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08
Aug

Todo Raundalselva

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‘Todo’, that’s what all the big kids call it. It definitely makes you seem super cool when you say it. A ‘todo’ simply means ‘top to bottom’, the ‘total’ Raundal, in this case. Starting all the way at the headwaters in Mjoellfjell and running downhill over 40km back into Voss. It’s a kayaker’s dream; blue water, stout rapids, big waterfalls, and deep canyons. 

The Raundalselva is usually divided up into 9 sections, all of which have different characteristics. Our aim was to kayak every section in one go using the train from Voss station as our shuttle. 

Phil picked me up from Kayak Voss at 7:30am and we headed to meet Riley and Espen to catch the 8:20am train up the Raundal valley. Kayak on a train??? Yep, that’s right! One of the unique selling points of this river is the train line that runs alongside the river which permits (tolerates) us bringing kayaks with us.

Heidi and I taking the train up to Reimegrand back in May.

At 8:20am exactly, the train rolled into Voss station. We boarded and were met by a slightly confused conductor who was intrigued to hear about our plan. After stopping at Urdland to pick Helge up, we pulled into Mjoellfjell station: the top of the Raundalselva.

Suited up, I walked down towards the first rapid of the day, Tunnel Drop. This infamous 100m long slide is what most think of when they think of kayaking in Voss. I was the only one keen to run it this time, but everybody was happy to set safety cover. I splashed water in my face and pulled out of the eddy and down into the darkness. After a sweet line, we regrouped and began our descent down the first section of the river.

The view into ‘Tunnel Drop’ from my head cam.

The rest of the first section was beautiful and exposed, open mountain scenery mixed with set piece class 4 rapids all the way to ‘Nosebreaker’. It allowed us to really take in our surroundings and enjoy the sunshine. Oh, how lucky we are!

This section does not exactly fizzle out, with the final rapid, comfortingly called Nosebreaker, blocking our gateway down to the next part of the river. This 15m waterfall is one of the most technically challenging moves in Voss. You need to be purposeful and trust the stroke for this one.

Be Purposeful, pull hard, and trust the stroke! ‘Nosebreaker’

Fired up from having the line that I visualised, I set boat safety for the others. Luckily, I was prepared, as Espen broke his paddles on landing and swam, swiftly followed by Riley, who managed to do a backflip down the drop and was ripped out of his boat. I’m not sure anyone could repeat that if they tried!

After picking up the pieces, we got back into a flow as a team, scouting and portaging where necessary all the way down to Reimegrand. Having all regularly paddled this section, we were able to apply ‘team downstream’ principles; looking behind to check on the person behind you whilst reading and running through without stopping. 

On approach to the ‘Cali Slides’, we stopped for lunch, taking in the sun and reminiscing about the whitewater we had already paddled. Continuing in our boogie-team downstream style we boosted all the way down and through the next checkpoint, the beginning of Skytebane- ‘shooting range’ section. 

Lunch at ‘Cali Slides’. Left to right Espen, Riley, Helge, and Phil.

The next major feature for us to think about is called ‘Timber Hole’; this two tiered drop is powerful and extremely retentive at certain flows. I was considering scouting, but with a grin, Riley persuaded me that the main hole was open and there was no need to look. On reflection, I’m not sure why I believed a man who had just accidentally gainered a kayak off of Nosebreaker, but there we go.

Conveniently for all of us, the bottom hole was almost open, so no kayakers were claimed that day.

‘Timber Hole’ photographed in the Spring by Rhys Thomson.

Out of the flames, we relaxed and floated down the rest of Skytebane and down to play run. This beautiful class 3 fun section is guarded by a drop known as Bofossen; a 5m collapsed dam with a punchy hole in the centre and kicker on the right.

‘Dropping into Bofossen’

Play run was much needed respite, and was a beautiful reminder of how varied kayaking in Voss can be. This town has a reputation for just class 5 smash and grab kayaking, but it has many accessible and fun sections for the class 3/4 kayaker as well. Next came the V Canyon portage; whilst only 1km long, it requires a walk from river level all the way up to the road, and then all the way back down to the Marine canyon. Warm and unpleasant, we were glad to be back on the water at the top of Marine. 

With 6 sections down and 3 to go, we were tired and stoked. We puckered up and dropped into the canyon. This is known, alongside the Lower Myrk, as the best section of whitewater in Voss. Crisp class 5 kayaking in a deep and committing canyon. 

One of many incredible moves in ‘Marine Canyon’.

Flying out of every boof, we were motivated and felt controlled, but could all feel the fatigue hitting. The paddle out through Bjorke was slow and tiring but every stroke we took was one step closer to our next challenge, the final whitewater section of the Raundalselva, ‘Vetlehelvetet’, or in English, ‘Little Hell’.

Jasper Polak on the Marine Canyon waterfall, captured by Helge Martisen.

We approached with caution; none of us were comfortable with the lines, and we knew how committing this section was going to be. Boily and pushy, we read and ran our way through this surprisingly stout little canyon and made it out into the blue waters of the Vosso. We had done it. Now on the Vosso, we could paddle out to the lake and back around to the car park by the train station. Exhausted, we all agreed that it was the biggest kayaking day we had done in a long time. 

Kayaking out onto Vangsvatnet, nearly back to the train station.

