PaddleXaminer is a veteran owned publication based in Los Angeles, California. We provide stories, gear reviews, and news for adventurers on and off the water.
© PaddleXaminer 2023 – All Rights Reserved
A version of this article in Japanese is available at the conclusion of the original text. The Japanese version is made possible through a partnership between SUP Examiner & Everything SUP Japan.
Cold weather paddling
Do you have a favorite piece of gear? Most outdoors people do. When it comes to cold weather paddling I swear by my Vaikobi V Cold Storm paddle pants. I’ve been wearing the V Cold paddle pants for over a year now and during that time I’ve come to embrace paddling in temperatures where going out in just a pair of board shorts and top is no longer desirable. The pants have the benefit of a wetsuit, but with the specificity of being designed for paddling. To this end, the Australian company constructed the pants with multiple, rugged stitching and articulation points throughout the pants so they naturally fit and move they way you do when paddling.
Vaikobi recommends wearing the pants when the temperature is at 15 C or less (approximately 59 F) and I’ve found that to be a good benchmark. The coldest air temp I’ve worn them in has been around 4 C and I was plenty warm and can easily envisage wearing them in even colder temps, should conditions warrant doing so.
Features on the V Cold Storm paddle pants include:
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Featuring V Cold Technology which controls your body temperature for maximum performance
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Seamless seat panel
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Articulated cut
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Scooped back and low front design
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Body temperature management system which allows your body to breath as you heat up
At the outrigger club in the V Cold paddle pants.
Examining how well the Vaikobi V Cold Pants have held up
I regularly wear my V Cold paddle pants for SUP and outrigger canoeing. They are an essential piece of gear during my outrigger club’s early morning winter OC-1 practices when we’re bobbing on the water in the reflective glow of the city lights before sunrise. One of the nice features of the pants is the cut of the waistband which has a higher back section to maintain coverage when you are in a seated position. This works really well in the outrigger canoe and prevents exposing any bare skin to the cold water/air while paddling. They also pair very well, understandably so, with Vaikobi’s V Cold paddle tops.
These paddle pants are super easy to maintain, just rinse with freshwater after use and hang them up to air dry. I have two pairs and am essentially wearing one pair or the other in a constant rotation throughout the winter paddling season. There is a lot of different gear for cold weather paddling out there, but this is what I use and is what I recommend when the mercury begins to drop.
V Cold Storm paddle pants: $129 AUD
Learn more at: vaikobi.com
This article has been supported by collaboration partners SUP Examiner & Everything SUP Japan.
コラボレーションパートナーでSUP Examiner™の創設者、マット・チェバトリス氏による「Vaikobi Vコールドストームパドルパンツ（1年間使用）」の製品レビュー
Vaikobi Vコールドストームパドルパンツを1年間着用してみて…
皆さんにはSUPやアウトリガーカヌーなどのパドルスポーツをする時のお気に入りアイテムがありますか？恐らくほとんどの方があると思います。ちなみに私は寒い日にパドリングする時はいつもVaikobi のVコールドストームパドルパンツを着用しています。
1年以上愛用しているこのパドルパンツのおかげで、ボードショーツとトップスだけでは難しい、低い気温の時もパドリングが楽しめるようになりました。
このパドルパンツにはもちろんウェットスーツとしての役割もありますが、特にパドリングのためにデザインされています。オーストラリアのブランドであるVaikobi。丈夫な縫製と特別なカッティングを施したパドルパンツは自然と体にフィットし、パドリングの時も動きやすいのが特長です。
