A few months ago, I got my hands on an mKettle to try out for an Ocean Paddler Magazine review. It’s an interesting little device, designed simply to boil water, rather than as a full blown stove but could potentially secure a place in paddlers day or overnight/expedition kit. This is the review I wrote [...]

Review: Tahe Marine Reval Mini SC
Introduction There are some kayaks that just look cool. They may have superb build quality or be shoddily put together. They may handle well or handle atrociously. They may be the perfect size for us or completely the wrong volume. Regardless of any of this they still make you stop and say ‘that looks cool!’ [...]

Review: Handikart Trolley
The handikart is a portage trolley designed to handle both kayaks, Sit On Tops and Open Canoes. I reviewed the Handikart for Ocean Paddler Magazine, these were my thoughts. Manufacturers Description Stylish, versatile, and easy to use the new HandiKart sets new standards for the transportation of kayaks & canoes. Light, but rugged, the HandiKart [...]

Review: Yak Xipe PFD
The Yak Xipe is the one of Yak’s newer Sea Kayaking PFD’s to hit the shelves and pit itself against some of the established buoyancy aids available. Currently retailing at around the £90 it is an attractively priced PFD. This is the review I wrote for Ocean Paddler Magazine back in May 2011. Thanks go [...]
Review: Peak UK Towline
The Peak UK Towline is a 15m towline system with the ability to be waist or deck mounted. It features a webbing waist belt with quick release buckle. The bag element is a large shaped pouch akin to a walking/mountain biking bum bag with a zip open top lid. This is made from sturdy fabric [...]
Review: Tahe Marine Greenland T
Last year, I spent some time I spent a few weeks paddling the Tahe Marine Greenland T for an Ocean Paddler Magazine review. Rich, the Editor, has kindly let me republish my review here. About the test: paddling conditions and paddlers. Having reviewed the Tahe Marine Greenland for Ocean paddler I was keen to try [...]
Review: Valley Aquanaut HV RM
This ‘Guest Review’ which was kindly written by Sean Smith, better known to many as ‘Fat Paddler‘. You can find out more about Sean at the end of the review: Introduction There are many dozens of beautiful high-performance sea kayaks on the market today, but for the larger paddlers amongst us the available range is [...]
First Look: Jeff Allen Throw Tow System
UPDATE: Since I first posted this article, Jeff Allen’s throwtow is now being manufactured by HF and Jeff has recently released this video showing the throwtow in action and demonstrating the various modes of use – a very useful little video to anyone interested in the Throwtow system. Jeff Allen’s Throwtow Rescue System has been [...]
Energiser Glowsticks
I’ll start this with a quick question – are these any use for a sea kayaker who ventures out after dusk? My honest answer is I’m not sure. These are simple LED lightsticks, one red and one green, running off 3 x A76 batteries (included). They are made of plastic and use a simple twist [...]
Review: Peak UK Adventure Zip Buoyancy Aid
I’ve been lucky enough to try out a large assortment of the ‘top’ Sea Kayaking buoyancy aids currently on the market. I’ve yet to review a badly designed one but have yet to find my ideal buoyancy aid, instead finding various features on each that I would like to combine to create the my perfect [...]



















