The shop where we are getting our kayaks from does not have many Astral 300’s and the ones they do are all Large as these Bouyancy Aids are gradually being phased out to be replaced by the new Green Jacket.

This was supposed to have a release date of July 11th to the dealers but I have been onto Astral themselves and release is being delayed whilst they wait for USCG approval—they hope the end of July which is a bit awkward if you want to wait for this as you will need to take out your B.A and then come home with 2…this is what I am thinking of, although will see what other B.A’s with USCG approval they have over there.

At the moment I don’t think there are any other major issues with gear; if any crop up I will post.

Any other problems with anything other then BAs in terms of helmets or any other gear?

ill get in touch with ronnie and get the money into his account asap

As you may or may not be aware our Bouyancy Aids are not goign to be adequate / useable on the Canyon trip-we need to use Bouyancy Aids which are both approved by the USCG and marked with a USCG label! SO that means no Palm B.A’s and even worse no Astral 300 Aquavests bought in Europe (like mine!)which although USCG approved do not the appropriate USCG label when sold in Europe (just a CE label)-I have checked this out with various sources and thay all come back the same…here is a quote from Astral:

”Hi,
Yes, the Aquavest 300 is a USCG approved (type V Rescue) PFD.
However, you will need a PFD that has a USCG label in it. Jackets that were purchased in Europe, might only have a CE label in it, but not a USCG label.
If your jacket has a CE label in it, the Grand Canyon park rangers will not let you paddle the river in it. (yes, they will inspect your jacket at the put in and make wear a different one.)
I’m sorry if this is disappointing news, but that’s how it works in the Canyon…
Sincerely,
Yonton Mehler.”

So I am looking to probably buy a B.A over in BC..anyone else? I am trying to see if they are in stock at SeatoSky etc and tryingto give them numbers who may want one..so please let me know asap if you do..

Thanks.

Here goes:

1. Car hire excess…We booked the excess for 2 cars on Steven’s Credit card..this cost €190 which works out at €38 each.. I have paid this into Steven’s account (minus his €38) so everyone else owes me €38..

2. Car hire with hertz for the 2 vehicles is approximatey €2000. ie €400 each..(it may be slightly more when we are over there..)..so in order that Steven and Ronnie have enough money in their credit card accounts to cover hire in Vancouver. we are going to put money into Steven and Ronnie’s accounts…Fran is going to put €400 into Steven’s and I am going to put €200 into both Steven’s and Ronnies (well €200 – €38 into Ronnie’s!), so can Gearoid put €400 into Ronnie’s (if you can get his details etc…). Thanks. THen we should be covered with Ronnie and Steven paying there €400…

Hope this makes sense yadayadayada…

James

picked up the lengths of 2×4 anyways. bit of weight in em in terms of flying, but i guess makes things alot easier when we get there instead of trying to find a builders suppliers.

would prob need ya to collect me/them from trinity at some stage cos wudnt be able to bring all my gear and the 4 of em on the bus.

…reply: good stuff Gearoid…can put 2 pieces into both boats…I can pick you up from Trinity with all gear the sunday (July 14th ) if you are staying here that night, otherwise I can pick them up a different time…

We will need to be packed etc sunday eve (July 13th) as we will be leaving for the aiport farily early Monday morning..

Please can we try to keep all comments re the BC trip on this page to make it easy for us all to keep track-I will temporarily make it the homepage for now.