Game Changers

I subscribe to an excellent sea kayaking mag from North America, Adventure Kayak. Like Ocean Paddler in the UK, they focus in on the open water aspects of our sport, with a wealth of venerable contributors, articles on technique, trips, & gear, all written & shot to a very high standard.
In their latest edition they published a really interesting piece called 'Game Changers', focusing on design trends that they've identified as 'game changers' in our sport.
Reading through it I was struck by the parallel conclusions they drew, reflecting the many paths we at Expedition Kayaks have paddled over the past four years. 
Among their observances is the emergence of the 'ocean playboat'. When we first landed designs like the Valley Avocet & the North Shore Atlantic we were delighted to suddenly broaden the scope of our playfulness & manoeuvrability, especially close quartering around rocks & breaking surf.

The genre looks set to specialise even further as we look forward to the arrival of the Valley Gemini later in the year, a sea kayak specifically designed for surfing, which is winning friends among the elite core of UK paddlers who have been busy testing it & feeding back their ideas to the Valley crew.

Another key point is the idea of fit, that 'one size doesn't fit all'. Boat families are emerging with two, three & four sizes available to paddlers, all designed to provide essentially the same hull experience, taking into account the weight of the paddler. We first saw this with the Nordkapp & Aquanaut series, although the NDK Romany & Explorer were really the first with the concept of a play & tour option. Slowly but surely it has virtually ended what Rob calls the 'wear a few extra pairs of socks if your shoes don't fit' mindset that smaller paddlers especially have had foisted upon them for many years.
Adventure Kayak identify the influence of what they call the 'British Empire' in shaping modern design ranges. The old Brit designers' vision of watertight rubber hatches, multiple bulkheads, a rockered shape that only fully engages in moving water & a skeg to tune out the influence of contrary sea & winds are suddenly hip. Whilst personally I'm starting to tire of the use of the 'British-style kayak' as a wedge of paddling snobbery, I'm enjoying seeing the subtle variations that are emerging on the original shapes, and the effects they have on performance. I've long given up sizing up a hull shape & drawing any conclusions about what it may or may not do, so clever have designers become at exploding long held truisms about shapes & performance.
Something I didn't expect them to mention was the growing influence of athleticism in sea kayaking. Whilst the sport has been forever identified as a pastime for gentler folk (…yeah, right…), attracting an older demographic, the emergence of quality rough water designs that are expressly aimed at range & speed has made a few of us think twice about what is possible with some conditioning & resolve. 

AK describe this as 'more surf ski', and hone in on recent acheivements like Jeff & Harry blowing away the round Ireland record in their Tarans & Freya whizzing around continents in her Epic 18X. It's a significant point when you consider there are two guys going around the UK in Tarans, looking more likely as each day passes to smash the circumnavigation record of that not-insignificant little island. Having considered the future of long range expeditioning to reside in these fast touring boats for a couple of years now, I'm please to see that it's not just another one of our wacky theories! I've used surf ski paddling to improve every aspect of my sea kayaking so it's also a nice reminder that we as sea kayakers have much to learn from other paddle sport disciplines.
Their final observation is the mainstream emergence of Greenland paddling. I've watched the local scene embrace this aspect of the sport, especially the challenge & fun of the funky rolling with huge amusement as it has become a semi-competitive lark for people to have a go at & try to master. 

What can a rough water paddler learn from such a gentle art? Simply, at least in my case, underwater ambidexterity, the ability to train myself to roll from wherever I've been knocked over, rather than have to go to a set up spot which might use up valuable time in the crunch zone. While I would caution that transferring Greenland rolling skills to rough water is another., possibly much bigger step again, it's not a bad starting point for those lacking confidence whilst upside down. It's the bit of Greenlandic heritage that I've been able to turn to good use & shows you that there are attractions in all aspects of paddling if you're willing to explore & keep an open mind. It's also been fun learning…..
All up I'd have to congratulate these guys on an excellent, thought provoking article, and a magazine well worth considering for paper or digital subscription, if the seas is your thing….
You can read the entire magazine in which this article featured HERE, or subscribe to Adventure Kayak Magazine HERE.

