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What's new for the 2008 paddling season?
The new model year for the outdoor industry has begun! I recently went to the outdoor industry buying show to see all the new water toys and outdoor gear. Here is a review of some of the new items Evergreen Outfitters will be stocking.
Kayaking has gone mainstream over the past few years. When kayaks are pictured on TV commercials and in mutual fund ads that is a sign that kayaks are for everyone! Anyone can become a paddler, able-bodied or disabled, young or old can find a kayak that is comfortable. Sit-on–top (SOT) kayaks are the primary kayak style that is enabling this entry-level paddler. Beginners like a feeling of stability a SOT gives them on the water and they don’t like the confined feeling of the traditional decked kayak. With this in mind, Native Watercraft http://www.nativewatercraft.com/ has a new and exciting line of kayaks. The Ultimate 12 is their flagship model. It is a kayak/canoe hybrid that is open-decked and extremely stable. Recreational paddlers and anglers love it! The Ultimate 12 has a lounge chair style seat. Not only is it extremely comfortable, but it can also be removed and used on shore as a camp seat.
Once the decision to buy a kayak has been made, the next issue paddlers face is how to get the boat to the water. The watersport industry has come up with great answers to those problems. A Rack and Roll Trailer http://www.rackandroll.com/ is the easiest solution. This high quality trailer can attach to cars and trucks and haul your gear wherever you want to go. Back home it easily stores upright and flat.
Yakima, the largest manufacturer of roof racks in the US, has developed a new way of getting kayaks on top of vehicles. The Showboat saves your car’s finish by utilizing a retractable roller that extends over the edge of the roof. Once the bow of the boat is on the roller, it’s easy to push the boat onto the cartop rack.
Malone Auto Racks also has a new solution for getting the boats on a car. The Telos Kayak Loader is a simple ratchet ladder that provides an extra boost in getting the boat up in its saddle. It’s a slick, easy, and an inexpensive helper.
Approximately 90% of whitewater paddlers use bent/crank shaft paddles. These ergonomic shafts are now going mainstream and are available in economical aluminum shafts. Bending Branches has introduced the Slice Crank that offers a high angle blade for day tripping. It took me a few minutes to adjust to the bend in the shaft, but soon I was very comfortable with it.
Lendal crankshaft paddles are graphite and have a unique locking system. This 4-piece paddle system is easily adjusted to suit weather conditions. Need to grab more water in the surf? Switch out the touring blade for a wider one. That is the wonder of the Lendal system. The interchangeable system allows for customization.
Some of these new products are already arriving at Evergreen Outfitters. Stop by and check them out.
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