A sweet vest that is very functional, safe and durable.

Definitely a high quality dry top that keeps you dry. I love the tough material - a real winner.

A great read, and I'm not really into historical type books. It might inspire you to get cracking on your own adventures! Big respect to Hannes Lindemann for doing what he did, in such a small 'boat', all those years ago...

A great coffee table book that encompasses a wide variety of rivers from all over the world. Packed full of colour photos, and even though many are quite dated already, they are mostly of a good quality. Although I do find many of the larger, full page prints quite grainy. The information contained in the book makes for excellent reading and I’m sure most kayakers would enjoy browsing through this one, I certainly did.

Olli Grau has created a book worthy to find a space in any kayakers bookshelf. All the information one needs to start kayaking, choosing equipment, technique, all the way up to the advanced stuff. River features are explained and diagrams aid the process where needed. It is loaded with full colour photographs, all of which are of a world class standard. The techniques and boats used are all modern and so is the layout of the book, very eye catching. This will be one you may find yourself looking at again and again - one of my favourite books on white water. I especially like the sequenced photos which you will see a lot in this book.

Both an instructional book to sea kayaking, as well as a guide to paddling the ocean in South Africa. More than half the book is a guide to all the spots in South Africa for sea kayaking. It has loads of information on that - GPS coordinates, directions, telephone numbers, references to topographical maps, warnings, everything a sea kayaker would want to know. The other half is how to start sea kayaking and I think this is where the book fails a bit. There are very few colour photographs and instruction is limited. It is also a bit dated now, as it was first published in 1999. However, I still found this book informative, even though I’m a white water paddler and not a sea kayaker. If you’re looking for good information on paddling the ocean in South Africa, then you’ll find exactly that in this one.

About the reviewer Paddling since April 2004 in a couple of countries and a variety of different types of rivers. Test environment I’ve had my Fluid Spice for well over a year now but sadly never got to paddle it much. I don’t really know why but I would either tend to take my Nemesis for ease of flat water/shallow feature play or else I’d go creeking. The first time I used the boat was down the Palmiet River in a solid flood. It’s a fun river in the class 2 and 3 region and perhaps encroaching on the mildest of class 4 at high very high levels in some spots, although I hate classifying a river according to any form of scale except that of my own. The boat performed beautifully. Since then I have used it on big and small ocean waves on three different occasions and done a few other long stretches (Steelpoort twice – 70km), and also the Molenaars River on my own, twice in one day as it was just so much fun! Although my experience in the Spice is relatively limited (compared to the Element, Solo...

About myself I’ve been paddling since April 2004 so not too long by most standards. Throughout the time I’ve been either a student or working and see myself as just a weekend paddler. I’ve paddled various rivers in South Africa, Sweden and Norway and also in Swaziland and Zambia. I’m not much of a play boater and prefer to run rivers, creeks and just chill on overnight trips. However I can still do a few tricks and enjoy playing although it’s not my favorite type of boating. Paddling a big wave is still an incredible feeling and I won’t deny it’s really addictive! About the test environment So far, over the past five months, I’ve paddled the medium Nemesis on a couple of rivers in South Africa, a couple of spots along the eastern coastline and on the Zambezi River, Zambia. Review + Excellent outfitting and super comfortable, also easily adjustable and very simple to use. The outfitting is solid and won’t leave you in the lurch. + Back band is always in...

About myself I have been paddling for more than 3 years now. I paddle as often as I can and paddle all types of rivers., although I have a full time job. Playboating, river running, overnight trips and creeking. I’ve had this boat for a good couple of months now. About the test environment In the mostly, shallow, rocky rivers of South Africa (eg. Sabie, Blyde, Ash) as well as some small and large rivers and in Sweden (eg. Piteälven, Kultsjöån, Kalixälven) and Norway (Upper Rauma, Lower Jori, Buadalen, Sjoa, Gåsvasselva, Krutåga, Unkerelva etc.) Review + Overall seating position is very forward and the boat feels shorter than it is when you sit inside. The Solo is very manoeuvrable and turns on a dime. + Easy to boof. There is plenty of speed from the boat and it hops over holes. + The boat has quite a bit of overall rocker which not only makes it manoeuvrable but also cushions flat landings. There is also ample volume in the bow, ‘under your...

About myself I have been paddling for more than 3 years now. I paddle as often as I can and paddle all types of rivers. Playboating, river running, overnight trips and creeking. I’ve had this boat for a good couple of months now. About the test environment In the mostly, shallow, rocky rivers of South Africa. Couple of big volume runs too. The Buffalo at a high level, the Ash at about 40 cumecs. Review + awesome outfitting and super comfortable. I've got the first block of foam in and paddle with the seat all the way forward. Maybe I've got shorter legs than most. Thigh braces are the best I’ve ever come across. Back band always in place. Soft seat. Hip pads work well and everything is easily adjustable. + Flat spins pretty well, but not as loose as my ZG54 and actually cartwheels really well in a hole. Flat water tricks require some more muscle than most but extremely well balanced. Slices super easy. I can loop this boat on the flats with no over thruster. + Can...

About myself I have been paddling for almost 3 years now. I paddle as often as I can and paddle all types of rivers. Playboating, river running, overnight trips and creeking. About the test environment In the mostly, shallow, rocky rivers of South Africa. Couple of big volume runs too. Review + awesome outfitting and super comfortable. I've got the first block of foam in and paddle with the seat all the way forward. Maybe I've got shorter legs than most. + Flat spins pretty well and actually cartwheels really well in a hole. Flat water tricks are super simple and 20 ends with this boat is quite possible for me. + Gets air very easily, even on smaller waves. + Carving on the ocean is very easy and the boat responds nicely to edge transition. - Maybe not enough bow rocker. Pearls easily on waves and even on flat water. Maybe I'm a touch heavy. Once all my gear is wet and with extras like split paddles, food, water, throwbag and all...

About myself I've been paddling for almost 2 years. Paddle mainly class 3/4 rivers when I can. Paddle a playboat most of the time, except for the Blunt, obviously! About the test environment On the shallow rocky rivers of South Africa. Several overnight trips where the boat was fully loaded with all kinds of clobber. Rivers I've mostly paddled have not been too steep. Review +Excellent plastic. +Loads of room for gear and lots of footroom. +Boofs well and the acceleration is excellent. +Fast enough to surf the small crappy waves. ;-) -Outfitting not good. Requires lots of foam and patience. -Terrible back rest. -Drain plug is not protected and can take a beating. -Turning requires a fair amount of muscle power. =Good boat Conclusion Pity they don't make this boat anymore. Same hull with new outfitting would be great!!!