Over burritos, we reflected on the day: 9 sections of some of the world’s best whitewater, snow capped mountains, drinkable, clear water, and good mates… and all accessible with a £5 train ticket. 

Takk for Turen x

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01
Aug

Ripper 2: The Workhorse

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So, there’s a range of playful river boats available in the Pyranha range and in offerings from other companies, almost to the point where it could get confusing. Nine-foot half slice, short half slice, full slice, bulked up half slice (anything with ‘puffy’ as the description), and long slice can all be considered playful riverboats and have their place. Do you need all of them? Probably not… Is there anything wrong with owning all of them as an extended fleet? Absolutely not! This isn’t a ‘how to choose the right river play boat’; for that, I say think about what you want to do and match the kayak to that. This is why, as a white water kayak coach, I leant towards the Ripper 2 as my boat of choice (because it’s ace, read no further).

To make me sound old, ‘back in the day’, we had our riverboats, and that was that; no messing, one boat did it all. As things changed and freestyle boats changed what was achievable on features like waves and stoppers, all of a sudden a couple of boats were required (actually lots of things got paddled in play boats as they were the in thing, looking back now it makes my palms sweat!!), a play boat and a creek boat. Hopefully, this isn’t putting you to sleep. To make a long and geeky story short, creek boats got bigger, freestyle boats got smaller, and the in-between blurred away. The in-between being the bit that has drawn many people to the river, paddling the odd challenging rapid, surfing waves, and doing eddy-line moves like cartwheels and tail squirts (I can point you in the direction of an instructional video or two if you like). Personally, I was extremely pleased when the ‘river play’ craft began being popular again, and yes, there are parallels to be made with their predecessors like the Blade, Acro 270 and 275, or the illusive ProZone, but if you have a modern creek boat, these will feel very different; this is where the new line up comes in.

I was lucky enough to be able to paddle the available fleet of river playboats from Pyranha during the filming with Online White Water, which included the Ripper 2 Large, Ozone Large, and Firecracker 252, and I enjoyed paddling all of them to the point where choosing my personal boat became tricky. I know, “What a hardship!”. The Ozone was easy to throw into eddy-line moves like cartwheels, and it wanted to surf, spin, and blunt all day long; however, carrying all the equipment needed for me to use it as a coaching boat would be tricky. The Firecracker has the room to carry kit, the hull surfs very well, and the shorter length makes throwing it around really easy (I was very close with the Firecracker). For me, its downside was its ‘top end’. In the right hands, this boat could be comfortably paddled down grades four and five, but it might not give the right message at this grade; you can see why this was a close contender for ‘my boat’. Due to its length, it occasionally felt slow, especially if I was paddling with someone in a nine-foot riverboat.

From ‘first float’, I felt happy in the Ripper 2; good hull speed, nice edge to edge, and plenty of rocker to help you get over waves and stoppers, these were the stand out features that made me lean toward this boat over the others and use it as my day-to-day coaching boat. Ok, eddy-line cartwheels, spins, and blunts are going to be harder in this boat (not impossible), and its length will make it a bit harder to throw around than the Firecracker, but tailies in a nine-foot half-slice look amazing! I’ve sized up; at 85kg, I could paddle the medium. However, the large meant that I could get all the necessary coaching equipment into it without affecting the boat’s performance, and it handles some of the harder grades easily, as well as being loads of fun on the easier stuff. As a coaching boat, I like it because it’s not downplaying any rivers for people (“It’s easy, I can get down this in a full-slice!”), is a touch more manoeuvrable than a creek boat, and can be used as a great tool to coach edges; I’ve put people into half slices when their no slice isn’t giving edge work feedback on the easier rivers.

It’s a fairly bold statement, but I don’t think that the half-slice is a bad learning boat either, there’s a generation of paddler (possibly in their forties now) that would have learnt in a half-slice, and the edge control is evident; not only that, the slicey tail will give feedback on the river way before a no slice would, meaning more and more people are getting this ‘feedback’ in tougher environments resulting in not nice swims.

For the right paddler, there is the potential for the Ripper 2 to become the only boat due to its versatility; the same could easily be said for the Firecracker. As a boat to complement the rest of the fleet, I would have probably gone for the Firecracker, and it is a close call. If you’re thinking along the same lines, then get talking to people, try boats out, talk to your local paddling shop, and hang fire with your hard-earned cash until you’ve made your decision.

Now that I’ve said all this, it’s Ripper 2 all the way!

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18
Jul

The University of Bristol Canoe Club Takes on North Wales

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This Easter, while most people were busy pretending they liked Cadbury Crème Eggs and dodging family lunch politics, UOBCC did what UOBCC does best: squeezed far too many boats onto car roofs, loaded up a playlist featuring both Taylor Swift and DnB (we’re a club of extremes), and set off to North Wales in search of whitewater, Type II fun, and, ideally, only minor injuries.

The trip kicked off on Thursday, with cars full of enthusiastic paddlers heading to the River Dee. After a smooth drive (shoutout to the 10% of club members who can parallel park without crying), we geared up and hit Serpent’s Tail. Some took it in style. Others took it in… spirit. Town Falls followed, big cheers to those who sent it straight away, and an even bigger shoutout to those who sensibly waited until they’d reevaluated their life choices on Day 5.

