are back something which was missed in 2013 has made a welcome return to the market,

For those junior whitewater warriors we have the new Rocket jacket which is a semi dry (neo neck latex wrist) cag built specifically in junior sizes to keep them warm and dry all year round, this combined with the electron junior longjohn and some junior rock boots will keep them charging whatever the weather.

Over at Sweet Hq weve a couple of new colours plus the arrival of the much anticipated Intergalactic drysuit with a space station sized price point in GoreTex its a thing of beauty,

Boat wise we've all seen the hype with new freestyle boats released in the lead up to the 2013 worlds. With the jitsu available in all sizes and the jed working well its passports turn with the new Mobius with a huge fan base who have been through through the Ezs, and onto the project line ups this is a boat for you. Definitely a boat to rival the Jackson superiority.

Another big talking point of the show is the new Burn or the Burn 3 its one of the most anticipated river boats we've seen in a while. With extra length and longer rails we've a faster more creeky design. After another year of development Pyranha now have a new seating system to compete with daggers popular ergo seat.

The new Pyranha seat to many looks and feels like a traditional bombproof seat which has served pyranha through its connect era extremely well. For the new boats we have a new system this time allowing for the seat to be raised and lowered either front and back or as a complete seat pan this is a great feature for you little guys who want to paddle bigger boats or in the jed wanting to get up nice and high. A couple of simple screws then drop in the foam under the seat pan and you've lifted your self quick and simple. Another new feature is the seat adjustment front and back has now changed to a plate with teeth and wheelnuts so no more having to remove the bolts to get your seat moving, this now offers plenty of adjustment to get your perfect ride.

Not letting an old workhorse die the 2010 burn is to have its rails soffened slightly and drop in spec and price to become the B2 a boat to rival the popular MX series.

Over in the Dagger booth we have their new cross over (yes another crossover boat) the Katana at first glance it resembles a mamba but stretched and now hatched skegged and decklined, asthetically a really nice looking boat in two sizes 9.7 and 10.4 and in both action and whitewater specs.

As we get longer still the new skudder system some say its powered by fairy dust others believe its a little fella in the back hatch but what we do know is it takes a tidy sytem to a new level. With no dirty overstern rudder to snag or take up deckspace the Skudder drops out of the skeg box like a normal skeg but then reacts like a rudder controlled by toe pilot system on the pedels. So no longer does your tail catch in the wind this system is always their when you need it.

This is going to be on the new Jura touring boat at 16ft its probably going to drop nicely in as a modern alternative to the british classic of the Capella. Some smooth lines its hard to see how this wont work another really nice boat by Venture.

With all the hype of recent years of composite playboats I can report their is only one here from an italian manufacturer The Spot from RCS Canoes otherwise its all plastic. But step out into the world of touring and its all on show glass, carbon some very beautiful boats even the epic V14 ski is here to make an appearance.

On the paddle front we have some new blade colours frim Werner as well as the new range if AT paddles, I cant wait to get out and try some of the new AT collection with the Hercules carbon ergo shaft really taking my eye, this will also be available as a glass and carbon straight shaft option. Around the hall I had an opportunity to look at some of the Streamlyte blades, something I havent used for a few years but with a new split blade on the way and some well priced glass options we might be stocking a few extra designs in the future, but dont worry, for any competitive paddlers im hoping to pick up both the Glide wing (braca iv shape) and the Nomad slalom blade to compliment the polo kinetics.

Another cool product I found before I left was a all set dive sit on top, complete with sliding tank holder, anchor, alpha flag and clear hatch to take a peek below. I reackon one of these in the aquatic centre would go down a treat :-)

As paddler this show is like being a big kid in a sweet shop wanting to touch and try everything but as a retailer we have to be realistic we are trying to bring the best range of products back to your local stores. We need feedback from time to time tell us what you like and what you dont, if we are missing something let us know. Ive been with The Great Outdoors now a year and have mostly enjoyed the challenge, We once again have a functioning store supplying you with what you need.

Thanks

Happy Paddling

Adrian

2011 Paddling Equipment

As a full time paddler and coach using the right equipment really does matter, I am privileged to have good friends and sponsors to keep me kitted out whatever the weather, For the 2011 season I have chosen to use the following equipment for the majority of my paddling.   

