18
May
18
May
Euro Tour 2011
The team bus sets of this afternoon, stacked high with brand spanking new demo boats and driven by some of the lovely team Pyranha paddlers, the van will soon be at an event near you so feel free to join us for a paddle, a beer or just some boat geekery…
The Van in all its glory. Photo Chris W Parker
So whats the plan?
May
20th – 22nd Val Sesia Boater Cross – Val Sesia, Italy
24th Paddle day – Versam, Switzerland
25th – 30th Gene 17 Val Sesia River Fest – Campertogno, Val Sesia, Italy
Tom Parker -Versazca Switzerland. Photo by Sarah Nash
June
2nd – 3rd  Gravita Zero Kayak test day – Monrosa, Val Sesia, Italy
4th – 5th  Gravita Zero White Water and Sea Test Day, Milan, Italy
7 – 9th Paddle with the Pros – L’Argentière, France
11th Freestyle Demo Day – Milau, France
18th – 26th June – World Freestyle Championships, – Plattling, Germany
Bren Orton testing the Carbon Molan – Photo by Rich Taylor
July
27 th June – 3rd Ekstremsportveko – Voss, Norway
9th Paddle with the Whitewater Warriors – Voss, Norway
11th – 13th Sjoa Fest – Heidal Rafting co, Norway
15th Masters of the Water – Kayaktiv, Dala-floda, Sweden
Paula Volkmer – Vetlefjordan, Norway. Photo Max Bilbow
Some of the lovely boys and girls who will be hanging out round the van…
In Italy
Mat Bostock
Dave Hollins
Tom Parker
Chris Eastabrook
In France and Germany
Ben White
Bren Orton
Matt Bostock
Gael Kernin.
In Norway
Timo Koster
Paula Pridham
Anton Immler
Allen Ellard
Andy Philips
Liz Bell
16
May
Searching for water at Easter Holidays…
16
May
Red Bull Canal Crashers
Well I’ve been here in Richmond, VA all weekend competing at the annual Dominion River Rock Festival and I don’t even know where to start. I arrived early Friday afternoon to do some boating on the Lower James and checked out Z-Dam with my friend Max Posner who is a very well-known Richmond boater. Later that evening were the Semi-Finals for the Canal Crashers which was one of the main events at the festival and sponsored by Red Bull. Big names such as Eric Jackson and Tao Berman flew in for the event to throw down.
Here is a good shot of me throwing my first attempt at an air screw.
It was my first time going off of a ramp but I attempted some different moves and ended up in sixth. You can check out the rest of the results here –
Canal Crashers Friday Night Results
My friend Max who I had been crashing with all weekend took 3rd beating out some tough competition.
Red Bull definitely knows how to promote themselves, with a sick DJ set up out of their body-wrapped truck.
Did I mention Red Bull knows how to put themselves out there?
The rest of the festival was a great as well with the boater cross on Saturday morning. Missed out on the semi-finals but was stoked to see so many of my friends advance. The finals never happened Saturday night because of severe thunderstorms so I tagged along with some local Richmond boaters to do a couple laps on Reedy. It was sick and I mean that in more than one way (If you’ve boated this creek, you know what I am talking about).
Due to Red Bull canceling finals, Jackson kayaks had their own ramp competition Sunday morning and I ended up placing third and won some cash money! This is a good thing since I am moving to Colorado for the summer to become a raft guide/boater bum. After the ramp I did another run on the Lower James with some new and old friends and couldn’t think of a better way to end an amazing weekend.
Photos courtesy of Rich Young.
13
May
Raundalen warm up
Here is a little clip from my first trip on the Reimegend section or the Raundalselva this year. It was a little cold but well worth it as this section is full of none stop class 4 and a couple you will probably walk round.
The Raundalselva is also under threat from Voss kommune wanting to dam it for hydro power. This would be a rely shame because of the shear beauty of this river and the amount of runnable white water, from water falls to endless class four.
For more information see
www.raundalselva.com
and on
Facebook – Ja til vidare vern av Raundalselva
Please also if you are kayaking in Raundalen this summer to be on ya best behaviour, park and camp respectfully, pick up your trash and dont burn the locals wood piles.
Remember take only pictures, kill only time, leave only footprints.
Enjoy the video Click here
Andy
13
May
Why I love Wales
The passport has been put away for another few months and I have returned once again to Wales, UK. I often get asked why I don’t move from this country and live in Nepal. Since I spend so much time in this great Himalayan country. I often think, perhaps it would be a good place to be. It is a land of great people and amazing rivers. I dream of the people, the temples and vistas. The warm spirit lives on, these once hidden kingdoms, open to all now. Its a pleasure to introduce guests and friends to the magic.
Then in the thin morning light I remember what Wales has to offer, the steep stuff, all rocks and hard places. From my door after a short drive I can be on the most magic of rivers. It is a place where the Victorians thought the fairies danced. The river Conway, Fairy Glen section. For the first small eddy- its copper colored water flows, dancing in swirls and making a waltz against the rock walls. This hidden kingdom gated by physical access impasse. The first rapid, a right stroke and your clear of the hydraulic – raw power below, punch again and the river right holds safety. You’re in the zone now. Rain, inevitable, falling from the sky. Grey rocks like broken mirrors surround you. Out of the slack and in the flow. Housed in – wall to wall. Blind bends and dark places. We catch the last small stopping point above the falls, where the river collides with itself making stoppers and waves that push in directions you never want to go. The line down is good, always should be. Make a move. Punch a wave and rest for the last driving strokes. This is quite the experience, and then it is quiet – flat for a short time, the light bounces up the gorge. The small arcs of water form on each horizon. They follow, another gateway, another place where rainbows fall and fairies parade, before long its over – still and calm. Looking back its where the open gate of the river has ejected you. Where the flumes of energy have let you breathe the magic once again. From the sky above, the sun, all too infrequent, pushes the shimmer of threads down to the exit. Droplets of water offer a darting spectrum where you can believe what the Victorian legends said.
See you in the flow Daz
www.purelandexpeditions.com
12
May
Midwest Update – 2011
Already six weeks into a stellar 2011 season, the rivers of the Lake Superior region have produced our relatively small paddling community with another year of fantastic whitewater.
Under The Log Rapid, Split Rock River, Minnesota.
Breaking the Law Falls, Encampment River, Minnesota.
For us, the kayaking is all about fun, reuniting with friends, and getting back on our beloved creeks. There’s plenty to go around, so if you’re ever in our neck of the Northwoods during run-off, don’t be shy.
More beta, trip reports and images on the Midwest paddling scene can be found at www.kayakboatriding.com
10
May
07
May
Off to Japan (with a last minute overnighter)
Sayonara! We are out of here, off to Japan for some boating and to help out some friends! Just before stepping out the door, I was able to get on an obscure, but super worthy run: Long Canyon into the Rubicon River. This stout canyon (yes canyon, not even labeled on some maps as a river or creek) is one long gorge with drop after drop. Nothing too tall but just right. This combination led to some great bombing and linkage of rapids. Here are some photos and words by Darin McQuoid, a member of the Japan Expedition as well. Stay tuned here @ Pyranha and Huckin Huge for updates from the field in Japan!