That night we arrived at the bunkhouse and did something unheard of: went to bed early. We’d love to say it was due to discipline and tactical rest, but realistically, everyone was just shattered from tying paddles onto roof racks four times in one day.

Friday morning was Tryweryn day. The Lower delivered some juicy lines and the occasional unplanned freestyle performance at Bala Mill Falls. Meanwhile, a lucky few demoed boats on the Upper (courtest of Radical Rider). There was definite “new boat energy” in the eddies, with at least one paddler claiming the Ripper 2 had single-handedly improved their skill level overnight (jury’s still out). Our inters gave the Upper a proper go in the afternoon; challenge eddies were caught, rolls were (mostly) hit, and several creative new ways to backwards-surf Café Wave were discovered.

Saturday brought a change of pace with a trip to the Glaslyn. Think stunning views, tight lines, and enough ferry gliding to make a GPS dizzy. A solid skills day all round, and especially good for our canoebies, who put their newfound whitewater knowledge to the test. We scoped out Aberglaslyn Gorge afterward, but with low water and vertical rock walls in play, we decided to give it a miss. It’s not going anywhere. Next time, maybe.

Sunday, we returned to the Upper Tryweryn, this time as a full club convoy. Watching beginners confidently eddy-hop through Graveyard and surf like pros at Café Wave was one of the best parts of the trip. There’s something pretty special about seeing paddlers who swam on Day 1 now styling the same features with dry hair and big smiles.

There were, of course, the usual battle wounds: one paddle (almost) lost to the river gods, a few bruises with great backstories, and a couple of unfortunate run-ins with rocks (spoiler: the rocks won). But considering the group size, we came away in remarkably good shape. We rounded off the day with an Easter egg hunt that quickly descended into tactical warfare. Chocolate was secured. Dignity was… optional.

On Monday, we squeezed in one final Dee lap before heading home. Serpent’s Tail? Crushed. Town Falls? Conquered. The difference in confidence from our now-seasoned canoebies was seriously impressive; same river, same paddlers, just with four days of carnage, learning, and tactical swimming under their belts.

This trip also saw the birth of Fresher Cam. Turns out, sticking a GoPro on an enthusiastic kayaking fresher makes for some quality content. Watch below as canoebie, Kieran takes on the Dee in his trusty Z.One on our final day in North Wales. This first instalment documents the effects of four days of paddling on both kayaking technique and general grip on reality.

All in all, it was a classic UOBCC adventure: big rivers, bigger enthusiasm, and a healthy mix of chaos and competence. Huge thanks to everyone who came, drove, led, demoed, rescued, rolled, and beatered. North Wales delivered, and so did UOBCC.

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08
Jul

The Kick-Flip Seen Around the World

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The kick-flip in a kayak is honestly one of the harder tricks I’ve learned. I remember wanting it so bad but just not quite understanding how all the pieces fit together. When I watched my friends do them, it was obvious just how easy and effortless it was supposed to be. It is one of those things that doesn’t work until it just clicks. It is simply too much to think about and pick apart in too short of a time. After too many attempts to count, it finally came around and stuck. It was like leveling up in a video game. All of a sudden I had access to one of the best rotations in the sport of kayaking. 

For around 7-8 years the kick-flip has been my favorite move for downriver freestyle. They are an effortless flick that can be factored in to almost any rapid with a good wave. It became an obsession of mine. Chasing the weightless, airborne feeling of launching off the top of a wave. But not all waves are created equal. Some crash a bit at the top, some curl to the side, and some are a perfect “Eiffel Tower” ramp to the moon. 

Soon after getting the kick-flip in my repertoire I started to play around with timing, paddle placement, hip rotation and whatnot. I wanted to see how many variations of the trick I could capture. My time spent on the North Fork of the Payette was crucial for learning how to dial in the slightest differences in each kick-flip. I remember writing in my notebook about the best waves on the North Fork and how you are supposed to approach each one. I listed off around 50-60 spots that were “perfect for kick-flips,” despite the unbelievable exposure and danger of throwing kick-flips in fast, shallow class 5. The North Fork provided 15 miles of hard whitewater and awesome waves for launching. It taught me so much as a young paddler that applied to nearly every division on paddling I do. I was simply obsessed. Obsessed with the opportunity to be airborne in a kayak. It is my favorite feeling and has driven my motivation and style in kayaking for the last decade.

As my relationship with air-time progressed it became apparent that boat design REALLY matters for getting pop off of waves. You need speed, rocker, and most importantly, volume. When the ReactR first came out, I pretty instantly realized that it added a whole new dimension to the kick-flips I had been throwing for years. All of a sudden I had more pop than ever before. The rocker crests waves automatically and the wide stern slaps the peak with more potential than any boat I’ve paddled in the past. 

It wasn’t until I went to the Mistassibi in Quebec that I had waves big enough and consistent enough to essentially “max out.” I truly don’t think I can go much bigger than on a wave called Molly. The eddy access of this wave sets up a kick-flip conveyor belt of free refills. You can simply paddle to the top of the eddy, peel out, and launch to the moon. This allowed me to have consistent feedback on bigger and bigger launches. I always try to go as big as possible for the wave that I’m on but nothing had previously compared to the size of Molly wave. I started throwing kick-flips on repeat until my arms felt like they were going to fall off. It was so good I couldn’t stop. Every kick-flip is slightly different, a true snowflake of a trick. The wave bubbles and crashes and pops with constantly changing potential. 

