01
Apr
Check out this video Chris Stafford and I put together, with help filming from Graham Seiler and Isaac Levinson.
https://vimeo.com/62710338
The Nano is such a fun boat. With no other boats like it on the market, this boat is destined to excel. It does it all from River running, playing, creeking, and it’s even perfect for beginners just getting into whitewater! The Nano offers precision, ease and confidence in just about everything. Thanks Pyranha!
29
Mar
Below: The daily commute, by Julia Fore
For the forth time in as many years, on November 27, 2012 I found myself back at Lees Ferry Arizona launching once again into the waters of the Colorado River to float through the magical landscape of the Grand Canyon. My most recent previous trip had been a speedy, seven-day, self-support kayak trip in the winter of 2011 (see trip report HERE), but this time around myself and one other would be the only kayakers among our nine-person crew. The other seven friends would be rowing three oar-rigs with all the supplies and the luxuries afforded by raft-support. It would be the exact opposite of the stripped-down nature of my previous self-support descent. However, it was exactly what I wanted and planned for this time.… a chance to take a group of non-paddling friends down one of the best multi-day float trips in the world and to do so at a more relaxed pace, taking 17 days to cover the 226 miles from Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek.
Below: Didn’t film alot on this trip, but here is a short edit of the trip.
Below: View from the rim, by Ruby Compton
26
Mar
Whilst flying out the not-so-successful expedition to Papua in 2011, our plane stopped off en route to re-fuel. We had no idea where we were, and we popped into the airport for a quick Nasi Goreng and to find out. Discovering we were in Sulawesi set my brain into gear. I have the pleasure of organising the biennial selection weekend for the British Universities Kayaking Expeditons, and as part of this event, each applicant has to research a destination for the final team to select from. One of the shortlisted expeditions for 2011 was Sulawesi. I bought a map and spent the rest of the flight tracing blue lines.
Incredible gorges with jungle dripping down the walls
Incredible terraced paddy fields on the drive to the rafting run
21
Mar
It is always a good choice to go to the Salza valley for Kayaking. In sping you have huge Slides and drops on some tributaries.
But in winter you can join the beautiful landscape of the gorges on the Salza River.
Sandra, Corinna, Robert, Max and Matthi enjoing a cold morning run on the upper Salza river- Pic Matthi Zeiner
Corinna Rebnegger in the lower Canyon. Pic by Matthi Zeiner
On the way home its cool to do some Park and huck runs on the Laussa river.
Pic ba Corinna Rebnegger
19
Mar
Here is a little edit from our 4-day/3-night, self-support run down Hells Canyon of the Snake River in Idaho in late June 2012. Â If you missed the write-up and photos, they can be seen HERE.
John was paddling the Medium Fusion on this trip while I was paddling the Large. Both performed awesome in big water, despite being loaded down with gear!
Until next time, you can keep up with my adventures at: www.granolapaddler.blogspot.com
-adam
17
Mar
Freestyle kayaking is great fun. From flat water to a steep green wave it is impossible to not have a smile on your face. Woodmill Canoe Shop’s Freestyle Funday is all about experiencing just this.
Paddlers trying out a short modern playboat for the first time, show offs looping head dry and all those in between were all on the water together. Luckily the show offs turned out to be excellent coaches and the focus quickly shifted to helping others make progress on their latest trick or start getting their head around just what is possible in a kayak!
The 2 small, 3 medium and 2 large JEDs were out on the water from the moment the van doors opened until we had to leave! This left me without my trusty large JED so I jumped in a large Loki… my ‘intermediate freestyle’ coaching session turned into a eddy line squirt party!
Woodmill is a great venue. Hot showers, hot food from the grill and only 5 steps to get to the water. High tide provides flat water in the morning, low tide brings the weir into action keeping everyone on their toes and giving the perfect progression though the day.
Thanks to SuperFreak Photography for the photos… click here for the full album!
The next Funday is in September and will no doubt be just as fun. Like the Funday’s Facebook page to stay updated and see you there!
14
Mar
On Sunday a group of us headed up to Scotland for a wee bit of camping and surfing at one of the UK’s best play spots: the Falls of Lora, a tidal race flowing out of Loch Etive.
Incredible camping on the banks of Loch Etive
With the Jed, Loki and Varun we were able to catch pretty much every wave that formed over the three days as the tides constantly changed.
The Loki and Jed happy to just carve all day long
Previously I thought the falls were all about going big on the main wave, but having spent some time up there I now know its all about the soul surfing on the green waves.
The Ultimate wave- doesn’t run for long but when it does its SOOO good.
And now for a wee little video:
https://vimeo.com/61815813
11
Mar
What better to do on a Friday evening than to do a short afterwork run on a waterfall. Location Taugl river /Â Austria
Top view. Pic by Daniel Egger
a must boof at this waterlevels, otherwise you will find yourself in the eddy beside the falls. Shiva sticking the line .
pic: Sandra Jennifer Plank
04
Mar
This last weekend saw another epic NSR.
For the first time in years we were blessed with sunshine, which made the early mornings on the water much more manageable after the world famous NSR party nights.
A beautiful Saturday morning
Pyranha were down with a fleet of demo boats, and the Nano and Loki were getting a lot of love from everyone.
The Loki loves the eddy lines!
In between events some of the team boaters took to the looping pool in their creek boats and went huge!
Sam Ellis dry head looping Pyranha’s greatest playboat- The Everest
But the highlight of the weekend had to be the two classic events: Old School and Duo.
Niamh Stack going old school
Dave Burne was able to re-claim his title after missing out on last years competition due to a knee injury, showing he is Mr Old School, with some epic pop outs, deck grabs, and even a paddle spin on the hull of his boat whilst upside-down!!!
Mr Old School himself. Dave Burne- born 20 years late
The Duo event also didn’t disappoint, with some awesome mystery moves accompanying all the classics.
Hopefully everyone is starting to recover from another epic weekend, the countdown for NSR 2014 starts now!
04
Mar
Uganda,
