Outlet

When the leaves have left the trees and the winter storms arrive, sailing can be the most fun if you are wearing the right gear.   Keeping sharp for me during the winter was all about finding a good winter series to lock into; which keeps me buzzing for the week of dark nights until the next bout of excitement in the daylight.  It’s a great time to challenge yourself on the start line, do those things that you are perhaps over cautious about during the major summer regattas as you had perceived them as just too risky.   I’ve also more recently taken up radio sailing, which has been a fantastic way to refine my tactics while staying dry and warm through the winter. The best part? Most series run year-round, making it an excellent addition to my off-season routine! Physically it's hard to maintain boat fitness during the winter, but it’s the best time to work on your overall fitness.  Les Mills Core is my go to workout on Les Mills on Demand.   Home is quite an active place at 06:00.  In addition, Indoor cycling is a safe way to push your aerobic fitness, avoiding wet leaves and cars but a safe cycle route to work is a refreshing way to get the miles in and clear your head.   We reached out to our Rooster Riders to discover their strategies for staying at the top of their game during the off-season - because sometimes, the best inspiration comes from hearing what works for others. Cameron and Tom – 49er, UK     “One of our top tips to training in the winter, is having a thorough plan for your training before you head out, to get the most out of your session and stay warm, we also do land-drills so you stay on top of your game, no matter the weather”   Amelie Ballentyne – Topper, UK     “The key to staying warm this winter on the water is to wear as many layers as possible, including adding a glove liner into your winter gloves and to wear thermal socks inside your boots, to keep you hands and feet extra warm”    Ethan Watkin-Jones – Tera, Wales    “I recommend keeping up your fitness by doing other sports you enjoy, I really love playing indoor badminton, going to the gym and trying something new like skiing which was so fun! I am proud to say I have been selected on the British Squad which will help me keep up my training. I like sailing in the winter.”    Stan Konarzewski –  Omega Class, Poland     “In the winter, I try and spend as much time on my indoor bike as the weather outside is not very nice!"   Winter may be a quieter time on the water, but with a bit of creativity and determination, it can be a season for growth and preparation. The spring season always feels sweeter when you know you’ve put in the work!    

Holidays got your head in a spin? Not to worry here's our guide on gifting this year with some great suggestions for all types of watersport and outdoor enthusiast.   Any of our clothing or boat part products could be chosen for that enthusiastic dinghy sailor in your life as a great gift, but here are a few hand selected favourites by the Rooster team. Splicing tool kit bag, Race Armour Buoyancy Aid, ProHike Pads, Clew Strap, PolyPro, Polilite, Tell Tales   We've all got one and if you don't think you know one...maybe its you! Someone who never stops for anything and needs gear that can keep up with them - checkout some of our best gifting suggestions for someone that doesn't stop for nothing - not even Christmas! 35L Waterproof backpack, Sandy Point x Rooster bags, Aeromesh 2.0 Cap, Men's Superlite Jacket, Women's Superlite Jacket Cold through Summer, Cold through Winter...we've all been there. Give the gift of some extra warmth on the water this year with this range of heat boosting accessories or pretty much anything with Aquafleece® in the name will do the job. Pro Aquafleece® Top, Waterproof Socks, Aquapro Gloves, Men's Hot Stuff, Women's Hot Stuff, Supertherm® Socks, Aquafleece® Beanie J70s, RS21s, SB20s, Cape31s, J109s anything they can get onto. If you know someone like that, check out our best gifts for that Sports boat sailor in your life. Technical Shorts, Waterproof Socks, Aeromesh 2.0 Cap, SB1 Inshore Range All things Stand Up Paddleboarding throughout the year whether it's recreational or competitive check out some of our best gifts for paddling enthusiasts. Women's Thermaflex® LongJohn, Men's Thermaflex® LongJohn, Aquapro Gloves, Aquafleece® Neck Gaiter, 3L Roll Top Dry Bag, Waterproof Phone Case, Aquafleece® Robe   Rain, sun, sleet or snow the person that is always going for a cold dip, treat them to a heat boosting gift this year as no matter what they say it's definitely not all right once you're in! Women's Hot Top, Men's Hot Top, Supertherm® Socks, Aquafleece® Robe, Aquafleece® Beanie   For the champions of tomorrow keep them comfortable and warm on the water over the next season to help them grow and enjoy their time out in the elements. Supertherm® Range, PolyPro Glove Liner, Aquafleece® Beanie, Aquapro Gloves, Pro Aquafleece® Top, Hot Socks   Find the perfect gift under £40 with this range of clothing and accessories perfect for any watersport enthusiast. C-Monsta Wetsuit Hanger, 10L Roll Top Dry Bag, Clew Strap, Sandy Point x Rooster Wash Bag, Hot Hands, Waterproof Phone Case, Joey Water Bottle Holder   Give them the gift of choice this year with a Gift Card of your chosen value.  

