Snapdragon

Thanks to Richard Wilson from Snapdragon for supplying me with great spray decks and cockpit covers!.

I used the Ocean Tour Expedition Reinforced spray deck for my trips in Newfoundland, Iceland and New Zealand. Because they are pre-bent and "snap" on they’re easy to secure around the cockpit — a big advantage when you have only precious seconds to get out through breaking surf in a loaded sea kayak. 

I really appreciate the fact that my Snapdragon skirt stayed on in the roughest conditions I encouraged during my record-setting paddle around New Zealand’s South Island. Even though I got hammered by my fair share of heavy waves, my spray deck stayed secure. That’s a very comforting thought when you’re all alone in rough seas.

For my "Race around Australia" trip I swapped to the Glacier Breathable, which has the same solid pre-bent deck, but an adjustable, breathable collar, which seems pretty reasonable not only for the hot climate in OZ.

I do own additional customized Snapdragon spray decks for my other kayaks.

To keep the rain, sand and any strange, curious or hungry animals out of my fully-loaded kayak at night on a trip, I use the lightweight Snapdragon nylon cockpit cover. It’s easy to store and very useful.