Hacks & Shares
Spreading The Love
Paddling friends are always asking why I do this or how I do that. Seems like every paddler enjoys talking about gear and how best to use it. Given this I thought to share my free/low budget paddling hacks and small business paddling products I’ve found to be well designed, reliable and of good quality. From gear to diet to tricks, tips and more, I’ll try my best to keep this page updated to help paddlers have a more enjoyable day on the water and better promote local and small business. Feel free in contacting me if you have any additions you’d like to share.
Nitrile Gloves
I’ve been using 6 mil nitrile gloves for some time now, especially during the colder months. What I like about them is the feel and grip on a standard shaft paddle, Increased grip and control without the feeling of wearing gloves.
They’re long enough to seal under a wrist gasket for dryer hands. You can wear them under neoprene gloves or what I prefer, over neoprene gloves this way you’re getting better grip on the paddle shaft while keeping your neoprene gloves dry and lightweight. You can also wear them both under and over neoprene gloves for increased warmth and dryness.
I wear nitrile gloves with pogies as well. It’s nice to pull your hands out of the pogies and still have some protection from the elements especially the cold water if you encounter a swim, need to help in a rescue situation or scouting/portaging.
On the colder days I sometimes double up and wear two gloves on each hand for more warmth. I wear them on warmer days as well for better grip and UV protection. I typically re-use the nitrile gloves 3-5 times before they tear or break down. One box of 100 gloves is under $10. They come in many colors and some are textured for added grip. I prefer black to better heat my hands under the sun. Lastly, they pack well in my PFD, I pack extras for medical purposes to protect myself and to provide if someone experiences a hand abrasion or laceration which is common (keep a wound dry after cleaning and bandaging).
Doc's Pro Plugs
It took a year before I started protecting my ears from cold water. I didn’t want to compromise my hearing on the river or maintain another piece of kayak gear. I eventually got tired of the water in ear sound and feeling which happened regularly from paddling 3-5 or more days a week. Some days my ears would feel sore like I had acquired an ear infection.
A few of my paddling friends started using Doc’s Pro Plugs and liked them so I gave them a try. After a few days of adaption I fell in love with the pro plugs and wear them every time I paddle now, especially when I’m playboating. Since the pro plugs are vented my hearing is not strongly effected or diminished.
Check out Proplugs.com made in the USA.
Green Moose Fuel
Andrew Lovice and I paddled down the Upper Green river a while back. As luck would have it, Andrew happened to bring and share a snack. I had skipped lunch and was concerned I might be outta juice for the paddle so this was well received. It was a delicious energy booster, I wasn’t hungry and felt strong the entire paddle and hike out. I strongly recommend Green Moose Fuel.
Green Moose Fuel is an avocado based chocolate mousse formulated to support higher energy levels. Made in Asheville, NC from these 5 organic ingredients: avocado, raw honey, cacao powder, vanilla extract and Celtic sea salt.
Check out Greenmoosefuel.com and support local Asheville, NC business!
Glasses & Velcro
As many of you know I wear eye glasses when paddling. I started out wearing contact lenses but didn’t like the water getting in my eyes causing me to blink and the contact lens to shift mid rapid. I decided eye glasses would be a better option and offer some splash protection.
So, I was faced with the challenge of keeping them on my head in the event I rolled or swam. I could simply leash them behind my head but its hard to get the helmet over my glasses. My solution: apply adhesive to the prickly strip of velcro and adhere the velcro to both sides of my eye glasses. Now when I put my glasses on the velcro will stick to the padding of the helmet. This hack works great, I’ve not lost my glasses yet and it prevents the glasses from slipping down my nose once wet.
Pogies R Us
I just recently negotiated a hand paddles for pogies trade which I’m excited about. PRU pogies have been on my gear mind for some time since they are advertised as all weather pogies. I love the heat reflective and light reflective options and the fact they make both kayak and canoe (t-grip) pogies. I look forward to evaluating and sharing my opinion.