   .Adrian Durrant,

Boat 

Jackson Rockstar M

Having owned 4 allstars at last it was time to step up to the new Rockstar, I chose the elite version purely because I preferred the blue and white colour, this boat has slightly more volume helping me stay afloat! with the lack of water their have so far been few opportunities to get this boat out but the few chances I've had I can honestly say she rocks!

new rockstar

Downtime UnderDawg

I am continuing to paddle my Downtime Underdawg Built so kindly for the last world championships, after a few injuries and swollen ankles I finally fit back in my boat its the same boat with a different set of padding lets hope she still works! 

Dry Wear

At present I am continuing to use the Sandiline range of equipment with both long and short sleeve cag decks and dry cags makes the perfect combination for all boats. The kit is dry, hardwearing and allows good movement, since changing to it I have been very impressed.

Decks

For 2011 I have changed over from my old faithful Playboater work deck to a new NRS Drylander Deck, First impressions were it looks silky smooth and the price tag is much less than I would of expected to pay for a new deck, performance wise this thing is unreal! the waist tube is a lighter comfier neoprene which stretches and moves and avoids unwanted bulk, the deck is 4mm Neoprene with latex layer to really hold close to the cockpit rim, and another latex trim on the top to give some protecting from abrasion. If your after a cheap deck that is high on performance this is the one! the deck is shaped to really fit the boat, I've used the deck on a range of boats and its not failed me for comfort nor performance,

 

Paddles

Over the past year I have used and tested many different blades with my current list of paddles exceeding most people lifetime list so here's a quick breakdown of what I think,

AT2 Standards 194-30 – big powerful foam core blade, Current blade of choice for creeking

Werner Double Diamonds 188-12 – Big play blades good catch and response lots of power transfer.

H20 Team 185-12 – Good grips and stiff shaft indestructible blades bounce off everything

H20-2 191-30 - Good grips and stiff shaft indestructible blades bounce off everything

Mitchell Squirt Bade 185 –12 squirt specific shape smooth and fast entry and exit.

Helmet

Play- Sweet Strutter

This classic helmet offers both protection and style in a lightweight shell,

Creek- Sweet Rocker

The ONLY choice for a full protection helmet if you really like your head, safe as houses this helmet is the daddy worth every penny!

Work- Protec B2 helmet

this lid has a great style fantastic colour scheme and fit lots of ventilation and will bounce all day long!

PFD

For 2011 I have upgraded from my Peak river guide to a beautiful shiny blue Astral Green jacket, after testing one of these over the winter I knew their was no competition great fit with full movement big side pockets gets stuff off your chest and space for the extra mars bar a solid safe choice for 2011

For freestyle I'm still with the Sandiline K1 competition Pro PFD nice and light with a low cut and loads of movement make it great for freestyle!

 

Media

Headphones

Currently using the new H20 Audio Amphibx fit armband as a lighter case weighs less and offers easier access to the phone and touch screen, the case is a perfect training aid both on flat-water and in a feature,

when the water gets tougher I switch back to the older style amphibx case which offers better protection against bumps and bangs.

To pair with these great cases I use either the new flex all sport super hero headphones  or the Surge sportswrap for moving water to guarantee the headphones stay close with no excess cable.

Camera

For 2011 I have received a brand new Olympus T-810 I have only just got this but look forward to taking on my 2011 adventures its the top end indestructible camera with gps and compass

here's what Olympus say!

toughest ever technology, the new TOUGH cameras are virtually indestructible. They’re waterproof**, shockproof***, freezeproof and scratch resistant to an unprecedented degree. A sliding double lock mechanism for port and battery protection and additional lens barrier mean your TOUGH will survive just about anything

• Waterproof to 10m, shockproof to 2m, crushproof to 100kg and freezeproof to -10°C
• 5x wide optical zoom (28-140mm*)
• GPS & Electronic Compass
• Eye-Fi Card compatibility
• 3D photo shooting mode
• 720p HD Movie and HDMI Control

 

Thank you to all current supporters and sponsors for the help, guidance and equipment offered

Thank you to I-Canoe.com for the continued support.

Happy Paddling