Vaikobiではこのパドルパンンツを気温18℃以下での着用を勧めていますが、私はこの気温設定は妥当だと思っています。ちなみに私がこれまで着用したことがある最低気温は約4℃なのですが、このパドルパンツはとても暖かったです。…と言うことは、さらに低い温度でも着用可能であることが容易に想像できますよね。
Vaikobi Vコールドストームパドルパンツの特徴について
・体温をコントロールする「Vコールドテクノロジー」搭載で最高のパフォーマンスを実現
・シームレス縫製で心地よい肌触り
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特別なカッティングが施され、肌に馴染みやすく動きやすい
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ウエストの前部分はローカット、腰部分はハイカットでかがんだ時も安心
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体温管理システムで肌が「呼吸」しながら、温かさをコントロール
アウトリガーカヌーでVコールドパドルパンツを着用
私はSUPとアウトリガーカヌーを楽しむ時にはいつもこのパドルパンツを着用しています。所属しているアウトリガーカヌークラブの冬の早朝練習で、朝日が上がる前、遠くに見える街の光を眺めながら水に浮かぶあの時間は至福です。
また、このパドルパンツのすばらしい特徴の1つである、かがんだときに背中が出ないデザイン。パドリングしている時の冷たい水や空気を防いでくれるので、アウトリガーカヌーやSUPを楽しむ時は本当に助かっています。
さらに、このパドルパンツとトップスのVコールドパフォーマンスベースレイヤーとの相性は抜群です。好みやコンディションに合わせて下着やウィンドブレイカーの下に着用することもできます。
そして、Vaikobiのパドルパンツはメンテナンスがとっても簡単。使用後は真水ですすいで風で乾燥させるだけです。私は2枚持っているので、ウィンターシーズンには交互に着用しています。
さまざまな会社から冬用のアイテムが販売されていますが、気温が低い時は本当にオススメのパドルパンツです。
最高のパドリングの時間を楽しむために、Vaikobiアイテムをチョイスしてみてはいかがでしょうか。
パドルスポーツ総合情報サイトはこちら！（www.oceansportsinc.com）
この記事はSUP ExaminerとEverything SUP Japanが共同でお送りしてます。
マット・チェバトリス
SUP Examinerの創設者
元国家安全保障の専門家の一方、冒険家としての人生を謳歌している。これまで外交政策の分野で様々な資料を発表。また、スポーツの楽しさを共有するための場としてSUP Examiner™を設立。現在、妻のカレン、タキシードキャットのマクシミリアンと共にロサンゼルス在住。
Waterlogged. For most, the word instantly conjures up an image. It may be positive for some while others may reflexively shudder with negative mental imagery. For Morgan Hoesterey, Sydney Terrell and Whitney Erickson – the team behind Waterlogged Adventures – waterlogged is simply a way of life. Earlier this month I had the privilege of attending a six hour breath control and ocean confidence course run by the Waterlogged team during a session hosted by Operation Open Water, a California-based non-profit organization which provides ocean and open water experiences for veterans and first responders.
Our day began on the pool deck at a Huntington Beach area high school. After a round of introductions, me and the nine other students received an overview of the basics around breathing and some insights into the science behind breath control. From there we donned our wetsuits and spent the majority of the next five hours in the pool where Morgan and her team professionally led us through a series of activities and assessments. Each activity was incrementally a bit more challenging as new elements were introduced. From the initial static apnea test to my favorite, the rock walk, we tested our confidence and ability to perform basic tasks in a safe and controlled underwater environment.
It had been years since I’d received any type of formal underwater training – going back to my time as a Naval Aircrewman in the 90s and early 2000s. For me the session was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with a part of my past in a fun, informative, and no pressure environment. More importantly, the breath control training and insights are highly transferable skills to give me a mental framework which I can apply at my job in risk management at one of the Big Four global professional services firms when confronted with challenging situations. The new breath control skills are also a natural complement to my favorite ocean hobby of surfski paddling.
Waterlogged Adventures offers a wide range of classes and excursions for all ages. Visit their website to learn more about their offerings and check to see when Waterlogged will be in your area.
Operation Open Water is a California-based non-profit with the goal of leading a movement where adventure is a backdrop for fellowship and reviving the souls of those who serve our communities and our country. To learn more about the activities hosted by Operation Open Water visit their website and make a connection when the time is right for you.