This wave specifically allowed me to enact a move I call “the layout.” You have to paddle as hard as you possibly can until you redline. Then, once you reach the base of the wave you have to plant your strokes with as much travel and power as possible. When your bow is about to reach the peak of the wave, you have to plant one last initiation stroke as far forward as possible and pull with everything you have. You got to pull and lean as far back as possible while keeping the initiation stroke in the water as long as you can. 

That is where this wave started to be a bit different. I kept power on my left blade as long as I could until I was simply running out of water to use. In a few attempts I actually went too big and water beneath me turned to air. There was nothing to rotate off of because I was too far out of the water. However, on this specific rotation, the wave was in perfect form and my paddle strokes were timed correctly. All of the once disorienting puzzle pieces fell perfectly into place. 

I peaked out with just enough room to initiate my rotation and just enough air to be as big as possible. The biggest difference I noticed that I have never felt before was that the wind whistled in my ears mid kick-flip. I didn’t know that was possible. I didn’t even think I would notice such a tiny detail when there was so much other stuff happening around me. Especially in a sport drowned in sustained white noise. It was wild to paddle back into the eddy with that little whistle noise playing in my head on repeat. Such a small and benign sound that we hear all the time. But somehow in this fraction of a second it was so valuable. 

Huge thanks to Leif Anderson for capturing this moment. The angle perfectly captures everything I love about the Mistassibi and my favorite part of kayaking.

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15
Apr

New Zealand Extreme Whitewater Race Series

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The NZ Extreme Whitewater Race Series consists of four events split over the North and South islands of New Zealand. This year, the full series did not go ahead, but we were able to partake in 3 events of the series: the Wairoa Extreme Race, Buller Fest, and the Citroen Extreme Race (Nevis Bluff time trial remix). Each event took place over the space of a weekend, each a week apart. Joined by Rhys Thompson and Josh Scarlett, we made our way around New Zealand, going to each event and paddling along the way.

The first of the three events was the Wairoa Extreme Race put on by Sam Ricketts of the New Zealand Whitewater Academy. The Wairoa is located in the Bay of Plenty on the North Island. This dam releases once a week on a Sunday and provides some excellent class 4 kayaking.

The weekend kicked off with a time trial event on Saturday, held from the river’s get-on at MacLaren Falls, down to the bottom of “Rollercoaster”. Racers must paddle a 10-minute section of class 4, pool-drop rapids as fast as possible, and touch the banner to finish.

Alex flying on the Wairoa – Mathew Roxburgh

Over 40 people partook in Saturday’s time trial, who then collected themselves in the pool below the Rollercoaster for the mass start race. All 40+ people then raced 2km down to the very takeout of the river… it was chaos!

After a fun day of kayaking came a delicious hog roast, plenty of beer, dancing, and a Throw Bag Olympics run by the renowned throw-bagger and rescue enthusiast Rhys Thomson. Thanks to the event sponsors for the delicious food and drink!

A dusty morning setting up the course and the head-to-head race was underway. Kayakers were racing the “Toaster” and “Rollercoaster” rapids in a one vs. one format. Carnage followed as most racers were elbow to elbow, pushed into holes, and slammed into each other. It was awesome spectating and great to see all the work volunteers put in to making the event happen.

During the closing ceremony, many cool prizes were given out, including some lovely new paddles! Pyranha had kindly donated a 9R to be raffled off to raise money towards the legal fees required to fight the Kaituna dam project. The fight against this dam is still ongoing. Please follow WhitewaterNZ to find out what you can do.

The week after the event, Rhys and I returned to work but got in an after-work lap on the Aniwhenua, a dam-released section with a fun 10fter at the end. It was a great feeling to be operating on a new section to us, and it got me excited to head south!

Aniwhenua boof! – Rhys Thompson

Later that week, after a punishing few hours of driving, a ferry ride, and a pizza, we arrived in Murchison, the home of Buller Fest. Upon arrival, we hit up Mauria Falls, a Murch classic. This beautiful park-n-huck 20fter made for an entertaining afternoon!

Mauria 45s -Josh Scarlett

That evening came the Awanui Film Awards. Plenty of beer and videography was consumed. The winning film, “RPM Depreciation,” was one of the funniest kayaking films I’ve ever seen and will likely become a staple of kayaking films in the future.

Saturday of Buller Fest was lively, with the slalom and rafter cross providing entertainment before a big party in the evening. Thanks to all the volunteers and the event organisers for putting together such a wholesome day!

On Sunday morning, we were all feeling pretty dusty, and the day kicked off with some friendly Boater X on the Lower Mātakitaki. It’s so good to be surrounded by such a big community of stoked kayakers, and it’s great to see so many Pyranha kayaks out on the water. 9R and Ripper 1 still pull their weight as some of the fastest boats out there!*

*Editor’s Note: The original Ripper is now available as the R.One; the same hull, at a lower price point in single colours with Connect outfitting.

