Sea Kayaking wise, for me the winter season of 2009-2010 was all about 2 things. Night paddling and low light/night photography. As we head towards the end of the Easter break and school starts up again the sunny weather and light evenings have begun. Tonight’s paddle will start in daylight for the first time in months!

Over the last few days I have been spring cleaning my Aperture library and thought I’d put together a short slideshow of my favourite images from this winters paddling exploits. I hope you enjoy it!

Kayalu Gear Kayalite

By now regular readers will know I spend a substantial amount of time paddling at night.

Therefore I was more than intrigued to pick up some buzz about a new product to the market – the Kayalu Gear Kayalite – a removable, deck mounting kayak light system.

Over the last few months I have experimented with a range of cheap and not so cheap LED torches, head-torches and light sticks in a effort to create a simple, robust system for lighting my kayak at night.

Kayalu Gear Kayalite

To date, the most cost effective and reliable system for showing a white light at the rear of the kayak was a simple LED pencil torch lifted from the deck by a rolled up paddle float and held fast under the deck lines.

This provides a continuous white light from the rear of the kayak, however has two main issues. The torch is swamped with water in rougher seas and is prone to failure after a few weeks. Secondly, it sits low down and is single directional – pointing only out the the stern.

Enter the Kayalu Gear Kayalite, a high-visibility LED stern light.

Description

Tektite Mk III Light

The Kayalite features a Tektite Mark III light built into an 18″ mast with a large round base. The base of the unit has foam padding, with 2 grooves cut through it.

The mast has a cleat on one side and running though the hollow mast is a length of bungee cord. This exits at the base where it is attached to a clip and at the side of the mast where it can be fastened around the cleat.

To fix the Kayalite to your kayak you attach the clip to any suitable point (eyelet, deck loop, pad eye, topside drain plug or other fixed point of attachment) then pull the bungee tight fastening it off on the cleat.

Jamming Cleat

The tension causes the light to sit firmly on the deck, with the foam base padding adapting to the contours of the deck. Kayalu provide a eyelet bolt should you wish to fit a permanent fixing location.

The kayalite is switched on/off by rotating the top of the light.

Switching the Kayalite on provides a 360 degree bright white LED light which is designed to run for 200 hours on one set of batteries.

In Use

Fully Assembled

The Kayalite arrived fully assembled so all I was required to do was fit it to the kayak.

I paddle a P&H Cetus and decided to utilise deck lines where they fit through a centrally mounted point just in front of my rear oval hatch. Although an ideal location, attaching to deck lines is does mean that I am attaching bungee to bungee which will reduce the sturdiness of the attachment.

However I was able to create a solid attachment, with only minor ‘wobble’. I have no qualms that attaching to a more secure point would allow you to create a very stable attachment with virtually no movement in the Kayalite. Whether I would be prepared to permanently attach an eyelet to the Cetus needs further thought.

Attaching The Kayalite

The build quality of the unit seems very robust. The black, textured ABS that makes up the bulk of the mast is chunky and substantial and does not give the impression it would snap or break if manhandled.

The use of marine grade stainless steel on the small but sturdy clip is a reassuring sign of careful design.

Switching the light on and off is simple, as is removing the top of the light to replace batteries/bulbs if required.

Once positioned on the rear deck of the kayak, your ability to operate the light single handed will rely on the mounting position you have chosen.

In Position

I experimented before setting out on my first trip and ascertained I could switch the light on and off with a bit of effort – I’m not the most flexible paddler so others will find this easier than I did however I was happy that with my chosen mounting location this would not be a ‘set it and forget it’ piece of kit.

Out on the water, the Kayalite instantly proved worth it’s weight in gold. The height of the unit has been carefully chosen to strike a good balance between visibility and not impairing your night vision. I found my body/head shielded the front of the kayak from the majority of the light thrown out by the Kayalite.

However, it does throw some light out to the sides and under your arms which took a little getting used to – most notably realising that dark shape in the water was actually my own shadow and not something ominous under the surface!