PaddleXaminer is a veteran owned publication based in Los Angeles, California. We provide stories, gear reviews, and news for adventurers on and off the water.
© PaddleXaminer 2023 – All Rights Reserved
The virtual world cup will be held on December 17, will be streamed live, and will pit world and Olympic athletes against recreational paddlers keen to test themselves against the globe’s best competitors.
Athletes will race over approximately 2000 meters, and using the latest cutting edge technology will be able to measure their progress against opponents located in loungerooms, garages and gymnasiums around the world.
ICF President Thomas Konietzko said the virtual world cup showed the importance of embracing innovation to remain relevant in a fast-changing sporting landscape.
“Today this specifically means for traditional sports to adapt and adopt, or be left behind and forgotten,” Mr Konietzko said.
“As the governing body of the sport, we want to drive innovation and foster the growth and development. By having an online virtual competition, we intend to do just that.
“The virtual competition will have the opportunity to increase our membership and increase engagement with paddlers all year round by making our sport more accessible. Not only can paddlers virtually anywhere join, but now they can enjoy our sport during cold winter months.”
There will be individual races in three categories – junior, senior and masters 40+ – for both men and women. There will also be races for men’s and women’s paracanoe. Each race will have a cut-off of 15 minutes.
The ICF has partnered with world-leading ergo manufacturer KayakPro to ensure the competition offers the best possible athlete experience. Competitors will need access to a KayakPro machine, and the cutting edge Genesis Port Bluetooth Smart Console. Athletes who don’t have the console may qualify for an ICF donation.
Competitors will also need to be able to film their performance, to be part of the ICF livestream program.
Entry to the event costs just EU 5. Registration closes December 7, and a trial competition run will be held for interested participants on December 15.
You can find the latest event bulletin here. The event webpage is here.
Standup paddling on the Los Angeles River is an urban adventure like no other. As with any good paddling adventure, getting to your destination is part of the fun. You plan, you pack and you head out to attain epic glory. Or at the very least, a fun day on the water!
I chose to use a Hala Radito for my most recent outing. Designed for whitewater and expedition paddling, the 10’x34”x6” Radito was a perfect platform for a late season trip on the Los Angeles River. The Radito is equipped with Hala Gear’s revolutionary Stompbox™ Retractable Fin, meaning the center fin on the SUP will retract inside the board upon impact with an underwater object. Having the Stompbox™ on this particular trip proved to be an undeniable good thing given the shallow water and abundance of rocks and other obstacles. The Los Angeles River does have a year round flow, but the volume of water is dependent on snowmelt and winter rain upstream. Since I did the run in late August, shallow water was prevalent throughout my journey.
I launched near Frog Spot, which is an eclectic, semi-post industrial urban locale on the right bank of the Los Angeles River in Elysian Valley not far from Griffith Park. After exiting the I-5 at the aptly named Riverside Dr., the next challenge is finding a place to park. (Note: There are two sections of the Los Angeles River open to recreational paddling, the 2.5 mile Elysian Valley section and the 2.0 mile Sepulveda Basin section.)
There isn’t a designated parking area for visiting the LA River, nor is there a developed launch/recovery spot. Paddling the Los Angeles River is about as wild and urban of a paddling adventure as it gets. You know that huge concrete channel wall you’ve seen in countless movies and television shows? Well, after ducking under the fence, you’ll have the opportunity to hike down the concrete channel wall, SUP in hand, as you make your way towards the river.
There is a natural bottom in this section of the river. Normally when writing about paddling on a river it would likely go without saying that the river bottom is natural. This being LA, “natural” is a relative term. The Army Corps of Engineers lined the Los Angeles River with concrete in the 1930s as a flood control measure. As the story goes, the concrete failed to set in a couple of sections due to the influx of water from subterranean springs. Fast-forward to 2017 and there is a micro-ecosystem of foliage and wildlife surrounded by the concrete urban jungle of LA.