Sea Kayak Sailing & Safety, Rob Mercer's article in Ocean Paddler Magazine

Rob Mercer recently had an article published in the UK's premium sea kayaking magazine Ocean Paddler. The article gives a timely run down on the aspects of safety that need to be considered for anyone keen to get into kayak sailing on the open sea, especially poignant when seen in the light of a couple of recent near misses around our home waters. OP have kindly given us permission to reproduce the article in full for our readers to enjoy. It has plenty of local input from paddlers like Andrew Eddy, Shaan Gresser and Matt Bezzina.


You can view the article in it's entirety HERE.


Ocean Paddler is a top-notch mag, aimed squarely at the niche of sea kayakers, and offers high quality instructional & trips based articles from a broad spectrum of sea paddlers. You can subscribe to OP HERE, with multiple options including a new iPad app which for us long distance subscribers gives us an instant delivery method!

Reed Chillcheater Tuiliqs

With the growing popularity in Greenland style rolling, Reed have tweaked their new Tuiliq design thanks to input from world-class instructors Cheri Perry & Turner Wilson. They have come up with a more traditional cut and authentic styling for the Reed Greenland tuiliq and the new option for a tent style, adjustable bottom hem means that they can be used on most modern sea kayak keyhole cockpits. These are the tuiliks that they used for their instructional rolling DVD ‘This is the Roll’
The Reed tuiliq differs from the old traditional inuit garment in that it is made from their own, unique Aquatherm fabrics and constructed with stitched and waterproof, heat-welded seams giving optimum watertight cuff, neck & hood seals and 'Eskimo Tears' face closure system. Aquatherm creates a thermal, waterproof, flexible / stretchy, lightweight membrane allowing you to perfect your ‘inuit skills’. In addition, room can be allowed for extra layers underneath - even a pfd or a drysuit.

'Reed Aquatherm fabric offers an ideal combination of lightness, warmth, flexibility and strength. It dries fast and packs small, making it ideal kit on the go. We really are happy that Reed Chillcheater Ltd has adapted the smaller ocean cockpit tuiliq to an adjustable tent-style that will now fit a wider range of ocean cockpits and SOF coamings. The fabric still traps air and offers complete freedom of movement – as a tuiliq should! Chris Reed is really a great guy to work with and has done a great job with new tuiliq! In fact, all the folks at Reed are committed to insuring that their innovative kayak garments are of the highest quality possible.' Cheri Perry & Turner Wilson, Kayakways


Rob was our first customer, having used the generic fitting Tuillik's that Cheri & Turner were wearing all week, and finding a palpable difference in buoyancy and warmth from the garment.
We'll have them in stock on our online store in standard sizes, S,M,L,XL for modern keyhole cockpit boats from early next week, for $325 including national delivery.

NRS Hydroskin Fabric

Ladies Hydroskin Paddle Top - $99 (from the EK Store)

Winter is here, judging by the drastic drop in air temps around Sydney these past couple of weeks. We have had a lot of calls & queries asking us about layering for the cold, why for example we carry three types of paddle jackets & also a lot of questions about NRS Hydroskin.
We carry Hydroskin vests, paddle jackets & tops as well as a great pair of paddle shorts. I wear them when I'm paddling for fitness on a cold day or when I know I'm going to get wet in rough water on my ski or kayak. They're designed to be worn next to the skin & move with you, and have a very clever cut whihc doesn't present any seams to classic rub & chafe points for paddlers.
The video below gives a brief rundown of the properties of the material & should give prospective buyers a good guide as to their suitability for your particular paddling circumstance.

Reminder - Canberra Demo Day this Sunday!

Just a reminder about our demo day in Canberra this Sunday, May 6. We've had quite a few inquiries about the boat models we're bringing down, but as we can't fit the entire range on the trailer please let us know in advance if there's something you'd like to try out. We will be done at the lakeside at Yarralumla from about 10am Sunday.
You can email mark on mark@expeditionkayaks.com for any extra information.

A Review of the Valley Etain 17-3, by Sharon Betteridge

I recently took delivery of my new Valley Etain 17.3 and doesn’t she look great. I chose a golden yellow hull and combing, white deck and light aircraft grey seams. I figured if the kayak is upside down I’d need rescuing and I think the yellow hull has higher visibility. (Some of my previous kayaks have had this ‘upside down’ colour scheme for the same reason). Primarily I purchased her for longer trips, and after looking inside her hatches was pleasantly surprised to see how large they are and after doing a bit of a dummy pack at home I think she will carry a good load of expedition gear. To give you an idea about me, I am 49kg and 5foot 2inches. 

