Kit Guides

Rooster is always keen for a collaboration with a team or organisation in order to understand the market better. 2022 is the year where we have started to delve into the world of multi sports further, strongly influenced by our keen team who are passionate in the sports they practise, whether that be cycling, running, rugby, swimming, darts, the list is endless amongst our staff (not to forget sailing and watersports- our bread and butter and favourite of the lot!). We firmly believe that developing kit for these markets cannot be done without immersing ourselves into the sport it is designed for, whether that is by working with keen individuals and organisations or by directly having a go at the sport (or both) to understand the requirements. We are lucky to have a very active team here at Rooster HQ - this enhances our range undoubtedly.   One of our most recent collaborations was with ‘Rowing Adventures’, a Lymington based organisation with whom share many core values at Rooster around encouraging participation and accessibility to their sport. ‘Rowing Adventures’ promote a key message through their program ‘Learn, explore, and compete’, where they offer a gateway at all abilities for coastal rowing around the Solent. We were approached by Kirsten Melin and Jane Wild, who set up the organisation, they wanted some coastal rowing specific training kit due to lack of options on the market, that they could recommend to their reach. Having no specific ‘coastal rowing’ clothing manufacturers out there, we have seen this as a great opportunity to showcase the Rooster range into this new market, as well as expand our range into some styles that specifically suit to the rowing market.  They wanted a clear range that performed well for the needs of the sport. This proved an exciting venture for our design team to try to incorporate Rooster’s current fabrics, styling and production lines to make something that would specifically suit to the coastal rowing market but also not be too exclusive, so that it could be used across our wider customer base. This aligns with our sustainability ethos to limit consumerism, so our products can be used as a multi-purpose in several applications. Working closely with Kirsty and Jane, we were able to utilise our current rooster fabric selection to develop a range that can be made economically and sustainably in our factory. Often samples (and parts of production) can be made with offcuts from our other productions, which is great for our wallets, our factory and the environment.   The range comprises of a thin 0.5mm neoprene/polypro combination 'Hot Stuff' - Top and leggings (known as our Hot Top and Hot Legs), in both female and unisex fit, and an active Aquafleece windproof/waterproof top (known as our Active Aquafleece). For those of you that know the brand, you will most probably recognise the ‘Hot’ name as we use it in our glove and boot liners, and yes, the Hot top and Hot legs are not a new thing – in fact they did used to exist in the collection a few years back but were discontinued in their previous form. This also provided a great base for us to improve on, as we could look back over our notes and feedback for the reasoning that these were discontinued and take these points into consideration as well!    The fabric we use for our ‘hot’ stuff is a titanium lined 0.5mm neoprene that has clever temperature regulating properties where it reflects heat back to your body to maintain your warmth. Sounds great right? Well this does come with its drawbacks, as it can become a bit sweaty in the particularly ‘active’ areas. The fabric can also be restrictive on movement as it is not uber stretchy. This is why, working with Jane and Kirsty, we could decipher which panels need unlimited stretch (or breathability or both) due to the movements they were doing specific to rowing. We came to develop the top and legs in their current form, where we complimented our ‘hot’ fabric at panels that needed warmth and insulation with our ‘polypro’ super stretchy fleece bonded hydrophobic fabric at the underarms, lower arms and sides of the tops, and upper waistband, crotch, sides and lower legs on the legs.  Alongside the Hot top and legs, we have also developed an ‘active’ Aquafleece top, with a large vertical front zipper for superior ventilation and a more sportive and ergonomic fit to support the range of movement needed at the shoulders when rowing, with extra length at the back for support over the base of the back.   Kirsty and Jane were a great pair to work with in this development, as although they did the same sport, they both had different opinions on how the kit should work for them, felt temperatures differently and needed support in different areas – this was a great challenge for us to try to make some products that would suit to both of their opinions.   Working with our solely owned rooster factory, using our own fabrics allowed us to get samples quickly and work quickly on this development to bring it to market in a short period – something that it becoming more rare in this day and age with delays left, right and centre across the world! It also supports our trusted factory and workers who are used to and trained in handling these type of items, as they have for us for the last 15-20 years. 

I'm just out of Cartegena and I wanted to share my trip so far. I've been putting Rooster's Passage range through its paces out in the Med on a delivery from Malta to Las Palmas then to Gibraltar and back again to Las Palmas. We left Malta and Tuesday the 29th and motored out of the Lee of the island. It's a delivery, not a race this time so what better opportunity to get fishing off the back? We caught 3 small tuna in the space of ten mins, buzzing, I was taught how to gut them on board and cooked them for the crew for dinner. The conditions were just beautiful as well, there's something pretty awesome about catching your own food out of range of land, food shops, useful kitchen equipment or 4G. We motor sailed for two days to get us on the right track towards Sardinia with 15kts of wind. At night I just layered my Passage Jacket with my Softshell Jacket, PolyPro Top underneath and Passage Hi-Fit Trousers and I was very toasty for a late-Autumn night. For those who know, it goes without saying but for those who don't, the night sky offshore is just the most beautiful sky you can possibly see... and the photoluminescent water is unreal, it's glowing like the stars are underwater, you have to see it to believe it. We came into Sardinia on the Thursday to refuel and get pizza. I learned pepperoni is pepper in Italian (now so do you) and was very sad when my pizza arrived with extra pepper... When it was calmer during the day my favourite floppy hat kept the sun off perfectly in classic floppy hat style. The Tech shorts as ever were great as another layer to keep my bum dry with wet teak again if you know, you know. We headed south towards the coast of North Africa after 24hrs the wind picked up to around 35kts and increased to a steady 40 for 2 days with gusts of up to 50 and Max 6-7m waves, maybe less, it was sooooo wet and uncomfortable. After 6 hrs the main ripped and every jib we attempted to put up came out the foil. The spray was so big that it just hurts so much when it smacks you in the face. The little adjustable wire on the Passage hood was my ACTUAL saving grace for shaping the hood to block off one side of the spray. After 2 days in the storm, the wind started to drop and we headed to Cartagena to repair and rest. We have now left Cartegena and are hugging the Spanish coast round to Gibraltar. We will stay in Gibraltar for a day then a five day trip to Las Palmas. The sunsets and sunrises here are something else. The kit made a huge difference to my entire passage. It keeps all the huge waves breaking over the deck completely out. After days with constant spray, I was actually dry, even when I was on the bow, which may as well have been underwater for that leg of the journey. When waves did go down the jacket at a bad angle all my rooster PolyPro Base layers made it so it was still warm and didn't feel uncomfortable, they also dried super quickly before I came off watch. The Polypro socks were my top workers, so warm for the thickness and yet so dry. We've got a bit more to go but there's been a lot of important lessons learned here, check the menu twice before you order pizza. Follow Sam's Adventures: @sammabey1

