Weathering the white stuff
WINDSURF sails hang like parachutes from the ceiling at Watercooled Sports. ‘‘Just a bit too cold to use them at the moment,’’ owner Craig Latta says.
Watercooled Sports really comes into its name when winter driving conditions set in, snow and ice being (literally) water, cooled. Outside the window of his harbourside premises at 9 Kitchener St, the sky is grey and lowering, good news for fans of the white stuff.
But this is also the season of rugged winter terrain and loss of traction on the road, meaning it’s time to put your chains on.
Chains have been around for ages, since 1904 in fact, after New York inventor Harry Weed saw drivers wrap rope and even vines around their tires to increase grip on snowy roads and thought there had to be a better way.
Essential mountain kit whether the weather brings snow, ice, or muddy slush, Watercooled stocks Thule’s brilliant Konig range, which includes the innovative Easyfit chains, which can be put on in just 12 seconds, faster than a round of ‘‘Are we there yet?’’
The only place in town to hire chains, it’s not enough to make sure you carry a set every time you head up the mountain, you also need to make sure they fit properly, otherwise your insurance may be void. Avoid squashing your passengers or invading their personal space, and make room for more marshmallows by putting boards, boots, poles, and helmets into a Thule roof box.
Watercooled has loads instore so you can try them on for size and colour as well as get the right advice about what to use where. Did you know that a lot of newer vehicles don’t have a great deal of wheel clearance, and if you put the wrong size chains on you’ll wreck your car?
Chains are priced from $109 but you can hire them for as low as $29 for a small set, $45 for large — and if you’re only doing it a couple of times a year, it makes sense.
Everything is available for periods from one day to as long as you like, and with a full workshop specialising in tuning and repairs, your gear will be in great shape.
Hire skis, snowboards and clothing from Watercooled while you’re at it, so you don’t have to wait in a queue of hundreds doing the same thing at the skifield and miss out on hours of fun. Get your gear and get there safe with Watercooled Sports.