Alex on the Crooked River – Josh Scarlett

On Monday, we headed down the West coast with our eyes set on some famous coast creeking. We got a lap in on the Crooked River and then continued on to the infamous T Canyon, a West Coast classic. T Canyon was a huge day out, tackling class 5 moves with exposure, tough portaging, rope work, and consequence. Super grateful to George Hayhoe for keeping us on track in there!

Alex Littlechild in the ReactR on ‘Exit Drop’ of T Canyon – Rhys Thompson.

We continued our drive down the west coast and down to Queenstown, where we were greeted fondly by the local community. Huge shout out to Matt, Morgan, Will, and Jess for letting us crash for the weekend!

Usually, this event is held on ‘Citroen’ in a Boater X format. Due to low water levels this year, the race was held on the infamous “Nevis Bluff” rapid of the Kawarau River in a time trial format. Over 30 kayakers participated in the advanced time trial, with two laps each. Pretty stoked to say that Josh Rhys and I topped out with the fastest 3 times of the day alongside Will Payton and Ben Young.

Alex Littlechild competing in the Nevis Bluff Mass Start race – Dan Sutherland

After the time trial had finished, everyone helped to get the class 3 boaters’ kayaks down to the bottom of the next rapid (Bar Fight). Then ensued a 4×4 Boater X race down some punchy class 3. There was minimal carnage, and everybody was stoked. It was a great atmosphere.

The weekend concluded with another big party and a social float on the Sunday morning—a good opportunity to reflect and catch up with friends. On Monday morning, we made our way back up the east coast to Picton and back up the North Island to our local section, the Kaituna.

Thanks to everyone who welcomed us, fed us, danced, kayaked, and laughed with us. A truly memorable couple of weeks. Shot team. x

The Crew – Captain Phil

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07
Apr

Unleashing the Fun: My Experience with the Pyranha Firecracker 232

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Hi! I’m Holly, a 21-year-old university student and a member of the University of Bristol Canoe Club. Kayaking has become a huge part of my life, and I love getting out on the water whenever I can.

I was first introduced to kayaking at university through the University of Bristol Canoe Club and have been paddling for 3 years now. During that time I have fallen in love with this sport and now couldn’t imagine a life without it.

Like many beginners, I started with club kit, but after a year, I was ready for my own boat. This was when I got my beautiful, pink, second-hand Pyranha Z.One, which was a fantastic boat for learning and honing my skills. It gave me a solid foundation and prevented me from developing any bad habits. However, as I began tackling more challenging rivers, I realised I needed something more capable.

When it came time for an upgrade, I demoed several boats at the Tryweryn from Radical Rider, including the Small Ripper 2. But as soon as I paddled the Firecracker, I knew I had found the one.

The Z1 was a fantastic starter boat!

From the moment I hopped into the Pyranha Firecracker 232, I knew it was something special. As a shorter paddler (5’3”, 65kg), I struggled to find a boat that felt proportional, but the Firecracker nails it. The shorter length provides a sense of connection and control to the bow, which I didn’t feel in longer boats. In the Firecracker, I feel balanced and in control, which makes every movement feel intentional and precise.

If there is one word to sum up the Firecracker, it is playful! No river is dull in this boat. Whether it’s a gentle section of river or feature-packed whitewater, the Firecracker brings the fun. Tailies are effortless – smooth as butter – and the vertical stability makes them feel incredibly natural. The shorter tail creates more opportunities to get vertical, even on shallow rivers.  The wide hull means surfing on any wave is smooth and easily controllable. I can’t wait to push my down-river tricks even further.

The Firecracker 232 in action

Even though it looks like a small boat, the Firecracker packs a surprising amount of volume. This makes it stable and confidence-inspiring without compromising its playful nature. The large bow rocker allows it to skip over holes effortlessly. This has given me the confidence to push myself into bigger water and more technical rapids. I am currently a grade 3+ paddler pushing into grade 4. I really appreciated the extra stability when going down more technical higher-flow rivers such as the Upper Dart and the Tawe, as the Firecracker gave me the confidence to focus on my technique and line rather than worrying about getting knocked off balance.

You’d think that, with this boat being so short and wide, it might be slow, but the Firecracker defies expectations. It holds speed well through holes and boils, allowing me to keep up with longer boats. The sharp rails make eddy-hopping a dream, as it snaps into even the smallest eddies with ease, making it an excellent choice for technical rivers where quick adjustments are key.

The Pyranha Firecracker 232 is everything I could want in a boat – playful, stable, and agile. It has the perfect balance of stability and liveliness, making it an excellent choice for paddlers, such as me, looking to push their skills while having an absolute blast on the river. For me, the Firecracker 232 is the perfect balance of fun and performance. It’s given me the confidence to push into harder whitewater while still making every river feel like a playground. No matter where I take it, I always come off the water grinning—this boat just makes kayaking more exciting.

Holly

Holly taking the Firecracker down Lee Valley

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25
Mar

Huw’s Adventures – Chile

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Chile is well-known in the whitewater community as a must-visit destination for kayakers of all abilities. This reputation stems from its incredible variety of rivers, ranging from scenic grade 2 runs to mind-blowing waterfalls. In November 2024, I was lucky enough to get a taste of what Chile had to offer!

