Outdoors

Nocqua Adventure Gear lights up the night for paddlers

Nocqua Adventure Gear lights up the night for paddlers
A new type of paddling
A new type of paddling
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The available shoulder bag was designed to fit into airline overhead storage
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The available shoulder bag was designed to fit into airline overhead storage
NOCQUA encourages paddlers to come out of nocturnal hiding
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NOCQUA encourages paddlers to come out of nocturnal hiding
NOCQUA encourages paddlers to come out of nocturnal hiding
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NOCQUA encourages paddlers to come out of nocturnal hiding
A new type of paddling
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A new type of paddling
The Nocqua 2000 system opens up new possibilities
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The Nocqua 2000 system opens up new possibilities
The included rechargeable battery provides two hours of run time
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The included rechargeable battery provides two hours of run time
The Nocqua 2000 LED lighting system
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The Nocqua 2000 LED lighting system
The two light bars provide 2,000 lumens of light
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The two light bars provide 2,000 lumens of light
The 2000 system was designed for use on kayaks, canoes and paddle boards
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The 2000 system was designed for use on kayaks, canoes and paddle boards
The two light bars provide 2,000 lumens of light
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The two light bars provide 2,000 lumens of light
The two light bars provide 2,000 lumens of light
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The two light bars provide 2,000 lumens of light
The 2000 system was designed for use on kayaks, canoes and paddle boards
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The 2000 system was designed for use on kayaks, canoes and paddle boards
View gallery - 12 images

Stand-up paddleboarding has been one of the fastest growing outdoor sports in recent years. It's been growing so fast that even general interest publications like Time Magazine and The Wall Street Journal have taken notice. New start-up outfit Nocqua believes it has a way to make paddleboarding even more fun and popular, empowering paddlers to get out in the dead of night.

Part of what's fueled paddleboarding's popularity is that it's not as location-dependent as its close cousin surfing. Thanks to its integral propulsion (paddle) and large, stable board, paddleboarding can be enjoyed inland on lakes, reservoirs and rivers.

Nocqua formed earlier this year with the intent of unshackling paddleboarding, along with kayaking and canoeing, from time constraints. Its 2000 LED lighting system provides ample lighting for paddling under the star-spattered night sky. No longer will paddleboarders feel compelled to pack it up when the sun sets.

The ability to paddle at night could be a particular advantage in the winter, when the sun sets by the time many are just leaving work, and in the middle of summer, when it's uncomfortably hot and sunny during the day.

"The Nocqua 2000 LED lighting system reveals the wonders of being on the water at night in a way that simply cannot be experienced in the daylight hours," Nocqua explains on its website. "The thrill of being on the water under the stars, the connection with marine life below and a viewing experience like never before."

The two light bars provide 2,000 lumens of light
The two light bars provide 2,000 lumens of light

Night definitely adds a new dynamic to outdoor sports. Hiking by headlamp under the glistening stars above is a markedly different experience than hiking under the sun. I love mountain biking anytime but am particularly fond of heading out at night. Even trails that are routine and dull during the day are thrilling when vision is limited to what's dimly illuminated by the artificial light from a bike or helmet light.

Travel on the water is different than on land, and the 2000 system is very different from lights designed for land use. Instead of shooting a beam directly ahead, like a bike light or flashlight, the system attaches to the underside of the board, kayak or canoe, and creates a 360-degree light field that allows the paddler to see in all directions. A headlamp could seemingly be used in conjunction with the system for paddlers who prefer to have a direct beam.

The Nocqua 2000 LED system includes 2 waterproof LED light bars, which each contain 72 LEDs. Together the light bars put out more than 2,000 lumens. A set of straps wraps around the vessel, securing the light bars to the bottom. Power comes from a rechargeable, water-resistant lithium-ion battery, which provides up to two hours of run time. An available power switch glows different colors to let the paddler know how much battery power is left and offers an SOS safety strobe setting.

The two light bars provide 2,000 lumens of light
The two light bars provide 2,000 lumens of light

Those looking to stay on the water longer can purchase extra batteries and either keep them on hand as spares or wire the system with one battery per light bar, doubling the system's run time.

The Nocqua 2000 system launched in April and is available from a variety of dealers around the US, in addition to Nocqua's web shop. It retails for US$399.99, and extra batteries cost $59.99.

Source: NOCQUA Adventure Gear

View gallery - 12 images
12 comments
12 comments
William Betz
Fish are attracted to light, so you would have a lot of them under your board. Plus, many waterways have restrictions on usage after sunset, due to the increased danger of drowning.
Rod Collet
The light should attract some fish Rick
Slowburn
That kind of light around you will diminish your view of the stars. I have swam in a lake at night; bringing a light would have ruined the experience but not as badly as if the cop with a spotlight would have shown up 3 minutes earlier.
sk8dad
Paddle Floridian waters during blue crab season would be interesting...especially accidentally falling into the water. I do wonder how large nocturnal marine predators respond to a lighted slow moving silhouette though.
drudey
...aaahhh, boats at night require navigation lights (red, green, white), not so you can SEE, but so YOU can be SEEN. Likely illegal in navigable waters - at least in Canada
Sam Hazell
Wonder what impact blasting light during the night has on marine ecosystems.... With sound, water AND light pollution we're really serving up the goods to our marine cousins.
ukatama
The light will attract fish, and here in Australia big ones with big teeth, SHARKS. But we wish you the best of luck, just wear your steel pants.
Mirmillion
Ukatama is right: best to use this in lakes where the night predators are not interested in an easy meal larger than a 5lb fish.
science ninja
looks like the makings of a cult horror picture to me, paddle out in dark to take pictures with light then turn on lights only to find out a giant school of hammerhead sharks under you, where did i put that cyanide pill?
JAT
Night is when the sharks come in close to shore to feed...
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