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Werner Bandit C1


Werner has been in the game a long time and has developed a rep- utation for producing some of the lightest and most reli- able paddles in North America. The Werner Bandit is available in a glass blend, a carbon blend and as a two piece breakdown for use as a spare. Werner offers the Bandit in sizes from 48” to 62” in 2” increments, which means there is an excellent chance of finding the size that’s right for you. The glass blend is a highly visible white blade and blue shaft (pictured) or can be ordered in a rain- bow of colours with a black shaft. The carbon model is a stealthy solid black. The carbon feels ridiculously light (and stiff!) but the glass version isn’t far off the mark, weighing less than some other carbon models.


This is one of the first paddles tested in recent memory that we noticed the complete lack of swing weight. A wonderful feeling when you are turning it up a notch on your stroke rate. The glass version also has a nice blend of stiffness for power and flex for ease on the body. The blade is almost identical in dimension to a standard slalom style and shape providing stability in the water and excellent power in all directions. Entering cleanly, the Bandit catches water with authority. It also feathers wonderfully, knifing through on and offside recovery.


New for this year is a gorgeous laminated wood t-grip. It may add some extra weight but it feels good. The varnished finish makes it feel a little more slippery than an oiled finish and a wider t-grip would be a nice option. It’s a small price to pay for the con- venience of being able to use your new stick right away and it is a big step up from the plastic t-grips often packaged with glass paddles. www.wernerpaddles.com Weight: 737g (glass) and 652g (carbon) CDN MSRP $189.00 (glass) and $269.00 (carbon)


Strutter by Sweet


Hailing from Norway, Sweet Helmets has quietly been making waves on our side of the pond. With some clever interior design and a helmet shape that seems to fit a wide variety of people, the Strutter is a seriously cool looking lid. The Strutter’s liner seems to be a secondary piece that is bonded to the exterior shell. This is smart thinking, allowing the interior fit to be different than the exterior look. Capitalizing on this design feature, Sweet has shaped the interior liner to include a section that extends out the back to cradle your head while the front wraps gently around the outside of your temples. The webbing and buckles are wide and non-restricting (very comfortable) without compromising fit. The straps are well positioned, leaving room around your ears and ensuring the design is worn brim forward.


With its classic baseball hat lines and Velcro™-in Fireball Fitpads, the Strutter comes in a handy little mesh bag with zippered entry and extra end pocket. The bag also has a webbing handle for carrying or hanging. Available in a selection of solid colours, the Strutter is another entry in the car-


bon re-enforced thermoplastic composite category. At 350g the Strutter is light and stiff and provides similar coverage to other above the ear freestyle designs. Like the Prijon Protector, it has also received a stamp of approval earning it the CE 1385 safety certification. There was some safety concern about the rigid brim catching upstream water but the trade-off is that it provides excellent shade from the sun.


Would we creek with this one? No, but we’d look good struttin’ at the local playspot. www.sweet.no CDN MSRP: $239.00.


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Shred Ready’s Rackguard


I have it on good authority that there is a special place reserved in Hell for peo- ple who steal boats. It sad- dens me to no end to scan different chat forums and see the ris- ing number of posts for missing or stolen boats. After being the victim of just such an event a little over a year ago, I have resorted to


locking my boats ALL the time. A sad fact I know, but it would appear as though it is a necessary precaution if I am to get any sleep at night. To help the cause Shred Ready has introduced the Rackguard. It is a quick and easy deterrent against crimes of opportunity. Four metres of plastic coated steel cable is mated to a ball and loop system. Simply feed the pliable loop through a security bar, grab loop, seat pillar or thwart and then wrap it around your roof rack. Finish the task by passing the ball through the loop, sticking the ball in the door and closing the locked vehicle door. No locking components means no keys to lose. It only takes a minute and it’s a lot cheaper than replacing your boat(s). They say: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. www.shre- dready.com MSRP $29.95


52 www.rapidmag.com


Sponges Sponges are the one piece of gear in kayaking that receives the


least credit. But which sponge is the best? The brand new one shaped like a logo or the one made from the ripped out corner of that old cushion in the barn? Sponges are probably the only piece of gear that will actually improve the more they are used: the older and scummier, the better soakage capabilities. How is a sponge used? Sponges are used to wipe sand off your


feet before you climb into your boat or to clean up mud inside your boat after a long day creeking. Most importantly, sponges gather those few drops of water that make the boat heavier through a portage, add unnecessary weight when you’re throwing ends and annoy you when they splash on your legs. What about the sharing of sponges? Lend it reluctantly. Hand over your sponge, but wait with sprayskirt open for its prompt return. It is certain that there is no need for extravagance in sponges.


You’ll be as happy with the older, dirty ones, and you won’t be attached to it. So when your mate does pawn it and stuffs it under his seat indefinitely, it won’t be such a great loss. That cushion in the barn still has more to give.


Douglas McCormick


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