After marching down the concrete channel wall I made my way through a mini-jungle of greenery to the river and located a suitable spot to launch. The great thing about having an inflatable such as the Hala Gear Radito is you can simply toss your board into the water and jump in.
I paddled, sometimes hiked, upstream towards Fletcher Dr. before turning around and making a downstream run. Closed toed footwear is essential for running a river and I was glad to have a pair of Merrell All Out Blaze Aero Sport shoes protecting my feet. Designed as a hydro-hiker, the Aero Sport has a mesh upper to facilitate instantaneous drainage, ample toe and heel protection, along with a Vibram hiking tread on the sole. I previously wore the shoes on an exploration of the Palos Verdes Peninsula and they were every bit as home on the river as they were along the rocky coast.
There is an abundance of wildlife populating the river, including numerous schools of fish darting about in the pools of water behind protected rocks. I also came across several Canada Geese, Mallard Ducks, and various herons and egrets. Given the dense undergrowth in the green belt along the bank there was almost certainly a few additional species which spied me along the way.
As I paddled downstream I found a fun little section where the navigable section of the river narrowed to approximately 3.5 ft and required a succession of left-right-left maneuvers to successfully pass. The speed of the river picked up as it rushed through the notch. It was a neat little ride and I ran the sections a few times just for fun!
A post shared by SUP Examiner (@supexaminer) on Aug 24, 2017 at 1:16pm PDT
Board performance
Based on my experience with the Hala Radito, I highly recommend it for paddling on swift moving rivers. The nose rocker easily handles the bumping motion of wave trains. The width provides a generous amount of stability, while the compact length and swallowtail offer the performance and maneuverability needed to successfully run a river. The bright red, yellow and blue deck pad explodes with color and really stands out. Visibility is important, especially when progressing into more challenging conditions and I have no doubt the Hala Radito would be up to the task.
Perhaps the most valuable feature which truly sets the Radito apart is the Stompbox™ Retractable Fin working in tandem with the board’s four unbreakable gummy side bites. All five fins have a shallow draft which enables you to use the board in shallow conditions where rocks can easily destroy a conventional fin box.
Gear for the Los Angeles River
Paddling the Los Angeles River is an adventure and is not a destination I recommend for inexperienced standup paddlers. The river is fraught with hazards, most of which are unseen, and the water is moving swiftly in some sections due to the narrow width of the navigable channel. While there are sections which, during certain times of the year, it is possible to safely launch / recover a hard board, the river is best run on an inflatable standup paddleboard.
Closed toed footwear is essential. I recommend Merrell’s All Out Blaze Aero Sport for a dedicated, bad ass river shoe to protect your feet. You can paddle in them and comfortably hike over any terrain. The latter is important because you may have to portage your board through some sections due to obstacles.
As with footwear, wearing a foam PFD (not an inflatable belt pack) is a must for running the river. I use the MTI Cascade which is a very comfortable, adjustable PFD packed with great features such as zippered pockets, Z-strap adjustment points and daisy chain loops. If you choose to wear a leash on the river, use a coiled leash with a quick release toggle. Attaching your leash to a SUP leash release belt is the prefered configuration when paddling a river. Alternatively, you may attach your releasable SUP leash to your PFD, provided it is attached in a location which you can easily reach. I used the latter method. If you intend to spend time regularly paddling whitewater, I recommend investing in a PFD designed specifically with whitewater SUP in mind.
Lastly, protect your head and wear a helmet. Most rivers are full of rocks and unseen hazards. The Los Angeles River is no exception. If you don’t have a paddling specific helmet but have a bike helmet and are just planning a one-off trip, wear your bike helmet. Be safe, have fun and live to tell the tale of your epic adventure!
