[Kapila Jayaweera]

I really appreciate your comments Maureen, Reed, Cameron and everyone else who emailed me with their opinion.

I received Gul Juniper medium dry suit yesterday. It looks very nice, well build with good materials.

When I look at measurements they recommend medium size though it is very big for my skinny body.  Not a manufacture fault.

Agreed with Cameron’s comments about complications around waist area. It has four layers near waist area with tow flaps create excess material trap inside no place to go. This could be due to my skinny build have no place for extra materials to wrap around. Agreed with Reed and Maureen’s comments about having zipper in the middle. I think zipper in the middle could get in the way when you sit inside the kayak and also potential problem down the road if it start leaking.

After weighing pros and cons with two piece drysuit, now I am convinced one piece would be a better option long run.

Thank you so much for commenting to this topic.

[Kevin Amos]

I am wondering if anyone has a suggestion or experience of transporting a kayak without a roof rack?

I have read a couple options.

Using Foam Blocks with No Roof Rack
https://westerncanoekayak.com/blog/getting-your-boat-to-the-water-part-5-of-8-using-foam-blocks-with-no-roof-rack/

VersaRail Bare Roof Cross Rail System
https://westerncanoekayak.com/versarail-bare-roof-cross-rail-system/

The concern is water can leak into vehicle from straps and possible roof damage.

[Former Member]

I originally posted the details for the sale at victory. I purchased a paddling jacket for my partner and was so close to buying a dry suit, this exact one except it wasn’t tall enough for me. When I went down for fitting it had a very similar system to Kokatat

To me it seemed like a very well build suit and I would have purchased it. The only concern I had was in the waist area. A lot of flaps that came up from pants and another down from top. Just seemed excessive for kayaking. And I was honestly thinking about cutting some of it off.

I wanted a storm hood but didn’t have a size for me. I then was looking at the suit that had no hood but strangely my big melon wouldn’t fit out the jacket. The gasket size was ok but it had a sewn in collar protector that wouldn’t let my head past. But feast of the suit was great

From the description
“”The Junipers unique feature is its Zip Disk technology by TIZIP is a sophisticated zip system that allows the drysuit to separate to form two fully functional garments.””

https://www.gul.com/aboutus.html

[Reed Clarke]

It all looks good. I gather the top goes on like a pullover, then the bottom is pulled up and zipped to the top. Probably easier to get into than the cross back or cross chest designs.

My only concern would be where that zipper is going to land. Make very certain it isn’t digging into something in your back. Ask yourself what will it feel like at the end of a long day of paddling. Something that is vaguely irritating while sitting in your kayak at home, could get a lot worse with hours of paddling.

Cheers, Reed

[Kapila Jayaweera]

Thanks for your comment Maureen. I just order this because they said I can have a look at it and return if I don’t like it. It is also tricky because if I submerged with it they may not take it back. It will be a problem if it start leaking down the road after warranty ends.

I was looking Kokatat Groe-tex Odyssey. Expensive but cant even get it. I didn’t realize I can order Kokatat locally. Let me check with MEC.

Thanks again.

[Maureen Benzon]

Hi Kapila,

This one might be ok because it has the body attached to the pants, but I don’t know it personally. Generally speaking, unless the top and bottom are joined by a waterproof zipper, the suit will not be dry if fully submerged, which is when you really want it.

Kokotat are never in stock. They make them as you order (both mec and DCCK will order for you) so you have to wait a couple of weeks, and they are US$ so expensive. You can go on their site and build your colour and style, then order locally.

Level 6 are a local company and cost less than the kokotat and seem to be ok.

Good luck! I will be interested to hear what others think

[Kapila Jayaweera]

Anyone have experience with Gul brand dry suits?  I am looking for Gul Juniper series dry suit from local store in Vancouver. It is a two piece dry suit that can wear separately if needed.

Design and price point is appealing but I am not familiar with this brand.

https://victory-products.com/products/juniper-drysuit-gk0169-b3?variant=19615986614360

This site has bit more pictures.

https://www.coastwatersports.com/gul-juniper-kayak-drysuit-2021-tangerine-canoeing-kayaking-p-14547.html

These days no one have anything in stock makes it harder to buy anything serious.

Appreciate any comments or recommendations.

[Nick Heath]

Thanks to the fine efforts of Kapila and Cam and to good weather, we completed the gathering up and burning of the numerous brush clippings left after cutting out the trail. This also took care of any unspent funds in the Park Enhancement Fund (licence plate) grant we received for it.  Nothing further is planned for now. I want BC Parks to take a look themselves and then I’ll try again to persuade them that we/they should continue to develop the paddle-in campsite as they originally planned back in 1984.

Not to worry, they’ve only managed this park for 63 years so far after it was generously donated to the Province in 1953, so I guess folks should be more patient!

(Let this be a salutary message to those of us who donate money for parks acquisition and then expect to be able to use that Park within our own lifetimes!)

[John McIntyre]

Mike

I would be interested as well.  Available in evenings depending on location.

John

[Bob Maher]

Hi Mike,

A pool session for rolling is much better in the shallow part of the pool, where some one can help the student learn or practice their roll. Where is the Pool you are using and can we use the shallow end?

Bob Maher

[Former Member]

Sold. Thank you.

[Former Member]

Hi, Mike.  I’m way overdue for wet exit and re-entry practice, so I’d like to attend.  My availability varies, and so I’ll need to wait and where the venue is and what date.  Thanks.

Jonathan Stewart

[Maureen Benzon]

Hi Mike,

You have not given a venue. For an evening, this might make a very big difference.

Thanks,

Maureen

[Johan Worst]

Hi Mike

I’m interested in a pool session as well. Available any day and time but Wednesdays.

Thanks

Johan Worst

[Kurt Pregler]

Hi Mike

I’m Jim G’s friend who is also interested but limited to the weekends – Saturday or Sunday.

Kurt Pregler

[Author]

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