Wow, the summer is coming to an end way too fast. Tomorrow morning is the Ottawa River Rodeo/Canada Cup, and for the first time in years the Garburator wave is at a prime level for the competition.

There have been great levels here on the Ottawa all summer. When the levels drop below zero on the gauge some of the best play features come out – Garb, Pushbutton, Babyface, Corner Wave and Horseshoe. This season we have been able to play on all of these features for months. These are the water levels that have made the Ottawa River famous = Minus Fun!

Tomorrow’s competition should be a great show with a number of the best Canadian, U.S and other international team members hanging around the area. The OKS Keeners will likely have a substantial representation as well. The Ottawa River is also host to the “King of Clubs” festivities taking place this weekend. This is a great community event as clubs from all over Ontario compete in numerous on and off water contests to crown the “king” or best kayaking club.

It’s a great weekend to be on the Ottawa whether you’re here to compete, play or just spectate. I am very much looking forward to being out on the warm, fun waters of the Ottawa River!

CLICK HERE to see the video, photos and write-up about a big, trans-sierra mission earlier this summer.
The Pyranha backpack system, coupled with the L Burn was kickin’ some serious ass and put on some legit miles. Here are a couple teaser pictures.

In early June I realized that I was going to have time for a little western adventure this summer. Having paddled a good bit in Colorado in the past, California was at the forefront of my mind. California in summer is on every creekboaters wish list and after years of missing out, I finally got my first taste this year. With all the hardcore trip reports from California lately, it kinda has me feeling like a slacker. Our quickie trip to California this summer was not hardcore. It was, however, fun and picturesque and certainly wetted my appetite for future California adventures.

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Graham and I double teaming Twin Falls on Heberly Run in Jamison City PA the day after Hurricane Irene. photo: Sam Mease
Check out the Video from the day
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Last weekend was the anual Pro-Am at the National Whitewater Center, a freestyle competition that teams up one pro with two amateurs. This was my second year to attend and like last year it was a great time. I love the team aspect of the comp, which is something you don’t get much in freestyle. The event was also a fund raiser for First Descents, and people really forked out the cash for this good cause, raising 1700 dollars.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Big D was pumped that dems did so well. After a boatercross, which was rowdy and full of tough to make eddies, the points were tallied and the results were given. Team Pyranha took home six of the top ten spots, and made a stellar showing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brad throws a brown and sends a yellow, at the same time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Me dropping into Well Hole in the concrete ditch, and watching carefully for rafts. There were some plastic on rubber collisions but all in fun.  Big thanks go out to the homies ( Chan, Brad, Matt, Clay, Tye, Chris, and Big D) for making such a good showing, as well as all the volunteers, and to the event organizers for making Pyranha feel at home. Cant wait for next years’ comp and antics.

Last weekend the Youth Freestyle Series went to the Washburn,

A fun but very shallow dam released river in Yorkshire,

It was another great event with good weather, lots of smiles and some awesome moves,

Anyway, Me and Pring put together another video of the event,

Check it out below,

Youth Freestyle Series – Washburn Highlights from James Bebbington on Vimeo.

Cheers for reading,

Cya on the water,

Bren

Just returned home from my adventurous summer in Buena Vista, Colorado where I worked for Kodi Rafting as a raft guide. Even with the season being as busy as it was and without a car halfway through the summer I was still fortunate enough to explore a lot of local gems in the area.

The best part of the summer had to of been safety kayaking for Kodi down the Numbers which is a class IV section of white water on the Arkansas River. Most days the job was easy and I got a free meal on the river. I think it has to be ranked top for one of the best jobs I’ve ever landed.

During the last few weeks of my stay two friends from Maryland, Eric Haley and Eliza Burk came out for a couple of days to visit and I was able to get some time off to show Eric down the Numbers before they had to leave for their next departure to Yellowstone. Here are some pictures that Eliza took of us from the roadside making our way down the river.

Good times and good lines by all. I am home now in Pennsylvania still working as a part time DJ and starting school this week. Hoping to see everyone this year at the festivities. I’m sure it is going to be one sick season of paddling!

Peace out.

-Brenton

One of the greatest things about the current Grand Canyon permitting system is the “follow-up lotteries that happen throughout the year to fill unclaimed and canceled launch dates. The closer the launch date gets, the less people apply for it and the odds of winning are much higher. The toughest thing about these follow-up lotteries is that when you win a permit for a launch, you have one day to pay a deposit to claim your date. That means you have to figure out if you can throw together the trip almost immediately or lose your chance.

Another rule of the permit system is that you can only go once per year. However, I had been lucky enough to organize two previous trips on the Grand Canyon a mere six months apart (within the rules because they were in different calendar years). My first trip was in December of 2009 and then again in June of 2010; kayaking both times and having oar rafts haul our gear. After completing two raft-supported trips in such quick succession, I decided if I got another permit I wanted to put together a kayak only trip. Little did I know, but the opportunity would come sooner than I thought.
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