There is certain gear that you will need once you’ve chosen your kayak. This list (below) gives you the best suited gear available in my opinion, taking into account suitability and safety. KKR or Multisport club members can get discount on all these items.
Wing Paddles COMMENTS - If you are learning to paddle start with a wing, and then you don’t need to learn two techniques. The wing paddle has a 5% advantage over conventional, and is inherently stable in the water, which will help your stability in the kayak. It is essential to get coaching initially to use correct technique otherwise you will be wasting your time. These paddles from the Legend range, are all suitable for grade 2 rivers, but all have slight differences. If it's your first paddle, get advice, you’ll probably need an adjustor, and definitely alloy tips .The Canoe Sport wing is a cheaper option a little bit heavier.
Marathon $445 - 1 piece
$475 - split shaft
A narrow, medium size blade, smooth through the stroke, and very user friendly. Designed for distance paddling and lighter weight sprint racers. This is our favorite design of paddle at Topsport.
The new Ultra Marathon made for Topsport by AMK is the leading choice of paddle for the Topsport sponsored kayakers, and can be demonstrated at Topsport for free. Blade Length 520mm Width 150mm
Fusion Medium $445 - 1 piece
$475 - split shaft Tear drop design allows for excellent acceleration and quick exit, ideal for sprints and flat water paddling. Also good for surf sprints. Note not so good for multi-sport or down river racing. Blade Length 495 Width 187mm
Fusion Small $445 - 1 piece
$475 - split shaft This paddle is ideal for the small person or long distance multi-sport racing. This is the paddle of choice for Steve Gurney in the Speights Coast to Coast. Blade Length 455 Width 170mm
Legend Premier Series:
Fluid M $465 - 1 piece
$495- split shaft
A more modern tear drop design that allows for excellent acceleration and quick exit. Great multisport/surf paddle for stronger paddler. As used in Coast to Coast by Richard Ussher. Also an awesome flat water blade. Blade Length 500mm Width 160mm
Hydra $465 - 1 piece
$495- split shaft
A smaller version of the Fluid M. Ideal for smaller paddler or longer river races. Blade Length 475mm Width 155mm
Canoe Sports Arctic Speed Wing Paddles $289
This is a breakthrough in high performance paddles. A highly efficient, lightweight injection moulded wing paddle at an affordable price. The shape is taken from the highly successful carbon wings developed by Canoe Sports for Olympic racing. It incorporates the same full shape and top curve that produces high drag and high lift for exceptional speed.
Lifejackets COMMENTS - 3 to choose from, Racepro and Trilite extra buoyancy suits river paddling, Rasdex Multisport litewgt suits flatwater
Race Pro RRP $279-00 400D Nylon outer, 200D Nylon inner
Flotation meets or exceeds USCG minimum 15.5lbs (depending on size)
Flotation exceeds NZS minimum of 5.4kgf (all sizes).
Even though they have made this PFD 20% lighter, they have retained all the features that make this PFD the choice of Nike and Balance Bar/Vector AR teams, and 2005 C2C champs Richard Usher and Kristina Anglem.
The drink system holds a 2.5litre bladder and keeps the tube at the tip of your exhausted tongue. It is easy to get on (over your head) and fast to get off (side zip) and in between you will hardly notice you are wearing it. The bottle pocket on the front has a second tube guide so you can dine in style, electrolyte, fluid, electrolyte, fluid... ad infinitum. The "system X" adjustment system prevents the weight of the drink bladder from pulling the PFD backwards and choking you in the process... nice. It comes equipped with a whistle and a handy dandy knife pocket with a lash tab ( mandatory gear on most races) as well as a strobe light clip point on the back. The piping is reflective and the mesh front pockets hold food, and plenty of it.
Tri Lite Buoyancy Vest RRP $198-00 Great for competition and training, this has been their most popular buoyancy vest to date in multisport. Designed with helpful features that can stop a great day from becoming a mission. Easily accessible front mesh pockets for food and water bottles, with a key holder clip inside. 4 elastic tabs underneath allow for a quickly grabbed banana or carbo bar. On the back a velcro closure mesh bag has room for your water bladder. Being part of the buoyancy aid this means there's one less set of straps adjust at transitions. The zip entry on the side means its quick and easy to put on or take off, even when your arms feel like jelly. 6.8 kgs buoyancy.
Outer fabric - 500 denier Cordura/Ripstop
Inner fabric – 200 denier ripstop nylon
Three mesh pockets on front with key clip holder inside
Large mesh pocket on back with velcro closure to fit drinking system
Ykk zip on side for ease of entry/exit and quick transitions
2 high impact quick release buckles on sides for additional secure fit
one size fits most
Adjustable shoulder straps
Elastic loops on front for quick storage of bananas/chocolate bars/drink tubes
Rasdex Multisport PFD RRP : $289.95 NZD
When Rasdex started designing their multisport PFD, their goal was to make it the best one available. They asked Sportzhub readers what they found good and bad about their existing PFD's, and what they'd like to see in their ideal one. They tested the outcome of this feedback with several high profile local multisporters, made many tweaks as suggested, and believe they've now come up with a winning package.