Stand Up Paddleboarding is a great way to enjoy the water, from calm sheltered bays along the coast, to the white-water fun that can be had along a river but remember to be mindful to know your your limits and keep yourself safe whilst paddling. Here are some of our top tips to think about before you hit the water! 1. Respect the water First and foremost, every body of water should be respected. Never underestimate it. 2. 360º awareness of the changing conditions Being aware of your surroundings, the changing of tide, the changing of the weather etc is key to safe paddling. 3. Weather conditions and forecast Plan your journey by checking the forecast but remain vigilant on changing conditions whilst on your journey. Is the wind changing direction? 4. Suitability of your equipment Is your equipment suitable for your journey? 5. Checking your equipment Make sure to check your equipment is in working order to keep you safe. Here are some tips for making your board last longer  6. Wear a leash Do not leave the land without the right leash. Which leash should you wear? Check out our guide to leashes here. 7. Wear a PFD Wearing a PFD (Personal Floatation Device) could save your life. With lots of different options available, click here to check out our guide to choosing the right one! 8. Take a phone Just in case of emergencies, make sure it’s in a waterproof pouch and attached to you, rather than your board as it’s no good to you if you can’t get to it in an emergency. 9. Local Knowledge Use your local knowledge to plan your journey, however if you don’t know the area, plan, plan, plan! 10. Paddle with a buddy Paddling with a buddy isn’t just fun, it’s safer! If you are a solo paddler, make sure you tell someone your route and where you are going! 11. Practice, Practice, Practice! What is your skill level? Are you capable of the planned route? Can you self-rescue if you were to fall off your board? Push yourself within your limits, and remember, practice makes perfect! 12. Keep calm If in trouble, try and remain calm and raise the alarm. We hope these tips will help make your Paddleboarding adventures even safer and more enjoyable! If you’ve enjoyed reading this blog, then you can check out more of our safety advice here and don’t forget you can also follow us across our social media channels where you’ll find lots more information and advice on our products and all things paddleboarding!

It's really easy to see how expensive sailing can be. You look at the top end of the sport – The Americas’ Cup, Sail GP, The Olympics and classes like the International Moth, it ain’t cheap. It definitely doesn’t mean that you have to spend a fortune to get started or to keep yourself safe, comfortable and on the water. Here are our top tips for recent graduates of the RYA Levels and fellow penny-pinchers: 1: Clothing The basics to get you going would be boots, a wetsuit, a windproof/cag and a buoyancy aid and most brands will now do an Essentials range or a set of entry level garments to get people out and enjoying the water, without investing loads of cash before you hit the water. Second-hand is also not to be sniffed at (no pun intended)! You can get lightly used or even un-used but too old to return garments at the snip of the retail cost. There are groups on Facebook such as Out-Grown Me Sailing Clothing and your local club probably have a noticeboard full of “For Sale” adds. It's also worth checking out our Ebay store for our samples, seconds and demo kit as well as a clearance area. Once you’ve got your basics, you can think about adding accessories such as gloves, neck gaiters, hikers and hats as well as additional layers to either cool you in the summer/autumn or keep you toasty in the winter/spring when the water is coldest. If you do other sports too (cycling, running, skiing etc) a lot of garments such as base layers and small accessories can be used for multiple sports so no need to have 6 different hats for 6 different disciplines! 2: Boats and Boards Some clubs have club boats, boards or equipment that are available to borrow which is ideal for new sailors or families with kids that want to play pirates 24/7. Using hired gear is a really easy way to get involved with club activities and try things before you take the plunge and buy your own. Many clubs will offer a Pay-and -Play so it’s always worth enquiring when you’re weighing up joining a new club. New to a sport doesn’t mean you also need all-new equipment either. Facebook Marketplace, Apollo Duck, Facebook’s Dinghies and Dinghy Bits are all great places to look for equipment needing a new home   3: Conditions Check the forecast – If you use Windguru, a wind strength in pale blue or white is super-light or nearly-no wind. Orange is probably not a great wind strength until you’re a little more experienced and red, pink, even purple are stay at home colours! Wind direction can make a big difference too – some directions (generally speaking, easterly) can be very shifty and gusty, so that the wind doesn’t seem to want to sit still. This is tricky for any sail powered craft. Tide is another one to think about if you are lucky enough to live near the seaside. When the wind is in the opposite direction to the tide, it churns up the sea and it can make for some difficult conditions, particularly if you’re new to the water. Shallow areas, bird nesting restrictions, overhead cables etc etc, all local features that are worth being aware of. If you’re unsure- ask! Fellow water users are super helpful and always ready to lend a hand if you’re not sure why they aren’t hitting the water today   4: Care & Maintenance Pretty boring stuff but it could be the difference between buying a small shackle and expensive breakage or your longjohn lasting 5 years and not 1. Prevention is so much easier, and generally a whole load cheaper than a fix. Wear Protection shorts and ProRash Leggings can be worn over the top of a wetsuit to prevent nicks and abrasion that can lead to holes and cold water flushing through. A rash top  or race bib will do the same for your upper half too. If you do find you’ve developed so wear and tear (which is to be expected eventually), you can get repair kits such as Rooster’s Aquafleece Repair Kit and the iron-on Neoprene Repair Kit to tide you over. There are a few “shortcuts” you can take with re-purposing household items for your hobby. We’ve all seen 2m length of pipe in the sail bag to keep them from folding in half but there are so many other options. Squash bottle tops instead of bobbles, milk bottles for bailers and sandwich bags to get boots on over drysuit feet are a few other well-knowns. It goes without saying to check you equipment for things that could be looking to fail on you. A really simple and effective way to do this is to give you boat, board or kayak a good and thorough clean every so often so that you end up checking all the nooks-and-crannies where the Pixies hide. If you do find something on it’s way to the big chandlery in the sky, you can more than often place your order for the replacement piece whilst stood in the boatpark and have it arrive with you a few days later.   5: Buddy-Up Ask if you are not sure! What is everyone else wearing? Why are people not on the water today? How can I do this better?... Learning from your friends is far cheaper and more easily applied in a real world setting. Make friends with people who are regularly on the water and set up a WhatsApp group so you can co-ordinate your outings to be sure you’re making the most of your opportunities, safely. Some clubs have professional safety cover all year round (more or less) and some are volunteers on race days or set occasions. We hope the 5 top-tips will help you to get the maximum enjoyment on the water for a minimum budget. If you have any top tips do let us know – we would love to hear them!

    The sun’s out, the water’s fresh and it’s time for an entirely new product range from Rooster®. Delving deeper into the world of sun protection for on and off the water, our polarised sunglasses are an integral addition to our kit comprising of a Classic frame, a Sports frame and our Bi-Focal frames. Designed specifically for sports, in particular water sports, these glasses are feature rich with Polarised lenses to block out glare from the water, anti-fog technology, EN ISO 12312-1 rated to reduce eye fatigue and provide protection against solar radiation, Filter Cat 3 providing high protection against sun glare (only 8-18% light transmittance). Constructed with a TR90 frame, enabling the glasses to be extremely comfortable because of their flexible quality, whilst still be highly durable. Since they are flexible, they can bend under pressure and contour your face comfortably. Our Sports Wrap-Around sunglasses are the perfect solution to unlimited vision, whilst protecting you from the wind with their wrap around fit. Our Classic Sunglasses have been designed with everyday style in mind. They are great for use during sports due to their technical specification, whilst also being perfect for road use and driving. They have a red/orange two tone Revo Polarised lens,rubber ends to the arms for comfort on the ears and a comfortable rubber nose piece. No need to worry about bringing your readers along with our Bi-Focal Sunglasses, these glasses provide the ultimate solution with a bi-focal lens in the bottom part so you can read your watch, garmin, the race course and fill in the registration form without worry. Rated to +1.5 magnification strength. All competitively priced and in stock now ready to see some action on the water.

