PADDLES, FEATURED GEAR & ACCESSORIES
Featured Gear:
Paddles by Werner | Paddles by Epic | Kokatat PFDs
Paddle Pouches | Sea Kayak Carolina Apparel
Expedition Essentials – Tow Belt | Storm Cag
Sea Kayak Paddles by Epic
Epic Paddles available now on James Island!
Epic paddledesigns have been imitated, but never duplicated. They feature a unique longitudinal profile, and the correct amount of dihedral shape for both stable tracking and a clean entry and exit in the water. Epic also manufactures some of the lightest paddles on the market.
Read on to learn more about the features and options of Epic's paddles, or jump directly to the paddle descriptions.
Epic Hybrid paddles feature a combination of carbon fiber, fiberglass and epoxy to provide a good balance of weight and price.
Epic's Signature Series Hybrid paddle adds an aerospace grade tapered foam core to increase strength and decrease weight. This tapered foam core on the Epic touring paddle gives it a smooth back shape, with no noticeable rib.
Epic's Full Carbon paddles have famous Epic aerospace grade foam core with 100% carbon fiber epoxy that makes an extremely lightweight performance paddle.
Visit the Epic website to learn more about their paddle designs and construction.
The Epic Length-Lock™ paddle has all of the advantages of a push button two-piece paddle, but it also allows you to change your paddle length up to an additional 10 cm, and the ability to change the feather angle, right or left control.
The Length-Lock™ system features a plastic collar that tightens onto the calibrated ferrule. It is clearly marked, which helps you in adjusting your paddle to the correct length and feather.
Because the Length-Lock™ tightens securely onto the ferrule, it eliminates any ‘play’ in the connection that you will commonly find in a standard 2-piece paddle. The Length-Lock™ is also a stronger paddle because no holes are drilled into the shaft. The option to change length and feather angle is quite useful in a variety of situations including:
• Changing your paddle length between a narrow and wide kayak.
• Share your paddle with someone who needs a different length or feather.
• It lets you experiment with different feather angle.
If you are looking for the ability to adjust paddle length, feather angle, or use a stronger two-piece paddle with a more secure connection, then the Epic length-lock paddle is the perfect choice.
We generally have the following Epic paddles in stock – visit the store to try them out. We can order any Epic paddle you'd like – you can choose the exact layup, and style.
The Epic Active Touring paddle is a noticeably versatile paddle designed to create a smooth, powerful stroke. It also performs well in flat water and open water racing for those who opt not to use a wing paddle.
Signature Hybrid and
Full Carbon models in stock.
Epic Active Touring:
Blade width: 18 cm. (7.1")
Blade length: 47.5 cm. (18.7")
Surface area: 685 cm2 (106 in2)
Signature Hybrid Weight: 735 grams (26 oz)
Full Carbon Weight: 650 grams (23 oz)
The Epic Relaxed Touring paddle is approximately 10% smaller and has a higher aspect ratio making it longer and narrower than the Epic Active Touring blade. This makes it a first-rate choice for paddlers who have a low angle paddling style, or for those seeking a more relaxed, less tiring paddle.
Hybrid and
Full Carbon models in stock.
Epic Relaxed Touring:
Blade width: 16 cm. (6.3")
Blade length: 50 cm. (19.7")
Surface area: 625 cm2 (97 in2)
Hybrid Weight: 800 grams (28 oz)
Full Carbon Weight: 630 grams (22 oz)
The Epic Mid Wing paddle is an effective all-around medium-sized wing blade designed for optimum performance in ICF marathon distance surf ski racing and fitness paddling. It's an ideal sprint paddle for women and junior competitors. The Epic MId Wing is also well suited for high performance touring that utilizes powerful strokes.
Signature Hybrid and
Full Carbon models in stock. A "Small Mid Wing" is also available for those with smaller hands.
Epic Mid Wing:
Blade width: 16.4 cm. (6.5") – "Small:" 15.9 cm (6.3")
Blade length: 50 cm. (19.7") – "Small:" 49.9 cm (19.6")
Surface area: 750 cm2 (116 in2) – "Small:" 735 cm2 (114 in2)
Hybrid Weight: 800 grams (28 oz)
"Small" Full Carbon Weight: 652 grams (22 oz)
Sea Kayak Paddles by Werner
Werner Paddles available now on James Island!
Call us about our inventory of Werner Paddles.
We've chosen to carry Werner paddles as some of the highest quality paddling gear available. Werner offers a variety of layups (carbon, fiberglass), bent and straight shafts, standard and small diameter grips, as well as designs for different paddling styles.
Visit the Werner website to learn more about their design and construction – as well as helpful advice about which touring model is right for you.
We have the following models in stock: Carbon models are pictured. Bright, translucent color fiberglass blades are avaiable for some designs.
Mouse-over the paddle names to change the paddle photo.
The Kalliste: Performance Core blades have an exceptionally light buoyant feel and silky smooth strokes that make paddling all day long feel effortless. The ultimate choice for low angle kayakers.
Ikelos: Full size Performance Core blades – Aan aggressive High Angle design for well conditioned, experienced paddlers who want a durable paddle with a powerful catch and smooth linking strokes.
Cyprus: Versatile High Angle touring design – The blades are buoyant, light and durable. A powerful catch and smooth linking strokes makes it Werner's most popular Performance Core high angle blade.
Camano: Werner's most popular award winning Low Angle blade design, offers the perfect combination for paddlers who want gentle power yet use a relaxed all around touring stroke. Also offers the best balance of light swing weight and smooth forward strokes.
Corryvrecken: Large High Angle design. Offers full size blades ideal for well conditioned paddlers who want powerful strokes and enhanced blade maneuverability when linking several strokes.
