We’ve just received the latest shipment of our popular Symbiant WW vest, which as of 2010 comes in two new colours, Midnight blue/grey and Red/grey, as well as the classic Cadet blue.
The Symbiant is a versatile whitewater vest, providing freedom of movement and comfort, and can be fitted with a quick release chest harness if you want to upgrade for more serious whitewater.
The new colours will be available in the shops soon, and the Symbiant is priced at £72.95
Palm Equiment International have been awarded the contract to work with Rapid Blocs in supplying the course features to the new Broxbourne Whitewater Course, the component parts of which will be made right here in Clevedon at the Palm Factory.
The revolutionary new system is extremely durable, easy to adjust or modify, and allows for creation of virtually any whitewater feature.
To find out more about the new Rapid Blocs system visit www.rapidblocs.com, or click on the image below:
Earlier this year the folks from the Family Adventure Store introduced us to Dave Cornthwaite who was looking for some help for an upcoming series of what would be best described as adventurous endeavours.
We had heard of Dave before (vaguely) from a bit of national media coverage of him going to work on his Stand Up Board and previously having undertaken a solo epic to skateboard across Australia!
We are fortunate that a lot of people admire our Palm kit and so we receive a lot of support requests. Sadly we can’t help everyone, so we have to be selective. In Dave’s case he proposed three unique water journeys under the banner of ‘The Great Big Paddle’, in each case using different forms of craft. This alone was intriguing, but nowadays we look for more than just a paddling adventure when we sponsor, so with charitable and educational side projects and a natural ability to generate interest at both local and national levels Dave got our full attention.
That was in the late spring. What has occur ed since is a magnificent journey down the length of the Murray River that is a wonderful and inspirational tale to follow whilst also forming, in our opinion, a superb template for those aspiring to undertake adventure challenge.
For year’s now we’ve been recycling the waste plastic from our factory; our offcuts mixed with other plastic to become toys, compost bins and carrier bags. Good for the environment? Not bad, but our aim has always been to recycle our waste ourselves – to produce more kayaks.
Well now we can. Our 100% recycled Dagger Fiesta kayak has caused quite a stir over the last month at our 2010 Dealer preview. Throughout the event we’ve been inviting all of our UK dealers to put a boat shell through the “2lb Lump Hammer Test”. A month of abuse later and it’s still going strong. Check out the video.
The guys at CKUK Magazine stopped by Palm HQ last week during our 2010 Dealer Preview event.
When our backs were turned they made off with one of the final samples so expect a review in the mag soon. For now though, here’s Paul from Palm explaining the features of the new Extrem Vest (EV).
After a long day’s drive we’re back in the UK gearing up for the winter season (you can download our brand new 2010 Workbook from the Palm Website) . Our new range of whitewater PFDs (the Extrem, Amp and FX) will be available in the shops soon but until then here’s a few shots…
Extrem Vest (EV) New Product – A/W ’09
The Extrem Vest evolution continues, setting new standards in safety and useability. Our flaship front-opening PFD with masses of storage.
Featuring: Flex Formed Foam front panel wraps around torso • Quad-buckle front entry • Large, zipped, padded front cargo pocket with internal divider • Chest mounted zipped knife pockets • Internal rear padded pocket for documents, safety gear or hydration bladder • Tough grip panels at shoulder for boat
carrying • 3D anti ride-up waistbelt • Easy Glide strap adjustment throughout • Continuous loop failsafe shoulder straps tested to 500kg with strap keeper pockets • Removable chest harness with quick release cam buckle and load spreader • Welded O-ring with Velcro retainer • Dual cowtail parks • Solas® reflective detail on shoulders, front and rear panels
The next step in river PFDs, a pullover vest offering full floatation with
maximum articulation and dynamic safety features.
Flex Formed Foam front panel wraps around torso • Pullover entry • Large,
zipped, padded front cargo pocket with internal divider • Chest mounted
zipped knife pockets • Tough grip panels at shoulder for boat carrying • 3D
anti ride-up waistbelt • Easy Glide strap adjustment throughout • Continuous
loop failsafe shoulder straps tested to 500kg with strap keeper pockets
• Removable and reversible chest harness with quick release cam buckle
and load spreader • Welded O-ring with Velcro retainer • Dual cowtail parks •
Solas® reflective detail on shoulders, front and rear panels
A new, simple, stylish pullover PFD which provides an unrestricted fit
for male or female paddlers.
Low profile foam panels • Slimline zipped front pocket with key ring clip-in
point • 3D anti ride-up waistbelt • Easy Glide strap adjustment throughout •
Continuous loop failsafe shoulder straps with strap keeper pockets • Stretch
Mesh side panels • Reflective detail on shoulders, front and rear panels
It’s that time of year again! After two days of stand building we’re all set for another cracking Kanumesse show in Nürburg, Germany.
As usual, we’ve got a plethora of new kit to show but first there’s some finishing touches to make to the stand. Check back later to see everything new from Palm!
It was a good day for kayaking in the media yesterday. After Radio 1 had finished telling the kids to go paddle the Wye this weekend, we switched on the TV to see this:
We have been quietly working together with the team from Engineering Paddler Designs (EPD) on an exciting project for a new system for adjustable features in artificial white water parks.
Bob Slee and Andy Laird testing the Rapid Bloc system at Teeside in July
The project came about after our technical Director Bob Slee attended a meeting about the re-development of the Holme Pierrpont white water course in Nottingham and met Andy Laird who along with ex World Slalom Champion and modern day artificial course pioneer Scott Shipley, designed the Rapid Blocs™ system.
Going something along the lines of ‘you’ve got the brain and we’ve got the brawn’ the project has moved fast with the EPD guys bringing the hydrodynamic design knowledge and us delivering the moulding expertise required to make the blocks.
The Rapid Bloc attachment
What makes the system unique in its method of location to the riverbed via shaped metal rails, which run lengthways down the water channel. The blocks fasten to this, which allows them to be positioned at any angle and also to be stacked to create a groyne. The use of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and their low rectangular shape combined with a four point attachment make them solid when located but equally easy to manoeuvre for alterations to course design – something the EPD team recognised as an important design and manufacture requirement from experience with other systems.
The new triangular blocks with the course empty...
This forms one of a number of interesting departures for us here at Palm in the use of our rotomoulding oven for non-kayak related manufacture. We have already managed to re-cycle over 90% of our waste from boat manufacture, but schemes like this allow us to bring the second-generation use of the materials back into development of the sport, which is a real focus for us.
...and full
The rapid bloc system was launched at the recent European Slalom championships in Nottingham and showcased to competitors, coaches and officials from around the world including members of the International Olympic Delivery Committee responsible for the 2012 Olympic course in Lee Valley Park. Production units have now been fitted to the Teeside whitewater course which will be the first course to use this new system.
We’ll keep you posted on developments or, for more info check out the Rapid Bloc web site.