I was born with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and I'm at more extreme end of scale with daily challenges. The Zebra has been adopted as EDS mascot as its rare, May is EDS awareness month. Sailing is my Therapy, was back on the water a week after being discharged from 3 weeks in hospital last May, I can't be treated / cured and best therapy for me is sailing. In September I was discharged at 18:00 on Friday night and on the water at 10am next day. Instructors at Nene Outdoors in Peterborough are amazing, just adapt as and when needed. They make it so normal that when I'm on the water I'm just another sailor and that feeling is simply amazing, I learnt to sail for first time on 15th April 2021, I get a huge kick out of the feeling when in irons and wind fills the sail and I'm off, such an amazing high. I'm usually first on and last off the water even in wet, freezing conditions and because I'm sitting, staying warm is purely down to my clothing and I'm always toasty. I've been a Rooster® customer for just over a year and a I'm a big fan of Rooster products both on/off the water. As a disabled sailor and a wheelchair user it's sometimes harder to find the right kit that not only does the job but accommodates some of my differences, keeping warm on/off the water is really important and I get cold in winter on windy platforms. Best kit I've found is my rooster gilet and jacket and sometimes if really cold wear the hooded soft shell. The characteristics of the products with thumb holes and better wearing material around wrists are exceptionally good products for an active wheelchair user, plus equally great shoreside.I mostly sail challenger trimaran dinghy and thanks to the diamond buoyancy aid I've not needed a cushion as gives me plenty of support for my back and means I can enjoy more time out on the water than might otherwise not be possible.I've sailed through the winter with sailing club and I always seem to be the warmest person on the water thanks to the Pro Aquafeece Top.I wanted to share a photo with you, a different idea for Joey Bottle Holder, my first one arrived last week and I've been busy testing it since on my commutes to London, it's been so good I've ordered a second. Whilst I do intend to use on the boat, they also make an excellent bottle holder on my front bars as just the right length. I'm off on my first voyage on S.V Tenacious in July, will be getting good use out of my Superlite Hybrid Jacket at night. - David Bainbridge     

In amongst all the chaos over the last couple of years, the team here at Rooster have still been busy innovating new kit. We listen to your feedback and demands to make the products that you want and need. See below 10 of our most recent new products to tickle your fancy:   1) Waistband improvements on Race Armour Lite Shorts, Pro Rash Legs and Thermaflex Legs We’re always looking at ways to improve our kit to make it as functional as possible for you to get the best experience you can. This waistband is a great example of how we have managed to, through your feedback, improve 3 of our core products to make them perform to their best. The high curved waist profile with strong elastic tab adjustment at both sides enable the perfect secure fit over a range of body shapes.   2) Thermaflex 3/2mm Full Length Chest-Zip Wetsuit This great summer chest zip wetsuit has been developed with feedback and testing from our windsurfer and skiff sailor friends, here at Rooster. Utilising our limestone super soft and stretch Thermaflex neoprene with 3mm thickness in the main body and upper legs, with 2mm used on those parts where movement is needed the most. This suit uses our Duratex II fabric on the seat and knees for ultimate protection across a range of sports and uses. We’ve also made it super easy to get on and off with a full overhead chest opening.   3) Lightweight 2.5L Spray Top and Smock Super lightweight and breathable, whilst still being waterproof and windproof, we think we’ve aced the perfect summer spraytop. Developed in a light icey grey colour to reflect the heat on those hot sunny days, these tops will be great companions to regulate your temperature. They use a 2,5 layer bonded fabric with taped seams and a DWR treatment to allow for reduced weight without compromising performance. Available in 2 versions: Smock Minimal bulk and very easy to wear, packs down super small.  Spray top Additional venting with assymetric front zip, wrist and hem adjustments, super easy to get on and off.  4) Side Zip Buoyancy Aid Constantly looking to improve our ranges, our long standing ‘side zip buoyancy aid’ has had a revamp in both fit and styling! We’ve used a thinner foam throughout to reduce bulk, especially on the back panel, and segmented the front foam into 3 sections to fit around the natural 3D curvature of the body. With plenty of pocket storage, a large asymmetric chest pocket and 2 small elasticated pockets on the sides for easy-to-grab items. A little secret – There’s a hidden on the back panel with a Velcro closure, that can allow for heat transferred team branding without affecting the main buoyancy aid. You could also add a water bladder in this pocket for ultimate adventures – great for your paddleboard! Certified to CE12402-5 and available in a full range of sizes from JS-3XL. 5) Aquafleece® Hoodie We’ve been busy expanding our prestigious Aquafleece® range with the below 2 products. First up is our Aquafleece® Hoodie: Oversized, warm, slip on, water resistant – your new go-to hoodie for on and off the water. Constructed with our soft Aquafleece fabric and feature rich with adjustable cuffs and hem, large front kangaroo pockets and a drawstring hood cord will make this a great addition to your kit bag. Once you try it, you won’t want to be without it! 6) Active Aquafleece® Top Expected to hit the shelves this summer, this top is destined to be a popular one. Currently going through thorough on the water testing this top is specifically designed for the active sports enthusiast with a large front zipper for ultimate venting. The panel layout at the upper body and shoulders has been designed to cleverly allow extra space for a large range of arm movement. Constructed using our Aquafleece® material which utilises a polyurethane coating on the outside for water resistance, durability and flexibility combined with a fleece inner layer to keep you snug and warm - a combination that works well when wet or dry. We’ve left the seams un-taped so that the top can be more breathable, but with the overlock seams, it still protects you from rain and spray. It will be available in a range of colours and sizes up to 3XL! Keep tuned for summer…        7) ‘Hot Stuff’ New and Improved - Legs and Top  Back by popular demand, the new and improved ‘Hot stuff’ has been carefully considered and developed in collaboration with a local coastal rowing and paddling club. We’ve combined our titanium heat reflecting lined 0.5mm ‘Hot’ neoprene with panels of our ‘Polypro’ fabric to create a great fitting, flexible product.  We’ve got the full line up, Hot Tops (unisex, womens and junior fit) and Hot Legs (unisex, womens and junior fit) to accompany our Hot sock liners and glove liners. Perfect to use as a heat boosting base layer or a top layer on warmer days in non-abrasive watersports sports such as paddling, rowing, supping, and windsurfing.       8) Superlite Eco Vest (Gilet) Lightweight and constructed utilising purely recycled fabrics, this gilet boasts a soft ‘down-like’ polyester fill and 20d ripstop nylon which contribute to it’s quick drying, durable and comfort properties. It can also be easily stuffed down into its pocket for easy storage and the ideal travel companion! Available in unisex and women's fit.    9) Tech Sweater  Another new addition to our Tech Casual range, we’ve developed a great mid-top layer crossover. With a TPU bonded mid layer for wind-resistance, and a DWR treatment at the surface this top can be in light showers and windy weather as a top layer, whilst it also acts great as a mid-layer under your waterproof jacket, or on it’s own as a warm sweater. Available in unisex, women's and junior fit. 10) Rooster® Beanbags Great for lazing around the garden, boat park or even in your lounge, and available in several colours, these bean bags have been made out of durable fabric to be a great accessory to your life. Lie on it, make it into a seat or a kneeling platform, the rectangular shape makes them versatile for ultimate relaxing.  Fill with beans and away you go!    

