When kayaking, your paddle is your primary connection to the water. Knowing which paddle you should be using is crucial to improving your efficiency out on the water. There's a lot of options when it comes to choosing a paddle, and there are a lot of different characteristics that they have to offer; we're going to begin by talking about high angle vs low angle. 

It's officially summer which means you're probably going to be getting out on the water a lot more often. It is super important to know how to stay safe out there, so here's some things you should remember... 

Buoyancy aids come in all shapes and sizes. There's so many out there to choose from, does it really matter which shape you go for?

Some of you may have noticed a different style of packaging has been arriving at your door from us. 

For any serious paddler, having the ability to step in and out of a drysuit is essential. Maybe you are just jumping on the water for a power hour making the most of the levels, tide or light, maybe you are hopping into the car to race down the road for multiple rivers or laps.
There’s one certainty as a paddler, the last thing we want or need are damp soggy thermals making us cold, killing any motivation to get fired up and straight back on the water.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced paddler, touring paddleboarding can offer you a great way to explore lakes, rivers and coastlines, allowing you to glide over waters surrounded by breathtaking scenery.

Summer is fast approaching, but just before we launch ourselves into the sunny adventure days, let's get ready for Father's Day. 
To help you get prepared, we've picked our top 5 brands for gifting this season. 

Our warehouse showroom is officially open! 

Spring is here and the sun is showing itself more and more, giving us the perfect opportunity to get our paddles wet and some sunshine on our skin, and you can do it all on your doorstep.

Wales is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the UK, with a stunning coastline stretching around 870 miles, and if you're a fan of stand up paddleboarding then you'll be happy to know it has some incredible spots for you to explore.

So, you want to surf?

Choosing the right surfboard can be a daunting task, especially with so many options available in the market, but when you're a beginner, the right surfboard can make all the difference.

In this blog, we'll talk about the different types of beginner surfboards and what you need to know before making a purchase.

Choosing the correct wetsuit accessories can mean the difference between toasty hands and feet or freezing toes and claw fingers.
If you have ever experienced claw hands and cold toes you will understand the importance of good quality accessories.

Exiting the water and not being able to push your wetsuit down or open your car door is no fun, luckily with advancements in technology and innovation, these should be problems of the past.  

Everything you need to know when buying your wetsuit.

Where do I start? 

You may have noticed a few changes have been happening over at Escape HQ.
Well, something big is coming...

It's International Women's Day, and we want to shout about the amazingly talented women working behind the scenes at Escape Watersports.

We are proud to say that the Escape team is predominantly made up of women. Whether it's building trusting relationships with our customers or our suppliers, and even building our website, these incredible women have helped make Escape Watersports what it is today!

Mother's day is fast approaching.
Here's our top 5 brands that we feel will provide the perfect gift for the mums who love an adventure but seem to cover all the bases. 

We always bang on about how great neoprene boots are for a winter surf, but which ones should you actually go for? It's time we cover the bases and help you understand why on earth someone may want shoes that actually separate their toes. 

The sun is starting to show itself a bit more now that we're edging our way into Spring, but the waters are staying chilly. 

It's good to know all the tricks to warm yourself up after a dip, but we've got some tips to help you stay in the water that bit longer first.

We're using this Valentines day as an opportunity to show our brands some appreciation.
With our Celebrity Crush being revealed and our Secret Admirer no longer under wraps, it's time to spread the love.

Buying a quality wetsuit can be a bit of an expensive purchase, but if you look after it well and wash it properly, you can prolong the life of your new investment to last you winters and summers on end. 

Here's our top 5 tips to help your wetsuit last.

In 2022, Escape Watersports became proud members of the Ocean Network with Surfers Against Sewage. 

We wanted to solidify our commitment to giving back to our planet and decided this was a great step forward in the right direction.

You asked, we listened! 

Here at Escape we are continuously looking for ways that we can improve your shopping experience.

We know that shopping online can be difficult, especially when you can't try on items before buying, and although we have size guides for all our wearable products it's not always enough.

So that's why we are now offering free returns on most of our items.

Here's all you need to know. 

Fear of the cold water keeping you from diving in? Looks like you need a thicker wetsuit. 

Christmas may be over but we've got a new list that you should be checking twice...

We're just as eager as you are to get out on the water, especially with any new snazzy kit you were lucky enough to recieve recently, but safety still needs to be in the forefront of your mind.

We've put together a basic checklist of what you need to consider before heading out. This checklist is generalised for most watersports but over on the RNLI website, you can select your activity and find a checklist of precautions tailored to that sport for more details: https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity 

We did it!

Trying to find the perfect secret Santa gift for the adventurers out there? Or just trying to fill the stockings? We're certain you'll find something to suit your occasion. 

Here's a few of our favourite things for this gifting season...

It's official. We've turned our backs on the traditional Black Friday deals and have welcomed in Green Friday.

You might remember last year when the team at Escape took part in a couple of small beach cleans as our way to give back to our planet for Green Friday, rather than encouraging people to panic buy at flash sale deals. 