With the holiday season well and truly upon us, it’s time to find the perfect gifts for the people you care about. From our versatile wetsuits and cosy accessories we have lots of great options to help you choose. Check out our top selections below: For the one who is always cold: There’s always one who never gets their layering right, so maybe as a start educate them on the layering system so they know what to do.  Aquafleece® can pretty much guarantee some extra warmth on/off the water, in particular the Pro Aquafleece Spray Top can make the difference for those who get cooler on the water. Combine this with hot hands and hot socks to keep the extremities toasty with reflective titanium technology. Perfect for wetter days to keep your head snug is the waterproof, with bonded inner fleece lined Pro Aquafleece beanie. The one who can’t decide which sport they prefer: One of our most versatile products is the hydrophobic moisture wicking Polypro top that can be used across multiple sports as a warming base layer. A great addition to your gear bag for sailing, surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, kitesurfing and more. For taking out your extra layers, snacks, phone and more we recommend our 10L roll top dry bag, a classic but handy product for taking out on your boat/ board/ vessel. For your biggest fan / supporter: Have a loved one who prefers to support you from the shore / sidelines? Make sure they stay warm with an oversized warm jacket. For someone who prefers a larger more snuggly coat, you can pre order our Aquafleece® Robe here. Alternatively for someone who is a bit more active and would prefer a shorter fit with less bulk the Pro Aquafleece® Rigging Coat is the one.   Someone who is always on the go: New this year, our 35L waterproof backpack is perfect for taking on the water, but also off the water: travelling, commuting, exploring and every day use. With multiple pockets inside and out, waterproof construction and even a reflective strip this bag is sure to set you up for any adventure. The Classic sunglasses are polarised and great for everyday use to keep the glare out of your face when you’re on the move. The fair weather watersporter: We all know and love someone who only ever goes out on the water when the weather is perfect - “if its not sunny and twelve knots, I’m not going”. For these friends that only venture out in the summer months, stay protected from the summer rays with a UVF 50+ tech top ideal for on and off the water. Keep the UV rays also off your face with a trusty cap with a meshy back panel to increase ventilation. Dinghy Sailing enthusiast: If they’re more of the boat bimbling type you can’t go wrong with the Splicing tool kit bag. Classic by nature, classic by style and classic by name: The ¾ Classic Hikers 4/3mm are a timeless addition to any gear bag. They can be worn all year round - on their own in  the summer or with our UV protective rash leggings underneath or add an extra warm layer underneath, like our hot legs, and wear them as the weather gets colder. If you are still bamboozled with what to get your loved ones, why not chat to our awesome customer service team who are happy to help either on the phone, email or live chat :)

Watersports help people to stay connected with the outdoors and can help people to unwind and relax. This is evident with SUP paddleboarding, which has recently ‘experienced a surge in popularity over the past few years, with many people taking up the sport for the first time’.     Aquaplanet who have recently launched their paddle boards in Australia are proud to present the Paddle to the Moon competition, described as a ‘challenge out of this world’, with the collective challenge of targeting 384.4 million metres (which is the distance from Earth to the Moon) between January and June 2023.   You can join anytime between 1st January and 31st May. As of February 2023, it’s hit 587,252.74 metres! Progress has been made, but there’s still a significant distance to travel!   What are the benefits of entering?   As well as developing your SUP skills, entering this competition will give extra benefits too. These can include:   Make friends: Perhaps you will join a SUP school to develop friendships working towards the collective goal. Boost your mood: You are out on the water! This can bring happiness and relaxation. Sleep better: Exercise can improve sleep for many people. Lose weight: The physicality of SUP paddleboarding will help you lose weight. Give you a reason to paddle: Maybe you are dreaming of having that new board? Have an adventure: Perhaps you could explore new rivers and canals? How do I enter? Entering couldn’t be any easier. As long as you have access to a paddleboard, you can’t go far wrong with entering the challenge! All you have to do is download a SUP tracking app (for example GeoSUP and Strava) on your mobile device, and ensure you send your progress directly here. That’s it! Just don’t forget to track your progress every time you go out on the water. Are there prizes?   By entering, there are plenty of goodies up for grabs. At the end of the mission, the paddler with the furthest distance covered will win a £600 Aquaplanet paddleboard. Imagine if you entered the challenge based on borrowing a board, you will now own a board to develop your SUP skills for the years ahead! A great prize if you are a beginner or an established SUP lover. The competition will also give away monthly prizes, based on the furthest distance covered for that month. (Just make sure you are sending in those screenshots!)   Keep an eye out for Rooster gear   We will be supporting Aquaplanet and the competitors throughout the 6 months and will be giving one lucky paddle boarder an Aquafleece Active Top which is one of the core parts of our sup clothing range!   Happy paddle boarding!   Update: The Paddle to the Moon challenge has been extended to October 2023!

