Canoe & Kayak

‘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 sit on top kayaks, making recommendations that strike the right balance of performance and price. It is worth bearing in mind that in the case of sit on top kayaks you will likely be more exposed than in closed cockpit versions and thus the conversation around clothing is perhaps more important. In theory, it is possible to break the discussion down into first layer, technical layering and accessories.

‘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 Inflatable kayaks, making recommendations that strike the right balance of performance and price. It is worth bearing in mind that in the case of inflatable kayaks you will likely be more exposed than in closed cockpit versions and thus the conversation around clothing is perhaps more important. In theory, it is possible to break the discussion down into first layer, technical layering and accessories.

To say we’re fans of Aquaglide inflatable kayaks is something of an understatement. For several years they have been the mainstay of our range, with names such as Chinook and Chelan facilitating hundreds of enjoyable hours on the water. Aquaglide’s history is closely associated with the production of large scale inflatable water based playgrounds. Knowledge gained in this area, specifically the heavy wear and tear of commercial use, has certainly aided the evolution of their kayaks and resulted in excellent durability. With what was already an extensive range of boats our staff questioned what could come next. Not ones to rest on their laurels, we soon hard about the Deschutes. The crucial question….. is it any good?

With so many inflatable kayaks on the market, making a selection can be intimidating. We’re always here to help with a recommendation based around your circumstances, but also realise a little research prior to getting in touch can be useful. There’s a great deal of positive feedback about the Z Pro kayak range and having been a main stockist for nearly ten years our staff are in the perfect position to explain why. We are in no way incentivised towards any particular brand and unlike many stores the staff who advise you are also the ones who select our range.

Read on for our thoughts on the ever popular C-Tug Trolley, which is ideal for use with kayaks, canoe and SUP boards. The lack of pneumatic tyres means no maintenance requirement, while the ability to break it down into seven pieces ensures effortless storage.

The Aquaglide Chelan has been a popular choice in store for a number of years. While the remainder of Aquaglide’s range was revised for 2020, the brand chose to take its time with its most highly coveted touring kayak. The results are now in and it’s fair to say our staff are impressed. Read on to find out why.

A short selection of Christmas gift ideas for kayakers from the paddlers at Robin Hood Watersports. Our advice should enable you to purchase the perfect gift at a price to suit your budget.

We are regularly asked about why and how you would fit the Pyranha Stout 2 Hooker Thigh Grips. This tutuorial runs through the process in relation to any Stout 2 specification kayak, whether you're rocker a 9RII, Machno, Jed, Ripper or Ozone etc.

Here we take our first look at the Ozone, the new river play model from Pyranha. This builds on the ever popular Ripper series and brings more fun factor to the party. Looking for more play performance and the ability to make use of every river feature but without restricting river running potential too much? The Ozone could be the one for you.

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