Rooster now has complied a list of Rooster rope types and lengths recommended for the popular dinghy classes raced.  For the RS400 they are:  RS400 Sheet: 7.5m of 8mm Polilite2:1 Halyard: 21m of 4mm Halitec Sheet: 7.5m of 7mm PoliliteHalyard inc Rope Tail Sheet: 11m of 6mm PoliliteHalyard: 17.5m of 4mm Spinfast   Please go to this Rooster RS400 dedicated webpage for more details and products. Please note these items are classified as a CUSTOM PRODUCT and hence customers should be aware of the returns policy as found in the current Rooster Terms and Conditions.

  What is it? Pro Grip Brushed EVA Deck Tape is a self adhesive grip tape for use on rails and deck. It moulds to fit the surface applied to providing a strong connection and durable grip. When you want to remove it, it's easy and clean and does not leave any residue when peeled off. Malleable, easy to fit, durable and has a serrated edge making it super grippy under foot. A few tips for fitting your pro grip -Always remove the old grip glue-Take your time-Stretch the edges around the rack / rail-Clingwrap overnight whilst the glue goes off-Chamfer edges to keep the edges smoother and fixed on your rails.  

It's no surprise that where we work plays a big part in our lives and lifestyle as a whole. The team at Rooster are fortunate that we have regular opportunities to integrate our favourite elements of water sports with what we do everyday. Our sales team could discuss wetsuits, neoprene and getting the most out of your time on the water till the end of time, some just love to articulate every nook and cranny of chandlery all day every day down to the last 4mm spring. The product designers are self critical sailing champions, not to mention our Directors, Accounts, Marketing and Warehouse teams are constantly testing, obsessing over and critiquing every product thrown around our open plan HQ. We're lucky to have the perspective that we get from this never ending learning curve, so we'd like to share with your our personal favourite products - Kit that we always keep in our bags, fit for purpose and exactly what we need on the water. Coming in at top spot is our fearless leader, Steve Rooster founder, inventor, product designer and ideas man: "Hikers - Carbon Tiller Extension and Pro Laced Boots. These are my three connections with the boat.  Sailing high performance dinghies means I need those connections to be effective - comfortable hiking on a super grippy hiking strap.  Hike pads on my Pro Hikers that allow me freedom of movement and at the same time secure connection with the side deck and a secure relaxed grip of the tiller extension that transmits the feedback from the rudder."  As far as good advice goes, Monique in Marketing is simultaneously working on an olympic 49er FX campaign so her preferred kit is worth a glance: "My go to bit of kit is the Womens Thermaflex longjohn, the womens version is so comfy I've had it since it came out and its still going strong!! Its perfect for 49er FX sailing as I get very warm a lot of the time and the thermaflex longjohn is perfect to pair with either just a rash vest, the Thermaflex top or the supertherm top in the winter." - The Thread of the Womens Thermaflex is undeniably prevalent in the womens kit here at HQ. Monique just gets to say it first because she's campaigning. Paul from our accounts team is out there every week cutting up the water, an extremely vital and active member of the Rooster Team: "My two favourite Rooster Items I never go sailing without my Polypro top – So comfortable against my skin, keeps me warm when the water is cool – Always my first item of clothing on means whatever I am wearing I will be comfortable – also great for other activities eg cycling and Skiing."Second favourite item is my Pro race gloves- I try to sail several boats and these are always comfortable to put on protect my hands when playing the mainsheet and spinnaker sheets. Really hard wearing regardless of what boat you sail. Means I have good control of the sheets and tillers which means the only problems are down to me when things go wrong. Emma P's brain for dinghy sailing kit and technical boat knowledge spans so widely from her dedication to hitting the water while the rest of us are still trying to thaw out our toes from the shock of Autumn... don't even get me started on winter: "I LOVE my Pro Aquafleece! I am a very cold person and it keeps the icy air and cold water out, while retaining all the body heat on the inside. The high neck collar is not cumbersome at all and means I don’t need a neck gaiter anymore and I’ve even stopped wearing a neoprene top with my longjohn because I was getting sweaty… in a northerly 25knots on the sea! This has been a game changer for me and being able to sail in blissful warmth all winter.Yours,The Ice Queen" - Did she just say she's stopped wearing a neoprene top already or am I losing it? Luke, our Managing Director, a busy man but still finds time to keep getting out, has given us his two-cents on his favourites: "My Overhead BA - Always unnintrusive and lightweight, giving me the the quick and easy adjustment I want and it looks great. Also, my AquaPro Gloves - Toasty Warm, keeps the wind chill out and have great grip on the lines." Now, Flo knows a thing or two about clothes, one of the office's snappiest dressers as events and sponsorship coordinator: "I have 2 favourite products, the first would have to be the new Navy Hoodie- it is so comfy and soft, I wear it as soon as it's off the washing line. It is perfect for when I go to the gym, chilling at home and wearing it to the office. I live in it! Second favourite product is The Womens PolyPro Leggings, as a non sailor these for me are an alternative to wearing leggings and they absolutely can be worn on land for a whole day. They are so soft and comfortable not to mention very flattering and keep you warm all day long. I would also wear these everyday if I could. I've heard they're great for being on the water too! I would also like to add the new and coming soon seagrass bucket hat- looking forward to repping it at Glastonbury one day" - NB this bucket hat is yet to be on sale but Flo, being a key fashion icon in the office, was one of the key testers of this item. Abi, our customer service queen as well as free time dinghy instructor and competitive sailor: "My Supertherm Longjohn is by far my favourite and most used piece of kit. I feel the cold so I wear it all year round with alternating layers on the top depending on the conditions. On colder days I will wear it with a Thermaflex top and Polypro and on warmer days swap out for a Rash Vest. The race style back is great for flexibility, which is essential for quick and smooth spinnaker hoists, perfect for the RS200! I also use it for windsurfing, its super comfortable with a harness and keeps me nice and warm especially as I am still learning so I am spending a lot of time swimming. My second favourite would be the Aeromesh Visor, it is perfect for keeping long hair out of my eyes when on the water. The material is nice and breathable so it does not get too hot, it also enables it to dry very quickly which is useful on days where there’s lots of spray. Also it provides good protection from the sun." Andy from the warehouse knows his fair share from a lifetime on the water but his thing is now everything cycling: "UV Neck sleeve and hot hands, I love to use the neck sleeve as a hat to wear under my cycle helmet and also as a neck sleeve and the gloves for when it's cold." Another warehouse wunderkind, Theo knows what he wants: "Favourite product currently is the rooster Pro Grip because it actually sticks…" - That's huge praise for Theo, the king of the RS700, if he think it works, you take his word. Mark, Oracle of all things Chandlery, Solo Master and sales expert: "My all time favourites are the Rooster padded toestraps, the Rooster low cut boot, and the Rooster Solo padded rudder bag, to protect those edges on the rudder blade, oh and those chafe protectors for dinghy booms!" - You can tell when a man loves his Chandlery Sue, our wonderful warehouse woman wants you to know that although she doesn't get out on the water, she absolutely loves the new NAVY Hoodie - It's made from recycled Coffee Beans don't you know? - it's very comfortable. Sue loves anything practical and has noted her love of the keeper bag to keep her shopping in as well as the Quick-dry ponchos for her daughters to change in and use at the beach. Practical, quick, drying, comfortable items that make life that little bit easier! Christine, our long-term lady on the phone turned accounts team rep, lady who launches: "I always wear polypro socks (first on) then hot socks to keep my feet toastie even on a wet launch. Because they are both quite thin, my normal boot size works well too." Another win for the New Navy hoodie from Sales Sarah, Customer Service guru, what she doesn't know about our systems isn't worth knowing. "My favourite product is the new navy hoodie because it doesn't lose its cosy fill after several washes and I like how its make using recycled coffee, which i drink properly too much of..." - Extremely relatable rationale there.   Emma, (me) marketing and design legend, hero to the masses: I like to surf and wakeboard more than anything so it's the Womens Thermaflex Top and Longjohn for me, there's just nothing more comfortable that I have ever tried - and I love my neoprene. Can't forget the neoprene Buoyancy Aid either, there's nowhere near as much protection in the usual competition vests you get for wakeboarding than there is in this 50N CE impact Buoyancy Aid. Also my Hot Hands are indispensable, they're great for surfing and are much better for wakeboarding in the winter compared with thick neoprene gloves that give me the most horrendous forearm pump. Last but not least, our high-flying product designer Kate, pioneer of the Women's range amongst so many more incredible product innovations: "For me, it's the women's range, I designed it precisely to fit and be comfortable to all female body shapes and still has all the technical features needed for hiking, supping and chilling . Also the polypro gloves as they are handy to keep in your pocket for emergencies and perfect for a lightweight warm layer to keep your hands warm for sports. And also the 10L drybag, as it's ideal for putting wet swimming kit in to separate it from your dry stuff"