Like any kayaking trip to a new place, my mind was buzzing with ideas of what I wanted to accomplish—from dialling in my cobra flip on the Rio Palguín, where it was invented, to running stunning 20-meter waterfalls with my ReactR and perfecting my technique. However, the first challenge Matti and I faced was simply making it as far as the airport in Santiago, Chile.

After spending an extra day at the airport in Brazil due to a cancelled flight, we finally arrived in Chile late in the evening. To our surprise, the boats had also made it! We kicked off our first day bright and early with a fast lap on the Maipo—a 15km run packed with wave trains, holes, and good vibes. After that lap, I completely forgot the long and complicated journey of the previous days.

The first waterfall and river on my mind when I knew I was going to Chile was the La Leona waterfall at the end of the Rio Claro—a 70-to-75-foot drop gushing out from a tight canyon in the cliff. I knew this was usually an early-season drop, as it needs enough water to navigate the entrance rapid and allow for a clean line off the lip. With us heading out a couple of weeks later than usual—and further delayed by our travels—I started to lose hope of running this classic. Sure enough, it was too low when we arrived to scout it.

Not letting this dampen our spirits, we were still thrilled to paddle the Rio Claro, a stretch of whitewater I can only describe as something straight out of a dream!

The first section of the Claro we paddled is called “Veintidós Saltos.” As the name suggests, it features 22 waterfalls of varying sizes, winding through a tight canyon with even more waterfalls cascading in from the sides. After finishing this section, we transitioned into the lower section, “Caracol.” This part is home to one of the most unique waterfalls I’ve ever seen: Garganta. Here, erosion has sculpted the rock into a spiral slide (like a waterslide) that drops another 20 feet into the pool below.

Salto Garganta – Rio Claro

Although my line on Garganta was good, I took a hard hit to my back, knocking the wind out of me and leaving me in significant pain for the following days. Unfortunately, this meant I had to sit out while the rest of the crew basked in the glory of the Claro.

For the next couple of days, I was feeling pretty sorry for myself and doing everything I could to loosen up my back so I could get back in my boat ASAP. Thankfully, my patience paid off. When I finally felt well enough to paddle again, rain the night before had raised the river level, making La Leona runnable!

Without hesitation, I grabbed my gear, jumped in the car, and began the process of thoroughly scouting the waterfall and entrance rapid from the bank. Once the plan was set and the safety and media crew made their way to the waterfall’s base, Dane and I climbed to the top of the committing canyon leading to the drop.

After navigating the first four rapids, we reached the crux move—a tricky section where you have to carry speed from left to right and land in a chaotic, turbulent chute of water about 15 meters before the lip of the waterfall. I watched Dane go first, nailing a clean line before disappearing over the horizon. Then it was my turn.

My entrance line wasn’t as clean as I’d hoped, but I managed to stay upright. With the crux behind me, I focused on savouring the moments leading up to the free fall. The feeling of free fall brings me a sense of calm I can’t quite describe—time slows, and I feel completely in control. This time was no different.

Photo by Andy Kettlewell

As I surfaced and Matti helped pull me upright, I couldn’t help but celebrate. I had successfully run a waterfall I’d been dreaming of paddling for years—a truly surreal moment!

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24
Mar

University of Bristol Canoe Club – WWSR 2025

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After the club’s incredibly successful fundraiser, ‘Get F*****d for Fitz,’ earlier this academic year, 12 club members were able to attend a WWSR course in February; double the amount from previous years.

Strong WWSR skills are vital in the sport, particularly within university clubs, where many young people are trying out the sport for the first time and have little confidence on the water; seeing well-trained leaders gives them a lot of reassurance. As a more senior member of the club, I was eager to attend the course so that I could step up into a role as a club leader.

Joe expertly demonstrates how to rescue a boat safely

The weekend began with a late Friday drive up to 1st Llangollen Scouts Centre, who were providing us with their hall as residence over the weekend. After a good night’s sleep, UOBCC were up and raring to go, fuelled by bacon and slightly cold scrambled eggs (we might have to enrol in a cooking course next). After an introduction and brief talk with course coordinators Lowri and Ian, the group got on just above Horseshoe Falls, and we spent the day slowly making our way down the river, occasionally stopping and discussing whitewater skills such as scouting rapids and leading.  

Just before Serpent’s Tail, the most difficult feature on the river, we portaged and talked about taking lines and setting safety. Despite the low water level, the feature is a G3, which is a good challenge for most of us on the course, so it was important to scout and make sure the feature was runnable and that we could confidently run it. Myself and another on the course ran the feature before setting up safety for the remaining group, allowing us to get our first practice using throwlines.

Scouting and setting up safety at Serpent’s tail

After the group had run the feature, my smugness at staying nice and warm was quickly dissipated as we then practised swimming in the feature to become more comfortable with aggressively swimming to catch eddies (bear in mind this was mid-February, with temperatures of about 3°C). Once we had all been sufficiently drenched, we continued on down the river to Mile End Mill, quickly having a surf before continuing on to the get-off just before Town Falls. Fortunately, the accommodation was a short walk from the get-off, so we all quickly got inside, warmed up, and finished off the evening with a classic kayaking meal – Spag Bol (penne, not spaghetti, though sadly).