First Outing

During my first paddle I switched between my old method of lighting (a torch tucked under the bungees on the rear of the kayak) and the Kayalite and found that whilst there was no loss of night vision with the torch, there was a very small amount from the kayalite. However, this was minimal and the incredible visibility offered by the kayalite vs the torch make this a vastly preferable system.

I see a few fishermen regularly on one of my night time routes and sought their opinion by paddling a couple of hundred metres out, firstly with the torch, then the kayalite. Their verdict was unanimously in favour of the kayalite – with comments mainly centred on the 360 degree light and extra height. As one quipped, the difference is:

Chalk and cheese, or should I say dark and light!

Testing Kayalite

One aspect to consider should be stowage – the round base is not removable. On one hand this offers a more sturdy design, however if you were using this on a multi-day/night trip it would not quite as easy to stow than if it had a removable base.

The final test for the Kayalite came at the end of the paddle, when I rolled several times with the unit in place. I found that my chosen mounting location mean’t that the Kayalite did not impede my roll. It was also not displaced, despite being attached to the deck lines rather than a fixed eyelet. Each time I came up and the light was still shining brightly.

Summary

To be honest, I fell in love with the kayalite on the first paddle. The Solent is a very busy section of the UK coastline with an amazing amount of traffic at all times of the year and all times of the night. Lights are a must even if only switched on when required. Combined with an LED head torch for the front light (which I switch on when I need to be seen), the Kayalite offers incredible visibility and therefore safety.

The unit has so far proven to be very durable and well made. I will continue to evaluate it’s build quality and battery/bulb lifetime over the coming months and update this review with my findings.

I guess the ultimate question should be ‘Would I paddle at night without one now?’ The answer is a very definite no! And if they were to consider producing a shorter, shielded red/green for the bow, I’d be first in line.

From The Manufacturer

Kayalu Kayalite

Mast
Mast Material: ABS black, textured
Base Cushion Material: EVA foam
Fastener: plated steel breech clip
Mast Hardware: marine-grade stainless steel
Bungee Cable: saltwater-resistant nylon coated
Bungee Rings: marine-grade stainless steel
Locking Mechanism: jam cleat
U.S. Patents Pending

Tektite Mark III (included)
Switch: Twist On/Off
Depth Rating: 1,000 feet (300 m)
Lamp: 1 LED
Lamp Life: 10,000+ hours
Burn Time: 200+ hours
Batteries: 3 AA Alkaline (included)
Materials: ABS and LEXAN
U.S. Patent #6,168,288

General Specifications
Height: 18 in. (45.72 cm)
Weight: 10 oz. (285 g)

Cost
$39.99

Further Details
www.kayalu.com

Over the last couple of weeks I’ve had a couple of great night paddles and one aborted paddle. I recently outlined my self enforced criteria for deciding when to paddle solo at night and the routes I’m prepared to paddle.

Last week I set out in wonderfully calm conditions and enjoyed a great paddle along the shore to Stansmore Point. However literally seconds after a photo session the Isle Of Wight which often features as the back drop for my photos vanished. Dense fog rolled in and up Solent Water. Within minutes the visibility had dropped to around 25-30ft maximum.

Luckily I had stuck to my guns and despite such calm, clear conditions when I set out I was in a position where I was able to follow the shoreline home listening to the booming horns of the shipping out in the deep water channel.

Tonight I arrived at Calshot to find the wind considerably higher than shown on the weather forecast. Whilst it was at a level I would happily paddle in during daylight hours, or at night with other paddlers I decided to abort the paddle and spent a great evening exploring some new launch points for future paddles and taking some night photographs. I was struck by how beautiful the industrial landscape of Southampton Docks is at night and discovered a great public slipway which provides access into the heart of the docks. I’m planning a paddle up Solent Water past the docks on the next suitable night!

