Bio Mate cleaning kit

We all like to think of ourselves as thoughtful and responsible paddlers. One of the best ways of protecting our kit and the environment is to keep it squeaky clean to prevent the transfer of invasive non-native species (INNS) between our precious waterways. INNS are plants and animals introduced into an area outside of their natural habitat.

Most come from different continents. They negatively impact our health and the environment, reduce water quality, and slow down the flow of rivers.  The Bio Mate Water Sports cleaning kit is a little game-changer to help with this. Having something dedicated to the job and tucked in your car or van ready to use makes the potential chore of cleaning down kit a little less so!

In March 2024, the Bio Mate brand became an official partner with Paddle UK, our joint national governing body for SUP. ­The partnership aims to increase awareness of biosecurity and stop the spread of INNS by encouraging paddlers to check-clean-dry, a part of Paddle UK’s Clear Access Clear Waters Charter.

So, what makes Bio Mate so easy to use? I make sure I fill mine up with water and something like SUP Scrub Eco Paddleboard Cleaner before I leave home. Then, when I have finished paddling and before I leave the site, I can give everything a good scrub down with the heavy-duty bristled brush attached to the water bottle. If you’ve got any delicate areas on your board or paddle, such as stickers/transfers, the sponge is the gentler option.

There is an on/off switch to control water flow, and the sponge can also be used to mop up the excess water. One important thing is to really dry your kit afterwards, as this further helps the spread of INNS. In your kit, you have a decent microfibre cloth that dries everything perfectly. If wearing water shoes, I give them a good scrub, too, which also means I am not constantly having to clean the van out!

Occasionally, I give my boards an extra good deep clean at home to keep them in tip-top condition, and the hose pipe connector provided with the Bio Mate kit is a valuable addition to the box. The kit fits neatly into the waterproof bag provided. This is an inexpensive way to ensure you have the correct tools for the job and would make an excellent gift for the watersport lover in your life.

With the Bio Mate Water Sports Cleaning Kit, it is now effortless to remove wet mud, weed, sand, salt water and detritus from your equipment to get them clean, dry and bio-secure as per the guidance in the Paddle UK check-clean-dry video at:

https://youtu.be/ smF-r4fEv3A?si=N-HZQ1ys8Yd57Ukr. 

In the words of Bio Mate – be responsible, be bio-secure!
Price: £17.99