Shuna: Werner's most popular High Angle touring design. The mid size blades fit a wide range of kayakers and are versatile and easy to use during advanced maneuvers or all around touring.
Tybee: A great blade for those that like a faster cadence. An economical choice with glass shaft and carbon reinforced nylon blades; versatile and easy to use for advanced maneuvers or all around touring.
PFDs by Kokatat
MsFit Tour Lifevest: Designed for female sea kayakers with a contoured, princess-seam foam cut for superior anatomic fit and comfort. While designed for women, the MsFit Tour is an excellent choice for men too. Scott (secure in his masculinity and in touch with his feminine side) currently wears the MsFit tour.
Front and rear reflective tape, a strobe lash tab, two bellows pockets and one vertical front pocket will give the gadget-happy paddler plenty of room for toys. Ergonomic and innovative components such as thermoformed, padded Hypalon® shoulders, 3 side adjustments & quick-release waist closure, clip-on tabs for accessories and superlative construction methods set the standard in modern PFD design. Made with GAIA® PVC-free foam.
MsFit Tour Lifevest available now for $142
BUOYANCY LB./OZ. — S (16/05), M (16/05), L (16/06), XL (16/13)
* 500D Cordura® outer and 200D nylon oxford inner shell
* Articulated shell and foam panels
* 2 bellows pockets with zippered side entry
* One electronics pocket
* Front lash tab
* Reflective tape
* Strobe lash tab on back
* USCG approved
* Transport Canada (ULC) approved
* CE approved
Orbit Tour Lifevest: This very low-profile personal flotation device allows touring and whitewater kayakers to move more freely and stay cooler than with most PFDs.
The addition of 3M reflective highlights and a spacious duplex pocket make the Orbit Tour a great choice for paddlers looking for comfort and mobility in a low-profile vest. Constructed of the same material as the Orbit. There is no bulky foam padding on the shoulders, while the hardware neatly fits under the neoprene. Front pocket, reflective highlights, dual side adjustments round out this UL & ULC approved touring vest’s features. Made with GAIA® PVC-free foam.
BUOYANCY LB./OZ.—
S/M (15/08), L/XL (15/08)
Orbit Tour Lifevest available now for $142
* 500D Cordura® outer and 200D nylon oxford inner shell
* Large front pocket with key lanyard
* 3M™ reflective highlights
* Two adjustments on each side
* Adjustable shoulder straps
* Hidden shoulder adjustment ladder locks
* Front and rear internal grip panels
* Front lash tab
* USCG approved
* Transport Canada (ULC) approved
Sea Kayak Carolina (SKC) Gear Available
Wear The SKC Turtle! OK – we admit it, this might not be essential gear, but we're glad to be able to offer our logo and mascot turtle on Sea Kayak Carolina hats and t-shirts:
Quick Drying 50/50 Cotton-Poly T-Shirts — ONLY $15
Quick Drying
Adjustable Nylon Caps — ONLY $20
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Pierrine’s Paddle Pouches
Protect Your Investment: Made locally on John's Island, these soft fleece pouches protect your paddle from bangs and scrapes – and protect those items your paddle might be bumping into.
$25 for regular (2-part) Paddle Pouches.
$30 for Grenland Pouch
Expedition Essentials: Tow Belt
We chose to carry Expedition's excellent tow belt.
Learn why:
Expedition Essentials chose to produce their first tow system as a waist level, belt style. This is because chest mounted systems put too much stress on your abdominal muscles during a long haul, and because boat mounted systems require that all boats you use be modified to accept them.
Expedition Essentials chose to use large, lightweight, fully anodized aluminum carabineers because they've seen large, heavy stainless steel carabineers flying toward paddlers during rough water releases, or small ones that were too difficult to handle. They use fully anodized carabineers because they are so much more corrosion resistant than standard aluminum.
They use two carabineers, one inside the pouch, so you can short-line the tow without a daisy chain (just a quick figure eight), the other with a climber's quick draw to make finding and handling much easier, and to make sure the carabineer never comes off the line by accident. These carabineers have smooth gate openings, so they won't hang-up on deck lines when you are trying to release.
They chose a big, articulated pouch so you can easily stuff a large handful of line into it and be on your way, no entanglement, no daisy chain dragging in the water. It is the polar opposite of a whitewater throw bag that requires barrel loading, a slow, awareness-consuming task (In 12 years of rough water sea kayaking, none of their paddlers ever used a throw rope for anything but a clothes line anyway). The pouch has lots of extra hook-and-loop so it’s easy to close and it stays closed until you need it. The bottom has a mesh panel that keeps the bag from holding water in your lap and makes it easy to rinse out when you get home.
They chose NOT to put a float on the line, because it adds unnecessary weight, bulk and expense and because it can interfere with tow hook-ups and releases. The floating poly line and the rubber in the quick-draw keep the lightweight carabineer pretty close to the surface anyway. They chose NOT to incorporate a shock cord because it adds unnecessary weight, bulk and expense, and because they didn’t like the sling shot effect it creates when towing in a following sea.
Available now for $110
Expedition Essentials: Storm Cag
The storm cag is a one-size-fits-all, vapor barrier insulator. It is made of zero-porosity, paragliding material (no air gets through). It is intended to be worn over your wet paddling gear to reduce forced convection and evaporative heat loss. Use it to stay warm on cool, windy days when you first get out of your boat (just pull it over everything), or while in your boat when the combination of your insulation and level of caloric burn are insufficient to keep you warm. The cag is moderately water repellant, though it need not be to work, and is by necessity non-breathable.
They are
very useful in post rescue scenarios after getting the swimmer back into their boat. They are very lightweight, and pack small enough that you can stuff several in a day hatch along with your other gear.
Storm Cags available now for $120