In 2023 I also made huge progress in both paddling techniques I currently learn: sprint and Greenland canted blade. Paddling efficiency and speeds rose significantly thanks to that. 🔥 I also started learning intermediate, and perhaps even some advanced-level maneuvers: low brace rescues, bow and cross-bow ruddering, low brace turns, edging, as well as hanging draw. The last one is extremely difficult for me but it's also very interesting in terms of motion and physics behind it. It will be great to nail the hanging draw. 🤯 What I haven't managed to do in 2023 was to learn to roll a kayak. A bit of a shame but I hope I'll get that done in 2024. 😉 And what were your best memories or achievements? 😁
Just wanted to say thanks for the reply at the PaddleTV Channel about the Itiwit Race 500 which sadly turned out to be another "Not the greatest QC product from Itiwit" ;) The conversation we had there got deleted so I thought maybe it's better to leave a reply here instead.
Perhaps it's better if it's gone from there. I didn't feel like it was an appropriate place to make such comments - I deleted that comment string. I was just unlucky with that Race500 - typical me. 😅
Hey Tom, great videos. Really helpful down to earth content! I love that someone finally shows the speed capabilities of inflatables! Thats a major question for everyone considering buying one. It´s a pity that when you testet the Gumotex Rush 1 there was no speed info though. In your experience, is there a big difference between Framura und Rush 1 speed-wise? And maybe the Itiwit X500? Thanks so much!
Hi Thomas. Thank you very much. When I was making an overview of Rush1, I didn't know how to record and pull telemetry data off my camera but I can get Rush1 up to 8kph with a wing paddle and I can also achieve 8kph with a Greenland paddle. Speed-wise, Framura would win with Rush but paddle length and your height have to be taken into consideration. I briefly managed to hit 9kph with Framura but the quality of footage wasn't good enough to post. Paddles longer than 215cm cause a lever effect on me and slow me down, while Framura forces me to use at least a 220cm paddle so this would be more a trial & error game. Itixit x500 is definitely the fastest here but, unfortunately once again, while I still had it, I wasn't recording telemetry data. I'm sure that if paddled well with sprint technique, you can get the x500 at least to 10kph if not more. 😉
Great, thanks so much for the quick and helpful reply. Price&Performance of the X500 seem superior, but quality and longevity does not. So i guess thats not for me. I don´t wanna worry constantly that something breaks. You seem to really like your Rush 1. Gumotex material quality seems quite superior, so i think i go with one of these.@@LetsGoPaddling
It's a really difficult choice, and it was a lot of stress for me when all the bad things were happening. I decided to make a step away from that rat race and trusted my Rush1. Rush1 has been away for a long time - it faced some internal issues. However, I've just seen (on 7th March) a message that Rush1 is returning to the market but with 2 changes: details on sidewall will no longer be drop stitch - they will be reverted to i-beams (the floor stays with drop stitch + keel), and the boat will finally get an inflatable seat with a push-push valve).
In 2023 I also made huge progress in both paddling techniques I currently learn: sprint and Greenland canted blade. Paddling efficiency and speeds rose significantly thanks to that. 🔥
I also started learning intermediate, and perhaps even some advanced-level maneuvers: low brace rescues, bow and cross-bow ruddering, low brace turns, edging, as well as hanging draw. The last one is extremely difficult for me but it's also very interesting in terms of motion and physics behind it. It will be great to nail the hanging draw. 🤯
What I haven't managed to do in 2023 was to learn to roll a kayak. A bit of a shame but I hope I'll get that done in 2024. 😉
And what were your best memories or achievements? 😁
Thank you for the tag. Love the looks of your Greenland paddle!
Thank you Dan. Your paddling technique tips are too valuable not to be highlighted. 😁
When I got the Kalleq, I didn't expect I'd like it that much. 😅
Happy New Year! Looking forward to seeing what new adventures 2024 brings.
Thank you Vince. I hope you'll also have lots of great adventures.
Happy New Year, Tom. Wishing you many exciting adventures in 2024! Cheers, Tobo
Thank you Tobo. Happy New Year to you too.
Wishing you lots of great trips and I hope the Hype performs as expected. 😄
Happy New Year Tom, best of luck for 2024 and hopefully many nice trips on the water 🍺🍺
Thank you Olaf and Happy New Year to you too.
Wishing you good weather that will make all trips even nicer. 😁
Just wanted to say thanks for the reply at the PaddleTV Channel about the Itiwit Race 500 which sadly turned out to be another "Not the greatest QC product from Itiwit" ;)
The conversation we had there got deleted so I thought maybe it's better to leave a reply here instead.
Perhaps it's better if it's gone from there. I didn't feel like it was an appropriate place to make such comments - I deleted that comment string.
I was just unlucky with that Race500 - typical me. 😅
Greenland paddles are worth the $$$ especially the high end ones.
They definitely are.
This season I've been using my Kalleq exclusively so far.
Hey Tom, great videos. Really helpful down to earth content! I love that someone finally shows the speed capabilities of inflatables! Thats a major question for everyone considering buying one. It´s a pity that when you testet the Gumotex Rush 1 there was no speed info though. In your experience, is there a big difference between Framura und Rush 1 speed-wise? And maybe the Itiwit X500? Thanks so much!
Hi Thomas. Thank you very much.
When I was making an overview of Rush1, I didn't know how to record and pull telemetry data off my camera but I can get Rush1 up to 8kph with a wing paddle and I can also achieve 8kph with a Greenland paddle.
Speed-wise, Framura would win with Rush but paddle length and your height have to be taken into consideration. I briefly managed to hit 9kph with Framura but the quality of footage wasn't good enough to post. Paddles longer than 215cm cause a lever effect on me and slow me down, while Framura forces me to use at least a 220cm paddle so this would be more a trial & error game.
Itixit x500 is definitely the fastest here but, unfortunately once again, while I still had it, I wasn't recording telemetry data. I'm sure that if paddled well with sprint technique, you can get the x500 at least to 10kph if not more. 😉
Great, thanks so much for the quick and helpful reply. Price&Performance of the X500 seem superior, but quality and longevity does not. So i guess thats not for me. I don´t wanna worry constantly that something breaks. You seem to really like your Rush 1. Gumotex material quality seems quite superior, so i think i go with one of these.@@LetsGoPaddling
It's a really difficult choice, and it was a lot of stress for me when all the bad things were happening. I decided to make a step away from that rat race and trusted my Rush1.
Rush1 has been away for a long time - it faced some internal issues. However, I've just seen (on 7th March) a message that Rush1 is returning to the market but with 2 changes: details on sidewall will no longer be drop stitch - they will be reverted to i-beams (the floor stays with drop stitch + keel), and the boat will finally get an inflatable seat with a push-push valve).