Venture kayaks Islay 14 1st look.

 Take to the water! Its not all hard graft here at A.S. We do get to splash about a bit as well. Ewart has a quick spin in the new Venture Kayaks Islay 14.

 Jemma paddling smooth, no splashing. The Islay  is the new boat from Venture. It has design elements taken from the very successful P+H Delphin, a slightly Scandinavian look and feel about it and is generally pretty nice to paddle.

 A square-ish stern thats rudder ready and you can see there is plenty of rocker.
A roundish hull through the mid section with soft edges with a vee'd bow and stern. Initial stability is moderate, not massive but secondary is very good. This boat should suit a paddler looking for a smaller day/weekend touring boat that will be a bit more fun on moving water. It's not anywhere near as responsive or manoeuvrable as the Delphin and feels less planted than the Easky 15 but feels forgiving and easy but not too boring at the same time. Does that make sense?

 All the usual features, twin hatches, drop down skeg, decklines, the reccess to take the Venture deck pod and a paddle park.

Jemma and Ewart discuss the Islay 14 with Tim from Pyranha/Venture kayaks. Production has started with boats in stock very soon.

First Impressions

 We have had the new Hurricane Tracer 165 in the shop for about a week. Ewart and Liam have both had a paddle. Here are Ewart's first thoughts.

 "I was pretty excited to get in this boat and give it a go. Firstly the finish and appearance is just awesome. It looks amazing, the pearlescent finish would not go amiss on a flashy boy racer car" (that is a good thing, not bad in this case).

Sweet out fitting that needs little adjustment.

 After checking it all out having a good look around the boat it was off to the A.S Testing ground. (Exeter Ship canal) for a Stig style test track lap.

                   Separate hatch rims are much drier (found on very high end sea kayaks) The hatch covers are easy to fit, even with one hand which makes a change compared to very tight single compound rubber ones.

"The very first thing I noticed when getting in the boat was that its not huge inside the cockpit but it fitted me instantly with no adjustment to the outfitting other than setting the Sealect foot rests. (very easy, done whilst sitting in the boat)."

"On pushing away from the pontoon the initial stability was not as much as I thought it might be. For me this is great, I like a nice active feeling boat. For a first time paddler it might feel a little wobbly. At my weight of 72kgs there was plenty of freeboard left and it sat quite high out of the water. So it could take a fair bit of gear and that would make it feel a bit more planted. But as an overall paddler size I reckon 6` and about 80kgs would be near the top end (plus a bit of kit)".

"The acceleration is amazing, it gets up to speed very easily and just glides through the water. Top speed was not as much as I thought but it took no effort to paddle.
This is down to the rocker profile I think. Its got a reasonable amount. As soon as you whack it on edge it just whips round. Awesome! As quick in the turn as the P+H Delphin. (which is also very playful.). Its also very stable on edge (due to the shallow Vee hull) which gives you loads of confidence to get it over and move about loads. Bank to Bank s turns were huge amounts of fun." (Hold on, flat water fun in a touring kayak? Is Ewart OK?)

Double locks and back with no real push was about 35mins (didn't time it properly though).

"In all I think this will make for a great day boat for coastal paddling, light weight over nighters and general touring.  A more in depth test when it stops raining and the rivers not pumping."

I know I will be nicking it for any staff paddles and might even just drive around with it on my roof rack- so shiny......oh, did I mention just how light it was? Perfect for my knackerd shoulder.

Hurricane just blew in

We have taken delivery of the super shiney, and super light Hurricane Kayaks range. Demos are now available of the Phoenix 120 and Phoenix 130 sit on tops along with the Tracer 165 touring kayak.

Check out our brand preview here:

Hurricane kayakas, Leaders in light weight.

Ewart is very taken with the Tracer. He's not really into rotomoulded plastic sea kayaks as the weight is a bit much for his knackered shoulders and he likes to go fast with little effort (he's quite lazy! ).

So make sure you book ahead for a demo as you may have to prise it out of his hands.

Kokatat now in stock.

Made in Arcata, California for over 40 years. Kokatat paddling gear is regarded as some of the best you can find world wide. Infact, that is where you are most likely to find it. Spread across the world on the backs of paddlers pushing the limits. World reknowned sea kayakers, White water thrill seekers and the ones we never thank enough, the instructors and guides.

