11
Jun
This weekend just gone has seen epic flooding hit Mid-Wales. Whilst for some it was a horrible weekend of swimming out of windows to safety or watching belongings get swept away, up in the hills a couple of kayakers had a great time on the upper section of the upper Ystwyth, a run that hasn’t come up in the last three years we’ve been at university. This was an incredible way to say goodbye to uni and Aberystwyth town, getting on the river at one of the highest ever recorded levels.
10
Jun
Last week the annual Teva Race – now called “Eporedia Active Days” – took place in Valchiusella and Ivrea/ITA.
The individual competition consisted of a downriver race down the shallow and rocky Chiusella River and a sprint and boatercross race on the slalom course in Ivrea with better water levels.
One of my two downriver runs was pretty bad – I was ending up on way to many stones -, which placed me into 15th position after that stage. Honza Lasko (CZE) won, Michele Ramazza (ITA) came 2nd, Pavel Andrassy (SVK) 3rd.
Fortunately, I was able to catch up a bit in the sprint race where I got 6th (Sam Sutton/NZL was 1st there, Jakobus Stenglein/GER 2nd and Honza Lasko 3rd) and in the boatercross, which was as much fun as almays. Finally I ended on the 8th rank, which is all right after my weak start in the downriver race. Overall, Honza Lasko won the event, Sam Sutton came 2nd and Filippo Brunetti (ITA) 3rd. Congratulations!
The team race couldn’t have been any worse for the German team, consisting of Jakobus Stenglein, myself and Markus Hummel. Last year we were able to win this competitions, but this time we had no chance at all after a popped off spraycover at the very first rapid. That cost a lot of time! The English team took the title, leaving France and Italy on the 2nd and 3rd rank, respectively.
My team mates and I had a great time paddling in Italy, especially when we were meeting up with the Pyranha Team Van crew there. I hope they’ll enjoy their further tour! See you on the river!
31
May
The second event in the Youth freestyle series took us the the Nene whitewater course, in Northampton .
The nene is possibly the smallest course we have in the u.k running on just 2-3 cumecs it funnels it’s way down a series of small ledge holes untill it hits a wooden ramp and the excitement really begins – Pool A consists of a reasonably big pour over and whilst not being famed for it’s freestyle prowess it does dish out a fair few beatings in between moves – great fun to watch.
The event followed the usual Youth freestyle format of some chilled out coaching in the morning, followed by a competition in the afternoon. However due to the weather/easy to swim course/coaches and parents wanting to cool down – the Nene is also host to a search and rescue ball game, a team of 5 kids has to rescue the balls that are being recirculated in the pour over.
The results for the Nene can be found here -Â http://www.youthfreestyle.co.uk/attachments/article/44/Nene%20Club%20Results%202012b.pdf
Check out the video below,
See you on the water,
Bren
30
May
The Boater Chick Festival has come and gone and a recap is in order. This is the first year that Pyranha has been a part of the BCF and I hope to be part of pyranha continuing to sponsor this event. The setup of this festival is a bit different than what I have seen before; everyone camps out and then wakes up in the morning to decide what boating is in their future which can range from a guided river run or various clinics. I was the instructor for the Intro to Playboating clinic. I grabbed the van loaded full of Jeds, Varuns and Shivas and met the ladies at the Tuckaseegee River in North Carolina.
Being my first year, I had no idea what to expect. A few ladies took me up on my offer for a demo and myself and 15 women hit the water to get in some beginning freestyle moves. I was also learning as I’m new to the Jed and this was a great chance for me to really figure out the edges and the balance point of this bad boy. There are no big features on this river and this gave a friendly feel to surfing, spinning, rolling and even a little swimming! At one spot I do believe one of the girls tried a loop for the very first time which is always scary and exciting at the same time.
I could not have been more proud of these women. The standout to me was a woman I got the chance to interact with on the shuttle; she is 69, learning all about her new pink Varun and absolutely being an inspiration to women of all ages. Thanks ladies, I had a blast out there!
29
May
Chris Morelli checking in with an update here! I just headed back to the east coast from a winter of skiing in Utah. On the way home to New York, I decided to head to Asheville, to pick up my new Shiva and JED from Pyranha. I got the chance to take the Shiva out on the Green River Narrows that week, for two days. I love the green. This was my second trip to the river, last time being two summers ago. Anytime you have the chance to paddle the green, take it! It’s such a beautiful place and paddling community. I was very excited to show up for Jerrys Battle also. Such a great challenge for paddlers, paddle the Narrows, hop on a bike and make it happen!
My first thoughts of the Shiva was FAST FAST FAST! This boat holds a line, boofs EVERYTHING, and is super stable landing off of drops. This boat is exactly what I was hoping for. I am 6’1 160lbs. I was in a medium Burn, which is great for pin point accuracy and river running. The Shiva fills the gap for running harder, and bigger whitewater. This boat makes you feel like a rock star. The added volume of the medium Shiva floats and punches effortlessly through holes. The rocker on the boat also lets you turn on a dime and redirect to where you need to go. The biggest change going from a Burn to a Shiva you will notice is the edges, but the Shiva can still whip into micro eddies and make quick moves. The rounded bottom boofs great flat off of drops, as well as edge to edge boofing. Overall I have paddled it a half dozen days so far, and I already feel apart of the boat, and ready to push the limits even harder!
Check out the Shiva in action!
29
May
So the European summer whitewater season is here and the team bus is heading out to visit some of the best festivals and events that are happening this year to run some training sessions, demos and hang out, so meet the team, check out the demos of Jed, Loki, Varun, Shiva and Burn and get some hints and tips on the river and at the races at a festival near you!
Click on the image for the bigger picture or go to https://www.facebook.com/PyranhaTeamVan for more details.
Also check out the people who we will be working with
Gravita Zero in Italy http://www.gravitazero.info/
Gene 17 at the Val Sesia and Sjoa Festivals http://gene17.com/valsesiariverfestival/
God Tur at the Extrem Sport Veko http://www.ekstremsportveko.com/
Stri Strommer at the Sjoa Festival http://www.striestrommer.no/
25
May
Recently the Pyranha Van took two of it’s lady coaches (Me – Fran Kohn and P&H paddler and coach Kate Duffus ) and a load of demo boats and headed up to Bonny Scotland for the (mostly) annual Scottish Women’s Paddling Symposium.
This was only some of the ladies who had signed up for a sunny day of whitewater.
22
May
I was planning on heading west yesterday to catch up with the Colorado tour, but due to some van issues, I’m still at home. Â While I wait for parts, I’ve been playing on my backyard run in the Loki, remembering how much fun it is to paddle a slicey boat (though I seem to remember that my feet hurt a lot more in the old boats). Â Here’s a little video action.
22
May
Recently I have had the luxury paddling the new Pyranha Loki and Varun. Â Both boats are so fun and I would suggest everyone try one out. Â Down river play has become a new favorite passion of mine. Â Huge splats, rock spins, and stern squirts all the way down the river in both boats. Â The Loki and Varun surf and play like champs. Â Enjoy the video and try one out!
Kindly, Ty Caldwell
22
May
Straight out the Warehouse in Asheville...Dinver, crushing the boof line at funnel
Over the weekend I helped out at Mountain Man Outdoor Supply Company’s Paddlefest in Old Forge, New York. Dinver, Tony G, Jeb, and myself sold some kayaks, represented Pyranha proudly, and even got a chance to go kayaking.
Jeb Hall laying the Shiva down at Double Drop