RECEIVE OUR MEMO
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Hi
The FIFA World Cup is here so go Bafana Bafana!!
This is the first of the Great Kayas Memos that will go out every 2
weeks and I trust that we can add value to your kayaking and fishing experience.
Kayaking is not top of mind with all of us this time of the year so hit the gym to burn those calories. Also a good time to do a bit of maintenance on the Yaks & Ski's. If you're not using it now, did you wash it down with fresh water before you stored it? Did you spray a little lubricant or silicone on all the bits and pieces, even the stainless bits & straps? If you have a plastic Yak, is it stored upside-down or standing up?
Enjoy!
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PLASTIC VS FIBERGLASS KAYAKS - Myth Busting
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Should I go for a plastic or fiberglass kayak?
Probably the most confusing aspect for anyone new to the kayak market is the choice between the two major materials used - Plastic (usually a type of polyethylene) or Fiberglass (this can cover all kinds of composite mixes including Fiberglass, Carbon Fiber and Kevlar). I will try to briefly cover the most commonly asked questions and maybe put to rest some common misconceptions, especially about Plastic which has gathered some interesting urban myths.
Plastic is not repairable - the most blatant untruth,repeated confidently, loudly and ... duh .. wrong! You can. Surprise yourself - go and look in the Yellow Pages at the entries under PLASTIC, besides the fascinating quantity of plastic related pages, you will find a listing for Plastic Repairs. Myth Busted.
I only know of two plastic repairs in the last 3 years, one on a very old kayak and one on a very new kayak. Both were undertaken by Bumper Repair specialist listed in the telephone directory at a very reasonable cost. Now look under the heading of Fiberglass just to be even handed.
Plastic is heavy - well yes it can be, but let us be fair, so can Fiberglass. In the mid range of kayaks the average weight in both materials is around 25 kgs. But hold on - is heavy always bad? No - quite the opposite. Whatever the material, I believe that all kayaks for recreational use should not be too light - weight gives the vehicle a solid footprint in the water and, with the right design, a stability that is both forgiving and comforting for the beginner. That said - I have never come across a plastic that can match a Carbon kayak for strength, rigidity and lightness - and how sexy is that black?
Plastic is unbreakable - well, no, it isn't. But it is VERY robust and that is definitely a plus if you are launching or paddling in rocky areas. In our particular area (Cape Point, False Bay) envy is evident when the plastics freely explore the rock gardens and play between boulders in the deep swells. But in reality do composite kayaks break in crucial circumstances? There are pictures of surf skis broken in the shore break, and K1s in the river, in every issue of SA Paddler magazine but my composite sea kayak has survived many a knock. In my experience the worst damage I have seen has been caused by transportation mishaps. And here is something interesting - some Fiberglass kayaks are not as repairable as you may think. Composites using "sandwich" technology are not always able to be repaired to their original specifications.
Plastic fades when exposed to sunlight - this is actually true of the early plastics (they have been around for more than 25 years) but plastic technology has moved on, with most plastics these days having better UV protection as part of their chemical make-up. Fiberglass kayaks also suffer from colour loss due to excessive exposure to sunlight. My recommendation is protect all your gear, no matter what the material.
In conclusion - Plastic technology has, and continues, to improve - as has the composite industry and maybe plastic competition has had some part in that. Mass produced plastics have brought the cost of getting onto the water, within the reach of a wider audience. Plastic has brought us bright visible colours and has introduced a whole new level of recreational craft. But a word of caution - you get what you pay for. Cheap finishing and materials can ruin the best design - irrespective of the material.
* (Article published by www.paddlers.co.za - a leading kayak supply and adventure company based in Simons Town)
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THE BEGINNERS GUIDE TO THE "ESKIMO ROLL" |
| Practice makes perfect!
Personally this is the Eskimo roll that I teach people as I
find it the easiest for people to grasp. However, I do not use this technique.
I find it to too slow to set up, but it is a basic move for learning how to do the move. When learning to Eskimo roll it is by far the easiest to learn in a river
kayak like the Fluid Solo or any other boat with a round hull and a low center
of gravity. The key to the Eskimo roll is getting your center of gravity
above the boat with the least resistance. All this roll involves is 3
basic moves, the setup, the reach and the pull.
The Setup
For a right handed paddler, this would involve
putting your right fist where your left knee is an d your left fist just behind
your seat in-line with seam of your kayak. This causes your paddle to sit
horizontal and close to the surface of the water. This position protects your face
from rocks that could be under the water and helps get you orientated and
ready.
The reach
This move gets the paddle in position to
grab the water forcing the  kayak to roll over. Again for a right handed paddler, this
involves moving your right hand outwards, making the paddle sit perpendicular to the
kayak. The trick here is to keep the paddle as close to the surface as
possible.
The Pull
This is the part that will make or break
the Eskimo roll. When your paddle is perpendicular to the kayak you have to pull
your right hand across your body, moving the right fist over your head to the
right hip. The two most important points to remember when doing this is to make
sure that your head is the LAST thing to come out of the water and that you
pushes their left knee away from them.
