For my first blog I figured this would be a good start, thanks for the best kayaks on the planet!!!
WHITEWATER!!!!!!
18
Dec
SAM ELLIS WWGP ENTRY 2014
16
Dec
AWP World Series Champion 2013
I’m super stoked about taking my first AWP World Series Title for 2013! The AWP World Series is the World Cup of Extreme Kayak Racing, a series of 6 events (3 in Europe and 3 in north America) that determine the overall winner at the end of the season. The AWP World Series have been put together for the last few years to create a world cup racing circuit with the best events in the world and try to promote kayaking and extreme racing. It’s really cool to see so many fast paddlers on all the events and it creates great competition. I think the future of this side of the sport is really interesting and has some great potential.
The events for 2013 were:
Europe
– Outdoor Mix Festival in France
– EkstremeSports Veko in Voss, Norway
– Adidas Sick-Line in Oetz, Austria
USA
– The Little White race, Washington
– The North Fork Championship, Idaho
– The Green race, Hendersonville, NC
Right before the last event (the green race) Eric Deguil, Sam Sutton and myself we tied for first place what meant that the Green race would be the tie breaker and determine the 2013 World Cup Champion. I was feeling quite a bit of pressure, the race is really big (over 100 competitors) and it’s the most important race in north america. Being at it’s 18th edition they’ve been going for almost 20 years!
The race wasn’t great for me and I didn’t get to paddle well on race day however I managed to come ahead of frenchman Eric Deguil what gave me the overall World Cup victory.
I was really happy about it and however I started the year just getting back from an injury in February I’m just amazed at how much good white water surrounded by great friends I’ve paddled this year. I want to thank all my friends who’ve helped me out borrowing gear, offering shelter and going paddling with me. It’s been an awesome season and I’m looking forward to 2014. Thank y’all!
More here: https://www.facebook.com/AWPworldseries
Pics by: Jacob Boling, Mike Leeds, Alícia Casas, Tait Trautman, Heather Herbeck
13
Dec
Winter Paradise in Ecuador
Now that the evenings are getting darker, and there is a chill in the air in the UK, kayaking becomes a bit less “comfortable”, and we Brits start dreaming of warmer waters and sunnier skies. Ecuador is the perfect winter destination. Offering warm climates with fairly regular tropical rainstorms which keep the river levels nicely topped up.
Although the geology is volcanic, like Chile and other countries known for their impressive waterfalls, the character of the rivers we paddled around Baeza/ the Quijos valley and Tena (a little warmer and about three hours from the Quijos valley) in Ecuador are of a completely different character. The rivers we paddled were consistent and very continuous boulder garden rapids boasting a paddler’s paradise of S-turns, eddy moves, rock spin opportunities and beautiful boofs! All the time you are surrounded by very dense jungle with incredible plants and butterflies and other wildlife! DO watch out for the monkeys though, as a friend was bitten by a (possibly rabid) monkey and spent the rest of the trip having to visit the hospital daily for rabies vaccine injections!
Given the rapidly changing water levels and sheer number of rivers and river-sections, there is something here to be had whether you are a class 3 (I highly recommend the Rio Piachua grade 3+ with lots of eddy moves and boofs!) intermediate or if you fancy something more exhilarating around the class 4/5 mark (e.g. Upper Jonchachi, grade 4 boof city) It is very accessible as a holiday destination and it is very easy to get from Europe over to Ecuador and then across from Quito the capital to the kayaking centres. Get hold of a guide book or employ a local guide to show you the lines. There are a number of independent guides and all-inclusive outfits providing accommodation, logistics and guiding if you fancy more of a relaxing break !
(Photos: Dan MacFarlane and Dave Gardner)
06
Dec
Grand Canyon of the Stikine video
https://vimeo.com/81104297
Full Descent of the Grand Canyon of the Stikine in northern BC, Canada.
For years the Stikine has been considered the Everest of kayaking. The remoteness and difficulty of it’s rapids makes any of the most hardcore kayakers scared. Follow the Serrasolses brothers as they embark on an epic journey for the 2nd full descent of this whitewater gem.
Cameras: Gerd Serrasolses, Aniol Serrasolses, Olaf Obsommer & Jared Meehan, Ben Stookesberry – Clear H20 Film
Paddlers: Gerd & Aniol Serrasolses, Sam Sutton, Barney Young, Jules Domine, Ben Stookesberry, Chris Korbulic, Jared Meehan.
