Martin Kaymer, #1 ranked golf player in the world is wearing a UV Buff

Martin Kaymer, #1 ranked golf player in the world, was wearing the UV Buff during the World Golf Championship Accenture match this weekend in Arizona. Temperature was unusually cold so someone bought him a Buff headwear to wear and he's been wearing the Black Fly design two days in a row. Show has been televised live on NBC and is the fashion buzz about what Martin is wearing. It's another potential market. Up until now, most golfers didn't think it was cool to wear one.

http://www.sandbox8.com/2011/02/27/to-buff-or-not-to-buff-martin-kaymers-neckwear/

http://progolftalk.nbcsports.com/2011/02/27/martin-kaymer-in-the-buff-no-really/

http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/pga/news?slug=pgatour_com-round_5_world_golf_championships_accenture_match_play_2011

We are now the regional distributor of Buff and you'll be seeing Buff products appearing in stores over the next few weeks as deliveries arrive.
If you would like information on stocking Buff products in your stores or how to have your own customised design produced (very easy and cost effective) or information on stocking any of our other brands then please do not hesitate to contact usIan

Kit I love: LifeVenture Thermal Mug

The blog has been dull with (all be it) important information on counterfeit kit and product recalls. I thought I'd post something on a lighter note.

Every now and then I come across bits of kit I really like love. This morning I was driving to work after a great early morning kayak surf session with Lee supping fresh hot coffee and felt the need to tell you about it because the mug I was drinking out of made it possible. Its these bits of kit that just make your life perfect for a moment.

Yes I know I shouldn't take photos while driving and drinking coffee at the same time, blah blah. (Knee driving is a crucial technique and one I've practiced a lot!)

Anyway, get one of the mugs, their great

Currently retailing for 75aed here in the UAE and available from Go Sports stores at Mirdiff City Centre, Mall of the Emirates and Ibn Batuta Mall. In a couple of months time there will be other places they are available too (watch this space for info)

Ian

Important Safety Notice: DMM Dragon Cam size 4 and 5 Recall (inc Update)

Last night (15th Feb 2011) DMM received information from a U.S retailer regarding size 5 (Blue) Dragon Cams. They have found cracks on the aluminium axle boss on 2 of the Dragon Cam size 5s they have in stock. This boss is a turned part similar to the original Dragon 6 that we recalled on the 22nd July 2010.

For the safety of all of our customers we are issuing an immediate recall for all Dragon Cams size 4 and 5 with turned axle bosses (see images below). At present there is no evidence that suggests the size 4 Dragon Cams are affected. However, we feel it appropriate to include them in the recall due to similarities in construction. 

What you should do
If in possession of a cam as shown on the left in the pictures above, please discontinue use immediately and follow the steps below:
1. Fill in the form below and click Create Returns Form. (Information on Serial Numbers)
2. Print out the generated form. You will also receive a confirmation email with your reference number.
3. Both the printed form and the Dragon Cams need to be sent together to us at the DMM address on the form. There are 3 ways of doing this:

• Directly to us;
• back to the retailer where the Dragon cam was purchased;
• or to your national distributor

If you are a retailer or distributor, please quarantine all affected stock immediately and follow your standard returns procedure.

What we will do

• We promise to deal with the situation as quickly and efficiently as we can.
• All units will be reassembled with a new hot forged aluminium axle boss and returned to you.

Our first and foremost priority is the safety of the climbing community. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your continued understanding and support.

More information will follow after further investigation.

The DMM team

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Dragon 4 & 5 Recall Update 24/02/2011

A quick update to keep you all up to speed with developments at DMM, and how we are dealing with the Recall.

Since last Thursday we have been working 24 hours a day in the factory to ensure a rapid turnaround time. We have now started the re-works on the returned cams and they have been re-certified to the CE standards.

We've also being working on an easier and more efficient online system to process the returns. This will allow us to both accurately track each unit through the re-work procedure, and also keep customers informed on progress via email updates. The online returns system can be accessed here.

Thank you for your understanding, and apologies for any inconvenience.

The DMM Team

Warning regarding the presence of counterfeit versions of Petzl products

Petzl have discovered Chinese counterfeit versions of some of their products and in testing these have failed well below required standards.

click on the image to go to the news story on the Petzl website

The cosmetic quality of the counterfiet products is very high including all the required marks and stamps. The only way to ensure you dont purchase these products is to buy through trusted channels.

If the offer seems to good to be true it probably is!

Below is the text from the Petzl website or click on the image to go to the page

Ian

The following text is taken from the Petzl website:

There is a significant risk that these counterfeit products could open or otherwise fail at low loads and under normal use:

• These counterfeit products do not meet UIAA or CE safety standards.

• These counterfeit products do not meet Petzl safety and quality requirements.

 

It will be very difficult for you to identify these fakes:

They have been reproduced in a way that makes them very difficult to identify. The following features have been reproduced nearly identically:

• Design
• Color
• Product markings
• Batch number
• Instructions for use (down to the most minor details)
• Packaging

Only an in-depth analysis allows us to identify these counterfeit products, due to minor differences in the tools used to produce them.

 

To date, only a few counterfeits have been found on the market, and thus far none in North America.

 

What can you do?

• Only purchase from an authorized Petzl retailer to be sure that you are purchasing a genuine Petzl product.

• If you have any doubt as to the authenticity of Petzl products, please help us and contact Petzl America at info@petzl.com or (877) 807-3805. For a list of Petzl retailers, please visit:
  • The Professional Products Dealer Locator
  • The Sport Products Dealer Locator
• If the retailer from whom you purchased your equipment is not listed, please contact Petzl America at the email and phone number listed above.

 
Petzl is working hard to stop these counterfeits, which put users’ lives at risk, from reaching the market.

We're at IDEX 20th to 24th February, stand 10-B44

Click on the image to go to the IDEX website

Come and visit us on stand 10-B44.

"The International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) is the largest defence and security event in the Middle East and North African region.

In 2011, the 10th edition of IDEX, takes place from Sunday 20th - Thursday 24th February, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Retaining the prestigious honour, IDEX 2011 will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces"

The sheer scale of the problem caused by plastic bottles highlighted to me | Ian Ganderton's Blog

Click on image to go to my blog post

"To be honest I dont think I’ve quite captured just how many bottles there were. It has highlighted to me the sheer scale of the problem caused by plastic bottles thrown away." 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Course- Saturday 26th February 2011

NB- There has been a change of date FROM the 19th TO the 26th February

On 26th February we are organising, in conjunction with Singing Rock and Tendon, a PPE Inspection Course.

Everybody involved in the management and inspection of work at height and mountaineering Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must know how to carry out inspections to ensure its safe condition before use.

We are running a 1 day training course in PPE inspection with certification to European Standards for the conduct of PPE inspection.

Date: Saturday, 26th February 2011

Time: 1 day

Location: Al Shaheen Adventure, Ras Al Khaimah; map will be provided to attendees

Costs: 300 aed

Payment: by cheque or cash on course day

Bookings: Please confirm your attendance by email or fax before Thursday 23 February. Names of personnel are required, not just numbers.

Lunch included

General knowledge of climbing equipment is required.

Maximum number of participants is 20.


If you would like further information please email guida@globalclimbing.com