Here are the results from the last two paddles (Click on any photo to view a larger version):

Stunning View

Landing Near Lepe

Calshot Castle

RNLI Jetty

Calshot RNLI Station

Southampton Docks

Docks

Keeping Warm

Ashlett Creek

A quick blast across Calshot Bay enjoying the clam water led me to the start of the channel to Ashlett Creek. At high tide the channels are wider and it is possible to work around the grassy ‘islands’. I made my way straight up to the Public Slipway at the end of the the Creek, through the plethora of moored yachts and past the Sailing Club. I spent some time on the slipway taking photos before heading back out.

Ashlett Creek At Night

Turning back towards Calshot it was another blast across the bay then time to practice strokes. The beautifully calm water leant itself perfectly to practicing strokes and edging – trying to ‘feel’ the effect of varying angles and positions. I then finished the session with rolling practice which also gave me an opportunity to further test the Aleutian Drysuit.

Back on land, I walked out onto the RNLI Jetty to take some shots of the Lifeboat Station and Fawley Power station across the bay before heading home with a huge smile on my face!

Ashlett Creek Public Slipway

Calshot Lifeboat Station

Fawley Power Station

View Calshot To Ashlett Creek in a larger map

Night Paddling

During the summer this provides some stunning paddling opportunities watching the sun rise or set over the Solent. However as the Summer turns to Autumn and we head towards Winter I have been determined to maintain a regular paddling schedule. This has led to regular night paddles.

Paddling at night is amazing. The sights and sounds are so different and familiar locations and journeys take on a whole new perspective. The lights from shore and boats on the water can be stunning. Paddling through the rippling, reflected moonlight under a clear, star filled sky cannot be beaten. However, this idyllic ‘image’ of Night Paddling is not the norm.

On nights where the moon is not providing natural light you are more reliant on your night vision. This can be cut dramatically by the glare from any headtorch or decklight you carry and whilst you can see into the distance and spot approaching boats or obstacles, it can be difficult to see/read the water in front of you.

Sorting Cetus At Night

However, with experience I have learnt to relax into my paddling as I would during the daylight and now cherish my time on the water at night. I have slowly built up my night time paddling – starting with very short paddles increasing the distance as my experience and confidence has grown in the same way many of us have developed our daytime paddling.

Equipment:

I carry all the standard kit I would for any day paddle, including a VHF radio, flares, first aid kit, loud whistle, mobile phone etc. However, there are some obvious extra considerations (I’ve tried to link to the exact items I carry)

Lights:

I wear a headtorch at all times. Often this is only switched on if I need to scout the shoreline or I see a vessel approaching me and want to make myself more visible.

On the front and rear deck I place small but powerful weatherproof LED torches under the deck lines and keep them switched on at all times.

Edited: In actual fact, the front light I will switch off occasionally if I am happy the coast is clear as again it can affect your night vision. You can see a surprising amount even on a dark night (see this excellent article for further thoughts on lights and the comments below for discussion on this).

In the front pockets of each side of my buoyancy aid I carry small pencil lights which I can attach to the shoulder of the buoyancy aid or leave poking out of the pocket to add visibility to the front or rear if required. I also carry a waterproof strobe light on the buoyancy aid.

Finally, as a back up, in my front hatch I carry a set of lightsticks.

Clothing:

I have ensured the clothing and paddling kit I choose has reflective patches on it. My buoyancy aids and drysuit/cags are all well equipped with reflective piping or patches.

I also dress for the swim at all times – using varying layers of thermals and fleece clothing as the temperature dictates. This can be a little uncomfortable on warmer evenings but worth the extra protection if something went wrong.

Bivvy Kit:

I carry a KISU/survival shelter and small sleeping bag in case I have an enforced stop and need to wait for daylight. For example, if the weather turned dramatically and i was not happy to keep paddling. Along these lines, I also carry enough snacks and hot drink to make life reasonably comfortable.

Boat & Paddle:

I have a white sea kayak which is very visible when a light is shone at it. However, I am also in the process of equipping both the boat and paddle with reflective tape to enhance visibility.

With the exception of the reflective tape and lights, this has meant no extra outlay compared to daylight paddling.

Precautions:

I follow a very strict set of self imposed rules when Night Paddling. To some these may seem too rigid, to others not enough however they sit well with me.