BAILERS – Maintain and Repair, prior to you first event! The Super Shute 60 bailer (pic 1) is expensive and is easily damaged through misuse and accident. We are always trying to find ways to keep your costs down so here goes: MAINTAIN It only takes a moments carelessness to cause terminal damage to the bailer as the boat is slide off the trolley. How many of us have had to replace a bailer as the rest of the fleet heads off towards the start line? Just the kind of stress we don’t need! Rinse the bailer out after sailing to get rid of any grit. Lubricate regularly to keep the rubber soft and slippery. That way the shute will go up and down without force – we don’t want the handle coming off in our hands in the middle of the race because we had to pull too hard! DON’T USE DRYLUBE – it makes the plastic very brittle. The one in picture 2 is available at DIY stores for putting waste pipes together. Be aware that cold weather makes plastic more brittle and needs more careful handling REPAIR You can replace the whole thing which has the advantage of taking very little time. Do check it’s in the correct way round (don’t ask!). Incidentally you must use the original (or equivalent) nuts and bolts to stay class legal.  The Topper class uses Y10 bolts to stay class legal. These are pan head bolts. see : Topper Y10 Gudgeon Plate/Bailer/Centre Main Screw - Single - A4 Stainl – ROOSTER UK (roostersailing.com) Rooster Sailing stock a number of the parts that break (shute, gasket, handle and flap – see pics 3 &4) and it is always cheaper to repair rather than replace. The following can be done with the bailer still in the boat but it is so much easier with it out: Unscrew the plate from the bottom of the bailer (pic 6) – they are small fiddly brass screws I’m afraid. Un-clip the little circlip from one end of the stainless handle pivot with a small screwdriver – careful they spring everywhere! Drive out the pivot with a suitable punch which is best done in a vice (pic 5). If the handle falls off in a race, hold on to it because we cannot source the pivot. The shute will now come out through the bottom and can be replaced with the new one. Be careful which way round it goes – there is a hollow in the rubber seal (pic 7) that accepts the small piece of plastic on the thin end of the shute that acts as a hinge. The flap (pic 8) should be fitted to the shute prior to fitting and it is possible to re-use your old one. The flap pivots on two tiny lugs that come out of each side. They are so small and flexible that you can bend them backwards and forwards a number of times before they break. The old one can be pulled off (just go for it) and the lugs straightened out. I put one of the lugs into the appropriate hole on the shute and pull the flap into place. That way you hope the other lug will seat in the other hole on the shute. Wriggle (a technical term) the flap around until it moves freely. Replacements are cheap so you can afford to take a risk. The pivot has to be driven out because the hole through the plastic tube is tight and it doesn’t need to be. While it’s out why not drill the centre out so it’s an easy fit? Reassemble the handle again taking care of flying circlips. Then of course the plate gets screwed back on and the bailer fitted to the boat. Having a ready repaired bailer as a spare is probably a good idea so you can rotate between the two if and when they get broken. GET YOU HOME REPAIRS If the worst comes to the worst and a bailer comes apart during a race there are two things you can do depending on what breaks: If the handle comes off (hold on to it remember) and the shute falls out then there will be a large hole in the bottom of your boat (fortunately Toppers do not sink but carrying a small swimming pools worth of water around with you is not fast). You could do with plugging it. I made a simple device (pic 9) out of two bits of plastic and a piece of elasticated rope. It’s a bit hard to see but you fit the lower end through the hull from the inside and twist it sideways. The top piece slides down the bungy which is cleated off in a ‘V’ I cut out of one side of the hole (a knot in the cord holds it in the ‘V’. If the hinge breaks off then use a small length of rope to tie the handle off to the side toestrap. Clearly in both cases you no longer have a self-bailer but the water can be kicked out of the boat backwards.   The Super Shute box instructions can also be found HERE

