Top 5 gear picks from CKS: 1.Astral Green Jacket – Tested and approved! The harness feature is worth its weight in gold – especially if you need it. Great for canyoneering adventures!
2. Doc’s Pro Plugs – After I got a free Exotosis exam at the 2008 Paddlefest, it’s a must for anyone spending time in cold water.
3. Liquid Logic Jefe and Biscuit - I’ve paddled Dagger, Wave Sport, Riot, Perception, Pyranha, Jackson, and Eskimo. Bottom line: I only purchase boats from LiquidLogic.
4. IR Union Suit - The new Enviroskin tech is not only warm and cozy, but earth friendly too! I wear this thing kayaking, hiking, snowboarding, watching winter X games, anywhere I need to stay warm and comfy.
5. Kokatat Drysuit with relief zipper – KOKATAT is the best of the best at keeping me dry. The relief zipper keeps me comfortable. There’s something about a putting on a neck gasket that makes me have to pee, no worries anymore!
Squad Bio:
Name: Darin Kellum
Age: 33.3
Hometown: Soldotna, AK
Currently Resides in: Glenwood Springs, CO
Work: Aspen Skiing Company
Years Paddling: 11 years
Top 3 Rivers: *Colorado: From Gore to Grand Canyon, and especially the new freestyle features just 3 miles from my house! *Crystal, CO: North and South Forks, The Gorge, Meatgrinder, Narrows – This Rocky Mtn. Jewel serves up steep creekin’, down-river play, and the best campsite in the world. *Little Susitna/Kenai, AK – The Lil’ Su is amazing ‘fast and cold’ quality bang for the buck. The Kenai is for fishing! I grew up here, catching the world’s largest salmon until it almost got boring.
The Perfect Vacation is: A 28 day Grand Canyon trip with my wife, 40,000+ cfs, launching March 15, all paid vacation time, and a special permit to allow my dog to come with.
Hobbies: Chasing gravity on all forms of water.
Favorite paddling video: I think it was the last Savage – team video, maybe 1999ish. Featuring the Beast, Scream, etc.
Best day of paddling ever: The day my girlfriend rolled a kayak, before I even knew she might be interested. Marriage soon after that!
