Welcome to the our gearshed, where our team lets you know the gear we use and recommend to make it through our season, and keep us happy while paddling.

GEARSHED

Dave’s Sea Kayak Closet.

Below you will find the gear that has got Dave through countless seasons coaching and paddling. The gear he recommends, sells and swears by.

  • Odyssey Men’s Large, Custom built with shortened inseam (-2inches) and arms (-2 inches).
    Not to mention some custom colours to match the kayak.

  • I’ve been paddling the NDK Classic since 2011 and in my opinion it is the best Sea Kayak on the market. Perfect for coaching and dynamic water paddling.

    My current classic boasts a 50/50 carbon kevlar deck and glass hull as well as a custom bulkhead, fitted compass and full keelstrip.

    My other Sea Kayak is an Explorer which I use on longer trips. This kayak is 8 years old and has a heavy duty glass lay up, keelstrip and fitted compass and has taken me all around the island.

  • I am a firm lover of both euro and greenland paddles.
    I use my Lendal Storm 205 MCS (bent shaft) with the shaft feathered left 15 degrees. I use this for dynamic waters, and coaching turning strokes.

    For longer days and touring I love the Gearlab IPIK 219. It’s light weight easy to use and takes all the pressure off my shoulders while allowing me to maintain my speed

  • Expedition PFD: Kōkatat Hustle R. This is a very comfortable jacket, all straps adjust easily to get the perfect fit. It has the most perfect pocket for snacks and phones, and is of course my favourite colour scheme (black)

    Coaching PFD: Astral YTV. This is a nice low profile jacket, super simple adjustable traps, two small pockets on either size just large enough for a snack and some sunscreen. This PFD works super well for those who find the bulk of their jacket to get in the way during rescues.

A kayak paddle with a yellow and black checkered pattern and the word 'ENDAU' on it, resting on the edge of a white kayak, with boats and water in the background.
A man smiling outdoors in a forested area, wearing sunglasses, a black beanie, and a green jacket with a black backpack.
Close-up of a person holding a black paddle with one hand, water droplets on the paddle, with a blurred natural background.

Dave’s Camping Closet.

Below you will find the gear that has got Dave through countless nights on the West Coast, survived salt, sand and torrential downpours.

  • Mountain Hardwear Aspect 2
    This tent is the perfect size for me and all my gear. It breaks down to pack small and conserves space in the kayak for other luxury camping items. This tent doesn’t compromise any waterproofing for it’s lightweight feel, it has also stood up to countless wind storms. Durable zippers are a must, especially around sand and salt. This tent is going on 4 hard seasons and continues to work and serve me as if its new.

  • Nemo Tensor Extreme Sleeping Mat. My specific mat is 30 inches wide. Which is great for when I roll over too far. This mat packs down small and is super easy to inflate. I have rotated through a few of them and this is by far my favourite. Nemo is choosing to be one of my go to brands for camping equipment.

  • Fjallraven Singi Three Season Down Bag. This bag is a new favourite, no issues with staying warm at night or not being able to fit it in my kayak.

Camping tent set up on a beach with driftwood and backpacks nearby, overlooking a rocky shoreline with trees and ocean in the background.
A camping tent on a sandy beach at sunset with driftwood and a tree in the background.
A campsite on a rocky riverbank with two tents, outdoor gear, and a person in an orange jacket setting up a tent, surrounded by driftwood and trees.