Ok, my self imposed rule for this post – affordable! Not necessarily stocking fillers, but not huge expensive gifts like shiny new sea kayaks, as much as we would all like to Santa to add another Kayak to our rack. Hopefully this list will give a few ideas. I’ve added 10 items that I use and love (well 9 and 1 I’d like in my stocking). If you have any suggestions please feel free to comment below.
1. Sea Kayak With Gordon Brown DVD
A superb mix of instructional and expedition footage shot around Skye. Featuring one of the UK’s best Sea Kayak coaches and shot/narrated by Simon Willis this DVD has been phenomenally well received with a number of glowing reviews. £19.99
2. Sea Kayak With Gordon Brown Book
Ok, if your looking at the DVD, then consider the book as well. It is a fantastic resources covering all aspects of Sea Kayaking and packs an amazing amount of up-to-date information in a small form factor. I reviewed it here and believe it is a must have for all sea kayakers. £19.99
3. Pump
For safety’s sake every sea kayaker should carry some form of pump. Most paddlers opt for a hand held bilge pump which can be carried under the deck lines without getting in the way and is instantly available when required. £25.80
4. Lomo Kayaking Gloves
Absolutely superb. Great grip, lightweight and supremely warm. I would not be without these. I prefer them to pogies which I have been trying on and off since the early 80’s and never felt comfortable with. Available directly from Lomo at just £9.99!
Available here (scroll down to Kayak Gloves)
5. Lomo Aqua Boots
Another fantastic and affordable offering from Lomo. I recently reviewed these boots and have been over the moon with the warmth, quality and particularly comfort. A steal at £23.
Available here (scroll down to Aqua Boot)
6. Sea Kayak Handling
A fantastic and in depth look at specific stroke technique. Reviewed back in April, this has continued to be a great resource for developing technique particularly when combined with the online videos that accompany it. £9.99
7. Handheld VHF
We reviewed the Icom M71 and have been playing with the Icom M35 both of which are very impressive. Whatever brand you opt for, look for IPX7 standard and consider physical size, range and battery life. Icom M71: £169 approx
8. Palm Kaikoura Tour PFD
A superb sea kayak specific buoyancy aid with more pockets and fittings than you can shake a stick at. A little pricey but excellent quality. £130.
9. Petzl Duo Headtorch
So it may be a bit bigger and chunkier than many of the lightweight options but my original Petzl Duo has been going strong since 1993 and is fantastic for night paddling. It has the option to switch from low to high power bulb and is waterproofproof to 5m. £54
10. Ortleib Aqua Zoom
Less of a suggestion and more of a hint! This is used by the superb sea kayak photographer Douglas Wilcox to protect his kit out on the water and something I am desperate to get my hands on to take my DSLR out on deck rather than in the day hatch. £54
I’m always up for a new Greenland Paddle too (wifey if you’re reading this, please get the hint this Christmas!).
Cheers – FP
Pogies! How could you forget pogies!!! Or is this just because I live up north where the water is really cold…..?!
Great list…hope Santa brings me the Gordon Brown book (but I think my present has already been purchased) maybe next year,
LOL FP…..put list on fridge.
Have a great holiday season Dunks!
Love your articles!
@Mary – I put gloves on the list as I prefer them to pogies – never could get on with them unfortunately.
@ Greenlandpaddle – I think FP’s wife and you need to chat about his xmas list!!
Hi Dunks
I have an Ortlieb Aqua Zoom, but now I prefer to use the Reed Simple deck bag as I can store in it my camera, spare lens (both in their padded cases) plus a piece of pack towel for drying my hand before using them. And of course other odds and ends should I need them.
Incidentally, the Reed simple deck back is preferable to the one with the plastic ‘window’ as the rip-stop plastic in it can crack and allow water to enter.
S
Simon – Interesting to hear you prefer the Reed option. Will have to take a look. Thanks for the info.
Duncan and Simon, the zip on my first Ortlieb Aquazoom failed after 4 years and I bought a Reed simple deck bag to replace it. There are a number of problems with the Reed bag. It takes much longer to open it and water in the rolls of the cloth invariably finds its way onto hands and the camera. It is also more difficult to put the camera away in a hurry.
It is much easier to get your camera out and away for a quick shot using the Ortlieb. Since I rarely change lenses on the water, my spare lens lives in the day hatch.
After 3 trips out I got a dumping wave on the Reed and afterwards there was about 25 cc of salt water inside. Fortunately my Canon 5D and L lens are partially resistant to the entry of water and I was able to dry them off without harm but my mobile phone was trashed.
The Reed bag now lives in my Optio drawer and I bought another Ortlieb. A friend bought a Reed bag at the same time and it also leaks, his mobile also died. My original Ortlieb survived an accidental capsize off South Uist without a drop getting in to my 5D.
Douglas
Interesting, thanks for that information Douglas. The mix of saltwater and a DSLR is very ‘scary’. Getting the most bombproof option is going to be important. Read your first article about the new Cetus as being a superb photography platform. Have to agree, it is one of the most stable sea kayaks I have used.
Douglas
Wow – thanks for that. Quite a lesson there.
I had a regular Reed bag (the one with the plastic ‘window’) fail on me – cost £500 to fix a Sony A1 video camera. Neither of my 2 Reed simple deck bags have been a problem – yet. They’re still under a year old.
You’re quite right about water entry from opening and closing the roll closure, and also from wet hands. I found the pack towel dealt with most of it.
Whats the solution – Ortlieb AND Reed bag perhaps?
S
Old list from last year but well worth people knowing about some new products around – including I’ve been having a go on the Anglesey Wobbler, a greenland balance stool made by the Anglesey Stick people, chunky board for the price – just over £60 – (http://angleseystick.com/content227.htm)
Or if you’ve got a few more pennies in your pocket this Christmas there’s always a stick which we’ve been using all season with great success
Emma