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SUP Paddleboarding

As it happens, SUP paddleboarding (Stand-up paddle boarding) first originated as a method of canoeing – where individuals would stand on their canoes and use their paddles to propel themselves forwards. This isn’t too dissimilar to how some people use their Fatyaks from time to time, made possible due to the great stability they offer!

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SUP evolved into its contemporary form in Hawaii however, where surfers using very large boards would use a paddle to move themselves around, which was needed due to the increased size of the boards. From around 2005 onwards the sport really began to evolve, with dedicated magazines and schools popping up, and soon championships devoted to the discipline.

SUP involves the use of a larger board, similar to a sit-on-top kayak such as our fatyaks, or a surfboard, and a paddle. The paddler maintains an upright position throughout in order to propel themselves through the water using the paddle. SUP boards come in all shapes and sizes, with some race boards measuring up to 14ft, and a variety of attachments being available, including padded decks, or like our own Samos, a set of padeyes enabling the attachment of a seat.

Unlike paddleboarding (or “boogie boarding”), the user maintains a standing position, and uses a paddle. Unlike surfing, the user uses a paddle. Unlike kayaking, the user maintains a standing position. So you can see that SUP is a natural partner to the above sports, and thus a natural progression for us here at Fatyak to produce our own board, the Samos!

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Similarly to the variation you might find between kayaks, SUP hosts a variety of different applications, including touring, racing, and surfing, as well as boards that are great for general all-round paddling, an attribute boasted by our Samos!

To get started in SUP paddleboarding, you can follow these very basic tips:

  • Launch into a deep enough section of water, so that the fin is not touching the ground.
  • Kneeling on the board, take a few strokes either side to get moving a bit
  • Stand up with your feet parallel to the stringer, one foot at a time
  • Aim to have your feet about a shoulder-width apart
  • Maintain a crouched position, centering your core over the middle of the board.

 

Posted on by Fiona

Tidal Forecasting

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There are many elements to a successful fatyaking expedition – packing correctly, being prepared with what you wear, a well maintained kayak, and of course, the weather. But a factor that can be sometimes overlooked is tidal forecasting – knowing when the tide will be at an appropriate level for your planned activities.

Successfully planning a trip around the tide is great – you’ll know when it is high enough to easily launch your Fatyak without the risk of bumping and scraping your way down the beach. Additionally, some coves and areas that you may have wanted to paddle through may only be available at high, or low tide specifically. Travelling through certain areas at low tide could definitely offer some challenges you may rather avoid – so make sure you have a backup plan too!

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In addition to the benefits that can be taken from successful tidal forecasting, there are some dangers to be avoided from paying attention also. Low tide in general could make it rather treacherous to paddle in some areas, as you may be too low to rocks, general obstacles, and the sea bed itself. It’s also worth considering any gear you may leave on the beach if you have travelled in a group or have somebody waiting on the shore – unexpected high tide could see all that being washed away.

The tide works by the moon’s gravitational force pulling areas of the ocean as the earth rotates – so if the moon is directly overheard as you are on the coast, you will experience high tide. Likewise, if the moon is directly overhead on the opposite site of the Earth, you will also experience high tide as the earth is pulled slightly towards the moon. However, depending on the geography of where you are, tides may behave slightly differently due to the shape or gradient of the surrounding coast and land.

Fatyaks in the Harbour
Therefore, with the tides changing every 12 hours or so, you will get two high tides, and two low tides each day. Other factors come into account though, such as the specific position of the moon and the sun, and the different forces that act on tides making a tide book or another source of guidance a very handy investment for forecasting the tide, and making sure it suits your activities.

The UK Hydrographic Office has a great online tool for tidal forecasting, offering predictions for different areas over the next 6 days free of charge. Additionally, tidetimes.org.uk and BBC Weather both have their own offerings, as well as books and smartphone apps being available, which may be more useful if you’re already out on the water – so see what suits you best and take your pick!

Posted on by Fiona

Introducing the Fatyak Samos

If you’re already a keen fatyak follower then theres a good chance you’ve already heard about our new Samos board, and perhaps even seen some pictures of it in development! But for those who are as of yet, unaware, we are pleased to announce the very latest addition to our range.

Stand up paddle board

The Samos is a rotationally moulded stand-up paddleboard, born in effort to bring something new to the SUP arena which has recently exploded in the world of paddlesport. Traditionally, epoxy and composite boards are the natural choice, although with the continuing adoption of inflatable paddleboards, we wanted to do what we do best, and bring a fresh new alternative to the market.

