Hand Bearing Compass V-Finder

I use the Autonautic Hand Bearing Compass ‘V-Finder’. This compass has a unique ergonomic and ambidextrous (left and right handed) design, made from a soft feel material that won’t slip when wet. It is very durable, shock resistant and needs no functional maintenance. The V-Finder is as basic as can be with two main functional elements: the rotating dial and the memory/course ring. No fuss big water navigation at it’s best (at a very affordable price)!

Ultrasonic Portable Mini Wind Meter

The wind meter solo (left) mounted on a Railblaza base, using a Gopro tilting bracket (right).

This the Ultrasonic Portable Mini wind meter made by Calypso Instruments. A bluetooth, rechargeable ultrasonic windmeter, with a mere 40mm diameter, weighing 78 grams. It’s rated IPx8, so rolling a kayak is no problem. A 1.4 female thread ensures mounting on any tripod compatible device. A 1.4 male screw comes included. I use the wind meter (in combination with my Vaaka Paddle Cadence Sensor) to interpret training results, but mainly for navigation purposes.

For navigation, different kinds of speed can be measured and calculated in different ways. This wind meter registers both wind speed and direction (without the use of moving parts). These are the wind related parameters to combine when navigating open waters:

AWS (Apparant Wind Speed) is the actual speed and direction of the wind blowing as experienced when moving/paddling. (This is what the wind meter actually measures.)
TWS (True Wind Speed) is the actual speed and direction of the wind blowing as experienced when stationary. (Calculated by subtracting the kayak’s speed from the AWS.)

Due to the low speed of a kayak, the difference between the AWS and TWS will usually be negligible.
I advice to use the AWS, as this is what the device actually measures.

Then there is AWA (Apparant Wind Angle) related to the direction of kayaking. (This is what the wind meter actually measures.)
The TWA (True Wind Angle) the actual wind direction. (Calculated by combining the direction of the kayak and the direction of the AWA).

The last element is the Speed of your kayak. (Calculated by connected GPS.)

The wind meter comes with a wireless charger supplying a full (internal) battery with plenty of power to paddle all day. It communicates wireless with your phone which can calculate and combine the measurements with GPS data plotted on a (Google) map and many other nice-to-haves. Calypso offers a free app for navigation purposes.

Mounting options, using the 1/4″ screw/thread.

Vaaka Paddle Cadence Sensor

This Vaaka cadence sensor performs on both single and double bladed paddles. It sends realtime stroke rate data to your watch or smartphone giving you the ability to monitor your stroke rate while you paddle. The data is stored for post training analysis of stroke rate and distance per stroke.

Pulley System

This a schematic drawing of the 3:1 pulley system I use ánd the 5:1 kit I would like to use.

Palm Impact Spray decks

The Impact is a premium shockcord deck for whitewater paddling. Burly 9.5 mm shockcord holds it in place‚ and the seamless O-ring seal keeps the waist tube where you want it. The reinforced rim shrugs off wear and tear‚ and a three-quarter dry lip seals water out. I use these for both my whitewater kayaks.
Specs:

3 mm nylon Jersey CR neoprene deck
Nytex and Supratex CR neoprene rim
Jersey and mesh neoprene waist
Weight: 771 g (R4‚ M/L)
Waist CR neoprene tunnel with O-ring seal
Triple Glued‚ blind stitched and Melco taped seams
9.5mm elastic shockcord double sewn
3/4 length dry-lip
3 dimensional deck shape
Sticky Gripsil on cockpit lining
38 mm webbing release loop with attachment clip (for walking)

Supplied by Kanocentrum Arjan Bloem.

Palm Heavy Duty Cover

A heavy-duty durable cockpit cover to protect the contents of your kayak during transport and storage outdoors. It has a 6 mm adjustable shockcord in grippy PU sheath and a 20 mm webbing release loop with moulded handle.

Supplied by Kanocentrum Arjan Bloem.

PeakUK Stern & Bow Airbags

I carry these for extra buoyancy and to clamp my spare paddle into the stern of my kayak. The bow airbag is a tough welded nylon PVC bow airbag for use in most modern whitewater kayaks, in front of the bulkhead. Eyelets fitted for security. Size when deflated: 60 x 35 x 35 cm
The stern airbags (pair) are tough welded nylon PVC split stern air bags for use in most modern whitewater kayaks with centre buoyancy. They fit on either side of the centre column. Eyelets fitted for security. Volume approximately 30L. Size when deflated: 45 x 85 x 20cm

Supplied by Kanocentrum Arjan Bloem.

Railblaza Kayak Visibility Kit

The Railblaza Kayak Visibility Kit is a must-have safety item when night and/or poor visibility paddling. Although in most European countries you only need a flashlight, having a permanent light is much safer. The StarPort HD base is permanently bolted to the kayak. The pole holding the i360 light is mounted in the base. Disassembly when you’re finished is quick and easy, and it will store just about anywhere.
The i360 light floats without pole attached and is waterproof to 1 metre depth. It is powered by 3x AA batteries and has 3 operation modes;

Full brightness navigation mode 2NM – up to 25hrs battery life
Low brightness work mode – up to 160 hrs battery life
Flashing emergency Mode – over 200hrs battery life

The i360 light can also be fitted on top of other Railblaza poles, like the camera boom 600 R-Lock and will fit all Railblaza starports.

Railblaza Camera Boom 600 R-Lock

The Railblaza Camera Boom 600 R-Lock is the best GoPro mount for your kayak and canoe. (It has a ¼inch/20 thread, to mount other cameras too.) It has two easy to operate ‘elbow’ joints and a rotating top, so camaras can be used in any direction and position. On whitewater one can put the camera mount directly into the base. The StarPort HD base is permanently bolted to the kayak. The pole is mounted in the base. Disassembly when you’re finished is quick and easy, and it will store just about anywhere.

C-Monsta Wetsuit Hanger

This is the C-Monsta Wetsuit Hanger to keep wetsuits and gear dry, lasting longer, and prevents smelling! They are injection molded from recycled plastic and shipped in a recycled cardboard box. Using these tough built hangers, you can hang all your gear, wet/dry suit, gloves and boots together in one place. The oversized mouth will fit almost any suit and prevents those damaging neoprene creases. Ventilated spaces for both boots and gloves helps them dry faster and precisely crafted curves keep dripping water away from your wetsuit. The hook and strap can be thread through a hood! An adjustable strap allows adjustments to make it fit anywhere you want to dry your gear. It can easily hold up to 15kgs without bending or buckling. A defenit must have!


3:1 A Petzl Micro Traxion Blocking Pulley, a Petzl Oscillante Pulley, a Petzl William biner and an older Petzl Wire biner.	5:1 A Petzl Jag Traxion Double Blocking Pulley, a Petzl Jag Double Pulley, two Petzl OK biners and a Petzl Tibloc.