Shot on: Sony FS 700, Canon 7D, Go Pro 3 Black edition
Music: 1. Forgotten dreams, 2. Ventanas al mañana – Iluminate feat Cafres, 3. Tourtist acid – Placid Acid
02
Dec
Fall ’13: Stikine+Sick-Line+Green Race
After two weeks on the Stikine with the rest of the Sick-Line crew I finally flew home after almost a year of travels up and down the American continent. The Stikine is one of the best rivers I’ve ever paddled, almost 100km, 100 big water rapids, 3 to a few hours on the river, you choose, best scenery, amazing canyon, great friends and amazing times! Definitely hard to beat and this season up there was awesome with stable flows and amazingly nice weather! Thank you for the good times!
About to drop into the Stikine with the Adidas Sick-Line Team! Good times!!!
Going right at the Wall 2 for my first time!
I spent a few days home and soon enough I headed north for the most important and harder race of the season, the Adidas Sick-Line in Oetz, Austria. On its 5th edition now the event is in my opinion one of the hardest without a doubt. There are a lot of paddlers (about 150) and a lot of really good paddlers from all over the place plus some of the best slalom teams in the world (germany, czech republic, slovenia, slovakia… the course is really short and explosive (under a minute) and if you do one mistake you loose a lot of time and there’s no place to recover, the race is over.
This year I felt like I didn’t have much time to prepare for it as i was on the Stikine, however being in the water for most of the year without any injury made quite a difference with my previous editions. I finally reached the super final again and after a not great final run I ended up 6th, just behind team mate Sam Sutton. Props to Egor for taking third! I was happy with the result and hope I can do better next year.
Next was the Green Race in North Carolina, USA. The weekend prior to the race I attended the Russell Fork race in Kentucky, just a few hours out of Asheville. I paddled the river once and the raced it, was interesting to see how much I could remember and trying to go as fast as possible while deciding where to go at the same time, definitely an interesting experience! I ended up 5th after I got lost and dropped into an eddy/hole that flipped me… All good though, training for the Green race was on.
With dam releases being on certain days the locals have sue advantage on that river, I managed to learn the lines pretty quick but there are many tricks and little rocks that are hard to master. Race day came and unfortunately I didn’t paddled my best, I had to roll once and lost a bunch of time in the slides. I then did short boat and that didn’t work too well, it was hard to adapt and that was my second short boat run ever… I lost some time here and there and got stuck on the slides again… at the end I came 4th on both classes but some good seconds from the firsts spots.
Anyway I’m happy I made it and got to discover the south east kayaking community over there and experience the Green race, famous for being one of the oldest racing events in kayaking history. I hope I’ll be back next year for more and improve some lines down the Green. Congrats to Pat Keller for throwing down an amazing long boat run taking first place! See you next year!
26
Nov
Chile Update
Demshitz here with a quick update from Pucon, Chile! This is my first trip to Chile/ first time paddling outside of North America. Loving life, paddling the goods everyday and meeting great people along the way is making this trip amazing. I have been staying at the Pucon Kayak Hostel, doing some coaching for Patagonia Study Abroad. This program is sick, learn spanish, video editing, and paddling the goods everyday! Heres a shot from David Hughes on our trip to the Rio Claro. This drop is called the Throat of the Devil, Garganta de Diablo. Once you run it, your committed to one of the most beautiful, tight canyons on earth. Its a very special place where you can feel the energy of the river. Rio Claro is a very special place, my favorite river I have paddled thus far.
Chris Morelli and Pyranha Shiva get committed into the canyon
This shot is from Tino Specht who was working real hard this trip to get some of the coolest shots I have ever seen. This is the “long crack” the river funnels into a boat width for around 70 feet. The canyon has some of the most unique rapids I have ever paddled.
Super cool 70 foot boat width slide deep in the canyon.
The Nevados is a classic Pucon run when it rains, and we have been lucky to get on it a few times these last few weeks. The river is filled with sweet moves and awesome 20 foot boofs in a beautiful canyon. The Upper gorge ends with Demshitz Drop. Heres a shot of my first time dropping into Demshitz and the Lower canyon that follows.
Morelli sends Demshitz for his first time
Heres Clay Lucas sending the Wall Drop on the Upper Gorge
Shiva loves to Party!