How to swim in whitewater

The next morning, we spent some time in the accommodation with Lowri and Ian, practising using throw ropes, carabiners, and slings to devise ways to unpin boats, notably the Z-drag pulley system. Subsequently, we headed back to Mile End Mill for some more swimming, throwlining, and rescuing practice, with frequent breaks to head into the café and warm up as it was even colder than the previous day. We finished off by plunging down the weir and some even body-surfing the wave (I was too cold for that!), followed by a final chat before being awarded our certifications. A quick 4-hour drive back, with a stop off at McDonald’s (in true UOBCC fashion) before heading back to the club stores and then into my nice, warm bed!

More swimming and rescuing…

I’d like to end this blog by thanking Lowri and Ian again for their delivery of the course, I learnt a lot of new and important skills and have definitely gained confidence to take canoebies on rivers in future. I will be taking on the committee role of Training & Development Officer in the coming academic year, and so organising the next set of paddlers to go on this course. Hopefully, we can continue to send another large group and get more experienced leaders qualified for the club!

Freddy

Thank you Lowri and Ian for an amazing weekend!

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18
Mar

Elite Outfitting, Now Available in Ripper 2 & Firecracker 🧨

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We know a lot of you have been waiting on this news, and we’re excited to let you know that as well as featuring in the Helectron and ReactR, Elite Outfitting is available RIGHT NOW in all sizes of Firecracker and Ripper 2!

Order now by hitting up your Local Dealer or heading over to the Pyranha Customiser, where, as well as Elite outfitting in the models mentioned above, you’ll find new handle colour options for all models, new logo options on Firecracker and ReactR, and the Helectron in all three sizes.*

*Helectron Large is available for pre-order, with this size expected to enter production by late March.

Learn more about Elite Outfitting:

You can read the full story of our new outfitting system in our Elite Outfitting Deep Dive, or check out the walkthrough video below:

Quick-Fire FAQ

How is Elite outfitting different?

Elite outfitting has been redesigned from the hull up as a complete overhaul, reducing the overall boat weight (for example, the ReactR is a bigger boat than the Scorch, but lighter), markedly improving both comfort and connection to the boat, and adding to the ease and range of adjustment, all without compromising on safety, durability, or cost.

How reliable are the backrest cleats?

We’ve done extensive development and testing to ensure our new backrest system retains all the pros of a cleat system, adds more to the list, and negates the downfalls seen in other cleat-based systems. Our system uses high-strength Dyneema cord and high-quality aluminium racing cleats, both of which have excellent longevity and work together reliably. We’re excited for you to discover and enjoy the benefits of this setup!

Does Elite outfitting include hookers?

Yes, and what’s more, these ones have 3-way adjustment for leg angle, amount of grip, and the usual forward/backward adjustment.

How has the seat adjustment changed?

Seat height is still adjusted by adding shims under the seat pad, but the forwards/backwards adjustment is now done by removing a single wingnut, quickly sliding the seat to where you want it, and then replacing it.

What’s the knee-padding situation?

Elite thigh grips have oversized pads which adjust with them and cover your knee.

Can I fit Elite outfitting to my current Pyranha boat?

No, the Elite outfitting is not backwards compatible due to the necessary cockpit rim features and method of hull stiffener attachment.

Has the cockpit rim shape changed?

The outside shape of the Firecracker and Ripper 2 cockpit rims have not changed; we worked on these shapes in partnership with leading spraydeck manufacturers, and have carried through those lessons to the ReactR and Helectron. However, the inside shape of the Firecracker and Ripper 2 cockpit rims have several changes related to the fitment of the new Elite outfitting system, and in particular, a deepening and padding of the area of the cockpit rim that rests on your shoulders/against your hip during carrying.

How easy is it to access the stern, and how much gear can you get back there?

We’ve changed the connection between the backrest and seat so that it can be completely unclipped, and with the lower back edge of the Elite seat, it’s easy to get a two-piece split paddle and/or the typical size of dry bag for other gear back there.

Happy paddling!
Pyranha

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13
Mar

Book Release: Soča From Source to Sea – Paddling Guidebook by Balkan River Defence

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An invitation to explore the entire Soča River.

Kayaking is about exploration. Whether you are exploring the limits of your body while blazing a path through a first descent in Columbia or simply discovering your backyard creek, a whitewater kayak and a paddle open an aquatic world of learning, feeding one of the most basic human compulsions: to explore.

Paddling a river from source to sea is a profoundly different experience from simply paddling the best-known whitewater sections. The focus shifts from (but does not exclude!) finding the best rapids to getting to know the river – understanding its more subtle moods, varied landscape and with it, different types of moving water.

The Soča may be a kind of supermodel in the world of whitewater kayaking – her aquamarine, gin-clear water and sexy rapids, with something for every ability. But if you take the time – about six days – you discover that there is more to her. From her humble beginnings as a trickle high in the Julian Alps to the expansive embrace of the Adriatic Sea, the Soča invites you to get to know her. And Balkan River Defence’s new paddling guidebook can help.

Soča From Source to Sea – Paddling Guidebook was officially launched in December at the Bovec Mountain Film Festival (BOFF) in Slovenia. 

Paddlers and non-paddlers alike have already cracked the cover of copies in English, Italian, and Slovenian. A sneak peek of the guidebook can be seen here, and it can be purchased at the following links:

UK Customers (English version) – £32.95 plus shipping.

