Safety Gear

The best paddleboarding shoes are the ones you forget about once you are on the board: grippy enough on wet launches, quick to drain after a fall, and slim enough…

A kayak safety knife is not there for looking outdoorsy. It is there for the ugly moments: rope under tension, a snagged leash, tangled deck line, stuck fishing braid, or…

If you paddle on moving water, coastal water or busy lakes, a rescue throw bag is one of those bits of kit you buy before you need it. The best…

Your buoyancy aid only helps if it still floats, fits and stays shut when you end up in the water. PFD care maintenance life jacket checks are not glamorous, but…

If your paddling takes you onto tidal water, exposed estuaries, sea lochs or busy harbour approaches, a handheld VHF radio is one of the few bits of safety kit that…

The right kayaking clothing in the UK is less about the month on the calendar and more about what happens if you end up in the water. Air temperature matters,…

A spray deck is one of those bits of kayak kit that looks simple until you buy the wrong one. The spray deck neoprene vs nylon choice comes down to…

Last summer, I found myself paddling along the winding River Wye, surrounded by lush greenery and the gentle splash of my paddle. The water looked calm, but a sudden gust…

You’ve been paddling flat water for a year, you’ve booked onto a whitewater course, and the kit list says “helmet.” You look at your cycling helmet and wonder if that’ll…

You capsized 200 metres from the shore, your phone was in a zip-lock bag inside your deck bag, and somehow water still got in. The screen is flickering, your car…