Uno Mas, this one is called Dulce Amor. One of the coolest 20 foot boofs on the river! A big wall grind lets you take flight into the last few drops before Demshitz drop, and the Lower gorge
Screen grab browns on the Nevados
Stay tuned for more Chile updates!!!
Cheers Chris Morelli
26
Nov
Remembering summer, beautiful BC!
It’s been a while since BC, however it feels good to think about it now. Summer in BC was great, a bit of work and lots of paddling. Cheakamus, Callaghan, Ashlu, Fear Canyon… and a lot more I couldn’t go to. This are just a few pics from the summer, super good times paddling around Whistler-Squamish with great friends!
So good to paddle again with Aniol after a few months, ready for ultra low water Callaghan, still fun!
High ass water Ashlu Box! Better go somewhere else!
Some cute friends!
My last run down 50/50 with all the boys after our Stikine trip, amazing last day in Canada paddling the Box with all my friends!
The amazing waterfall of the Callaghan, so soft and smooth!
Having fun at the Upper Cheak put in drop
Needles to say BC was great and I’d be stoked to go back next summer and paddle all the rivers I missed this time! Thank y’all for the good times!
Thanks for the pics: Ryan Lucas, Jordan Bastin and Alícia Casas
23
Nov
Back to Meghalaya
After an epic trip to Meghalaya last year, picking a destination for this year was pretty easy. Last year we turned up having done no research and found gold, so along with a year of google earth reserach myself and my brother headed back, joined in three stages by Barry Loughnane, Moe Kelleher and Chris Korbulic.
Barry Loughnane on the Upper Kynshi
Arriving in September we were treated with high water, which involved some pretty unpleasent rain in the tail end of the monsoon in the wettest place on earth.
Dan scouts a filthy rapid at high water on the Upper Kynshi
I’m not entirely sure why I keep going back to Meghalaya. I’m not the biggest fan of walking with kayaks, especially when they’re full of multiday gear, and Meghalaya has its fair share of walk-ins. All the same, when the water levels started to drop we headed to the Lower Umngot via jungle hike into a pretty comitting section.
The easy part of the walk down to the Umngot, where the path was still obvious
The Umngot itself was a fantastic trip. We paddled some great rapids, but also walked a tonne of aweful boulder strewn mess.
Moe Kelleher shows off his boof face on the Umngot
With boulders the size of houses you even have to scout the portages on the Umngot
Moe Kelleher exploring the bizzare geology of the Umngot
With four weeks of hard trips under out belt, and water levels dropping off, we decided it was time for a break from all the ball ache and headed to the gem we found last year, the lower section of the Kynshi.
Griff’s Gash on the Lower Kynshi
We had been saving a big adventure for the end. We were planning on heading to the Simsang in the Garo Hills, but unfortanately a few days before we set off the newspapers started to use phrases like “civil war” and “kidnappings.” So we sacked it off, as that didn’t really sound like that much fun. After a bit of debate we headed to the Middle Kynshi, which drops around 1,000m in 45km if you include the lower section we had already paddled.
Spot the kayaker: Chris Korbulic paddling Tuna, Mustard and Mayo on the Middle Kynshi
The photos and videos of the Middle Kynshi make it look fantastic. Be warned, out of six days we spend a good three walking.
Looks like a great river, right?
By the evening of day five we finally hit the lower Kynshi, and it was decided (by the keen members of the team, i.e. Chris and Dan) that paddling it all in one day was a great idea.
Blasting down the Lower Kynshi
Right at the end of the trip we finally made it to Krem Chympe, and underground river in the Jantia Hills. We were expecting a 1 hour paddle down with maybe one or two waterfalls. After a crazy 5 hours we made it out to the other side having run around 20 different waterfalls varying from 5 foot to around 20!!!
Dropping into the darkness in Krem Chympe
Despite the ludicrous amount of walking done it was a fantastic trip, and once again I’ve agreed to head back next year in the hope that we find a nice multiday section with easy access and no portages. That might be a bit optimistic, but who knows, there is so much left to be paddled in Meghalaya and even if we do end up shouldering out boats again, the adventures off the water as are awesome as they are on the river!!!
Additional photos by Dan Rea-Dickins and Chris Korbulic
06
Nov
Hammering down the Green Race
Dropping into the crowd off Pencil Sharpener.