This is the only PFD you'll find designed to such a high spec and ready to go. All other multisport PFDs on the market end up being modified by the top athletes to add the bits they need, such as a block to hold the tubes in the right place for drinking while paddling.
They knew it was finally ready when the common reaction from every paddler they asked was 'looks like you've done everything, I wouldn't have to add anything at all!
Basic Features:
Highly adjustable, single adult size fits most.
Single colour-way as shown.
Tough yet lightweight ripstop fabric.
Exceeds minimum buoyancy standard of 55N as per NZ 5823:2005.
Soft, comfortable foam that can be easily replaced if ever necessary.
Advanced Features:
Race design cut specifically to enable maximum freedom of movement.
Large side buckle allows for very quick transitions without risk of zip malfunction. No need to worry about which way round the buckle goes, can be fastened either way. Asymmetrical front design ensures correct angle of strap through buckle.
Supplied ready to go with 2 litre hydration bladder and straight valve.
Bladder tube has routing over either shoulder or around right side.
Supplied with foam block and elastic loops to route up to 3 drinking tubes from bladder, drinks bottle and boat. Block can be cut down smaller if you like but will hold tubes in correct drinking position for most people as supplied. No need to push tubes up through block, design allows for them to be inserted from front.
Neoprene front centre pocket for Leppin or other drinks bottle.
Additional short centre pocket & elastic to hold longer items e.g. bars, bananas.
Two elasticated mesh pockets including key clip. Larger pocket can be held out by an open ‘tub’ or cut bottle for very quick access to food if desired.
Removable bungee cord on back to carry extra clothing or equipment for adventure racing.
Reflective tab on back doubles as loop to attach a light.
Bladder pocket made from light-coloured fabric to minimise heat absorption.
Hook within bladder pocket for bladder attachment.
Padded shoulder straps cut to minimise rubbing on neck and maximise comfort when portaging.
Smooth bottom edge to minimise friction against spraydeck.
This PFD has already been called 'the most efficient, comfortable, user friendly multisport PFD on the market. Now you too can have the benefits of the combined wisdom of many top class athletes, without any of the after-market fixes that have previously been necessary to make multisport PFDs do everything you need them to for real racing and training.
Rhino decks - Rhino Tri Deck RRP : $159.95 NZD
Rasdex are now the manufacturers of Rhino Decks, the well-established New Zealand brand. They were so impressed with the seemingly ever-lasting coating on the top, and the tough printing on the underside, that they just had to do whatever it took to be able to offer them themselves.
This is the smallest rhino deck designed to fit most multisport boats, plus polo boats and slalom boats. It can be made with either a standard neoprene body tube or a nylon one (with mesh pocket, drawcord and 2 elastic straps), depending on your preference.
Deck section: High density 3.5mm double-lined neoprene with small diamond texture on top for superb strength and durability.
Body tube options:
Nylon: 4oz waterproof, breathable nylon for comfort and the ultimate in flexibility for multisport racing. Pair of shoulder braces from wide elastic for security and mesh pocket for a drinks bottle or snacks.
Neoprene: Soft and supple 3.5mm double-lined neoprene for tighter-fitting comfort for polo or slalom. Seams glued, blind-stitched on top side and taped on inside for maximum waterproofing. Edge bound for a top quality finish.
Cord: 8mm shockcord for fibreglass rims. Webbing grab loop for easy release.
Screen printing: 3 layers of tough plastisol coating on the outside in a 'Cross' design for protection against abrasion. 2 layers of tough but not-too-sticky black plastisol coating on the underside to protect the deck against sharp cockpit rims.
Colour: Black with White or Black print.
This deck is available in 1 size to fit most multisport boats, all non-plastic polo boats and slalom boats.
Tri Deck RRP $144-00 A lightweight speciality spraydeck made for multi sport or down river kayaks that gives a solid deck seal. Quick to put on at transitions. Plenty of unrestricted chest space for breathing, cooling, freedom of movement and comfort.
1.5 millimetre light weight neoprene
fully tape sealed
adjustable shoulder straps to prevent tri deck from slipping down and water pooling
adjustable elasticised waistband with shock cord for loose or snug fit
Large Rear Airbags $118-00 set of two Sea kayakers know that every nook and cranny is needed to stock their craft for an extended trip. We've created our bow and stern waterproof Sea Bags to take advantage of the farthest crevices of your boat for dry gear storage while maintaining critical flotation should you roll. To keep both jobs optimal we have introduced an internal layer into our sea bags so that the air portion of the bag stays separate from the storage. This is ideal for inflating to fit, and helps optimize the bag's seal for any extended dunking. Bow and stern sizing. A pair of smalls plug into the back end of most playboats.
The Boatshed Café and Kayaks - Richard and Robyn Clark,
RD2 Amber Lane, Lake Karapiro, Cambridge, New Zealand,
Phone: (07) 827 8286 or Mobile - (027) 2758724 Or Email us here