During the long hot summer of 2022, my wife got hooked on the idea of learning to Wing Foil. After she had taken a couple of lessons, I was encouraged to give it a go.   I should say that I am a fairly fit 60 year old who can swim 2K in 35 mins and who spends lots of my spare time doing core workouts and bike rides.  I am fairly accomplished small dinghy sailor and can understand the wind, although the last time I stood on a windsurfer was 40 years ago and I would not say I was a natural, I only managed to keep on the board by using the wind to help balance me. Sarah had purchase a beginner set up a 115 Litre board and a 2000cm foil, 85cm mast and a some wings - 4sqm, 5sqm and 6sqm so while Sarah went out practicing, I made up a dagger board out of a sheet of ply and strapped it to the bottom of a SUP and spent a fun afternoon with her spare wing, trying to make the SUP sail to windward.  My walk of shame upwind gradually got smaller. My roughly constructed daggerboard was not ideal but it helped me make a start. In hindsight, I should have purchased a Foiling World daggerboard, designed specifically for adapting a SUP to learn to Wing. Rob Andrews' design looks much sleeker and more efficient than mine.  My next outing was a short try of the real thing, Sarah's 115L board.  It is meant to be a beginner board for someone of 70Kg, but it felt like I was standing on a office swivel chair.  I spent a lot of time swimming and there was no danger of it begging to foil, however I was still keen to learn.   Sarah was by now regularly foiling so we booked a warm winter break to crack it.  Boa Vista in Cape Verde is not an ideal venue, but it was warm and the trade winds are more consistent during December.   The wind was offshore - and despite Planet Allsports indicating that they would run a shuttle to get up back upwind in early correspondence, when we arrived they played hard ball and said they would not hire us equipment if we could not make good distance to windward and back to the beach.  Was this a ploy to get more cash for running supported lessons?  You might think that - but I could not possibly comment. Needless to say we took some more lessons so we had the freedom of bearing away and trying to foil (mostly falling off - but at least we tried)    After 6 days, 4 hours a day of taxiing on my knees, standing, starting to foil falling off and starting all over again, I was pretty broken, but I was hooked. I was sooo glad that I had taken some Rooster Knee pads to protect my knees and shins from the foil and the board. I even wore the junior knee pads on my arms to stop the bruising as I was forever climbing back on the board. . The conditions were not idea and I did spend long periods on my knees waiting for enough wind to pump myself to my feet. I also see the experts on their sinker boards giving their knees a real workout as they have to pump hard from their knees whilst on their sinking board to get to their their feet. Perhaps they should try Rooster Knee pads.   I compared the gear we used to that used by Wing Foilers and I must say that I was proud to wear the Rooster Thermaflex® 1.5mm Chest-Zip Wetsuit. Conceived to withstand the aggressive wear environment of dinghy sailing makes them super durable for Wing Foiling.  By the end of the holiday Sarah was very competently foiling on both tacks whereas I was foiling fairly successfully on port but not on Starboard.  I think I had too many bad crashes on Starboard - and so I lent back too much - which then becomes an ever increasing crash spiral.  We were also both 1Kg lighter than before Christmas. It was certainly a workout! We quickly found some second hand kit on Facebook marketplace.  We are now the proud owner of a 105L board with a 1900 wing.  I am 70Kg so that is 35Kg of positive buoyancy, although a bigger volume would be more stable.  Your mast height (the mast is the bit between your foil and the board) should be shorter for beginners to reduce the size of the crash - but longer if you are foiling regularly in waves. Also a shorter mast will help those foiling in restricted shallow water.  The one technique that I must work on is the ability to pump the wing and board.  It's key to being able to use a smaller board and foil and foil in lighter winds.  Smaller foils are faster which helps them carry you though the gybes but are also harder to get to fly. A smaller board makes for a more agile ride but is tricky to stand on and taxi before you are foiling. To help me progress, I think I should take a wing to the beach and do some pumping practice.  There are some great pumping videos on You Tube - but the best I have seen is this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1N7YVawe9g I also managed to get a 4sqm and a 5sqm wing from Foiling World Ltd, again very reasonably priced and well made.  People tend to hold onto their wings and sell their foils and boards as they upgrade to smaller foils and lower volumes on the board.  As I will be an evening 'wing foiler', I imagine a board with some positive buoyancy will remain my preference so I can taxi home on when the wind dies.   I have managed to make it out in January armed with some hot legs and hot top together with an Aquafleece® Neck Gaiter and a Supertherm Beanie to boost my Rooster Supertherm Steamer. We had much better wind and conditions than Boa Vista - just the water at Hill Head was a little colder - and more importantly I managed to foil consistently on both tacks - whoppie!! The Rooster Race Armour Buoyancy Aid doubles as an impact vest was ideal, although I took a size smaller than what I normally wear dinghy sailing as it felt more secure.   I used a pair of Small Rooster Knee Pads on my knees and a pair of junior knee pads on my arms as I am still climbing on the board a lot! I also wore a Rooster Helmet which despite it not being ISO approved - it was very reassuring and offered plenty of protection when crashing.  We are looking forward to those long sunny evenings on the South Coast when we can spend an hour or two having fun flying.            

