Kanumesse

Off to Germany to the European Paddlesports Show. I will post pics on my return.

Peel and Stick Keel Strip

We have just uploaded a short video on the installation of the new Peel and Stick Keel Strip available from Reed/Rockpool North America and Secondwind Sports. I have been testing this stuff on demo boats for about 6 months now and am very impressed with it's easy application, appearance and durability. Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzFte5iTYlw

New Bright Orange Deck available

We have ordered enough material to make 23 Rockpool Alaw Bach TCC's with bright orange decks for this season. There is and additional $20 charge for this material due to the small quantity, but the boats look great. If you are looking for a distinctive Hi-Vis color for your new TCC, this is it.

Rockpool Alaw Bach TCC spare paddle holder


Prototype Spare Paddle holder ready for testing. Made of heavy mesh material and shaped specifically for the TCC.

New Recessed Compass Mount for Rockpool Alaw Bach TCC

New Lower Seat

I had a chance to demo the new Lower Seat for a brief time on the lake yesterday, and while it does allow for more fitting options, Istill prefer the Performance seat. Here are some pics

New Website

I have managed to replace the Reed North America website with something much simpler, but easier to edit. check out www.reednorthamerica.com

New adjustable seat option

We have developed an adjustable seat as an option to the standard fixed seat in the ALAW BACH TCC. No additional cost. It allows up to 3" of movement. Pictures to follow.

Chris

Rockpool Alaw Bach TCC seat and backband

I have been asked to explain the benefits of the TCC seat and backband. First of all to take advantage of the higher foredeck, the seat is raised in the front to allow the knees to be closer together. The closer the knees, the more effective the power transmission from the legs. Think of trying to do leg presses at the gym with your knees splayed apart.
Secondly the seat pan is rounded in the shape of a butt with a higher than normal back. Pressure is distributed evenly around your fleshy bits and pressure from the legs pushes the butt against the higher back. The smooth surface of the seat pan allow frictionless movement of the butt accommodating full rotation. Finally the drain holes in the lowest part of the seat pan drain water quickly should water get through your spray skirt.
The back band is very simple looking, but well thought out. It is only 2" wide and made of UHMW which is both rigid and nearly indestructable. It is just slightly wider than the back of the seat pan, lifts easily to get things, yet stays in place during exits and entries.In the middle of the back band is a 3/4" X 3.5" X 6 inch fabric covered pad on both sides of the band. Should one side of the pad wear out it is simple to just reverse the back band for a new surface. The intent is that, while paddling you are pushing against the intersection of your spine and your hips and not on your spine. This is an area of the body typically covered with flesh and muscle, instead the of typical back band that pushes against your spine. With the pad only 6" wide your hips can rotate more as well.
This high performance seat and back band require the paddler develop muscles to sit up instead of relying on a back rest. Another benefit of the low back band is that it makes it easy to lay completely back on the back deck for stretching or rolling.

Canoecopia

I just returned from Canoecopia put on by Rutabaga in Madison WI. Big crowds, lots of old friends (and some new ones as well), and lots of cool stuff to look at. I was there to witness the introduction of the new Valley Kayaks Avocet VCP (thermoformed)





Here are a couple of pics showing Valley Director Peter Orton and Western US Agent Rob Avery and another of me and Peter (just to prove I was there) in front of the new boat and banner.

The new Avocet VCP looked great, unfortunately most people could not tell it from Valley's superb fiberglass construction.

I think there will be lots more in the future.

First shipment to Europe

We are loading our first container of Rockpool Alaw Bach TCC's for Europe today. It is very exciting to see them go. Next week we are sending the first container to the US East Coast.

Golden Gate Sea Kayak Symposium

I am headed down to the Bay Area to checkout the Golden Gate Symposium this coming weekend. Great place to paddle and great line up of coaches and classes. I will have an extra Rockpool Alaw Bach TCC on board for anyone to demo. The event should be great fun.


Chris

Paddling.net

The paddling.net ad campaign for Rockpool North America just we live and we are already getting inquiries for the new TCC. We also have taken orders for two new dealers on the East Coast; Lake George and Charles River.

First East Coast Dealer

The first East Coast dealer to receive the new Rockpool Alaw Bach tcc is Outdoor Sports Center. We are very excited as we receive lots of inquiries from this region.


www.outdoorsports.com

80 Danbury Road
Wilton, CT 06897
(203) 762-8797

Carbonlite Repair

http://www.eddyline.com/eddyline-kayaks/care-repair/thermo-form-repair-carbonlite-repair

Thermoform repair

Check out this repair of Eddyline Carbonlite courtesy of Ethan Ebersold, the Rockpool North America West coast rep. Keep in mind that the adhesive is of the same family that dentists use to install teeth. Go to Ethan's blog and look for thermoform repair.

http://happypaddlin.blogspot.com