For additional information about paddling the Los Angeles River visit: http://lariverrecreation.org/
#HalaRadito #MTIAdventureWear #WhitewaterPaddling #HalaGear #PumpedUpPaddler #LosAngelesRiver #Merrell
One of the gems of Southern California, the Laguna Beach coastline is renowned for it beauty. A rugged array of cliffs and coves line the shore of the Pacific Ocean along the stretch initially settled as a remote artists’ colony, far from the bustle of Los Angeles and San Diego. Today, Laguna Beach is home to more than just artists, but much of the area’s beauty which attracted the early residents remains. The ocean off Laguna is remarkable for its clarity and prized for the large number of reefs and sandy inlets making it an ideal location for a standup paddling and snorkeling.
Where to launch
As it’s name suggests, Diver’s Cove is known for diving and is one of the three somewhat co-located coves worth visiting on your paddling / snorkeling adventure. The other two, Fisherman’s Cove (also known as Boaters Cove) and Shaw’s Cove are immediately to the north. Each cove is separated from the other by a rocky outcrop and within a few yards of one another. In fact, the access stairs for Diver’s and Fisherman’s Coves are only a few feet apart.
Paddling out
There is certainly nothing preventing one from using a hard board for a snorkeling adventure, but to me, launching with a well designed inflatable SUP is the way to go. I brought along my Hala Gear Hala Playa for the day and was stoked with the board’s performance as a platform for snorkeling. The board’s 30” width, 10’11” length and rocker line designed specifically for the ocean make the Hala Playa an extremely comfortable board to slowly meander through the kelp beds. The Playa also has a set of bungees up front which are perfect for securing your gear and attaching a DeckBagz. All in all, the Hala Playa is a perfect SUP for an ocean adventure paddle.
I like to wear a 9 ft surf leash when snorkeling via SUP. After strapping on my fins I simply swim around and tow my SUP behind along the surface. Using a SUP on a snorkeling trip is a great way to cover a lot of area at once, popping in and out at different reefs, in addition to exploring areas a bit further away from the beach.
The coastline along Laguna Beach is a Marine Protected Area and all the sea life is protected. It is essentially a great underwater park teeming with life from the amazing stalks of kelp forming an aquatic forest to the abundance of fish, including the bright orange Garibaldi – the California State Fish.
One thing to bear in mind when planning a snorkeling trip to Laguna Beach is that California is not the Caribbean, meaning the water is typically not very warm. If you’re exploring the area via SUP, however, you’ll have ample opportunity to hop out of the water to dry off and warm up!
#Features #LagunaBeach #HalaGear #travel #PumpedUpPaddler #HalaPlaya #Stories #Snorkeling
PaddleXaminer is a veteran owned publication based in Los Angeles, California. We provide stories, gear reviews, and news for adventurers on and off the water.
© PaddleXaminer 2023 – All Rights Reserved
California State Parks is encouraging outdoor enthusiasts to plan properly and recreate responsibly this Memorial Day weekend and summer as the state continues to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Californians are advised to stay local, continue to practice physical distance of six feet or more, avoid congregating with others outside of their immediate household and abide by the new visitor guidelines State Parks has implemented across the state park system to limit the risk of exposure to the virus in the outdoors.
The State of California recognizes the importance of outdoor activities during this challenging time of the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, State Parks is working with local entities on a phased and regionally-driven approach to increase access to state park units where compliance with state and local public health ordinances can be achieved.
Increasing access to some park units does not mean recreating in the outdoors is going back to normal. Visitors should expect a different state park experience than they are used to.
Here are some new visitor guidelines State Parks has implemented to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the outdoors:
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Plan Ahead – With 280 park units in the state park system, visitors are advised to visit the webpage of their local outdoor destination before leaving home to find out if it is open, what new visitor guidelines are in effect and if parking is available.
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Stay Local – Stay close to home. Parking is temporarily very limited or non-existent at park units across the state. Walk or bike to parks in your local neighborhood. Do not take road trips to parks and beaches or to neighboring states.
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Leave it at Home – The use of coolers, umbrellas, shade tents, BBQs or chairs is not allowed in many park units. Plan ahead.