We had two main priorities in creating the Samos – firstly, to combat some traditional problems found in Rotationally moulded boards, and secondly, create a feel that was comparable to more expensive options on the market – making it suitable for beginner to intermediate level paddlers. Typically, rotationally-moulded paddleboards have been problematic due to their evolution from a kayak design, making them impractical in shape and weight; often in excess of 25KG.

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The innovative design of the Samos targets both these problems in one. The unique wishbone features on the Samos works by acting against the natural yarding as the paddler strokes – which keeps the nose pointing straight; splitting below the deck to give support for a natural stance. In doing so, this has allowed us to produce a much thinner board than many standard rotationally-moulded boards, which means at 18KG the Samos is the lightest board on the market! Even still, the Samos still manages to boast an all-rounder profile, making it great for all applications from day play, and exploring, to fitness and fun on the waves.

The Samos includes a wide set of features as standard, including branded carry handle grips and deck area, drain plug, bottle holder, paddle, straight leash, a custom 10.5″ fin box accepting all standard fins. And, as always, you can be safe in the knowledge that it’s manufactured to Fatyak’s high quality rotational moulding standards; with no seams and no joints the Samos is manufactured using high grade, high density UV stabilised polyethylene; in accordance with BS7852 as well as our own procedures, in Somerset, England.

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Posted on by Fiona

Are these the best-travelled Fatyakers around?

Of course, our Kayaks are travelling the country every day to new homes, straight from the factory, to be enjoyed by fans all over the UK. However, the main point to note here is that the kayaks in question here are travelling along Britain’s roads in the back of our lorries, and not in the water!

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Not to forget, of course, the beaches that have their share of Fatyak action by way of a plethora of retailers, schools, and partners up and down the country – wisely stocking Fatyak Kayaks as part of their business:

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So what about the Fatyaks that travel the country themselves? The independent kayaks, well-travelled Fatyaks that see many, many different bodies of water throughout their career. We occasionally ponder the question, and we think we may have found one of the most well-travelled group of Fatyak Kayaks to-date!

This group of kayaks belongs to Martin and a keen kayaking family, who have been enjoying their fleet of Fatyaks in all kinds of spots. Martin and his family have explored waters from The Grand Union Canal to the Praa sands in Cornwall, with destinations in between – a distance roughly as long as 160,000 Fatyak Kaafus!

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Here he can be seen in the waters at Croyde Bay, in Devon. Croyde Bay is not too far from ourselves in Somerset, and certainly a location worth checking out for adrenaline junkies and explorers alike – offering a beautiful location for outdoor activities and exploration in general, especially kayaking and surfing!

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As well as Croyde, Martin and his family have experienced some of the wealth that Cornwall has to offer for lovers of the surf; including both Maenporth and Praa Sands in West Cornwall:

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If you think you’re also a well-travelled fatyaker, we would love to see your pictures and some details on the spots you’ve covered! Keep on fatyaking Martin!

Posted on by Fiona

Kayak Safety

Kayaking is currently the fastest growing watersport in the UK. Not only do we think this is due to how much fun is involved (just ask our customers!), but also that kayaking is now incredibly accessible. High quality, affordable kayaks, such as our own products featured on this blog, offer an easy route into the water for beginners to the sport.

Kayak Front Carry Handle Macro

However, while this is undeniably a good thing, the potential dangers inherent to the nature of extreme sport must still be realised. The RNLI have released a warning regarding the usage of kayaks, particularly in coastal waters. While many RNLI members own kayaks and participate in the sport themselves, there is ubiquitous agreement on the importance of taking care on the open sea, and ensuring that you know what you are dealing with. This was in response to a case involving two kayakers that got themselves into trouble on the waters just off Minehead in Somerset, about 20 minutes from where our Fatyak™ Kayaks are manufactured.

The important things to bear in mind when enjoying all that the water has to offer in your kayak is to be familiar with your location, in line with your personal skill level. Calm water areas such as Wimbleball Lake, in Somerset, can be ideal for beginners due to their relative predictability, available facilities and obviously, calm water. The open sea can be a bit more risky due to change in currents, tides, the effect weather can have, as well as unpredictability. Knowing your boat is key too – practicing manoeuvres such as eskimo rolls in the event of capsizing, for example. The Fatyak™ product line has improved safety in this aspect as opposed to traditional designs, due to the “sit on top” design, meaning the boats are unlikely to capsize, very stable on the water and easy to manoeuvre, yet remaining versatile for all skill levels. If the boat does capsize the sit-on-top design allows for an easy escape.