Kokatat Drysuits have been made with Gore-Tex for a long time. The brand is built on some great core values and the reputation for long lasting high perfomance gear is unriveld. If the reptutation is not enough come and see for yourself

40 Years in the Making from Kokatat Watersports Wear on Vimeo.

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The Meridian Drysuit is amazing.. The choice of the professional and those who want to stay dry, like really dry. (click the image above).

Yes, they make fishing drysuits as well. The Suprernova angler suit has front entry zips making it easy to put on. We know many of you fish alone...prevent those embaressing carpark zip moments. The latex wrist seals stop every thing running down your arm, the built in socks can be worn in wetsuit boots, wellies or water shoes with a nice warm thermal sock inside for the cold days. The firm fit neoprene neck is way more comfy than latex. Especially when you get salt water in the mix. (click the image).

Any of the hooded jackets, The T3 Tectour, the Gore-Tex Tectour or the Tempest jacket are perfect for everyday sea kayaking, combine them with the Tempest dry pants for great flexability and comfort.
For anyone who wants the best the Gore-Tex Expedition drysuit with hood and relife zip is just awesome.
Kokatat Ambassador and South West based sea kayaker Jeff Allen has used the Expedition suit on previous trips.
Visit our new shop to see the range and prepare for your next adventure. Free stickers galore with all Kokatat purchases.

New shop NOW OPEN.

We have finally made the move to our new shop. We are pretty pleased with it and we hope you are too.
The opening day last Saturday was great with lots of visitors, refreshments and smiles.

Take a quick look at Ewarts photo blog.

http://3bsports.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/as-watersports-new-shop.html

We look forward to seeing you.

Closure details 19th -23rd March

Here is all the important information you need regarding our relocation to the new shop next week.

We will be closed from Monday 19th March to Friday 23rd March inclusive.

Our contact number during this time will be 01392 421831

Unfortunately we will not be able to answer emails from Monday 19th until Sat 24th March.

You can still make Internet orders but we will not be despatching them until Tuesday 27th March.

During our relocation time you will not be able to make any collections.

We apologise for the inconvenience and thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding.

Come and see us in our brand new 3000sq feet paddle sports heaven on Saturday 24th March.
All of us here at A.S Watersports are very excited about the move and we think you will be too.

The ceilings the limit!

The new shop is really starting to take shape and its looking more like a shop and less like a building site everyday!

Jim has been making a start on our counters and wall fittings.

Sam's new home for internet orders...well it will stop him cluttering up our main counter!

Our boat racks on the wall.

The final ceiling tiles going in!

Even Mitch has been drafted in to work on our wall fixings!

As you can see the new shop is really starting to take shape and we're all very excited about moving in to our new home!

Our current shop will close at 5pm on Saturday 17th March and we will be closed Monday 19th to Friday 23rd to give us chance to move everything over so we can open our new shop on Saturday 24th March!
Unfortunately we will not be despatching internet orders during this time, but you can still make orders and they will be despatched on Monday 26th March.

New shop takes shape.

As the post title suggests the new shop is taking shape with progress speeding up as we near the opening towards the end of the month.

Random images from today. Lights going in, floor going down. A new era is in sight.

                                      

    Sam playing at being a Sparkys assistant.

Floor going down in the main room.

                                                                       Lots of lights!

Just lots going on. 3 teams in today. Electrician, buliders and plumbers. Staff shower and disabled loos going in.

We are all very excited about this opening at about the same time as us. A brand new deli and sandwich shop only feet from the door!

Keeping it in the family. Ex staffer Roger Ford from Ford home electrics making things shine!

                                                       Another fine day in tropical Exeter.

The next two weeks are jam packed. We will keep posting as it happens!

Upping Sticks- A.S is on the move.

A.S Watersports are Relocating!

We are pleased to announce that we are moving the shop to new premises. The new shop is only 20 meters away on the Piazza Terricina where we have been trading for the last 17 years.

The new shop is just two meters away from the water, thats even closer than we are at the moment!

Our new shop, right next to the canal.

Bigger: 3000sq feet, twice the size of the current shop.

Better: More space, better displays, easier shopping, new facilities.

More: New brands, We are expanding our range of boats, paddles and kit.

We will be stocking the world famous drysuit brand Kokotat. Top end paddles from Lettmann and new boats from Hurricane. For more info on the new ranges see the new page here: News

The Quay to Adventure

Along with our new shop the quay is becoming a vibrant and exciting part of Exeter with plenty to do and see. The quay hosts a number of great cafes, bars and restuarants. The New Quay Climbing centre and Clip and Climb at the Quay has been very popular since opening in September. Work has started on the brand new £5.6 million Haven Banks outdoor education centre on the canal banks opposite the new shop, making the area a great destination for the outdoor enthusiast.

