Surf to Summit
We pioneered the modern kayak seat.
Twelve years ago, we were the first company to perfect the thermal forming lamination process for kayak seats and accessories. Since then, we've consistently been the industry leader in new product development, cutting edge technology, and benchmark quality. Inspiration. Invention. Innovation. All starts with Surf to Summit.
The GTS series seats evolved from the goal of creating a kayak seat with both rock solid support and amazing comfort. Two features that don't usually go hand in hand. After many hours of testing and prototyping we have accomplished that goal through our proprietary thermo moulding process resulting in what we believe to be the most technically advanced and comfortable kayak seat known to the sit on top industry...
This desirable high performance blend is achieved by sandwiching a flexible polyethylene plastic sheet between a moulded EVA foam face and a 600 denier high density fabric/foam laminate back. This combination of soft and hard gives the paddler what they need…. A high quality long lasting kayak seat with firm comfortable support for endless paddling.
August 2008
Product Review by Rob Fort
Coromandel Kayak Adventures
www.kayakadventures.co.nz
Following the release of the new “Surf to Summit” GTS Expedition seat, which was featured in the last issue of my newsletter, finally I got my hands on one. So here is my review on how it shaped up.
Firstly just to make you aware I have been suffering really bad sciatica in previous times from spending long hours, day in, day out sitting in the kayak. I have tried all sorts of things like changing seating position many times to try and improve this situation with the out come always being the same until now. From the first day that I used the new Surf to Summit Expedition seat I have not encountered this problem and right from the moment I sat in the seat I noticed an immediate difference to the comfort level. It almost felt like I was sitting in the center of the old Ocean Kayak Cabo because when you sat in the Cabo you were positioned a little higher and had only some of your butt cheeks on the sitting surface area which meant that you not only had better comfort but stayed dryer. The same is true for the Expedition seat and it cannot be judged by just sitting in the kayak at the local store to test it, as you won’t get the full benefit of it until you take the seat for a spin. It did not raise my height to the point where it might affect the center of gravity making the kayak less stable.
After spending a couple of days in the Expedition seat I found that this improved it’s performance even more and perhaps this comes down to it molding and conforming to the seat shape of the kayak it is placed into. The seat also has an excellent backrest for when you are fishing. This giving you good lower lumbar and upper back adjustment for perfect positioning to suit every individual’s needs. Despite the large area of the back rest, if set up right will in no way obscure you when paddling, but remains ready to rest back into as soon as you need to. The channels in the base of the seat act as a way for any water to escape and drain away quickly plus allowing the blood to flow down to the legs better preventing you from suffering any numb sensations, caused from bad circulation and even in some cases sciatica.
Extreme comfort is what the Surf to Summit Expedition seat gives you adding further pleasure to an already pleasurable sport. The bonus bungee pack, which is included as standard is excellent for holding lots of bits and pieces and I use it to carry any safety gear like flares and first aid kit.
In the future I plan to have one of these seats on every kayak in the kayak fishing fleet that is used by any clients of Coromandel Kayak Adventures.
My rating is 9.5 out of 10.
Rob Fort
REVIEW: "Surf to Summit" GTS Fishing Seat
It's hard to sound objective when you come across a product such as the new GTS Fishing Seat from Surf to Summit. It was love at first site. As good as this seat looks, it performs even better. In my opinion, this is by far the most capable and luxurious seat on the market
The seat looks like no other. It's sleek style resembles that of a fancy bucket seat you might find in a Porsche or a Ferrari. The moulded foam layers are thick and strategically placed to offer the most comfort and support. Since the seat is so padded, I found an added advantage was it's superb insulation. It's the warmest seat I've ever sat in. Another way you might say that it is the GTS retains a significant amount of body heat which you would normally lose with most other seats.
The new multi point strapping system can be a little intimidating at first glance. But the improved performance you get from the new design is well worth the few extra minutes it may take to adjust it to your liking.
The other benefit from this new 4 point strapping system is that the seat will stay upright without actually sitting in the seat. This was a nice improvement.
I've paddled several days on it and have to say that this is the most luxurious and comfortable seat I've ever used.
- Well Insulated
- Extremely Comfortable
- Great Support
- New 4 point strapping system allowed for better control of the seat position
I tried the seat out in the Ocean Kayak's Scupper Pro TW and Malibu Kayaks Pro Explorer. The seat fit well in both kayaks after some routine adjusting of the straps.
Reviewed
by Jason Morton
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Sonic Back Band blue
KSO 505
$74.00 NZ
These prices are inclusive of the NZ GST (Goods & Services Tax)
The new standard in whitewater and performance touring back bands, the Sonic seamlessly blends comfort, support and economy in a performance-engineered kayak essential. At 6.5"-tall and 17"-long it provides optimum back coverage without inhibiting range of motion and benefits from a new generation of thermal-molded soft-conforming foam that self-customizes to each paddler. Conveniently equipped with both POST (through-tower) and GROMMET (tower-to-deck) attachment options. Installation instructions included.
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Performance Back Band
KBB 502 - Black
$80.50 NZ
KBB 503 - "Hawaiian Blue"
$84.00 NZ
These prices are inclusive of the NZ GST (Goods & Services Tax)
Made from durable molded foam, the performance Back Band provides a simple yet high performance solution for all types of paddlers. Its wide range of motion makes it an ideal choice for high-level surfing. Available in Hawaiian blue KBB503 or black on the back surface KBB502
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Outfitter Back Band
KOF303
$63.00 NZ
These prices are inclusive of the NZ GST (Goods & Services Tax)
The Outfitter Back Band is our most economical kayak backrest. If you are curious about the advantages of additional back support for your kayak, the Outfitter Back Band is an excellent introductory option. This back band comes without a bottom pad and is designed to provide basic lower back support, which not only makes it a great back fatigue reducer but also one of our best seating options for kayak surfing. In kayak surfing you want the seat to be flexible enough so you can lean back when weight transfer to the rear is needed but at the same time have the back support available when paddling out or waiting for a set. The Outfitter Back Band achieves both these goals simply and effectively. The very durable Outfitter Back Band expertly combines comfort and support in an affordable package.
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Tall Back Back Band
TBB100
$84.00 NZ
These prices are inclusive of the NZ GST (Goods & Services Tax)
The centre piece is the back band. At 23" wide and 14" tall, this cushy, compression moulded, foam back support walks the fine line between back band and seatback. Designed to straddle the upper plane of the hull, providing both lower back support in the cockpit and upper back support out the cockpit, the Tall Back Back Band is a boon for sit-inside paddlers seeking ergonomically advanced seating solutions. On the front of the back band you'll find thermoformed grooves that help the seatback curve naturally as it adjusts to the shape of your particular cockpit. On the back, a daisy-chain ladder system provides the framework for a variety of rigging options. As for that rigging, we've included the main strap: a 28" length of 1" wide webbing with a tension lock at each end and two freely adjustable tri-glides in the middle; and four support straps: 36" lengths of 1" wide webbing with a 3" loop at one end. The main strap threads through two loops on the back of the band and serves as the focal point from which the four support straps diverge: two straps head forward, one from each tension lock, and two straps head backward, one from each tri-glide. And that's it. If you're rigging to internal support posts, you may get away with these simple loops. If you're rigging to studs or bolts, you'll need to provide and install your own grommets. If you're rigging to pad-eyes you can come to us for some brass snaps. Get creative and you can successfully affix this versatile seat to almost any sit-inside.
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