1. I only paddle routes I know very well. This ensures I know where I am at all times and have learnt the ‘crux points’ for the route. I also use routes where I know I can land at any point.

2. I check the weather, moon times and tide times very carefully and choose routes accordingly.

3. I only paddle in good conditions. If I have any concerns about the wind or sea state I always walk away. It will still be there tomorrow.

4. I try to time paddles for high tide. For the areas I use in the Solent this means I can stay close to shore and avoid any of the night time traffic. At lower tides, I pick routes where I am paddling in shallows created by the Solent’s various spits/banks or far enough outside of the busy shipping channels to avoid traffic.

5. I radio check with Solent Coastguard at the start of a paddle to ensure my VHF is working. I do not log Transit Reports (ie: tell the Coastguard who I am and where I am going etc) as paddle so frequently – this information is left at home however.

6. I ensure folks at home know the route I am paddling and never deviate from this.

Summary:

By taking some time to get the right equipment and ensure you are intimate with how it operates (flares for example), learn (in daylight) some suitable routes and sticking to a well thought out set of ‘rules’ I have been able to maintain a very regular paddling schedule. At times it can be repetitive, using the same route 5 or 6 times in a row because of time/weather/tide constraints. But, hey, I’m paddling. I’m practicing skills, I’m getting exercise and most importantly having fun!

On top of this I have got to see the Solent from a very different perspective and come away with some fantastic experiences, memories and photographs.

The South Coast has been hit by very strong winds over the past 24 hours. The BBC reported gusts of 100mph off The Needles and Southampton (my home town) was hit by 60mph winds. I had pretty much written off paddling this weekend however this evening it looked as if there was to be a period of calm before the next front of wind and rain moved in. Was a paddle possible?

P&H Cetus

Rather than head down to Calshot or Lepe I chose the closet put in to my home – Hythe Marina. With High tide at 9pm this mean’t I could put in at the Public Slipway and if needed hug the shoreline keeping well clear of the main channel.

On arriving at the marina, I found the slipway was barricaded due to maintenance work so a slippery clamber down some rocks was called for. I set off under the Hythe Pier as the small train carrying passengers out to an awaiting ferry to Southampton. The water was incredibly calm which was amazing considering earlier in the day I had shot down to Lepe to see waves crashing over the shore road which had been closed by the police.

Southampton Water At Night

Having fired off several shots I was soon back on the water heading up to the moored oil tankers at Esso Refinery.

The journey back was enhanced by the frequent passing of the Fast Jets running their regular service to Cowes on the Isle of Wight. A minute or so after they pass you are rewarded by large, smooth swells as their wash heads to shore. I was able to get a couple of good surf runs every time they passed feeling very lucky to be surfing by starlight.

Hythe Marina At Night

Once the boat was loaded back on the car, I took the opportunity to snap a few more pictures of the yachts moored up in the marina before driving the 2 minute journey back up to my house.

A unexpected but very welcome paddle in the clam after the storm!

Route: View route on Google Maps

I’ve been using the Yak Koast Buoyancy Aid for several months now. Designed as a low profile, touring buoyancy aid it utilises a side zip fastening allowing for a large pocket across the front of the PFD and one large rear pocket.

Constructed from ‘supersoft’ foam and tough ripstop nylon, the Koast is a rugged yet comfortable piece of equipment. I have found the lower profile of this buoyancy aid to be extremely comfortable to wear, allowing a full range of movement without ever feeling restricted.

Yak Koast Buoyancy Aid - Front

The front of the Yak Koast sports a single, top opening pocket which covers almost the full width of the buoyancy aid. This pocket has a top opening zip with 2 zip pulls, allowing the pocket to open from the centre point. On the front of this pocket, is a seperate knife pocket, with a downward pulling zip. The main compartment contains D rings for attaching equipment and is easily large enough to swallow my VHF along with other equipment. I have the aerial sticking out of the centre of the pocket which is ideal, as it keeps the VHF aerial central avoiding my arms catching on it during strokes – a problem I have had with some ‘side’ pockets.