Heat reflective pogies will reduce the transfer of heat from your hands (warmer dryer hands), light reflective pogies simply make them easier to see in the event of a swim. PRU pogies are extra light weight (wearable year round), water repellent, wind proof, sun/UV protective and weigh between 28 – 50 grams each. Ordinary neoprene pogies and fleece lined pogies retain a significant amount of water which makes them heavy and heat absorbing (colder wetter hands).
Check out Pogiesrus.com and support another paddler producing high quality paddling gear.
Seaskin Gaskets
Seaskin is a brand of diving equipment from Aqualand Ltd who have been producing diving suits for 30 years. Aqualand has produced thousands of dry and survival suits of every conceivable type for military, rescue services, commercial and recreational use. All Seaskin suits are manufactured in Aqualand’s UK factory in Leeds Yorkshire.
Save yourself a boatload of cash when you order gaskets from Seaskin/Aqualand and do your own gasket replacement (it’s pretty easy & you get to huff glue) or hire me to replace them. Gaskets are priced under $10 and compare in quality to all the major US manufacturers that resell gaskets between $20-$60.
Check out Seaskin.co.uk and enjoy the savings.
Paddle Medic Plugs
I’ve been using Paddle Medic nose plugs for almost a year now and absolutely love them. They haven’t yet broken down and fallen apart like every other nose plug I’ve tried.
These plugs are tacky and don’t slip, also very comfortable to wear for prolonged periods of time. They are available in various colors which change from time to time so check the web site regularly.
Check out Paddlemedic.com and support another paddler producing high quality paddling gear and outdoor products.
Nose Plug Repair
I came up with this clever hack long before I discovered Paddle Medic plugs. If your plugs are breaking down and the rubber is deteriorating save your beer money and try this. Get some larger diameter heat shrinking tubing and cut it about .75″ in length. Slide the heat shrinking tubing over the nose plug then heat up the tubing.
I prefer a heat gun or hair dryer versus a flame since open flame can melt the tubing if you get to close and will leave black residue. Once the plugs cool down you’re ready to go. I use fine coarse sand paper to make them less slippery on the sides that pinch your nose.
Sponge Vs. Towel
For the longest time I was anti-sponge but here recently I’m on the fence. I’ve not been a big fan of the sponge since they are big, bulky and hard to store no matter what crack you squeeze them into. They also tear, snag and break down quickly over time. I’ve lost 2 already and don’t feel happy involuntarily contributing to river trash.
The initial solution was simple… large microfibre towel which i’m still a big fan of. Not only does is absorb well but it stores well too. I can tie it to just about anything in a kayak, I can easily slide it under the seat or in a tight place to absorb more water. Lastly, it has other practical river uses: wash cloth, napkin, bandana, tourniquet, loin cloth or whatever your imagination generates.
Getting back to the sponge, the one big benefit it absorbs a lot of water very quickly. To counter my sponge issues I figured out a solution. Place a sponge in a mesh drawstring bag. This way you can loop the bag to any outfit webbing and use the sponge while it’s secured in the mesh bag. The cool thing, a lot of the outdoor companies put products you purchase in these bags so I’ve saved and collected a number of them with hopes I’d find a good use.
Protect Thy Blade
This is a pretty well known hack within the paddling community however, I still think it’s a worthy addition to the page. Cowles vehicle door edge trim which is available at most auto parts stores works great to better protect your blade edges. I’ve practiced this hack from day one and my paddle blade edges still look new. Typically once or twice a year I will have to replace the edge trim since it will break down and eventually crack at the common wear areas.
I buy an 18′ roll ($13.99 @ AutoZone) which will protect 3 paddles or 6 blades in total. I prefer clear but you can get black, carbon fiber, white or chrome. It’s very easy to install just be sure to allow for at least 3 full days (72 hours) dry time. I would also recommend drying in a climate controlled environment so the adhesive properly cures.
Check out the Cowlesproducts.com for more information.
Photography Credits (top to bottom): Ocoee Photos | Rich Osborne | JC Hulings Photography
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Have questions? I’m typically open to talk about paddling, gear, rivers, guiding, instruction, opportunities and how I can help.