Wales

It is Time for the University of Hertfordshire's Freshers trip, so we will be taking over some of the finest introductory white water runs south Wales has to offer. Some of the team will be heading up for a few days before the freshers get there, to run some harder water. Watch this space, we'll keep you informed.

Uniyaker

The applications for the British University Kayak Expedition (BUKE) are in. From those applications, 20 of the best University kayakers will get together in north Wales for a selection weekend in mid November. From that 20 a team will be selected to go on the expedition. It is a great programme and has in the past produced some superb paddling and exposer for the sport. Check out the website www.Uniyaker.co.uk

Youthful

It appears that John Boy has become the face (well they used a picture with his face covered) of youth progression at the Lee Valley White Water Centre. He's chuffed that at the grand old age of 25 he's still down with the youths!!

http://www.visitleevalley.org.uk/en/content/cms/london2012/lee-valley-white-water-centre/courses-events/progressive-kayaking-junior/

Lost Property Canoe Kayak Awards 2012

Canoe kayak magazine have released their 2012 awards (http://www.canoekayak.co.uk/Articles/The-Best-Canoes-Kayaks-and-Paddling-Gear-of-the-Year---The--2012-Canoe-and-Kayak-UK-Awards/_ft935_tp27_cat9) While I agree with most of the awards and recommendations there are some that I think can only have come from hype or the fact they can only review what they are given. This has lead to the Lost Property Awards 2012, Enjoy!

White water kayak of the year was given to the shiva, over the highly recommended Mamba. I have heard a lot of bad things about the Shiva including rumours all the Pyranha team boaters hate it. On the other hand the new Mamba has had nothing but good stuff said about it.

Lost Property White Water Kayak of the Year 2012
The 2012 Dagger Mamba

Lost Property Bath Tub of the Year 2012
The Pyranha Shiva

The Titan Genesis II came highly recommended in the play boat section. Canoe kayak magazine said “The first Titan boat to burst onto the UK market has certainly been a hit”. The issue I have with this are the use of Burst and big hit! I have never seen one on the water, I don't know anyone who has brought one or anyone who would want to. The only thing that burst in the UK market was the hype and the only big hit was the thud of failure (may have overstated it a little, but I was playing with the words!)

Lost Property Designed in the Dark Award 2012
The Titan Genesis II

The next award need nothing said about it!

Lost Property Facility of the Year 2012
The lee Valley White Water Centre

And now the main event of the evening! The whole reason I decided to do these awards. The WRSI Trident Helmet. All the other miss awards given are not harmful and a bit of a laugh, however this one I believe is more serious.

The Trident is modelled on the Happy 2b Skook, a great playboating helmet that I happen to own. These helmets had a strong glass fibre shell to dissipate impacts and 5mm of good foam padding to absorb force that otherwise goes into your brain. Happy 2B decided a few years ago that they were happy with what they had done and wanted to call it a day, rather than spend thousands of pound updating their helmet designs and colours to keep up with sweets ever changing beuties!

WRSI brought the Skook moulds and set about updating the helmet. The first time I saw the trident, in the colour in the picture below, I was so happy it was the Skook but jazzed up a bit “Brilliant I will get one”. However as soon as I touched one I was horrified.

The carbon shell is too thin, and so is as flexible as a cheap plastic helmet. If you weren’t scared of breaking it you could push the sides together until they touched. This will not properly dissipate impacts to the side of the head. Inside the shell is a plastic insert that reinforces the shell, this is because the shell is too weak and the plastic insert is cheaper than doing the carbon properly, as I said even with this insert the shell flexes like a Yak Contour. The padding is ....well ....nonexistent. There is a 1mm foam liner that barley makes the plastic insert comfortable and wouldn’t absorb any force from a blow to head. Finally it costs £150!!

This helmet is nowhere near as good as the Shred Ready Standard with a plastic shell for £55. The plastic shell of the standard flexes less and the standard has a polystyrene inner that will shatter and absorb force and the standard covers more of your head. For £140 you can get a composite shelled Standard that is a world class helmet. For £120 a Sweet wander again a different league to the Trident.

Lost Property Worst Composite Helmet and Biggest Ever Waste of Money Award
WRSI Trident

Lost Property Worst Helmet Ever No Good Except on Flat Water Award
Yak Contour

Lost Property Best Value for Money Helmet
Shred Ready Standard

Lost Property Undisputed Best Head Protection
Sweet Rocker

Everything written on this blog is the opinion of the writer and is meant for entertainment not to offend. Buy whatever kit you like, but the Trident is rubbish :-)

River Ivel Trip

We had a great day trip to the River Ivel the other week, with some youngsters from the local centre. This Saturday we are doing it again. Hoping for sun so we can play behind the waterfall.