The other benefit of the large, top opening is it reduces the risk of items dropping out as is the case with vertically opening pockets. The knife pocket is a reasonable size and easily holds a small to medium size diving style knife.

Also on the front of the Yak Koast is a standard lash tab suitable for attaching a torch for night paddling or a knife for easy access.

Yak Koast Buoyancy Aid - Back

The rear sports a large pocket designed primarily for a hydration pack. Their is a suitable opening and channels across the shoulder to secure the drinking tube. This pocket has a flap closure and side zip making it easy to stow the hydration system before donning the buoyancy aid.

The combination of an over the head with side zip method for donning/removing the Yak Koast is very welcome. I find it easier to put on/take off on the water (when removing or adding layers) than some front zipped buoyancy aids, although the side zip took a little getting used to doing up.

Yak Koast - Wide Neoprene Shoulder

The wide, neoprene shoulder are very low profile and extremely comfortable, with webbing and buckle adjustment. The Yak Koast also boasts multiple side adjusters to get a snug fit. These are all easy to adjust on the water, even with cold, wet hands.

The colour scheme is bright and high visibility backed up by reflective panels. This has proved invaluable during recent weeks as my sunset filled evening paddles slowly become full blown night paddles with the nights drawing in. An addition I would love to see, given it’s suitability for low light/night paddling, would be light stick holders as some other buoyancy aids are now sporting (for example, the Yak Escape).

In use, the Yak Koast has proven to be extremely comfortable. I like the lower profile and uncluttered/fussy design. I also like the fact the single, wide front pocket keeps items closer to the body, rather than smaller, bulging pockets. The fact I can keep my VHF on my person, yet out of the way by sitting central to the buoyancy aid is fantastic.

Yak Koast Buoyancy Aid - Side Zip Closed

The large, top opening means I am never concerned about accessing items, although the single pocket may not appeal to those who like to more flexibility in segregating/organising equipment. For me, it’s never been a problem however.

I’ve been reliably informed by observers that the reflective patches combined with torches on my person/boat work well and provide enhanced visibility.

As with all equipment I test, the Yak Koast has been given quite a hammering and shows no signs of damage or significant wear and tear.

Along with the Yak Conquest Cag, it makes an ideal, comfortable, durable and high visibility combination.

The final consideration is price. Compared to some of the sea kayaking/touring specific buoyancy aids on the market, this is a real contender. For example, Bournemouth Canoes are selling this at £68 – this is between £30-£60 cheaper than some of its rivals (Palm Taupo, Peak Adventure Zip, Palm Kaikoura Tour). Yak seem to have a knack of producing no-nonsense, well designed equipment at very reasonable prices.

Yak Koast Buoyancy Aid - Side Zip Open

Yak Koast Buoyancy Aid - Open Back Pocket

Yak Koast Buoyancy Aid - Lash Tab

From Yak:

Yak Koast

1. Ergonomic foam shape for maximum comfort
2. Multi point adjustment for the ultimate fit
3. Bright colour and reflective panels for excellent visibility
4. Expanding front pocket and knife pocket for additional storage
5. Vertical back pocket designed to accommodate hydration pack

Price: £70 approx

More details can be found on the Yak Website, along with details of their other Buoyancy Aids. The Yak Koast can also be seen in action in this short video clip.

I have received an email from a paddler enquiring about lights for night paddling. Whilst in New Zealand he used a similar set-up to this and wonders if anyone in the UK has come across anything similar.

The majority of paddlers I know who paddle at night use a combination of headtorches and lightsticks however, the question prompted me to do a little research.

The UKRGB has a couple of interesting posts on its forum:

1. Lights for night paddling
2. Night time paddling

A search of online shops provided a possible solution in the form of the Sea Light Compact. One kayak fishing site provides a more ‘permanent’ fixing which may be suitable for plastic sea kayaks but I would not like to start drilling substantial holes in a boat!

I would be interested in any feedback paddlers may have on their preferred method for providing navigation/safety lights when paddling.