Once you have taken delivery of your new Rooster road trailer, below you will find some useful information about setting up the trailer and its care. Boat Loading TipsInside – Tie all your sailing and boat kit well in place using padding to prevent any scratching to the hull, and put any kit bags evenly distributed over the axle to maintain nose weight.Covers – Ensure covers are put on tightly to reduce flapping, which can rip the fabric.Boat – Make sure your boat is on its trolley properly (forward & horizontal) and the trolley is securely fitted on the trailer. Tie the front of the boat forward and down to the trailer. Tie the back of the boat down at the most rear point of the trailer to stop it lifting away from the cradle (don't tie it too tight as this can stress the boat or damage the cradle). Use padding under the rope/strap to protect the cover/boat. If using rope make a purchase loop below the gunwale to tighten.Mast – Halyards and shrouds etc. need to be secured to the mast to prevent frapping which can cause scratches. Use the mast support on the trailer to take most of the weight of the mast by placing the base as far forward as possible. Ideally use a transom mast crutch (not supplied with a Rooster trailer) to secure the mast at the rear. An adjustable rear mast support can be purchased here Why not remove the standing rigging and use the Rooster Rigging Bag?  See HERE for more detailsLighting Board – The pull-out lighting board support arms must be tightly secured into position (ideally so that the lighting board is just behind the transom of the boat) and the lighting board secured to them using the supplied elastic straps. Then use a padded trailer straps (not supplied with a Rooster trailer) over the top of the boat to tis the arms together to reduce lighting board movement and vibration.Hitching up – Make sure that the trailer is securely fitted to the vehicle and the secondary coupling is also in place. Remember to plug in your lighting board in! Vehicle – Please make sure the towing vehicle weight is less than 22 tonsSetup and User Guide1. Unscrew all clamps. 2. Lift arm until in a straight line and slide arm back to the required length.3. Bolt into place and tighten all clamps.4. Do the same of the other side of the trailer.5. Place the trailer board at the back and fix using the shock cord/elastic supplied. Plug the trailer board into the socket at the front of the trailer by the mast support.6. Tie the arms togther over the top of the boat using a padded trailer strap to reduce arm vibration. 7. Also do not forget to check/tighten the lower front mast support bolt. Trailer Care InformationAll Rooster trailers are EU and UK Type Approved and comply with current construction and lighting regulations. However, the responsibility lies with the driver of any road vehicle to ensure that the trailer is used as designed and is in working order.Lighting Board - Under new legislation the lighting board and it support arms are part of the trailer and are also type approved . Before using a lighting board always check that all the lights are functioning correctly. If the trailer stays outdoors, take the lighting board off and store it inside.Tyres - Keep them pumped up to a maximum of 58psi for 8" wheels and a maximum of 58psi for 10" wheels. Replace every 5 years as a matter of course. Check that the tyre has a 1.6mm of tread over the central 75% of the tyre width for the whole circumference, also check for cuts or bulges. (Always carry a spare wheel plus a Wheel Brace and a Jack).Wheel Nuts - The wheel nuts must be torqued to 57Nm. It is ESSENTIAL that the torque settings are re-checked after the first 30 miles or 50 km and subsequently before each journey.Wheel Bearings - Check once a year and re-grease as required.Paperwork - Keep your certificate of conformality that comes with your new trailer.Extra items to consider: Spare 8" wheel HERE Spare 10" wheel HERE Spare Trailer Hub HERE Rear mast support HERE For more information on towing please visit https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car and https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car/trailer-and-towing-equipment

About 3 years ago I thought we should try and produce our take on a neoprene rigging coat but use Aquafleece® with taped seams instead.  Our first iteration was great to wear and created lots of interest, but we had our doubts about it commercially. Despite some of the initial design drawbacks, Sarah and I would take the first two sample coats with us when going to the sailing club in inclement weather. Last summer brought it home to me. When rigging for the 4000 Nationals in Tenby, we had 2-3 inches of rain in 4 hours! Both Sarah and I wore our rigging coat samples with hi fit trousers and were both warm and dry. Those in conventional coats looked utterly miserable. This convinced me that we should work a little harder to bring the Aquafleece® Rigging coat to market. After a couple more iterations we had improved the hood significantly, so much so, that it must be the most water proof and stable hood on the market.  We had worked on the length of the garment. I felt it was important that the coat went down almost to the knees - the longer it was, the warmer and dryer it would be. At this length you have to be mindful of the bottom seam girth to allow you to walk and sit freely. Adding extra girth at the bottom added to both the wearing comfort and the general breathability, so it had become more of a poncho. We also added a second cuff and water proof pocket zips to make it as cosy as it could possibly be. I can see it being popular with fishermen, football fans, safety boat drivers - any relatively inactive outdoor activity would suit this garment as it is very warm and dry. Packing away after "Snowflake" racing at Chichester Yacht Club this spring has now become a pleasure. The cold wind can blow and the rain can pour, and I really do not care. It is currently available in Black or Blue

Standardisation of rope colours has been a hobby horse of mine for a very long time. I'm pretty sure it started when I used to swap boats with my mates to check out their rig or when stood on the shore, coaching. I would look down at perhaps 4 control lines and find that none were harmonised with the part of the boat they affected. Early on I standardised my control line colours and once I had the chance to influence what was available on the market, I made sure we offered Spectweleve™ Dyneema®  and now Easysplice® for primary lines that matched my standard - Anything to help my tired brain when on the water! My preference for the last 35 years: Kicker or Vang: RED Cunningham or downhaul: BLUE Outhaul: GREY or BLACK Spinnaker Halyard: FLURO YELLOW For those of you with a traveller and inhaul control line, I'm yet to adopt a standard. So what are your preferences?Don't know which line to choose? Checkout our Blog and order online when you're sorted!

Blog entry by Steve Cockerill     Putting your spars and foils into a cosy bag feels like the right thing to do. But if you are not careful, what appears to be a caring thing, might also be the worst thing. After sailing on salt water, we should wash our spars down with fresh water and where possible allow them to dry out. I tend to bag mine for safe keeping in transit. However, many bags use non-breathable fabrics and foams in their construction which trap any residual moisture. Moisture encourages dissimilar metal corrosion where stainless or Monel rivets react with the aluminium of the mast. The fizzing is proof of the corrosion taking place. What you need is a spar bag that breathes.Foils packed away in a non-breathable foil bag will sweat rather than dry out, causing Osmosis. Ideally, you should dry off your foils before packing them away. Again salt water is a hindrance as it attracts moisture so a quick wash helps to remove the salt and gives it a chance to dry out. Look for foil bags that breathe. What to Look For Open cell foams with a breathable membrane is the safest option for both Spars and Foils. Spars and foils dry out naturally if they are packed damp which prevents dissimilar metal corrosion and osmosis. In my experience, many manufacturers are keen to save money on material cost which ends up costing you more in replacement spars and repairs to foils. Below are some of the bags we make to protect your gear: Padded Spar Bag 3650mm by 165mm (Laser Top Mast, Aero Top Mast and 9 Lower Mast, Lightening Upper and Lower mast) Padded Spar Bag 2950mm by 165mm (Laser Boom and Standard Lower Master, Topper Upper, Lower Mast and Boom, Aero 7 Lower Mast, Aero Boom, Optimist Lower Mast and Lightening Boom) Padded Spar Bag 2350mm by 165mm Optimist Foil Bag Foil Bag for the Laser/ILCA - also fits the Europe 4000 Rudder Bag 4000 Daggerboard Bag Solo Rudder Bag Solo Mast Bag Europe Travel Mast Bag Europe Boom Bag  

Dinghy sailing can be super tough on your kit. Decks and cockpit floors that feature aggressive grip give the sailors security in the boat, whilst at the same time providing clothing manufacturers some interesting challenges.  Previous  options tended to be to use harder wearing fabrics that offered less (or no) stretch, or compromise on the wear to allow freedom of movement. The breakthrough came when we combined hard wearing polyester fibres with elastane to create Duratex II™. We have been integrating this across our product range over the last 12 months so you can feel both comfortable and unrestricted on the water whilst secure in the knowledge that your clothing is up for any challenge.All our current neoprene garments us Duratex II™, so when you decide to treat yourself, you know you are investing in the most durable and comfortable kit from Rooster®.

