Canoe & Kayak

When a footwear giant makes a move into the watersports world you have to take note. La Sportiva's outdoor and mountaineering footwear is highly regarded and our staff massively excited to test their take on the perfect water boot. In choosing the new TX Canyon you're guaranteed a high quality, feature packed addition to your kit bag.

An essential purchase but one that can be surprisingly difficult to get right. A lack of information can be partially responsible for a lack of clarity over sizing and suitability. Here Joe provides his opinion and adds useful images with a handy scale to help your selection, being based around the ever popular and excellent value Ortlieb PD350.

Our staff are such an important aspect of the shop and we think their ability to offer quality advice is unrivalled in our industry. Here we asked Joe to tell you a little about his sports, where it all started and his favourite kit.

The world of canoes allows for creativity and absolute customisation.  While this is fantastic, our staff understand it can also be overwhelming and thus wanted to run through the most common bespoke options when deciding on the specification of your new Silverbirch Canoe.  Whether you choose Firefly or Broadland the decision around seats, lacing, freeboard height and other factors can have a material impact on function and overall enjoyment, as well as aesthetics!

Tootega kayaks is a small company based in Attleborough, Norfolk. We have known the owners, Steve & James, for many years and their passion for quality products and growing paddlesport participation is unrivalled. Our staff have been lucky to visit their factory and have always been blown away by their attention to detail, coming away with a desire to support both Tootega and UK manufacturing more generally. Prior to the formation of the brand, Steve and James designed and manufactured at many popular kayak brands and have taken the positives from each. It is therefore unsurprising that models like Kinetic, Pulse and Prophecy have become industry leaders. Tootega were the first brand to introduce a lifetime warranty on their products, just one example of how they are striving for perfection. Read on to find out more about their range and which kayak is correct for your circumstances and aspirations.

Touring kayaks are gaining popularity, and for good reason. Models like the P&H Virgo, Venture Islay and Dagger Stratos are extremely versatile, offering a great balance of on the water efficiency and simple transport and storage. They’re lots of fun and offer excellent progression potential! In this blog we aim to answer the question which paddle is best for these kayaks?

Crossover kayaks are gaining popularity, and for good reason. Models like the Pyranha Fusion, Dagger Katana and Venture Flex are extremely versatile, offering a great balance of on the water performance and simple transport and storage. They’re easy to paddle and above all lots of fun! In this blog we aim to answer the question which paddle is best for these kayaks?

Sit On Top kayaks are gaining popularity, and for good reason. They’re versatile, easy to paddle and above all lots of fun! In this blog we aim to answer the question which paddle is best for these kayaks?

Inflatable kayaks are gaining popularity, and for good reason. They’re versatile, easy to paddle and above all lots of fun! In this blog we aim to answer the question which paddle is best for these kayaks?

‘There's no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing’ A statement that has been quoted many times in relation to hill walking, yet remains equally applicable to paddle sports. The correct attire can transform your enjoyment on the water and even extend your season by many months. Some of our favourite days on the water have been cold, crisp winter ones. Fewer people on the water gives a feeling of serenity, as well as potentially encouraging more wildlife to venture out. However, while we’re here to advise on the best clothing combination for cold weather it’s equally important to consider hot summer days and the potential effect of falling into chilly water. In this blog we address these questions in relation to closed cockpit touring kayaks such as the P&H Virgo, Venture Islay and Dagger Stratos, making recommendations that strike the right balance of performance and price. One thing to bear in mind with closed cockpit models is that your lower half is protected, especially when using a spraydeck, and this could tempt you to wear thinner layers. However, it should not lead to complacency as ultimately the water will still be cold should you fall in. In theory, it is possible to break the discussion down into first layer, technical layering and accessories.