EU/ROW Customers (Slovenski, Italiano, and English versions) – €35 plus shipping.

The guidebook doesn’t ignore the recent controversy on the ticket prices for the use of the Soča. It addresses the history and current situation of the issue and is already generating discussion amongst decision-makers. While working to find a solution, the team behind the book is encouraging paddlers to use this situation as a chance to explore different sections of the river – free to use and free from controversy, which provides the peace and enjoyment we seek while paddling, and also sends a loud message to decision makers that kayakers disagree with the decree and ticket prices and that the Soča Valley is still a place for paddlers.

This guidebook was written for all paddlers: whitewater kayakers, canoeists, packrafters, stand-up paddleboarders, rafters and minirafters. Whether you’re new to paddling or a seasoned expert, the guidebook provides the knowledge needed to explore the Soča safely and respectfully and provides insights into some of the Soča’s secrets while leaving you the space to discover some yourself.

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About the Guidebook

Written by BRD founder Rok Rozman and featuring photos by Rožle Bregar, this is the first paddling guidebook to cover the Soča River’s entire course. Published by the Leeway Collective Institute, the 216-page book combines paddling logistics with a deep dive into the river’s natural and cultural history.

The guide includes maps for each of the 14 paddling stages and one hiking stage, details on accommodation and dining, and non-paddling activities. Its compact format (25 cm x 15 cm) makes it easy to bring along on the river, yet big enough to sit on your coffee table. 

It also features a stunning 100 cm folding map of the Katarakt, the river’s most challenging whitewater section, tucked neatly into the back cover. 

The first half of the guidebook is a monograph exploring the Soča’s flora, fauna, geology, and history, while the second half provides practical paddling information in an easily digestible format of: double page photo introduction; paddling details and stats page (length of stage, class, water level info, time needed etc.; a reference map including non-paddling points of interest, campsites, restaurants, rapid names, hazards etc.; and a short write up on the section that reads like a story. This is the kind of book you could hand to your grandma to read cover to cover, even if she’s not a paddler.

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Motivations Behind the Guidebook

Creating a guidebook for an iconic river like the Soča brings great responsibility. The team behind it aimed to avoid contributing to over-tourism or environmental harm by focusing on four main goals:

Dispersing Paddling Traffic

The Soča’s popularity often results in overcrowding, particularly between the towns of Bovec and Tolmin, which puts pressure on the river’s ecosystem. By encouraging exploration of the entire river, from its Slovenian alpine source to its Italian Adriatic mouth, the guidebook highlights lesser-known sections and relieves pressure on overused areas.

Understanding Healthy River Systems

Paddling the Soča from source to sea offers a chance to learn through experience about the ecological importance and function of rivers. The Soča provides fresh water, wildlife habitats, and recreation opportunities. It moves material, filters water and, yes, generates electricity. The journey also divulges the impact of dams, hydropeaking, and irrigation, allowing the paddler to come to their own conclusions based on what they have seen and experienced, and not based on words in a book (although the words in the guidebook do provide some background information on how the water of the Soča is used today).

Promoting Responsible River Use

The guidebook includes tips for minimizing environmental impact, such as respecting fish spawning seasons and avoiding bird nesting areas. By understanding the patterns of the river’s natural inhabitants, the guidebook aims to inspire paddlers to minimize their impacts while not hindering the level of enjoyment. 

Maximizing Enjoyment on the Water

After all, that is the reason we climb into small plastic tubs and use sticks with spoons at the end to navigate rivers, right?

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Guidebook Highlights

Introductory Chapters

The guidebook begins with an author’s note and a poem, setting a reflective tone. It then delves into Soča’s geology, hydrology, cultural history, and threats from hydroelectric projects and commercial agriculture. It provides paddling info like transportation options (including train shuttle), safety tips, and a glossary of river-running terms. Another section explores Soča’s flora and fauna, introducing over 70 species of birds, fish, mammals, and plants. Readers learn how to minimize their impact, such as identifying bird nesting areas and understanding fish spawning seasons. There’s even a chapter on fishing, with advice on respectful practices and obtaining licenses.

Paddling Stages

The second half of the guidebook outlines 14 paddling stages and one hiking stage. Each stage includes put-in and take-out locations (with QR codes for Google Maps), distance, difficulty level, approximate paddling time, and suitable vessels. Details on minimum, maximum, and optimal water levels are provided, along with maps highlighting campgrounds, restaurants, rapids, portage routes, and danger zones. The stages range from beginner-friendly sections to intermediate and advanced whitewater runs, ensuring options for paddlers of all skill levels.

* * *

The Soča Paddling Guidebook invites paddlers to explore the river’s 138 km journey in sections or as a single, “epic” source-to-sea adventure. Stages are designed for half-day trips, allowing time to enjoy the surrounding attractions. (Or sit beside the river with a beverage and relax.)

The guidebook is about more than whitewater. It connects paddlers with the Soča’s hidden gems, local communities, and natural beauty. It encourages paddlers to discover not just the river’s iconic stretches but also its lesser-known charms. The Soča is more than a river; she’s a storyteller, carrying the marks of history and nature’s power. This guidebook celebrates her entirety, inspiring paddlers to explore but also to cherish and protect rivers everywhere.

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