If you’re sailing at junior level you may think that as autumn approaches the season draws to a close, but if you’re enjoying your sailing and want to improve, winter can be the best time to do this. Some smaller clubs reduce the amount of sailing that’s available over the winter months so it’s worth persuading your parents to put the boat on the roof rack so that you can take advantage of some of the great training opportunities that exist through Class Associations. Before moving into Lasers (4.7s & now just starting in a Radial), I sailed a Topper for 4 years and the International Topper Class Association (ITCA) offers a great programme of locally based training each winter. From first starting out to when competing at National Squad level I found that it really helped me to gain knowledge, not only from the coaches, but through meeting other sailors who sail the same type of boat and who can share tips and advice on which events to attend and how to progress. Aside from that it was also great fun! Here are some links that detail what’s available across some of the Junior classes:RS TeraCadet TopperRS FevaLaser 4.7 (or ILCA4) Some smaller sailors can find it off-putting when the weather turns colder but if you’ve got the right clothing then sailing can be just as enjoyable whatever the weather. In my first season I was less than 40kg and was advised to wear a dry-suit. This was fine once I’d realised that it’s what you wear underneath and not the suit itself, that keeps you warm. As soon as I started doing events that involved staying on the water for longer, a wetsuit layering system became a much more practical option and something that I found I much preferred. Rooster do a great range of kit for sailors of all sizes and in a previous blog I talked in more detail about what I’ve found works best for me. You can read this HERE After training over the winter I love the feeling that you get when you start to compete again and can put into practice what you’ve learned. It’s as if you’re taking off a blindfold as you find out where you are in the rankings again. When you’ve tried club racing a good next step is to enter open events on your local traveller circuit, these generally start in the spring and details will be published on your Class Association website. In my experience these events tend to be really friendly and welcoming and if you’ve done winter training through the Class Association they’re a great way to meet up again with the friends that you’ve made from other clubs. There's some RYA support in getting involved with higher level training HEREI started on the pathway to national sailing more or less by accident (and partly due to my mum’s bad geography) and I’m hoping that by sharing these tips it may be easier for others to make the most of what’s on offer. I think the best advice that I can give is:- Don’t be afraid to enter events and try things that are new - remember that most sailors are happy to share experiences and give advice, so do just ask! - Don’t be put off if things don’t work out as planned straight away, enjoy your sailing and if you’re going to be winter training in a Laser Radial this year I’ll see you on the water, come and say "Hi!" Nick Welbourn :-)

After unknowingly being given the nickname ‘Pocket-Rocket’, published on both the main event web page and in Yachts and Yachting, which I only found out about the day before the event, I now had to live up to the prestigious title and Malcesine, Garda was the perfect place to do so. The first day of racing was forecast for light winds with a 1300hr start, which was spot on. There was about 5-9knots on the race course from the south with about 20 degrees of heat – perfect! I went out, not sure what the day would bring, but was pretty relaxed either way as the back drop of the mountains was enough to make it a good day to be on the water. In no time at all, the first race was underway and I surprised myself with a 1st place with a considerable lead. Two more bullets in the next two races left me coming off the water in a good place. I think that reading Sam Whaley’s recent blog after the UK nationals on sailing in light winds helped my upwind speed considerably, where I applied the following: Minimal kicker. Only take up a bit of the slack when the main sheet is pulled in (end of boom in line with aft outer corner). As the wind slightly increased, the kicker can be tweaked an inch or two to compensate Cunningham and outhaul relatively loose Play the mainsheet as the main setting – let out in lighter patches, and pull in a bit in the gusts to promote an extra squeeze in height Point 5-10 degrees lower to increase VMG Taking this into the second day, I fired out another 1st place in the first race. With the second race came more wind seeing gusts of approx 14/15knots, where I found myself having to considerably de-power, being the smallest in the fleet - "Pocket" sized. With this increased wind, the last race was to go either way. Luckily the wind decreased and shifted back to the right on the first beat (as it did when the wind decreased on the previous day), where I spotted it early and sneakily tacked on the incoming shift, coming in to the windward mark with a considerable lead on the rest of the fleet, who over stood the layline. Throughout the rest of the race, I was able to extend my lead to finish over a leg ahead of the rest of the fleet. I had to live up to the ‘Pocket Rocket’ name somehow! Going into the third day with all race wins, it was then a challenge (set in the bar) to try to finish the regatta with a straight set of wins, which I knew would be difficult in the stronger forecast morning winds. The first race was at 8.30am!! Once on the water, I was ready for a day of max hiking and max de-powering to maintain my position. The fight was definitely more difficult with much closer racing, only getting one race by half a boat length on the finish line, but I managed to achieve my goal – somehow!! Walking was a bit of a challenge when I came off the water! What made me quick for a lightweight was: Cunningham – pull on as hard as possible Kicker – pull on as hard as possible, this helps the sail to spill air out the top of the leach when the mainsheet is let out. It’s amazing how much effect pulling on the cunningham and kicker has on the top leach area of the sail if you look up Outhaul – still relatively loose to power through the waves. Because I had de-powered the sail so much everywhere else, I needed some shape to it in order to move. Play the mainsheet a lot to keep the boat flat/constant heel Hike until your quads feel like they might potentially tear! So my first win in the Aero is complete in true Pocket Rocket form! Makes a difference to my usual style of losing it on the last day/race. Also, no OCS’s or black flags - another personal record! The event was organised brilliantly at Fraglia Vela Malcesine, and Peter Barton, once again, didn’t fail to disappoint with his enthusiasm and hard work throughout the event. It also wouldn’t be the same without the great bunch of sailors both on and off the water. Got to thank my dad for driving all the way with my boat as well - cheers Dad! Looking forward to the next one! Kate Sargent

Having tried countless pairs of boots over the last few years, some good, some bad I finally managed to get my hands on a pair of the Rooster Split Toe Skiff Boots. Having fed back to Steve during development what I think to be the best features I have to say I am very pleased with what has been developed…in fact so much has gone into the boot I am going to have to bullet point it! Internal Split Toe Design – I feel this is essential in a high performance dinghy boot. In standard boots I have found that in waves downwind if you bury the bow the sudden loss of speed makes it very easy to lose your footing. The split toe helps by preventing the boot ‘rolling’ round your foot and providing a more positive grip on the rack/gunwhale. The internal design also prevents phantom mainsheet cleating between your big toe and the rest of your foot and other objects such as stones, control lines, foot straps and tiller extensions getting caught up mid tack or gybe! Velcro Straps – I’m a fan of a strap as long as it’s a simple design. The Rooster strap is attached to a webbing band that goes round the back of your heel and locks the foot into the heel of the boot. This stabilises the foot, helps to provide grip and again helps to prevent the boot rolling round your foot. Another nice little addition is that straps are reinforced. I have found that a basic Velcro strap will either snap or wear out very quickly so the extra webbing removes this problem. To provide the required level of grip the sole is 1mm thick and diamond cut. The thin sole makes it easier to feel what the boat is up to underneath your feet. The only downside of this is that you feel every stone on slipway before/after every sail! One way around this is to buy a large cheap pair of strap on sandals to wear during launch and recovery to save wear on the boots. Despite never having conducted a controlled experiment I believe that pulling boats up and down slipways inflicts more wear than the sailing itself! Certainly from a comfort perspective a combination of single and double lined 5mm neoprene and sealed seams has created a very warm boot without the need for socks. Water ingress has also been minimised due to a shaped entry to the boot which has meant it is perfect for year round sailing. Overall a great pair of trapeze boots!

