It’s been 14 days since I wore Sharkskin long sleeve Performance Top for the first time. I tried it in all kind of weather conditions – sun, rain, wind, in lakes, rivers, in the sea, calm waters and in wild waters. The lowest water temperature I paddled had 9°C. From the first day I saw Sharkskin in a shop until after trying Sharkskin in all these conditions, my opinion about Sharkskin hasn’t changed – it’s really pleasant. Sharkskin garments are tight and the movement of the body is great because of the quality of the material. I can move perfectly in it. Sharkskin is warm where it needs to be, it’s 100% windproof, it’s waterproof and it breathes. What I like most is that the material breaths (something I miss when wearing usual kayak anoraks) – this way my skin and the inner side of the garment stay dry at all times. For this reason I feel great all the time during practice and the are no cold chills at the end of practice. All this will be also very useful in winter time when the temperatures get lower. Despite cold I will be able to do longer practices without worrying about being cold.

I was introduced to Sharkskin while training through one of Europe’s harshest winters contending with snow, blizzards and freezing temperatures training on the River Thames in London and competing throughout Europe.

One of the challenges of SUP training is that you get really hot when you are out on the water training, but wearing a wetsuit and/or multiple layers of clothing is impractical, uncomfortable & causes excessive bulk and prohibits freedom of movement in the upper body.

Good training kit that performs and is functional in cold weather is hard to find. Sharkskin Performance Wear tops go a long way to making it a lot easier to make it out the door and onto the water on those colder days.

Sharkskin’s Chillproof Long Sleeve top is big step in the right direction of developing true cold weather training apparel and I’ve had it out in as low at minus 20 degrees Celsius on high alpine mountain lakes in Bavaria, Germany. The thermal torso combined with light and flexible compression fabric sleeves makes for a highly functional garment that enables you freedom of movement, insulation and reduction of windchill to your core. The cut of the sleeve enables maximum movement and flat seam stitching reduces friction & chaffing.

At my age and Polynesian descent, I hate being cold! Optimal temperature while training and racing is vital for enjoyment and successful performance. I use the Hybrid Long Pants and Sleeveless Vest for the bulk of my paddle training, which is a combination of ocean surf ski, down river and white water. The major advantage I discovered with Sharkskin was that I am comfortable in cold conditions but I don’t overheat if there is a temperature change. I have used it in many different ways, under my wetsuit canyoning, winter mountain biking and kite boarding. Sharkskin is wonder wear!

After hearing all the positive feedback about the Sharkskin products, I decided it was long overdue to try some clothing that could keep me warm with my Jetskifishing adventures. I have used various wetsuit brands and after the restrictive nature of the other products and rashes I was receiving, keeping warm and comfortable had been an issue…

Since using the Sharkskin range my adventures have been more enjoyable, also sustaining longer periods of fishing, even in extreme conditions, as I am no longer suffering from the cold. I totally recommend any athletes that are subjected to the elements, keep warm and dry, use the Sharkskin range and you to can really enjoy your sport.

There are three branches of white water kayaking – extreme creek boating which involves paddling creeks and waterfalls; freestyle, surfing river waves and tricks; and slalom which is a timed race while negotiating a series of gates. I am heavily involved in Slalom training but do spread my time over all three branches.  I am proud to wear the silver fern on my chest, New Zealand on my back. NZL on my boat and Sharkskin on my body.

Even on the coldest mornings all I need is a long sleeve thermal and my sharkskin. It have found it allows me to keep warm in a variety of conditions and the rain is no issue. It can really dump it down and you are no colder when wearing the Sharkskin. I’ve also been using it on the surf ski and it’s brilliant. I’ve hopped off into the water just to test it out and found that it really keeps me warm even when wet. I also use a very thin neoprene type top and when this gets wet when combined with the breeze it can be really cool…the Sharkskin is significantly warmer than the new titanium neoprene type garments out these days.

As an obstacle racer I require protection from all the elements. During training and events I am required to be in and out of water obstacles, ice baths and braving cold winds, all whilst not overheating. Sharkskin garments provide me with the all round support for all the condition I may encounter. Sharkskins garments allow for a full range of motion whilst retaining durability. As I prepare to take on the world for the 24 hour World’s Toughest Mudder I know I can compete with the confidence that my Sharkskin gear will hold up to all the rigors that obstacle racing has to throw at it.

Multisport for me is a year-round obsession. Living in Wanaka I am faced with climatic extremes on an almost daily basis. My competitive advantage often comes from my willingness to train in all conditions. My Sharkskin gear matches my attitude perfectly. Whether it is snowing on Lake Wanaka, blowing a gale on the Clutha River or the sun is roasting me in summer, I know my Sharkskin gear has an answer to every situation. It is simply the most effective paddle gear I have used, and it goes pretty well on the bike too.

Sharkskin is all about staying warm and avoiding wind chill on and around the water. The new Performance Top allows for that without the chance of overheating and keeping the wearer safe from the sun at the same time. Tests so far have proven its worth in our ever changing conditions and, as we all know, our weather can often expose us to four seasons in one day which the Performance Top deals with like no other product out there can. The compression material is extremely nice when I am paddling and makes my muscles feel great with firm unhindered support. Better still the material is great to fish with and is perfect for activities like softbaiting which usually involves plenty of casting and working of the bait.

Early morining winter training on Lake Karapiro by the NZ Canoe Sprint Team, when they were in preparation for the 2010 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships which were held in Poznan, Europe.

Over the last few months I’ve taken a huge liking to my Sharkskin Long sleeve top.

For spring white water creeking / scouting missions the Sharkskin long sleeve top has become my absolute go to. It’s comfort and warmth has made the need for multiple smelly poly pro’s redundant.

In an early spring descent of the snow fed central Otago Nevis river I was more than comfortable wearing only my sharkskin under my dry top. Normally this type of descent would demand at least 3 poly pro’s which restricts your range of motion in this class V kayaking environment.

I would recommend the Sharkskin long sleeve top to any kayaker who is keen to have one do it all garment under their dry top. It is warm on even the coldest days and reduces the need for multiple layers.

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