November 2006 - Canoeist Magazine

Death of Roger
Symes
We record with
regret the death or
Roger Symes. Roger
was one of the two
founders of Arrowcraft
and had been
responsible for all the
manufacturing. In due
course he became
allergic to glassfibre,
to the extent that he
had not been able to
enter his workshop in
recent years, but this
was not thought to be
relevant to the blood
clot to his heart which
caused his demise at
the age of 59. He
leaves a wife, Eileen,
son, daughter and five
grandchildren. Canoe
Sport should continue
as before but David
Pincent may reword
the name of
Arrowcraft
Composites.
Rare river trip
Adventure-
Whitewater are
running a trip on the
Subansari over Dec 8 -
17th. The largest
tributary of the
Brahmaputra, it is a
big volume grade 4
but also offers gold
panning. In four years’
time it is due to be
dammed. The cost for
a kayak paddler with
his own boat is £1,420
from Delhi or boats
can be hired for
US$250. [0870 443
0240]
Skye pipes
A Canadian couple
by Loch Scavaig on a
sea kayak trip run by
Wilderness Scotland
had been well briefed
on the history of clan
battles. On a calm
night and a long way
from human
habitation they were
shocked to hear the
unmistakable sounds
of pipes coming out of
the darkness. Was it
the ghost of a past
clan member?
Eventually it was all
resolved. Their guide
had gone for a night
time paddle and
couldn’t resist
finishing off with a
few tunes, carrying his
pipes with him as
ever. [0131 625 6635]
26
Rosker have become the British importers for SteriPen, which works by UV light and is claimed to be the
fastest, easiest and most effective handheld water purification system. It runs off 4 AA batteries and
destroys the DNA of microbes in seconds. It weighs 100g and is programmed for 5,000 applications with a
warning after 4,900. It costs £90. Also available is the SteriPen Adventurer, slightly lighter and smaller yet
able to treat 5m 3 . It will treat 1l in 90 secs. It costs £120 while an extra £45 will supply a solar charger for
the two CR132 lithium batteries.
CANOEIST November 2006
Crewsaver have released a selection of new
clothing items. Sirius trousers are made from
BR1000, a PU coated Nylon with a ripstop
weave, are breathable and have sealed
seams, elasticated braces, ankles and back
waistband, reinforced seat and knees, high
top and self sealing thigh pocket with
drainage hole and D ring. It costs £49.99 or
£42.50 for the junior version. The Sphere
cagoule has prebent arms and there are
water resistant zips on the front and on the
free draining front pocket, prices here being
£54.95 and £46.75 respectively. The high
buoyancy 80N Ravine buoyancy aid has a
tough polyester outer over soft foam panels,
pockets everywhere, waist belt, karabiner
park, whistle and retro reflective tape. It costs
£99.95 with the option of adding a harness
at £14.95 or cowtail at £23.50. Juniors are
offered the CSR wetsuit with soft, stretchy
and warm titanium neoprene panels, flatlock
seams (but none around the shoulders),
water resistant back zip and reinforced knees.
With various colours and sizes, it costs
£39.95. Smaller products are also on offer.
The Dry Towel in microfibre fabric absorbs 4
times its weight of water but dries quickly on
being wrung out and packs small. A Dry Case
and Dry Wallet are available to keep valuables
dry. The Oasis Hydration Pocket is a 2l
neoprene bladder with side drinking tube and
will fit most buoyancy aids. [023 9252 8621]
Ralph White photographs