Gear Bag 2 1
1 IR Super Bungee Skirt 3 4
with Built-in Overthruster In big water, I used to hold an air-filled drybag in my lap to prevent my skirt from imploding, but then came Immersion Research’s Overthruster: a stiff piece of formed plastic that sits on the cockpit rim under the skirt to prevent implosion. When I first tried out the Overthruster, it provided an immediate confidence boost; I no longer even considered that my skirt could pop. Furthermore, the Overthruster is an air machine, providing the boat with a few extra gallons of volume, which dramatically pumped up my airtime when loop- ing on flatwater or in a hole. IR’s new Super Bungee Sprayskirt combines IR’s high-quality skirt with a built-in, removable Overthruster. This is a fantastic piece of gear for the intermediate/advanced paddler and playboater for running big water, ocean surfing and learning aerial playboating moves. $245 Cdn, $185 US.
www.immersionresearch.com.—Ken Whiting
2 Galasport Talon
Galasport has unveiled a new asymmetric paddle for rodeo and “extreme” whitewater. The Talon uses Galasport’s new GVAC (Galasport Vortex Aggressive Concept) technology for stronger and lighter paddles. Shaft and blade contain a top-secret new super-fibre called “JRS”. The JRS feels like plastic, but hold the translucent blades to the light and it’s clearly a fibre. The asymmetric blades have a carbon centre rib for strength and extra JRS reinforcement at the tip, mak- ing them remarkably stiff, and impact and abrasion resistant, preventing the usual thready bits at the ends of well-used blades. The straight-shaft model we tried has the optional indexer and the comfortable flex of a fibreglass shaft. Lightweight at 940 grams, or 860 grams in carbon. Available in three colours—yellow, blue and red—for $388 Cdn, $299 US. Carbon blade: $405 Cdn, $312 US.
www.galasportpaddles.com.
5
3 Stripes Gear Travellers down under will already be famil- iar with the Kiwis’ funky striped “thermals.” The trend is now being imported into B.C. by Stripes Gear. The lightweight polypro tops and bottoms wick moisture with style. The stretchy fabric is a tubular design that fits snug as a
second skin with few seams—a good low-bulk base layer and a sure way to meet friends. Available in four (all stripes) patterns: lava, dusk, rainbow and berry. Tops or bottoms: $49 Cdn each.
www.stripesgear.com.
4 CMG 0-4 Light
Hey runner in the night, don’t fumble around blindly in the dark. Get yourself an LED flashlight. Lately, tiny LEDs have replaced lightbulbs in portable lights. They’re unbreakable, burn practically forever and suck 90 percent less juice—the 0-4 lasts 10–14 hours on a little watch battery. Fits nicely in your first aid kit or PFD pocket. Waterproof, and guaranteed to rev you up like a deuce. $10 US.
www.cmgequip-
ment.com.
5 Headstrong Barrel Harness Barrels in traditional harnesses notoriously wob- ble from side to side, working loose, slowly tipping backward in the harness to dig into the lower back. Canadian engineer and industrial designer Bob Barkley feels your pain and has channeled consider- able brainpower to a complete redesign of the once- loathsome barrel carry. A clever self-tightening strap system called "GeoGrip" increases the grip on the barrel when loaded to keep it anchored upright and close to your body for maximum stability and minimal back strain—you really have to try it to feel the differ- ence. Extra-thick, high-density foam paddling pro- vides a plush fit. The tumpline (try without it first because you may not need it) attaches low on the bar- rel for maximum efficiency. 60-litre: $115 Cdn ($125 with tumpline), barrel not included. 30-litre version available spring '04.
www.headstrongpacks.com.
6 NRS Antigravity Shirt The new Antigravity Shirt is a neoprene shorty with a titanium membrane for warmth and foam flota- tion panels built into the front, back and sides. In the- ory, this provides mystery-moving squirt boaters with some buoyancy without a PFD’s bulk. Underwater, the panels do offer good flotation but they pull the top away from the body, creating a vacuum that sucks water through the neck and arm holes. Adding latex gaskets would definitely help keep the water out. The Antigravity Shirt may instead find a home as a lightweight, high-mobility top for skilled (read “I
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