Realising the potential hazards involved, and the responsibility involved when there are an estimated 1.2 million lovers of kayaking in the UK, Fatyak™ takes certain steps in development to help keep the sport as safe as it is fun. Not only are our kayaks safety-conscious in their design, but each kayak is shipped with a safety booklet, detailing points to consider before setting off, being in the water, as well as safe storage and maintenance of your kayak. In addition to this, there is safety advice moulded into the kayak itself, as well as the recommendation to take an instructional course before getting involved with some quality Fatyaking™ time!

Fatyak Hönö Safety

Posted on by Fiona

FATYAK™ SURF REVIEW

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Sitons.com reviewed our popular Kaafu model in 2013 – and they’ve returned to us this year with a glowing review of our versatile all-rounder, the Surf.

The Fatyak™ Surf is a stable sit-on-top kayak, which is notably very accessible for a wide range of ages – perfect for young nippers just starting life out on the waves as well as older paddlers looking for a well-balanced water wrangler.

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The review notes this accessibility as a salient point of the Surf – with its light weight and short length, remaining easy to carry (particularly with the use of legstraps as an aid!) and easy to manoeuvre the Surf boasts a wide appeal to all types of paddler through its significant ease of use.

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Sitons noted how easy the Surf was to throw around in all conditions, with advantages in manoeuvrability not found in longer kayaks – perfect for kids and featherweight paddlers.

Furthermore, the Surf is proven to be a well-equipped weapon straight from the source – with the review highlighting how well the boat works in “naked” form; not only making it inherently easy to carry but also remaining very capable in varying conditions without the need for accessories.

Although a seatback and legstraps will hugely improve the comfort of any paddler, we see this as an ode to the established design of the Surf!

Overall – Sitons rated the Surf as a kayak that lives up to its name; great for carving and cornering in the surf, ideal for inquisitive paddlers who’d like to get involved in all sorts of different usage scenarios.

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Furthermore, while its small size and light weight offer great support for itsurf use as an all-round accessible boat great for paddling and surfing – this also makes it a great boat for kids too.

Read more: http://www.sitons.com/articles/ripping-fun-fatyak-surf-sit-kayak-review/#ixzz3TuADGR3j

Posted on by Fiona

Blue Mile Event Plymouth

Blue Mile Event, Plymouth – Super Saturday what a day!

Fatyak™ kayaks being an official partner for the Blue Mile events again this year, attended the Plymouth event 14/15 September. Unfortunately, due to bad weather conditions being forecast for the Sunday all Blue Mile races were brought forward to the Saturday with almost 300 people taking to the water – either swimming, Fatyaking™ or SUPing a mile for charity. Olympic Chamption Tim Baillie won the Kayaking race again this year on the Fatyak™, closely followed in second position by his wife Sarah who is a Canadian International Canoeist.

Fatyak™ Kayaks are pleased to be associated with these events and with the proceeds going to the Marine Conservation Society recognise the significance of the great work done by this charity.

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A Fatyak™ Kaafu was offered in a free prize draw which was won by Sally Watts from Weymouth, who was at the Blue Mile event in Weymouth earlier in the year.

For some great action shots click here

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Another great customer review of our UK made Fatyaks™

“My wife and I have just returned from 4 weeks kayaking in Mavisehir Turkey, we bought our fatyaks™ (surf and kaafu) a few months ago, apart from a 1 hr session we have never sat in a kayak before. we are both very impressed at how responsive and stable the kayaks were, we had a ball and we are delighted that we chose our fatyaks™.”
Danny Mc Nally

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Posted on by Fiona

‘WITH BUNDLES OF FEATURES AND PLENTY OF SCOPE TO ‘PIMP YOUR RIDE’ YOU’D DO A LOT WORSE THAN GETTING HOLD OF ONE OF THESE PUPPIES’

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New Fatyak™ Kaafu reveiw from sitons.com

Fatyak™ are a British kayaking brand based out of Somerset who manufacture a line of easy to paddle, affordable, durable and innovative products designed for all levels.

Keeping their range simple, Fatyak™ produce three different models – the Surf, the Kaafu and the Mahee. This review is based on the Kaafu – Fatyak’s™ all-round hull shape made for wave heads and fishing enthusiasts.

Read more: http://www.sitons.com/articles/fatyak-kaafu-kayak-review/#ixzz2Mf4sQiY9