This year we wanted to step it up and solidify our commitment to our planet by joining the Ocean Network with Surfer's Against Sewage. To compliment this new addition, we have planned another team beach clean for Green Friday! 

 It's that time of year again where Halloween is done and we're ready to say the C word... 

We're helping you get prepared early this year to avoid the inevitable rush that comes with the Christmas time. With so much choice out there, it's hard to find that perfect gift that gives you the feeling of 'YES, I've nailed it this year!' So here's what we think: 

Ever stop and ask yourself 'What should I wear to go paddle boarding this winter?'
Or even canoeing, kayaking, or rafting for that matter? 

Now that the temperatures have dropped as we enter the Autumn/Winter, this question is even more important and sometimes a wetsuit just isn't the answer. 

The new Palm Rogen Drysuit has just landed at Escape Watersports just in time to save us during the colder months, and you'll be happy to hear this means you no longer have to pack away your sup until the next sign of spring.

A family close to all our hearts has recently discovered their 3 year old boy has a condition called Neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer that affects around 100 children a year in the UK. This heartbreaking news has turned their world upside down and without charities like LATCH, it would feel a lot harder.

In aid to give back and support LATCH Welsh Children's Cancer Charity, our team are taking on a combination of 3 consecutive extreme challenges in less than 24 hours.

Having a reliable drysuit can be the ultimate game changer when it comes to taking part in various water sports. They aim to keep you dry and warm so that you can have a comfortable ride and stay out on the water for longer. 

So how do they work?

Paddleboarding is everywhere at the moment - it's a water sport that everyone can get involved in and is a great way to get yourself outside for some low impact exercise.

With so many different types of SUP's (stand up paddleboards), out there, it can be a little overhwhelming to decide which one is right for you. Here's a few things to look out for and consider when buying your very own board.

So you've chosen your new bodyboard and you're stoked to get out on the water, but as with everything, safety comes first. 
Does your new board have a leash already attached to it? No? Then follow these steps on how to add one before you get going.

You have probably seen snaps of your friends all over Facebook finding waterfalls and lakes to jump in to, and you may well have been thinking "Why on Earth would you want to do that?"

Well, we're here to tell you just 5 of the reasons why cold water swimming has become the chosen therapy for so many. 

Feel like you’re forgetting something?

You’re rushing out the door after clumsily piling some bits and pieces into a bag, telling yourself you’re ready, only to get halfway there before realising you’ve left your phone on the kitchen table. It happens to the best of us. 

This is why we’ve put together a checklist of a few essentials that we take with us on our kayaking adventures, so you know you aren’t leaving anything behind. 

When choosing your surfboard, there are a few things that you need to consider. Your skill level, how much time you spend in the water, the build of your body, and how the water behaves in the area you want to surf.

What’s stopping you?

Now is a good a time as any to start to learn that new skill you’ve been dying to do for so long, and if that new skill involves picking up a board and getting in the water then maybe this can help you get started.

Werner Paddles offer a variety of lightweight and strong paddles, perfect for a paddler in any condition. We put together a brief list of places that you can really put your paddle to the test. 

Want to start your Wild Swimming adventure but don't know where to start? Have a look at our top 5 spots in the Brecon Beacons that give you the perfect opportunity to take a dip. 

February is the month of love, giving you the perfect opportunity to share some quality time with your loved ones. 

Take a moment today to let those around you know how much you appreciate them.

We are taking this chance to focus on some of the brands we love. 

Wild swimming is becoming a bit of a craze in the outdoor industry and despite the cold weather, more and more people are getting involved. So, what is it all about?

As some of you may know, one of our very own team members carried out an impressive 10 day SUP trip in the summer of 2021.

Beckii got together with paddlers Harriet and Anneeka, and of course their dogs Ruby and Teifi, to take on the quest of a 160mile SUP trip starting from Bristol and travelling via rivers and canals, all the way to London.

With so many different types of buoyancy aids on the market, it can be confusing to choose the right one for you.

To help you out we’ve put together a few top picks that are available right now.

Watershed drybags are very popular in the world of water sports, and for good reason.

So what makes them so great?

New Years is the perfect time to take on a new adventure.

The top 5 most common New Year’s resolutions are to exercise more (be more active), lose weight, spend more time with friends and family, spend more time in the outdoors, and to take up a new hobby.

Want to meet all these resolutions in one go? Watersports!

So much happens in a year, especially this last one!

To combat some of the COVID negativity, we've put together our favourite highlights that happened in 2021 here at Escape Watersports.

Left your Christmas shopping too late?
We've got you covered.

First you need to find the right buoyancy aid for you. Then you need to fit it properly. 
This is a general guide on fitting your buoyancy aid (BA). – please take guidance from this and adapt it accordingly depending on the BA you are using.

Change robes are considered an essential in all kinds of occasions, from changing out of your wetsuit after paddling through a cold river, to even just changing on the beach after a swim in the sea.

A wetsuit is a one-piece suit that’s made of neoprene and can vary in thickness and design.