The Paddler Magazine issue 73 Late Summer 2023 | Page 14

PADDLER 14

REVIEWS

Mustang Greenwater 35L deck bag https :// mustang-survival . co . uk By Sarah Thornely of SUPJunkie

Fifty-five years ago , the Canadian Company Mustang Survival began engineering lifesaving solutions in marine safety . Their first government contract was with the Canadian military in 1984 , providing critical lifesaving equipment and , in 1996 , they began working with NASA and codeveloped self-inflatable life preservers for the Space Shuttle Program and began a long relationship for several missions after that .

Apart from the professional , military and government liaisons , Mustang continues to develop its recreational portfolio to include professional anglers , sailors , paddleboarders , ocean racers , and adventurers . Testing and development are conducted in a research division with a manufacturing centre and pool to test real-life scenarios .

In 2022 , they opened their first office outside North America with a business and product development team in Salisbury , UK .

I ’ m delighted to have been given the opportunity to review their Greenwater Bag – something I spotted Scott Innes from the SHAC using for his recent Yukon 1000 race .

Quality , quality , quality is the first thing you notice – it is robust , incredibly well made , and thoughtfully put together – it ’ s immersible and leak-tight with fully welded construction , including an excellent YKK ® AQUASEAL ® zipper that sits on top of the rectangle design , allowing quick and easy access for all your contents . External tie-downs keep this bag securely on your board or pop it under your deck straps . Mustang

The Sea-paddler ’ s Tale https :// pegasuspublishers . com By Geoff Hunter & Bill Taylor

Set in 1970 , ‘ The Sea-paddlers Tale ’ tells the true story of how , against all the odds and the accepted norms of the canoeing establishment , a young man gave up his job , built an Eskimo kayak and set out to fulfil a personal dream of making the first kayak circumnavigation of mainland Britain .

Despite high level boat-handling skills , his early plans exposed a naivety concerning the numerous difficulties that required him to treat every day as an exercise in practical problem solving . Life-threatening battles with the sea were sometimes dwarfed by those on land in finding somewhere to sleep and eat on a budget .

There were moments of humour bordering the absurd , but more memorably , of extreme adventure and high drama , not least being robbed ; spending a night astride a buoy and watching his kayak drift off on the tide . Time and again , when all seemed hopeless , he have not been shy with the handles ; four are around the sides , and two are on top with a removable shoulder strap for carrying .

I asked Skip what really stood out for him with this bag , and he said foremost the high quality and top zipper ; he used Mustang roll top dry bags within the Greenwater deck bag , and it went through the mill on the Yukon , a remote 1000-mile race which took Skip and his paddling partner Craig , just over eight days . The deck bags stood up to rough waters , all sorts of weather , and being thrown about in harsh landscapes .

My adventures will be a little tamer than the Yukon , but I love this bag already , and it ’ s making me proud on everyday paddle adventures on my local waters . You know that whatever you throw at it , the bag will cope , and it is just SO easy to use .

Equally , if you are going on some challenging expeditions , this is also the deck bag for you .

Mustang Survival are new to the UK , but they are here to stay with their excellent quality products .

Price : £ 249

found people that were prepared to help him so that he was able to continue . Anyone who has a taste for adventure , laced with grit , determination and resilience will find this a compulsive read .

COLIN SKEATH HAS GIVEN US HIS REVIEW

The Sea Paddlers Tale documents one of the most ground breaking and audacious kayak journeys ever undertaken . The unsupported circumnavigation of England , Wales and part of Scotland in 1970 by a young Geoff Hunter in his hand-built kayak is one of the most notable feats of its kind . What makes his journey so impressive , apart from paddling where no one had paddled before , is Geoff ’ s indominable spirit in the face of numerous and dangerous mishaps .

Yet without Bill Taylors skilful writing , bringing Geoff ’ s original notes to life , this is a story that would have been lost to time . Reading it , you are left speechless at Geoff ’ s naivety in his planning and equipment , and gripped as at times he fights for survival . Captivating from start to finish ; detailed yet easy to read , this book is for anyone , not just people with an interest in paddle sport . The Sea Paddlers Tale deserves its place amongst the very best adventure stories .