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Keep it Moving – Passive recreation (lounging, picnics, sunbathing, etc.) is being restricted where physical distance is a challenge. In those areas, only active recreation (walking, running, biking, boating, kayaking, off-highway riding, etc.) will be allowed. Also, observe one-way trails where they are in place.
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Stay Safer at 6ft — No matter the recreational activity, maintain a physical distance of six feet or more. Visitors are being asked to leave if there are too many people to allow for the required physical distance.
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Keep Clean – Be prepared. Not all restrooms are open to the public. Bring soap/sanitizer and pack out all trash.
Guided tours, campgrounds and indoor facilities like museums and visitor centers remain closed until further notice to prevent overcrowding and maintain physical distancing.
Though State Park Peace Officers and allied law enforcement entities have the authority to issue citations, the expectation is that the public will adhere to the advice of the public health officials, visitor guidelines and closures. State Parks will continue to monitor visitation and physical distancing across the state park system and if unsafe conditions develop, park units may close again.
Follow State Parks on social media – Facebook, Twitter or Instagram – or visit www.parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve for the most up-to-date information on how the department is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tips on how to responsibly go boating, off-highway riding and hiking can be found online at www.parks.ca.gov/SafetyTips.
State Parks is committed to providing access for people with disabilities even during this unprecedented, challenging time. Should a member of the public encounter an issue at a state park unit, they are being advised to contact the appropriate District Office for support.
There are not many good opportunities to downwind paddle on a SUP in the Los Angeles area. Fortunately for the dozens of prone, SUP, and surkski paddlers assembled at Mugu State Beach this past Saturday, Mother Nature dialed in a period of near perfect 20+ mph wind to make the 2017 edition of the Malibu Downwinder event one to remember. The favorable high winds were anything but certain. As late as an hour before the scheduled start time the wind was gusting steadily from the east setting the scene for a potential Malibu “Upwinder”.
Beach registration numbers are always high at the event and a number of paddlers were waiting around the parking lot to see if the wind changed before taking the plunge and registering. The number of beach registrations in the final half hour delayed the start, but no one complained. The temperature dropped a few degrees as the winds shifted and began to blow steadily from the West – Northwest setting the stage for some amazing downwind paddling conditions.
Visiting Aussie Toby Cracknell seized the overall win on a 12’6” Infinity Blackfish as the remainder of the pack made their way through the vicious side wind in the final leg towards the finish at Leo Carrillo State Beach.
Wind, waves and BBQ
This year was the 15th annual edition of the Malibu Downwinder. What began as a prone paddleboard event hosted by a group of locals, the event now embraces all paddle craft and is conducted each spring as a benefit for the Friends of Leo Carrillo Junior Lifeguards and Wishtoyo Foundation to help support the Leo Carillo State Lifeguards and State Junior Guard Program. This was my fourth time paddling the event and the first time I had to opportunity to do the run on a true downwind board. My skills have slowly improved in the intervening years and the fun factor this time around was through the roof. Hands down the most fun I’ve ever had racing at a SUP event.
That’s not to suggest I’m a rockstar downwind SUP paddler, but it is the style of paddling I’ve come to enjoy the most. I’m faster than some, but not as fast as others. Given the geography of the Los Angeles area, most of my downwind paddling in the past year has been conducted in an outrigger canoe, which has the advantage of being able to punch upwind more effectively than a SUP. The experience has been invaluable in helping me improve my skills at reading the water in the ocean.
One of the important lessons I learned from my very first Malibu Downwinder that I’ve carried through to this year, however, pertains to the land and not the sea. That is to say, it is always cold and windy at the finish, regardless of which way the wind is blowing. The organizers of the Malibu Downwinder are known for hosting a fantastic BBQ at the finish area. It is always a great way to close out the day and the camaraderie among paddlers is second to none.
We all huddled together on a cluster of wooden picnic tables enjoying freshly prepared pulled pork & grilled chicken sandwiches, a selection of fresh healthy salads, and of course, ice-cold beer.