Hi all - with some friends from the UK I'm doing the NY Liberty race this year and wondered what people recommend for hydration + best containers to use.
I'm planning on using a complex carb drink with electrolytes which I think is fine for this but being relatively new to outrigging (dragon-boat background) I'm not sure what you usually use for a container. I guess a back mounted pack is going to be awkward and may make you hot. Does anyone use a simple pack attached to the seat and clipped onto their top by their mouth? Seems this would allow relatively easy access while paddling and in the event of a huli would just unclip but remian attached to the seat. Or - do you just take a break every now and then from paddling to take fluids on?
Any ideas/suggestions appreciated.
Thanks
Adam
Submitted by stylo on Mon, 04/14/2008 - 1:24pm
A long time ago in Hava'iki Nui, Lanikai paddler Mike Smith came up w/ the idea of attaching his drinking tube to his hat's visor so he could easily take a drink w/ out stopping his paddling. I think someone made a commercial model of this invention, but don't see many guys using them. Most paddlers I know clip the drinking tube to their jersey in the upper chest area. This way, you can get the tube in your mouth w/ the top hand w/ out missing more than one stroke. I don't think many guys actually stop and drink from a container while racing. I would be interested in hearing from Hiro C. of Tahiti to see what they do down there.
#1 Mon, 04/14/2008 - 4:17pm
I have an idea that will blow your minds out there. You can use my idea if you pay me lots of money. Stitch a pouch into the back of your paddling shirt, then place a camel bak bladder or similar in the pouch you have just sewn, then make two small parallel slits in the collar of your shirt and run the tube through them from your bag so it hangs at your chest. You should all ready have fluids in the bladder so that you can drink from the tube. be sure you are on a planet with gravity so that the bladder stays in place. I also stiched an extra flap of fabric on the top of the pocket so it would tuck in and hold the bladder in place. If you like, this pouch can be out of something like neoprene so it keeps your drink cool longer. Also, some of the coolness from your bladder will seep through to your back. keeping you a bit cooler on those hot days. this set up worked super awesome for me in 2004 when I paddle boarded the Koolaupoko race and finished third to last. The design is wonderful for preventing the "yard sale" effect when you huli off of Makapu'u, which I think is the same as that place some call Makapo. Feel free to use this design for personal use. However, if you manufacture for sale you will be hearing form my lawyer. This post is forever preserved in the annals of ocpaddler for my legal protection.
Enjoy your newfound urge to pee during races. PM me if you would like to make donations to my cause, which is me of course...
#2 Mon, 04/14/2008 - 4:58pm
We use a wire harness for the tube of our camelpacks. The kind they use for clothes lines with a plastic sheath. Cut a 2 foot piece. Twist a 3-4 inch long coil on one end and a big loop out of the rest. Curl your hose into the coil end and bend a little hook on the other end of the wire. Wrap the big loop around your neck and fasten lightly with the little hook. The coil should be in front of your face. Bend it up to your mouth to your liking and comfort. All you do is open your mouth and it's there. Otherwise you still have to grab the mouth piece for one stroke.
Caution:
Keep the little hook open and keep it short so if you get snagged it doesn't strangle you.
#3 Mon, 04/14/2008 - 7:21pm
I think nalgene makes the best hydration pack. The gauge of the parts is bigger and I seem to be able to take in fluids faster than with the camelbak...also their pack tapers at the bottom so there is a little more pressure leading to the tube when the fluid is low...I think camelbak shapes theirs like this now too. I would be cautious with wire around the neck with all the delicate vessles. On my ride there is a bungie net infront of my feet for the hydration bag and I tape a long tube to the center ending around my neck. They have those saftey breakaway ID bade holders at staples or office max pretty cheap. Just shorten to the desired length so the bite valve is where you need it. (I steal em from my work :) ...they will pop if you go over without pulling the tube connectors apart.
#4 Mon, 04/14/2008 - 8:50pm
once i started wearing my camelback on my back i got used to it. keeping it loose. i dont like the thought of having something attaching me to my canoe other than a leash but im a little off anyway.
#5 Mon, 04/14/2008 - 9:25pm
Many thanks for the ideas - and so fast as well! I will go away now and try some of these out.
Thanks again
Adam
#6 Mon, 04/14/2008 - 9:48pm
I like to make a loop from plastic tube. Very similar to Painteur's way.
#7 Mon, 04/14/2008 - 10:33pm
For we are young and free
Hey Stylo when and where is the liberty race ? I will be in NYC for a few days in September but it wil prolly be in Summer
#8 Mon, 04/14/2008 - 11:06pm
Hi Kevlon - race is on the 28th June
#9 Mon, 04/14/2008 - 11:30pm
Check out the Camelbak Flashflo, or Camelbak Alterra.
http://www.camelbak.com/index.cfm
#10 Tue, 04/15/2008 - 1:04pm
i prefer the skeeter by it's name alone
#11 Tue, 04/15/2008 - 5:40pm
I got kinda grossed out when I thought about what would be in the hydration pack called the skeeter
#12 Tue, 04/15/2008 - 7:24pm
...or how it would hydrate you.
#13 Wed, 04/16/2008 - 3:43am
I have a cousin Skeeter who works at a gas station in Alabama.
#14 Wed, 04/16/2008 - 4:21am
At your convenience I humbly ask that you check out the link below.
http://www.orsdirect.com/
The deal expires after a short time so check it our before its gone!
I sincerely hope that this post has been most helpful and I am furthering the paddling community! Thank you for the opportunity to post! I am blessed.
SPP
#15 Thu, 04/17/2008 - 12:09pm
.
#16 Fri, 03/02/2012 - 9:17am
2473652529382828383, that was super homo. Good lord stay away from me.
#17 Thu, 04/17/2008 - 1:14pm