The head coming out the water last forces the center
of gravity to slide across the boat lifting it to the surface. Getting your head out the water is tempting for a beginner to do because of your need to take a breath. Fight this instinct! At the same time as you pull, flick your knee away
from you; this makes the hull lift up allowing the kayak to flip. If you do not
keep your head in the water or snap the hips (kick the knee down), it is close
to impossible to roll.
Look how the boat has lifted up because of the kick down of
the leg. Also note how the head is still in the water and the center of gravity is pulled over the kayak.
Tips
When teaching someone how to Eskimo roll I always find it
easier to teach them in a pool and often get them to wear goggles. This makes
it much easier for the kayaker to keep orientation.
Recap:
The setup - Get
paddle parallel to kayak to get orientation.
The
reach - Get paddle perpendicular to the
kayak on the surface. The
pull - Keep head in water until the last second. Set up bent knees and kick down. (straighten legs quickly)
Your head is the last thing to
surface.
Then Smile!
Always remember that every one misses a roll now and then, so
don't panic and always stay calm. Often you have time to set
up and roll again before you need another breath.
Article written by - Craig Rivett lifebywater@gmail.com
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BAMBA KAYAK NOW AVAILABLE
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The Bamba fitted standard
. | We have finally launched the Bamba kayak for the serious fisherman and the lead time currently is10 days from order to delivery. Now also available in Camo colour.
The Bamba is not a modification of an existing design but completely new design to make sure all fisherman's wishes are taken
care of. The Bamba offers excellent stability, great trawling speed and all the
gadgets you need for a superb fishing experience.
A key feature of the Bamba is the large center hatch in a
separately molded compartment for storing your gear and catch inside the hull. It also fits fully
rigged fishing
rods of up to 174cm in length.
Type caption text here. | Rigged rods stored inside the hatch
The rear tank-well of the Bamba has a large load bay to fit a
cooler box, optional fish/storage bag, dive cylinder or plastic milk crate for extra storage. See our website for more photos and details. Weight distribution on a kayak is vital and the ability to store
your catch both in the front and back of the Bamba is a major benefit.
The deck has ample room for storing a gaff, net, game fish baton, tackle and
lures within easy reach of the cock-pit. 3 Rod holders with space to fit a 4th, dry hatches and a variety of
attachment points are standard. The Bamba is SAMSA compliant and are delivered with your Buoyancy Certificate.
The
two hatch covers behind the seat seals two dry/wet compartments. Leave the scupper plugs
in and you have two perfectly dry compartments. Take a plug out,
and it floods about +- a third of the
compartment, allowing you to keep live bait in the circulating water. Also handy for storage of safety equipment or rigged lures.
Type caption text here. | Storage for live-bait, safety kit, anchor, rigged lures, etc
The sturdy footrests are very comfortable to
use and adjust easily to fit any length of paddler. The Bamba was designed to perform and track well without a rudder and will initially only
be offered without the rudder. A rudder option (DIY fitment) will be available comes Summer. See a video of the Bamba surf trials here.
A nifty little slot with bungee cord was added on the left side
of the seat for storing the paddle when not needed. No more worrying about a
loose paddle when you have your hands full with a fish on the line.
Because of the low profile and low center of gravity, the Bamba
is super stable and not much affected by choppy seas and winds and gives the paddler a
comfortable ride with zero hull slap. Although designed with the specialist
fisherman in mind, the Bamba is an excellent all-rounder and can also be used for
various applications such as touring, adventure or taking on the Orange River or Cape Coast with no worries on damaging the hull on rocks.
The Bamba comes in at 30kgs (a kilo or 3 heavier compared to the average fishing ski available). Our research and extensive consultation with the kayaking community has shown the absolute priority when buying a fishing specialist kayak is number 1: a practical and friendly deck lay-out with decent storage, 2: safety, strength and stability, 3: to do this without sacrificing speed, 4: carrying capacity, 5: weight.
Weight proved not to be a priority as the weight only really matters when the kayak is out the water or strapped onto your 3 ton Land Rover, you know..... the supposedly best 4x4xfar... Nothing a kayak trolley cannot sort out by pulling it along the beach. Also, weight in the water gives greater momentum so better cruising speeds can be maintained.
Type caption text here. | Bamba in the surf zone
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What we do at Great Kayaks SA! deliver your new kayak to your home or holiday home Free! answer any questions you may have on kayaking. If we do not know the answer, we will find it for you. advise on fitting and rigging of kayaks. give you advice or an honest opinion on any make of kayak you may have interest in, whatever the make. put you in touch with any club, group, association or body if you need help source any accessory you may want if we cannot supply you immediately. give you the best price on our range of products. provide you with after sale service as quick as possible and do whatever it takes to keep you kayaking safely.
Sincerely, Nick Davel
Great kayaks & Fishing Kayak |
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