Water Activities | Evolving Consumer

CES: Fitness Ear Plug In

Fitness Technologies Inc. is showing off its Plug-In AM Module that works with the new Fitness Technologies UWaterG8X and UWaterK9 Micro MP3 and FM players. This plug-in gives users – including those looking to listen while swimming – the option to tune-in to AM radio for talk shows, news and sports. Of course the players still provide FM radio, MP3 music and even audio books.

“We saw a need to combine AM broadcasting with our existing waterproof line of FM and MP3 micro players,” stated Opher Pail, President of Fitness Technologies, Inc. “We have many customers over 55, a group comprising the lion share of AM talk radio and news audiences, and we are very pleased to enhance their audio experience with our easy to use, affordable, new plug-in AM module.”

The Fitness Technologies Plug-in AM Module is 100 percent waterproof, includes a built-in 3.5mm audio connection for the included waterproof earphones, and is available in 3 colors – Neon Green, Orange and Metallic Grey. Device features after the jump

CES: The Aqua Man’s Speaker

Electronics and water don’t often mix, but at this week’s International CES in Las Vegas we’re seeing more devices that can stand up to nature. NYNE introduced the Aqua, the first IPX7 waterproof, floating, Bluetooth 4.0 portable speaker. While ideal for a pool, it could also be a great go anywhere speaker as it can be fully submersed in one meter of water for 30 minutes. It also features a built-in waterproof microphone to answer incoming calls, listen to voicemails and hear text notifications. It has a 2200mAh Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery and a 3.5mm auxiliary input for an optional wired connection or non-Bluetooth devices.

“Aqua answers the need for a portable, high-quality audio speaker that can play music outdoors and withstand the elements,” said Arman Arami, president of NYNE. “With up to 10 hours of playtime, the party can last all day at the beach, pool, lake, campsite, or backyard, even when an unexpected rainstorm hits. Aqua plays music from any Bluetooth-enabled device within a 33-foot range, without a wired or dock connection, so your phone or tablet can stay easily accessible and dry.”

It offers 10 watts of power and is equipped with an EQ button that delivers four preset equalizer settings.

NYNE Official Website

Holiday Gift Guide: Cast With a Signature Rod

CastAway Graphite Rods has introduced two new Todd Faircloth Signature rods for 2014, and tehse join the company’s popular Skeleton graphite rod family. These are lightweight, yet extremely powerful and are built on proprietary multi-modulus blanks.

The new Model SKX-TFSC (Big T Shallow Cranker) is a 7-foot, 2-inch rod rated for 8- to 25-lb. test line and ½- to 1-oz. lures. Faircloth has enjoyed great success with this rod working shallow running lures like lipless and square billed crankbaits. It includes a medium-fast tip that allows for longer casts to cover more water, while Faircloth has found that the rod’s medium-heavy action allows for solid hooksets, even at the end of a long cast.

The Model SKX-TFTT (Big T’s Triple Threat) is a 7-foot, 30-inch stick rated for 12- to 25-lb. test line and ¼- to 1-oz. lures. Faircloth uses this rod for many purposes, but finds it especially ideal for froggin’, pitchin’ and draggin’ (hence the “Triple Threat” moniker). This rod’s heavy action and deep, parabolic bend are engineered to pull even the biggest, meanest bass out of heavy slop.

Each is made with the finest components, and as with all CastAway Rods, the cork and reel seats are drilled to exact specification. This ensures a perfect fit without excess glue, tape or shims. These will both be able to cast for my years to come.

CastAway Graphite Rods Official Website

Surf the App

Now you can surf the web and then use the Surf Report 2.0 app from Oakley before heading to the beach. This app provides information on conditions for thousands of breaks worldwide. Details including weather, tides, sweels, water temperature and much more are now at your finger tips.

Oakley Surf Report 2.0 Official Website

GoBe Brings the Light

The GoBe light from Light & Motion could be the “go to” light for all your outdoor needs. This factory sealed rechargeable flashlight can be used up to 120 meters underwater, but will also shine the way on the hiking or biking trail.

It features interchangeable light heads that allow users to choose the best light for their activity, whether it’s white, red, blue, flood or spot. The GoBe also combines the design features of Light & Motion’s popular Sola scuba dive lights with the size and convenience of the company’s commuter bike lights.

There are six activity-specific base models, with the GoBe featuring a 500-lumen Spot Beam, a 500-lumen Search Beam, a 500-lumen NightSea Beam or in a special Pink Body with 500-lumen Spot Beam light-head edition. The GoBe+ also offers a 700-lumen Wide Beam or Spot Beam light head.

The light weighs just 160 grams and comes with underwater photography mounts as well as a versatile handlebar mount. It also includes a battery life indicator, and it can be charged with USB cable. The GoBe offers three power levels, SOS mode, and can run up to 24 hours on a single charge.

Users can customize the light according to their use with interchangeable light heads, sold separately. The GoBe will begin shipping this month.