New shop opens Late March 2012.

Every one here is excited about the new shop but all have different feelings about leaving the old shop.

Mitch:

 "In the 17 years that we have been here the sport has changed and the range of products has grown alot to the point that we have out grown the shop so am looking forward to the extra space and the excitement of being in a new shop."

" I wont miss the ladders".

Ewart: "I've seen  many changes, shop layouts, staff changes, and kit changes. Moving in to the new shop gives me a great sense of excitment about where it will all go next. Even in the last ten years I've been at A.S the sport has progressed so much. Five years ago it was hard work to get me near a sit on top kayak, now I think nothing of getting some mates together to go kayak fishing. I'm really looking forward to working in the new shop as I reckon it will give us all a boost and hope we can pass on our new buzz to the customer. I'm also looking forward to having a few beers while looking back at the good times had in the old shop, laughing at some pretty dodgy pictures of us all looking much younger, fitter and not so grey!"

Liam: " I love the higgildy piggildy nature of our current shop but it's gone past being full, its really starting to burst at the seams! The new shop is beautiful even before its full of shiny kayak kit. The wall next to the water is completely made of glass so it's a great view and plenty of natural light. Twice as much floor space allows us to display everything better but I'm also really keen to use the space in the evenings. I want to invite people down to deliver talks on their recent adventures. I spend lots of time paddling the waters round the shop and now spend the evenings enjoying the new climbing wall. The Quay is a great destination to spend a day. With this new unit the South West Canoe Show is going to look even more spectacular this year! "  

Jemma: "We have been crying out for more room for a while now, we had two choices really, reduce what we stocked or move to bigger premises, we didn't want to reduce the wide range of products that we stock, so we decided to move. I am excited about the new shop because as well as being able to display products much better than we currently do, we will now have more space meaning we can take on new brands such as Kokatat and Hurricane Kayaks. I'm looking forward to a tidy, much more organised shop, that will look really smart to."

We would love to hear your thoughts on the new shop, drop us an email or pop in. The kettle will be on.

sales@aswatersports.co.uk

Liam returns from Ecuador.

Ecuador 2012. 

Last week I returned from a 3 week kayaking trip in Ecuador and I still haven't stopped smiling. I spend most my hours in the Summer on the water teaching kayaking to and I absolutely love it. Though with the winter coming up I knew I was to be spending a bit more time indoors and started getting itchy feet so I decided to book a trip to Ecuador, South America. I'd had my eye on this location for over a year and a half.

Past trips to France, Italy and Switzerland have all ways been with a group of friends and organizing everything for ourselves. That's something I love doing. Though this time I wanted a different sort of trip. Admittedly I wanted to be a little lazy. So headed out on my to Ecuador on my own and joined Small World Adventures an outfitter who spend the winter months guiding week long trips and clinics . They have been guiding there for 15 plus years. Accommodation, food, drivers, vans boats were all part of the cost. This meant I could relax and save your energy for the paddling!

Enjoy the Photos!

See our gallery!

50% Off Big Dog Kayaks at the Pots Rodeo.

Big Dog kayaks are giving away a massive 50% Off voucher to the winning uni team at this weekends
 Pots Rodeo and Boater-Exe.

The winning team get a Big Dog kayak of their choice and only pay for half of it. Thats a BIG prize.

The event is still open to anyone over the age of 18 (on the day of competition) but this prize if for Uni teams only.

                                         www.potsrodeo.co.uk

Get all the event info on the Pots Website.

Lettmann Paddles now in stock.

Lettmann Paddles, high spec, high tech, high performance kayak paddles now in stock. If you've not heard of Lettmann paddles before here is what you need to know; They are designed and hand built in Germany from the highest quality materials, to offer you the highest levels of performance. Lettmann was founded by Klaus Lettmann and they have their roots in competitive sport. No wonder, founder of the enterprise, Klaus Lettmann, was white water racing champion of the world. And his son and successor, Jochen Lettmann, is several times canoe slalom champion of Germany and got the bronze medal at the Olympic Games in Barcelona.