Kit Bag Sailor Location Air Temp. (oC) Sea Temp. (oC) Wind Spd. (knots) Steve Cockerill Roses, SPAIN 26 - 28C 23C 8 - 20 ThermaFlex Top (size L) Rooster’s smart fabric neoprene top – kept me cool in the heat – and warm when it got cool. Pro Hikers (size 3) With Rooster’s ProHike Pads. ThermaFlex Shorts (size L) Worn underneath for extra comfort. ThermaFlex Wet Socks (size ML) For extra hiking comfort Pro Laced ankle Strap Boots (size 43) The ultimate in hiking safety with straight toe hiking – and grip for downwind boat pushing. Black Diamond Buoyancy Aid (size M) shaped for extra comfort and freedom of movement. AeroMesh Visor (Size M/L) For quick drying cool comfort.  

Sailing in the UK during the winter time might sound like a bad idea, but with the correct kit you can be comfortable and unrestricted - it's all about selecting the right layers for the job. UK winter time is generally between 3 and 12 degrees, often windy and very damp.   Base layersStart with our PolyPro garments. Worn next to the skin, they are naturally hydrophobic so you will remain warm and as dry as possible. These garments will come out of a good spinner almost dry enough to wear and are available in top, bottoms and socks for men, women and junior sailors. "On cold, wet days I find myself wearing them to the club under my jeans. My wife loves her PolyPro Socks and gets rather upset if she loses one". Upper Body:Mid LayerThe ThermaFlex™ top is the most adaptable mid layer made at Rooster. Used on its own you can cope easily in windy hot climates, or in less windy British summer climates. When combined with a Polypro top you can sail through all but the worst of the UK winter season. These are available in Men's, Women's and Junior sizing. Having argued for the versatility of the Thermaflex® and Polypro combo, if you are really serious about being on the water when most would rather be drinking mulled wine at the bar, then the Supertherm® Top is ideal. Again, this is available in Men's, Women's and Junior sizing to make sure you get the best fit for you. Outer LayerAquafleece® - Classic, Pro Lite and Pro versions to suit you needs and your budget.The Aquafleece® Range isvery popular with many other watersports enthusiasts. Rooster designed the Aquafleece® fabric, the style of top, and own the trademark. With a wide range of colours and styles available, you can be sure they all stop the windchill in a more comfortable and snugly way to a standard spray top. Classic and Pro Lite now also come in a ladies' fit in the colour teal and the Aquafleece® Hoodie is a true favourite with the paddle-boarding community Lower Body:"I wear my Pro Hike Pads inside Supertherm® Longjohn inside a pair of Race Armour Lite shorts" Steve. SuperTherm® is a 4mm "winter" Longjohn and comes in Men's, Women's and Junior sizing. Accessories:Head Gear - My Dad used to get rather hot under the collar when he saw sailors in cold weather not wearing a hat. I must have heard him say that you can loose 3/4 of your body heat through your head so many times that I almost believed him. I absolutely love the Aquafleece Beanie and Pro Aquafleece Beanie. It's just the right tension which means it's not going to fall off in a winter gale, in or out of the water, and when I get hot from working hard, it's the easiest thing to take off and stuff down the front of my buoyancy aid during the race. The Pro version has taped seams and extra thick Aquafleece® fabric are ideal - at least my Dad would be happy.The Aquafleece Neck Gaiter is also a great shout, keeping the wet and the wind-chill from your neck, ears, jaw and your nose if you pull it up. There's a variety of colours available in our Aquafleece materialHandsHands are the hardest things to keep warm AND keep the dexterity you require. My first recommendation is to use Polypro Glove Liners. Worn under a pair of summer gloves, they can work down to 8 degrees or so. Our Aquapro Gloves are very unique and warm. However, the Aquafleece® fabric itself is not cut out for rough rope work, so we have used as much extra reinforcement as we can to ensure you get the grip and dexterity you want. If you have a strange grip on your rope you might find they wear more quickly than you would like. Your next option would be our All Weather Neoprene Gloves which use a heavy duty Amara all round with extra soft PU coated grip for the high load areas. Polypro Glove LinerWe hope this helps to get you clued up for winter weather gear and if you're ever unsure, our lovely customer service team are more than happy to offer their advice too.

Bent top masts in the Laser®, now ILCA, are not fast - you loose leach tension which in turn effects your pointing ability.This video shows you how to check for a bent top mast, how to straighten it and then if you are convinced it is close to breaking, how to end for end it so you now have a new top mast. You will see from this video that I was pretty convinced that this top mast was ready for end for ending. The bend on it was quite extreme, which meant that I was going to have to stress the rivet hole to get the mast straight; they say aluminium only bends and straightens nine times before breaking and as this was also a second hand mast you never know when its going to fall over.Please forgive my lack of pillar drill, vice, etc. This is what I call boat park engineering. We hope you find the video informative!Products used: Stainless Steel Rivets

Started in 2016, the Rooster Ambassador programme was designed to offer water dreamers in genuine need and desire easier access to the most comfortable, manageable and technical kit. As a team we constantly develop our selection process for this programme as we enhance our social and economical responsibility to those who need and deserve the kit. I've been involved with the selection process for this for a few years now and it must be mentioned that we get a lot of similar applications, similar pathways, regatta wins, national titles, squad members, it all sounds very impressive, but it's not always what the team is looking for. Last year we had 500 global applications, we have strict deadlines and have to get through them quickly with only an 8% success rate. That 8% though, that's what has really opened our eyes to some of the incredible people who celebrate the water with us. Nothing shows through an application more than a genuine desire to work with Rooster, a refreshing draw to the water or a totally unique approach on how you get out and stay out. We love stories and personalities, there are so many ways to get yours to shine through on an application: Full sentences, anecdotes, relevant opinions and ideas, enjoyment and inclusivity - how do you get other people involved and how do you share your passion? Community is at the heart of everything we do at Rooster®.On the water, in the boat park, at work or school. Every day we have the opportunity to give something back and create a better future for those around us. We always look for applicants that contribute to their community and even more so are activists in their environmentalism and have a consistent and thorough approach to protecting our playground. If you think you're up to this task, apply now and show us what you're made of...Applications for 2021 are now closed - keep your eyes peeled for when applications open again for 2022 sponsorship