Astral is proud to be involved with filmmakers Spencer Cooke and Chris Galloway on their new movie Coming Home. In the course of the DVD they journey to the North Shore of Lake Superior, the Grand Canyon, the beaches of Europe, South America, and the U.S.A, and finally come back to their home territory to explore the beautiful and exciting gorges of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Enjoy this short trailer and look for the feature film tentatively scheduled for mid-May.

For more info on Coming Home and other projects visit Rapid Transit Video

“Coming Home” Teaser from Horizonline Pictures on Vimeo.

“This Saturday we’s heading down to the cement ditch where the kayakers do that flippy-do thingy.“

At the US National Whitewater Center, this Saturday, come visit us for a product demonstration.  Try the new Greenjacket and a selection of Astral’s entire product line.  We’ll also have a bundle of IR’s latest greatest products for you to check out and demo.

See you there,
Spencer Cooke, Astral Rep.

Astral welcomes Sea Kayak Carolina as a new authorized dealer this March, 2011. The folks at SKC are some of the most knowledgeable and experienced sea kayakers you can find.  Look these guys up for retail, instruction and consultation regarding your sea kayak needs.  Or, if you’re simply visiting Folly Beach on vacation drop by and say hi, look at all the pretty boats, talk some shop.

I was lucky to spend a couple days with the crew at SKC for some product demos and sea kayak surfing.  Folly beach in wintertime is prone to churn up some angry seas as we experienced on this day, and I got to assist William Seabrook and Scott Szczepaniak with some open water rescues.  Astral’s Buoyancy and IR’s Drysuits kept us floaty, warm and dry during our time on the water.

Rolling over some Folly Waves.

Post-rescue, William looks for the best route back through the surf and to the beach.

Thanks,
Spencer Cooke, Astral Rep.

When:
This Saturday, Feb 26, come on out to NOC for a PFD and Drysuit demo with representatives from Astral Buoyancy and Immersion Research.  Effort Inc sales rep, Spencer Cooke, and NOC Instructor, Jason McClure will be available from 10am-3pm to discuss, demonstrate and help you with Astral PFDs and IR Drysuits.

Itinerary:
10am – 11am – product clinic/discussion upstairs on the NOC showroom floor.
11am – 3pm – product demo on the water beside the store.

What to bring:
1) Yourself and your willingness to jump in the water.  Don’t worry, we’ll keep you floating and dry.
2) Helmet, Skirt, Paddle, Boat, Safety Equipment, and anything else you require if you are going paddling.  Astral makes a great throw rope and other accessories to accompany your paddling kit.
3) Footwear – if you would like to try one of the drysuits you must have appropriate footwear.  Thick neoprene socks, booties or paddling shoes are best.  IRS makes great neo socks and booties.
4) Layering – an IR union suit or thick skin pants and top would be ideal.  Also a Thermo Hood or Cap.  You at least have to be wearing underwear to get into one of our drysuits.
5) Hand Protection – it is February out there and the conditions tend to be on the chilly side.  If you don’t generate enough body heat to keep warm you may want the IR Microwave Handwarmers or IRS neoprene gloves.

Pertinent links:
Astral
IR
NOC
Effort
OSM

This Saturday, Feb 5th, PFD demo day from 10 am to 2 pm at the French Broad Ledges near Asheville NC. Astral Buoyancy, Immersion Research, Diamond Brand and Effort Inc.  We’ll have a full selection of Astral pfds and IR Drysuits for you to try on, and demo in the water.  Test out these important gear items you need for this paddling season before you spend your hard earned dollars.

Thanks,
Spencer Cooke, Astral Rep

Pertinent Links:
Astral Product
IR Drysuit
Diamond Brand
Effort Inc