 Lettmann paddles are used today by many competitive paddlers, whether in polo, whitewater racing, slalom, or extreme racing. Local paddlers Steve 'Ugg' Whetman  and Ed Cornfield swear by their Lettmann paddles, and UK extreme racer Pete Scutt uses his while competing in the Etive river race and the Adidas Sickline.

Lettmann Ergo pro Extrem LCS70 whitewater paddle

Lettmann paddles are hand made, laid into a mould and then vacum formed, to ensure that the paddles contain the perfect balance of materials to resin, for maximum strength and minimal weight. The blades and shaft of Lettmann paddles are made as one piece, making them stronger and lighter, with a single joint in the centre of the shaft.

 

Lettmann Ergo pro LCS50 whitewater paddle

Lettmann paddles are available with Lettmanns Ergonomic shaft. The Crank shaft has a 'pistol' style grip that helps to naturally align your hands and wrists. This causes less stress and fatigue helping you to deliver more powerful strokes. The blades are also in front of the centre line of the shaft, which makes smoother and easier to control power strokes, while allowing you use a lighter grip.

Lettmann Ergo pro LCS50 touring paddle

The Profile blades feature a foam core, which helps to create exceptional stiffness and performance. The 3-D profile is based on an aeroplane wing. Like a wing, as a fluid passes over it creates pressure differences between the two faces, resulting in a super efficient power delivery. Draw strokes and bow rudders become super smooth and clean strokes. The foam core profile also has inherent buoyancy which helps improve rolling and bracing.

Lettmann Nordic WW LCS70 wing paddle



We will be stocking a range of the Lettmann paddles for both whitewater and touring paddlers in a range of different constructions.

The LCS70 Extrem construction is the top of the range construction, that has Carbon and Aramid blades and a Carbon shaft.

The LCS50 construction has Carbon and Glass blades and a Carbon Shaft.

We will be stocking the following range of paddles.

The Ergo profile Extrem LCS70 Whitewater paddle

The Ergo profile LCS50 Whitewater paddle

The Ergo profile LCS50 Touring paddle

The Nordic WW LCS70 Wing paddle

For more info, or to try out a set of paddles pop into our waterside Exeter shop, or call the shop on 01392 219600

Pots Rodeo and Boater Exe up date.

Its all looking very good for next weekends Exeter Uni canoe Club event at Flower Pots- Mill on the Exe.


Mill on the Exe are putting on a Beer and Burger deal and will have drinks promos on the night. Don't worry as this year they have bought extra Hot Chocolate in to cope with demand.

Yak Adventure equipment will have a selection of drysuits for paddlers to test. Try out their new Titan suit along with some more of the range.  You may have to have your photo taken though!
There will be discounts available on the suit on the day and also vouchers for discount after the event.


Win a Titan drysuit on the upcoming Facebook competition. Keep your eyes on this page: Yak Adventure Equipment.

Booming Sounds to keep you amped up and ready to rumble provided by Sound Events

This years event is raising money for the Devon Air Ambulance. A very usefull serivce for paddlers who need help in remote locations. It is also a very expensive to run service and is funded by donations. Please dig deep and fill the collection buckets on site.
You can find out more about the Devon Air Ambulance Trust here: www.daat.org

Pots Rodeo Saturday 4th Feb. Mill on the Exe  www.potsrodeo.co.uk

Another happy customer.

 Just before Christmas we sent another shiny kayak on its way to the water. This one was a beauty as well.

 The pictures don't do it justice as this P+H Cetus HV was stunning. The blue and black worked really well and the finish was impeccable. With a glass and Diolen layup this Cetus was a great weight and nicely durable. It even had a foam stiffener laid into the hull inside the boat. Which you can see inside the cockpit as a white strip.

 Factory fitted with a towing cleat and bullseye ready for towing and rescues. We then fitted a Silva 70p compass for further sea worthiness.

 Custom graphics finally set this Cetus HV off a treat. All ready for its soon to be very happy owner!

 Stunning and shiney black and blue. The black is not always advised for sea boats as it does show the scratches, this one was fitted with a keel strip to help keep it in good nick, the keelstrip was coloured to hull to keep it all looking smooth.

 Left hand side skeg slider controls. A skeg is still the most popular option on sea kayaks instead of rudders.

Colin, super pleased with his new P+H Cetus HV. What a great match to his van!  Colin used the P+H kayak customiser tool on the website to check out his dream boat. http://www.phseakayaks.com/

Order a P+H Cetus online today: P+H Cetus