Yes I took the P&H Hammer down the Green. Why did I do this? Well, mainly because it is the only longboat that I had to use. That and after paddling the Hammer a few times I was pretty confident I could make it down the Green just fine. Plus, I was number 23 in the race.. MJ!! How could anything go wrong?
Lining up Gorilla.
The P&H Hammer is designed to be a precise wave surfing, rock gardening machine. The Freestyle kayak of sea kayaks if you will. With a ton of bow rocker and a nice flat hull, I’m sure it does this quite we’ll. Actually I did surf a small wave in the Hammer at the takeout of the Russell Fork river in Kentucky. I was amazed that I could flat spin this boat on such a small feature. Anyway, the Green race. Thankfully I was able to get a few practice runs in the Hammer before the Race. The first day I was walking that stout into the Green I will have to admit I was pretty damn scared. There where two rapids that concerned me the most. The 1st one is the first drop in the race. It’s basically a technical move into a 4 foot boof that lands in front of a rock. The rapid is called Frankenstein. The other main concern of mine is Called ” Go Left”. This one is pictured below and maybe you can see why it was of concern to me.
Go Left
After making it through this section of river I was in the clear except for Swicks, Chiefs, Gorilla and all those slides below Gorilla. The reason these did not bother me as much as Frankenstein and Go Left was because they are pretty forward moving lines. Where as Frankenstein and Go Left are pretty technical moves and turning was the biggest challenge here. I would say all and all the Hammer did pretty well in the Green Race. I had a pretty respected time of 4:43 which put me in 22nd place overall. After the first run or two down the river the challenge of this boat on Class 4-5 became really fun for me! I would race the Hammer again for sure. Doing the Green Race really legitimizes the Hammer as being called a shit running sea kayak……actually I may be the only one that calls it that?
01
Nov
The BURN III
Get excited, the new and third edition of the Pyranha BURN is finally here! I had the chance to paddle it for the last couple weeks and it’s an awesome boat! The boat is super easy to paddle and feels really smooth down the river and in and out of eddies. It tracks really well and allows you to throw some aggressive moves, it’s a super fun boat to paddle.
It’s big nose allows you to boof easily over anything and keeps you dry going through waves and holes keeping its speed really nicely. The outfitting it great 2014 Connect allows you to really feel good with your boat and control it with your body.
Overall it’s an awesome little boat and can’t wait to paddle mine for the next season starting so soon! I think this boat is going to be great both for teaching/learning and river running, creeking and racing! So pretty excited about this design, make sure you check it out and try one cause its worth it!
More info can be found at: www.pyranha.com/burn
For an Spanish version check: http://kayakgerd.blogspot.com/burn
Key Developments:
- Increased Length – Extra speed & smoother tracking.
- Sharper Edges – Greater control & precision for river running and playing.
- Re-profiled Stern – Edge where you need it & reduced drag.
- Tweaked Rocker – Ride high over features and get the all-important boof when you need it.
- Volume Distribution – Confidence inspiring ride for intermediate paddlers or those making steeper descents.
- Re-Profiled Cockpit – Reduce deck implosions and ease carrying.
- 2014 Aluminium Grab Handles – Stronger & more durable, attached with captive inserts for a drier ride.
- 2014 Connect Seat – Longer more ergonomically shaped seat pan provides an adjustable system that gives a bomb proof seating position.
Increase Speed, Greater Control, Smoother Tracking.
The third generation Burn is the latest in Pyranha’s long line of cutting edge river runners. Paddlers have come to rely on the Burn’s combination of playful hull, precise edges and forgiving deck profile for everything from the beginnings of whitewater to Class V creeks.
The new Burn refines these features further to give you more speed and drive, more precise tracking in turbulent water and effortless boofs. The Burn’s combination of stability and precision make it a proven all round performer–whether you are a beginner running Class II or an expert firing up big drops.
Burn colors for 2014
And some sick limited edition ones, make sure you order your favorite!
Here’s a little video about the new Burn III from Pyranha. I had the chance to paddle the M size on the Sick-Line race course in Austria at a good flow and paddle it as bit more in Sort. My impressions on the boat were great and I can’t wait to have the large with me and paddle it everywhere. The boat is really fast and easy to track, it’s really maneuverable and precise which is great for tight lines and catching eddies. I’m really stoked on this boat and I thin it’s going to be really fun to paddle!
https://vimeo.com/77685606