Light & Motion GoBe Official Website

New Foam Hits the Waves

It is hard to think that there could be much be done to foam, but Varial Surf Technology introduced this month the new Varial Foam, which is made from an advanced aerospace formula and a new chemistry to surfboards all together. The foam is reported to be 25 percent lighter and 20 percent stronger as compared to a standard polyurethane blank with a stringer.

This means that it can eliminate the need for a stringer or any other strengtheners that current surfboards require, while the compressive strength of the foam makes the board highly responsive to riders by transferring energy directly through the core to the water’s surface.

Varial Surf Technology Official Website

Hydroflex Looks to Go From the Waves to the Streets

Surfboard maker Hydroflex has created some colorful surfboards and now it is looking to take its skills to the streets with a new line of skateboards. The company has created a 3D Glassing Technology that provides a stronger, lighter and most importantly a board with increased flex. It is also waterproof, which means it can endure a little rain better than most wooden decks.

Hydroflex is not looking to a Kickstarter project to get rolling with the sidewalk surfing crowd. Video after the jump

To the Point

There are boats that fold up, but these still only break down and build up to a specific size. The Point 65N Modular Kayak not only does the break down thing, but it can change size depending on your need.

Looking to hit the rapids or want to go lake fishing? No problem – this kayak can add or remove a section as necessary. The modular, snap-together design makes it easy to customize but doesn’t affect buoyancy or handling. And because it breaks down it is easy to transport. This is a kayak that lets you get straight to the water and that’s straight to the point.

Point 65 Official Website

No More Lost At Sea

When you drop something on the beach you can pick it up, but when you drop something when you’re in the water scuba diving it typically means you’ll need to call James Cameron and his deep sea exploration gear to get it back. Next time you’re heading out to the deep water be sure to clip on the Gear Keeper RT4 line of attachment systems.

These feature streamline smaller-sized retractors that are there to give divers some peace of mind that equipment will be where it is needed and with less bulkiness. Divers can grab and use and more importantly know that the gear will retract back into place and not end up at the bottom of the ocean.

The series includes a patented flushing system that clears sand and debris from the unit, is salt-water proof and will withstand high-temperature environments. Continue reading No More Lost At Sea

Trashin’ Deck

While skateboarders may like to “thrash” one skateboard company is instead looking to trash. Bureo Skateboards has picked up on the old adage that one man’s trash is another’s treasure and the company is looking to reduced the plastic pollution along Chile’s coastline while at the same time producing new skateboards.

The company is among 85 businesses that were accepted out of 1,300 applicants into Start-Up Chile, a government-sponsored accelerator program that provides these start-ups with $40,000 to get rolling. Bureo Skateboards was reportedly the only non-technology based company accepted into the program but clearly its message struck a nerve with someone.

North¬eastern alumnus Ben Kneppers is the company’s co-founder, and he previously received $10,000 in gap funding from IDEA, the Northeastern student-run venture accelerator. Thanks to this Bureo team has made it their mission to make a difference and contribute to the fight against plastic pollution in the oceans, while providing innovative skateboards on lane.

Bureo Skateboards
[Via news@Northestern: From plastic pollution to sustainable skateboards]

Made in America: Magic Mushroom

We’ve seen a lot of efforts to make surfboards a whole lot greener, and this has included boards made of recycled and reclaimed materials, but the guys at Mushroom Surfboards are growing boards – via mushrooms. In other words Mushroom Surfboards by Ecovative Design isn’t just a clever name, it is actually what the boards are made from!

The company has created a Myco Foam technology that was first developed in 2007 and uses shroom-based materials for its structure. This means the surfboard “blanks” are entirely biodegradable but also produced from what would otherwise be agricultural waste, such as plant stalks and seed husks, and mycelium. Video after the jump

Weekend Reading List (09.28.2013): Big Descent, Race Nerves, Go to Google, Newbie Boards

Big Descent

From GearJunkie: Ski Descent Of Fourth Tallest Mountain On Earth
A three-man Italian team will attempt the first complete ski descent of a coveted line high in the Himalayas this fall. Skiers Edmond Joyeusaz and Federico Colli plan to climb and ski down Lhotse, the fourth tallest mountain in the world at 27,940 feet, with videographer Carlo Limonta in the Lhotse Ski Challenge Expedition. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (09.28.2013): Big Descent, Race Nerves, Go to Google, Newbie Boards

Get Your Skate and Leather On

Leather isn’t something you typically need for surfing and not really for skating, but that hasn’t stopped Leatherman from announcing a new line of pocket tools designed specifically for both sets of action sports. This follows the company’s new line of snowboard tools that were rolled out earlier this year.

The Grind and Jam pocket tools are aimed at the skateboarders while the Thurster and Shooter are for those who like to catch some waves. The former are designed to be carried or clipped on a belt, and feature flat and Phillips head screwdrivers, file, bottle openers, multiple open ended wrenches, hex driver, truck key and carabiner – in other words all the things to do some work on the board while on the go.

The surf tools feature bottle openers, bit drivers, wax comb, spring hooks, a lanyard hole, easy outs and a rubber bit holder.

With these tools small repairs won’t let the good times end.

Leatherman Official Website
[Via Gizmag: Leatherman announces new pocket tools for skaters and surfers]