Night Lights for Night Training (Marathon)

[James F]

The anglers get pretty cheesed off when I come through at speeds of anything up to 5MPH in the pitch dark. I can't see them and they can't see me so they just panic and shout which makes me worry that they're going to take it to the next stage and fire off a few rounds of maggots and spam in my general direction.

Does anyone know where I can buy a cheap waterproof LED option for the purpose of calming the situation (and being more or less in line with the EA's policy of navigation lights for unpowered craft)?

I don't want to use my Petzl as there is a slim (ahem) chance that I may actually fall in. I don't want to use chemical night sticks cause their expensive.

I've tried Google.

Ta.

[Rory W]

I used to just use cheap bike lights for training in the dark. A few quid from halfords.

[mpooleman]

Gelert do this head torch that runs off 2 x AA batteries, its not LED but it is cheap and you can just get some rechargable AA's fairly cheap. Ive got one and it is fully waterproof!

Im not sure about the EU bit so im not sure it will, but I hope this helps.

Mark

[Pete the kayaker]

The garage opposite Asda in Lower Earley (if you could lower yourself to such a place) was selling exactly that. i.e. Cheap (£5.99) allegedly waterproof LED head-torches, stacked up against the tills.

I would have bought one myself if it wasn't for my habitual meanness.

[Steve B]

Could you adapt [url=http://www.wiggle.co.uk/Default.aspx?Main=Manufacturer.aspx&W=0&Cat=cycle&Manufacturer=Benex]this?

[/url]

£15, mains rechargeable, and emergency wind-up charging thingummy so you'll never be caught short. And when you've decided marathon training is not for you, you can use it on your bike ;-)

[nichburton]

Ebay has a plethora of cheap LED bike lights for front & back use. Shoddy construction but decent light output and only £5 a go from Hong Kong.

Some even claim to be "waterproof", although I think it would be better to consider them as disposable.

[fosters]

Try one of these used mine for mountin biking and boating and its still going strong water proof to 50m should do the job.
About £30.00

http://www.cateye.com/uk/product_detail/351

[SamMoore]

http://www.alpkit.com/indigo/

Cheap and entirely functional.

Sam

[waverley610]

Forget the head torch.....

Let those anglers see you coming down river in disco style.
http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.100-0338.aspx

[Jonny Bravo]

James - Odds are your boat has a number board holder on the rear deck - a cheap LED will bolt onto an old number board and make a great rear light.

As far as a front light - go for the petzl headtorch - it'll give you the option of looking at things left and right, rather than only illuminating what you're about to hit.....

if you're worried about the occasional swim - just tie a bit of string on it to your b/aid - they are pretty waterproof!

Craig

[lemming]

Aldi were doing florescent LED arm bands which half of our canoe club now have. Not sure how much they were, but probably not much. I use flashing bike lights - they appear sufficiently waterproof for a couple of swims too!!

[mharrall]

Stick one of these round your neck ;-)

http://www.dogtopia.co.uk/dog_collar/dog_collar.htm

[Old Coach]

I've often pondered about this problem. I tried a head torch but didn't like it much as the light spoilt my night vision as it reflected back off the paddles so decided that the best option was something taped onto the end of the boat, although I haven't tried that yet.

It's pretty ironic though and typical of rowers to moan but if they can't manage to see us in broad daylight how the hell are they proposing to see us in inky darkness unless we are lit up like the Eddystone lighthouse? Of course they look behind every third stroke (apparently) ho ho.

As they usually approach from behind (sneaky sods that they are) a white light on the bow will be useless. If you use lights it's probably only worth fitting a small red bike light to your stern (or the back of your head).

On balance I've decided that it's not worth the hassle and the rowers can take a hike on their high horses. I've paddled loads at night and seen a fair few rowers without lights too.

OC

[Derek Marshall]

I have been using a "Photon Backupz" single LED light (white) for the past 3 years on a canal for training at night ever since BWB told me I had to have a white light at night.

This very small light comes with a small elastic strap for going around the handle bars of a bicycle. I have strapped to the inside of a 50mm long cutting of plumbers water pipe insulation which is held closed by insulating tape. The bottom of the insulation has been shaped to give a flat section for the velcro which is used to fix it to the boat just in front of the cockpit.

The light has 3 settings - fast & slow strobe + constant. With the light being inside the insulation very little light is seen from the cockpit with all of the light going forward to warn others with out upsetting my night vision. (we paddle on a quiet canal where we are the fastest craft so no need to have lights pointing back).

This light has been for a swim with out the insulation twice to about 600mm deep for about 3 mins. Now that it is in the insulation it floats when it gets knocked off & is easy to see & pick up.

[thetangoman]

JF,

I use one of these attached to my BA for night paddling at Hurley. They run off little lithium batteries, and are totally waterproof. Can be see from quite a distance.

Andy

[lemming]

For the full decorated tree effect, Ikea are doing very cheap (£2) 1m and 3m string lights which are battery powered. I can't vouch for them being water proof having not swum in the dark since I bought them, but they are bright. I wear the shorter length round my BA, but a bit of duck tape would secure it nicely along the length of the boat. They do diifferent colours too, which is good for club training when there are several of you out.

[Yakingmad]

Have you seen these waterproof to 1m but with a Red LED for night vision use, they also have a clip so you can attach it to a cag or BA strap.