Are you thinking about going to the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show or needling a little persuasion to get your tickets? Here’s Rooster’s top5 reasons (or excuses) to attend – and you’re totally free to use them too! 1) See What’s New Our tip top reason for coming to a show like the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show for 2022 has to be that it’s the best opportunity for seeing what’s new and what new tech has been developed in the last 12 months. You’ll be sure to see people poring over the latest designs, developments and new systems to work out what can be implemented on their own boat. And the great hull-tappers of the world, checking new boats and looking at new classes for what they might move into after their current dinghy. This year, the show includes water sports other than sailing so you can check out everything from high-octane foiling boards to boat holidays and yacht cruising books. It’s not all sell-sell-sell either - you can also find out what other clubs, class associations and training centres have been up to in the last year or two and take home some ideas for the future. Rooster® will be displaying the new sea grass print for wet gear which will be available in Sports Crop Top, Shorts  and Leggings as well as our ladies fit wetsuits and longjohns in the near future. Our Lightweight 2.5 Layer Spray Top and Smock Top will be on the stand – These are a new take on your traditional plastic cag and comes in either a traditional sailing smock shape or more adjustable spray-top option with an asymmetric front half-zip. Surprisingly, this new top has proved to be very popular for alternative sports such as running and cycling with its super breathable, moisture wicking layers, topped with a soft to touch, almost cotton wool-like stretchy outer layer to the fabric. 2) Talks and Presentations There are 3 designated locations for talks at the new RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show and they run near enough all day long at all three spots. The Suzuki Mainstage is the place to go for prizes, presentations and your headliner talks. The Watersports Stage is for all things board sports: from genius level gurus to just starting out, there’s a talk for you. Finally, the Knowledge Zone stage is where you can upgrade your know-how and understanding to get more out of your chosen sport without even touching your wetsuit. Our very own Steve is giving a talk at 13:30pm (both Saturday & Sunday) on rudderless steering and how you can apply this technique to your own advantage (and withing the rules)! –  Don’t forget your pen and paper for this one! 3) Get Inspired for the Season Ahead If you’re (understandably) not yet into the swing of things or feeling a little reluctant to head out into the bleak, drizzly winter weather, I don’t blame you! Luckily, the show is a great way to be out of the fierce winter elements, re-inspired and re-motivated to get on the water in any which way you please. There is so much to see and keep you entertained, you’ll struggle to fit it all in for one day! Be encouraged by listening to female and male professional sailors recanting tales of what they’ve accomplished as well as hints and tips for getting into wing foiling or paddle boarding. There’s also eSailing competitions and simulators if you fancied a quick practice before you do get back afloat. There’s even opportunities to book a holiday while you’re there! The ever-popular Treasure Hunt is back on again for the little ones and kids’ tickets are free for under 15s so it really is fit for all the family. 4) Grab a Bargain & Try on Before You Buy As you can always expect from a show like this, there will be some great deals and discounts on offer. Rooster will have the Boat Show discount across everything available on the stand. Where Rooster don’t have a dedicated shop, the show is your best chance to try before you buy and compare all our gear in one day before the season gets into full swing. If you’re not sure about anything, or what garment is best suited for you, all our Rooster staff on hand to help get you best equipped for whatever activity or environment you will be in. We will also be taking our go-faster gadgets and gismos from the Rooster Chandlery 5) Live the Experience Our fifth and final top reason to visiting the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show is that it’s a really great day out. This year is the first year in the new location at Farnborough which offers free onsite parking and good value accommodation nearby for those travelling from further afield or building plans for a weekend away. The venue is even bigger than in previous years, so you can get all the steps in to aid your new year goals on what is usually a pretty terrible weekend for weather. Plus, there are not many opportunities to get autographs from Olympic gold medallists, learn effective weather forecasting, get a pint with you best mate and grab a great deal on some cutting edge new gear… all under one roof. If that’s not enough of a prod to encourage you to come along, we’re not sure what would be! You can book your tickets online here and discount code RYAEX2209 will get you 10% off too. Be sure to pop into Rooster on stand G30 – we can’t wait to see everyone!

