don’t swim, ever”) surface playboaters who want an excellent one-piece substitute for the rash guard/shorty/PFD combo. But beware, this top is not an approved flotation device. Kudos to NRS for thinking outside the box and coming up with a novel concept that, if developed further, could have definite advantages for squirt boaters and play-
boaters alike. $125 US.
www.nrsweb.com. —Scott Docherty
7 Mountain Surf Aramid Sox Tired of wearing holes in your neo socks?
We’ve got aramid—the generic name for Kevlar— in our skirts, shorts and all kinds of other places. But there’s no more obvious application for bullet- proof fabric than the soles of your feet. The Sox are covered with an aramid layer from heel to toe for strength and abrasion resistance for tip toeing across rocks and cramming your poor little piggies into the bow of your boat. $55 US.
www.mountain-
surf.com.
8 Level Six PFD Now, James Dean, you don’t have to be dan- gerous to be cool. Level Six’s new Cordura, side- zip Pro-vest and Safety Pro-vest (not shown, but with mesh pocket, knife and strobe patch, and res- cue belt) are Canadian Coast Guard approved. The fit of the Pro is as good as any other PFD this style, and it feels like they’ve used the same soft, layered foam core as their previous design. Using the shoulder and two side pull-straps, the Pro-vest wraps and eventually holds the shape of your body. The traditional red on orange is a classic combo and their royal blue on navy with silver piping is sure to impress the ladies. Pro-vest: $149.99 Cdn. Safety Pro-vest: $199.99 Cdn.
www.levelsix.ca.
9 AT4 Play
When the L.A. Kings stole Gretzky from us, one of the many untold stories was what happened to the old purple and gold Kings uniform. Now in Rapid the story surfaces: it’s been laminated to the back of the new AT4 Play. AT’s newest offering will feel heavy when you first pick it up. But they’ve kept the paddle’s weight centred on the carbon/nylon shaft, producing a strong and inexpensive paddle with negligible swing weight. The well placed ergo grips allow a wide grip and easy wrist position. Give it the hock- ey stick flex test and it comes in well ahead of your old Sherwood with the illegal hook—it’s quite stiff. The real beauty (besides the price) is the polypropylene/glass blades, which are light, smooth and tough. They lack the foam core of the signature AT2, but that doesn’t hinder their slippery feel. And on the back face, AT laid on what we’re sure is an old Kings home jersey (or at least a layer of yellow hockey jersey–type material), giving a nod, I believe, to old-time hockey. $229 US.
www.atpaddle.com. —Jeff Jackson
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