The Equipment

I seem to be spending a fortune at the moment. The big expense, the boat, is going to have cost me about £500 after I take into account the petrol, the fuel pump man, and the diesel that was part of the expedition to collect the boat. On top of that I had to get a roof rack, (technically I was going to have to get a roof rack anyway as I have just got a new car but it feels like this DW quest pushed the need for one higher up the list). Then I had to get V-bars, I didn’t need them for the Surprise as she is a solid boat but Petra is a more fragile creature and I didn’t want to stress the hull in transit. I have wanted wing paddles for a long time and a cheap set was thrown in with the sale of another boat, for £40 they’re great but the plastic wings are a bit heavy for my liking, so I am on the look-out for a much lighter set with split shafts. So, what’s that? About £850 so far.

Today I started to wonder how much more I would have to spend, so this post is an exploration into what equipment I still want/need, and I want to explain what kit worked for me and what I am going to improve it with. Which then brings me onto my secret narcissistic desire that this blog has been found by another DW hopeful who like me, is trawling the internet looking for information and help, and that this blog is the one which gives the answers they have yet to find… If that’s you reading this… You’re welcome.

What equipment did I need for the DW a couple of years ago?

Boat. Mine was heavy. It got me to the end but I wanted a faster, lighter craft. Well I have a faster boat, at the cost of stability.

Paddle. I completed my first DW with my general purpose paddles. They are great and were quite expensive when I got them. Cranked carbon shaft, and tear drop blades. But I wanted wings. I admit it might be partly because everyone else had wings, but they must do more than look good. I now have wing blades and they do seem to be making a difference. I just want some better ones now.

Clothing. Starting from the bottom…

Footwear. I have a pair of neoprene boots and a pair of neoprene socks they weren’t too expensive and are good bits general kayaking kit. I’m pretty certain I wore the same ones for the last DW and my feet were not cold then. It worked for me then, it will work for me now.

Legs. I have a pair of dry trousers which I got for white-water paddling which were great on DW especially when I fell in trying to get out at a really high portage. I’m probably going to wear those again. Underneath though I wore a pair of tracksuit bottoms that I bought about a week before Easter, I didn’t wear them in the boat until race day and regretted it, they were not cut for kayaking. I think I will try and find some kayak specific long-johns (and will use them during training).

Middle. I have a really nice Nookie thermal softcore that I have owned since forever. I was devastated when I tore a sleeve a few years ago but my wife modified it and turned it into a shorty which I still wear paddling. I think I will have to get a new long sleeve one before the race. As the outer I have a white water dry cag which I wore for the race which was not so good. While I remained very dry, the rubber gaskets at my neck and wrists became uncomfortable for the long duration paddling, so I am going to have to find something to replace it this time. I like the look of the Palm Tempo so I currently have that on the list.

Hands. Poggies. Stupid name for a brilliant bit of kit. The first day of paddling I wore these really warm 5mm neoprene kayaking gloves, they were nice and toasty but held water against my skin for 9 odd hours, this made my hands do that wrinkly thing that you get in the bath but a thousand times worse, it was excruciatingly painful after I took the gloves off at the end of the day. Fortunately for me (less fortunate for my friends), my scout leader friends who were also doing the DW had not made the first day cut off time but did have a pair of poggies, so I was able to borrow some for the remainder of the race. I subsequently bought myself a pair for another race (The Great Glen Paddle. That is another much less successful story, and my planned return to that race will be another chapter in the future) so as long as I can find them at the back of the kayaking cupboard I am good.

Head. Fleece hat. I might treat myself to a new one but I am sure the hat I wore the last time is kicking about somewhere. I have also treated myself to a rather fetching beard and will keep for the race it so my chin stays warm. If you do have the opportunity to get one, I can heartily recommend them as they are cheap and make you look very manly.

Buoyancy aid. I have a jolly expensive one which I bought for my white water paddling and coaching and I think my wife will kill me if I plan to get a marathon specific BA. The cut is not too cumbersome and it is very comfortable.

Spraydeck. I saw lots of DW crews with zipped spraydecks and wondered what was the point of them? It wasn’t until I got onto the Thames section where decks were compulsory and put my own full deck on that I realised how much warmer they kept my legs, so I’m a convert, a zipped spraydeck means you can get the benefit from the cover without losing too much time during portages. Fortunately for me a zipped spraydeck was thrown in with the sale of one of the boats so I don’t need to splash out on one of those. 

Water bottle holder. Quickly changing water with your support crew is made simple with the Marsport water bottle holder and bespoke bottles with straws cut to the right length. I’m sure there are other drinking solutions available but most of the crews I saw were using them so it must be pretty good. I have a holder and many bottles from the last race.

Apart from the compulsory race kit (which I also probably have kicking around somewhere) I just need/want to get, Long-Johns, a Nookie thermal softcore top, and a Palm Tempo jacket. Oh. And some carbon wing paddles. Roll on Christmas.