In light of the importance of reuse, reduce and recycle, Janet Keenan has found another use for an old topper boom! It is now her washing line pole! This has certainly got me thinking  what should I be making out of old, but serviceable, aluminium laser top masts. Perhaps time to make them into a tie-down bar for some more security when trailing?

Rob knows what he's talking about, submitting 5 ideas he's discovered in sailing: Grippy Gloves: Rubberised gardening gloves (usually yellow) are cheap, give excellent grip and last well – except that where you cut off the top of the finger and thumb, the cotton material frays badly. Using a lighter (as one would to seal a fraying synthetic rope) doesn’t work. The trick is to seal the severed edges generously with rubber glue such as Evo-stick. Drying out the buoyancy tank by climbing under the foredeck and reaching into the buoyancy tank with a sponge is awkward to say the least. Keep a sponge permanently whipped or taped onto the end of a tough piece of wire, such as a coat-hanger, perhaps two feet long and bent into a curve. It makes the job much easier.If there is only a drain hole such as on a Laser, a small strip of towelling taped to a bent piece of wire will reach that pesky last half cup-full. The towelling can be left trailing out of the hole to ‘syphon’ the last of the water out. In winter, don’t leave water in the mast step of a Laser – if it freezes, there is a danger of cracking the fibreglass. Have a sponge on a short length of rope and a stick (to poke it in with), to dry it when putting the boat away. The bane of winter sailing is painfully cold hands. A couple of tips to help minimise the cold:a)Keep your sailing gloves warm and dry in your buoyancy jacket pocket while you launch, wearing instead a pair of sturdy washing-up gloves. Once finished lowering the rudder blade etc., swap to the dry gloves. b)If there is a second race after coming ashore, have a second, dry pair of sailing gloves available so that step 1 works again. A pivoting centreboard when in the fully down position can be very difficult to hoist up, even with 2 to 1 tackle. However, if the tackle is stopped off with ‘anchor’ knots so that it is just getting tight when the board is fully down, the hoist can be ‘sweated’ sideways at almost any point along its length, giving a much more powerful pull than can be achieved simply by pulling on the hoist. The idea works just as well, possibly better, with a continuous up and down system. The ‘anchor’ point must be chosen carefully, perhaps at the eye through a bulkhead

Step-by-Step Hack logic from Richard: Turn a spare bung into a pressure testing tool. Drill a hole in a spare bung and glue in a tubeless car or bike tyre valve. Now you can attach a bike pump to check for leaks. 2. Safety Knife hack Drill a hole in your Rooster safety knife and attach some shock cord. Attach to buoyancy aid so if you drop it, it won’t sink to the bottom. (editor note - the Rooster Safety knife already has a small hole between its two halves - big enough to slip a small knot into it and it will be safe forever.  Note to self - make a better video to show this off.) 3. Expert Trolley Location Used coloured duck tape on your trolley and/or trailer so you can easily find it at an event. 4. Superlative Sail Rolling Use a drainpipe to roll your sail….but make a few additions to make it better Use a piece of elastic with a bobble on attached roughly halfway along the tube to attach the head of the sail. Now when you roll the tube the sail will be rolled onto it and won’t slide out of the sail. Attach elastic loops at either end of the pipe and use them to attach to your trolley whilst you're on the water. When you come back in you have the tube ready to roll your sail up.