She has a lovely finish, some nice standard extras like the front ‘glovebox’ hatch on the foredeck to store snacks and a small dry bag. There is also a small stainless rod on the deck behind the seat easily accessible for towing and very handy as a spot to secure you kayak with a padlock if you need to. There are plenty of bungies on the fore and aft deck to store a spare paddle and hand pump, there is also an inbuilt compass mount, and I have ‘ear-marked’ a spot on the foredeck to put a sail fitting. 

The seat and back-band are the standard Valley. I find the back band is in a nice low position so it doesn’t get in the way of your forward stroke seating position, nor does it get in the way for back deck rolls. There is a space where you can add extra foam padding at the hips, but I haven’t found this necessary. I did add some thin foam thigh pads which have been very useful for edging and rolling.

She looks long and lean sitting in my hallway, and when I took her out on the water last Friday the Etain 17-3 didn’t disappoint at all. As usual the Valley seating was very comfortable for me.  After cinching in the back band a little and packing provisions for lunch and safety gear in the day hatch we were on our way. I felt comfortable all day and didn’t need to make any further adjustments. 

For me the front deck is narrow and allows a good forward stroke position without clashing the blades on the deck (as I am prone to do in wider decked kayaks) and there is room inside the cockpit to paddle in the “knees up” position to get the most power into my stroke. The kayak certainly felt fast and, on both the Friday and the Saturday when I took her out my paddling companions made comments about how my forward speed had increased somewhat. 

From the forward paddling ‘knees up’ position I can quickly and easily put my knees and thighs back under the combing for strokes requiring more body control with edging and leaning. This splayed position is very comfortable for me in these smaller volume kayaks compared to larger wider kayaks. 

On the open water around Jibbon Point and along the Royal National Park Coast the sea conditions were quite messy with swell waves and wind waves opposing each other and a reasonable rebound. The Valley Etain 17.3 handled it well and at all times I felt well looked after in her. When required, just a small edge using body movement would keep her going straight, and when combined with manoeuvring strokes she could easily turn to the left or right, or a full 360 degrees. 

After our picnic lunch at Little Marley we launched into small surf and then into a 10-15 knot north-easterly headwind for the return trip. Rob was surprised how easily I could manage to paddle into the breeze. I still can’t keep up with him (and probably never will), but he said he waited less time for me than any time in the past. 

On the return journey back into the Hacking River I caught runners easily and using a combination of power strokes and edges I was able to keep the 17-3 online. Every time Rob stopped to see where I was he couldn’t believe I was so close. 

Now before you hit your keyboard to send me an e-mail, I am not selling my still treasured Avocet LV. It’s probably a bit extravagant but it is nice to have two so different kayaks (one for day trips and instructing and the other for expeditions), both of which are a joy to own and paddle. 

**Sharon Betteridge is the third member of our EK team, and one of the most accomplished female paddlers in Australia, with Australian Canoeing instructor qualifications, & an expedition resume containing many major trips. These include various trips spanning the Queensland coast from the tropic of Capricorn to Torres Strait (2560kms), including Cape York, the Wet Tropics and Lucinda to Cooktown via the coast, the Whitsunday and Gloucester group, Mackay to Bowen via the outer Islands, & the Capricorn Coast. Sharon is a passionate sea paddler, having built her own timber Greenland style boats & paddled them extensively. She is a big believer in boat fit, if you’re a lady seeking serious advice on a kayak to fit you, & allow you to truly engage the wonderful sport of sea kayaking, contact Sharon.

Next Valley Shipment Closing Date

Our next Valley order is almost finalised, with the feature of our next shipment being the arival of the highly anticipated sea kayak playboat the Valley Gemini.

A trend we've noticed, exemplified by a fair proportion of the next lot being made this way, is the popularity of Valley's bolted sectional kayak, priced around the same as a top folder and just as transportable by air. For paddlers wanting hard shell reliability & the sort of performance they like in their home waters, while overseas or interstate, you can see the attraction.
Please let us know before April 30 if you'd like your very own creation custom manufactured by Valley.