Hey good to see a good old cool Wellington southerly thrown into summer, just to mix it up a little.
No I didn't get out on the water today, though will do first thing tomorrow. The thing is I have a couple of surf skis as most know, they are extremely long and very light in weight, being made of kevlar and honeycomb.
Here's where it gets tricky when it's quite windy, carrying these suckers around in the wind, between buildings, around vehicles, onto roof racks, around tight courses with lots of other craft, things start to get tricky.
Honeycomb is a good product for holding shape and is light but man this construction damages way too easy adding the above factors...........so on days like today you have to be super careful with them...........so best to keep them safe on land and tied down well
So what's best........ funnily enough a glass surf ski is going to be your best bet, they may be 3 kg heavier but the extra weight and the resin infused construction that glass and coremat offers, gives you more security or leeway for taking a few small knocks........ especially in Wellington..........in my opinion.
What do manufacturers need to do?........ change their construction techniques to other materials and layups that are more durable. It's better for the product all round and also the longevity for those looking in the second hand market..........because that's the true measure of a product how it lasts and looks in years 2,3,4 plus.
There are some great products out there and I've seen an Innegra hull and carbon/kevlar deck kayak from JKK Kayaks blown across some stones hitting a tree stump coming up trumps no dents but light scratching.........that's what I call good construction.
Always run your eye down the length of a 2nd hand ski in good day light you'll see every repair that the previous owner hasn't told you about.
PFD's
I had an e-mail today about people not wearing PFD's while paddling Stand Up Paddle Boarding............ my view is.
A SUP is a big surf board..........surfers wear leg leashes.........so do all SUP paddlers..........well at our events they do.
Should they have to wear a PFD?.......... that is the million dollar question, maybe the new, New Zealand SUP body will be lobbying for a change in legislation around the Country.......watch this space.
How many people have drowned swimming, how many yachties or people in motorboats have drowned, how many surfers wearing leg leashes have drowned, how many SUP Paddlers have drowned, how many swimmers have drowned swimming between the New Zealand Surf Life Saving flags.
There is legislation laid down by the Regional Councils around the Country as I keep pointing out, (we have the link on our page) we have Maritime Police and Harbour Department staff to enforce this legislation. We also have National Sporting Bodies with their own safety codes for members for events and training squads and of course the big one................ everyone taking personal responsibility for their own actions.
Much comes down to continued education and publicity, the rest is enforcement.
So when all is said and done if some one stuffs up........... it'll all come out in the wash, once everyone has said their piece............we all learn by mistakes and that initiates change.
No I didn't get out on the water today, though will do first thing tomorrow. The thing is I have a couple of surf skis as most know, they are extremely long and very light in weight, being made of kevlar and honeycomb.
Here's where it gets tricky when it's quite windy, carrying these suckers around in the wind, between buildings, around vehicles, onto roof racks, around tight courses with lots of other craft, things start to get tricky.
Honeycomb is a good product for holding shape and is light but man this construction damages way too easy adding the above factors...........so on days like today you have to be super careful with them...........so best to keep them safe on land and tied down well
So what's best........ funnily enough a glass surf ski is going to be your best bet, they may be 3 kg heavier but the extra weight and the resin infused construction that glass and coremat offers, gives you more security or leeway for taking a few small knocks........ especially in Wellington..........in my opinion.
What do manufacturers need to do?........ change their construction techniques to other materials and layups that are more durable. It's better for the product all round and also the longevity for those looking in the second hand market..........because that's the true measure of a product how it lasts and looks in years 2,3,4 plus.
There are some great products out there and I've seen an Innegra hull and carbon/kevlar deck kayak from JKK Kayaks blown across some stones hitting a tree stump coming up trumps no dents but light scratching.........that's what I call good construction.
Always run your eye down the length of a 2nd hand ski in good day light you'll see every repair that the previous owner hasn't told you about.
PFD's
I had an e-mail today about people not wearing PFD's while paddling Stand Up Paddle Boarding............ my view is.
A SUP is a big surf board..........surfers wear leg leashes.........so do all SUP paddlers..........well at our events they do.
Should they have to wear a PFD?.......... that is the million dollar question, maybe the new, New Zealand SUP body will be lobbying for a change in legislation around the Country.......watch this space.
How many people have drowned swimming, how many yachties or people in motorboats have drowned, how many surfers wearing leg leashes have drowned, how many SUP Paddlers have drowned, how many swimmers have drowned swimming between the New Zealand Surf Life Saving flags.
There is legislation laid down by the Regional Councils around the Country as I keep pointing out, (we have the link on our page) we have Maritime Police and Harbour Department staff to enforce this legislation. We also have National Sporting Bodies with their own safety codes for members for events and training squads and of course the big one................ everyone taking personal responsibility for their own actions.
Much comes down to continued education and publicity, the rest is enforcement.
So when all is said and done if some one stuffs up........... it'll all come out in the wash, once everyone has said their piece............we all learn by mistakes and that initiates change.
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