Playak News Flash 2009-08-09

Playak News Flash - August 9, 2009

News Watch Headlines

Playak: Hambleden Weir Hambleden Weir works from about the same time that Hurley Weir on the Thames starts working and washes out when Hurley is hitting peak flow. This is usually autumn through winter into early spring although some summers there is enough rain to open a gate.

Jackson Kayak: Buseater in August With all the rain though out the summer the water levels have come up, and to everyone's surprise Buseater came is in August.

Adrian Tregoning: SA Road Trip 2008 – The Final Days We knew from the beginning that we were taking a huge gamble with water so early in the season but at least we got some fun paddling in. It was superb trip and I would do it all over again without a moment's hesitation.

Palm Blogs: Spring fun in Italy However the Spring of 2009 was very different, the snow melted in a timely fashion, means that every day was world class, nearly every popular run was in high water conditions and even more special were all the lesser known, yet highly prized more remote runs were prime and good to go for all of May, and what a feast of sunshine steep creekin' it was.

adidas Sickline: Our trip to Norway Pt. 1 We called our friends Marianne and Tyler in Norway and asked them about the water levels over there. They seemed to be good, so we decided to pack our food and boats and went there.

Palm Blogs: Hidden Gem The ledge has a fairly considerable hole at the bottom but the slide that leads in gives plenty of speed to clear it. At this level we just had to make sure we missed the rocky outcrop which backed up the hole but otherwise great fun!

Paddler: Berman Goes 2-for-2 at Sky Race Bridge maintained an even pace and his fundamental forward stroke and remained patient. Bridge had found a short cut that he used to pass both Berman and Knight, but lost the lead when he opted for the safer, but slower right line in Boulder Drop. He remained content in the third position, waiting patiently for Knight to make a mistake.

Outdoor Industry Association: Retailers Name Wilderness Systems Manufacturer of the Year In a poll conducted by Canoe & Kayak Magazine, Wilderness Systems was voted "Manufacturer of the Year."

Outside Blog: US Geological Survey Confirms Shrinking Glaciers According to Treehugger and the US Geological Survey, research has confirmed that at least three glaciers in the Northwest United States have been shrinking over the past fifty years.  The glaciers studied were the Wolverine and Gulkana Glaciers in Alaska as well as South Cascade glacier in Washington.  Scientists credit the recent dramatic shrinkage to climate shifts.  These three glaciers have been used as benchmark glaciers because they are widely spaced and represent different climates regimes.

PeakUK: Jnr and U23 European Slalom Champs Liptovsky Mikulas is not only the home to a canoe slalom God in the form of Michal Martikan, but also to a fantastic white water course, which last weekend played host to the Junior and U23 European Canoe Slalom Championships. With temperatures reaching the high 30 degrees, athletes were firstly challenged to stay cool before taking on the tricky slalom course.

Chicago Area Sea Kayakers Association: Openlands.org adds over 120 miles of NEW paddling daytrips http://www.openlands.org/index.php/News/Other-News/openlands-adds-twenty-new-water-trails-maps.htmlFrom Openlands.org link above: Whether you're looking for a nearby "staycation" or have an appetite for adventure, Openlands' new paddling day trips help you and your family explore northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region in unique and enlightening ways. Comprising more than 120 miles of creeks, rivers, and other local waterways, these new day trips provide numerous opportunities for fun, healthy outdoor exercise and a respite from workaday life. Additionally, safe, legal, and coordinated access to the region's waterways encourage: Education, Stewardship, and Tourism and other economic benefits. The new day trips also make up an important part of the Northeastern Illinois Regional Water Trails Plan and create continuity in an extensive system of regional water trails—500 miles of them! Click on the links below to view new paddling day trip maps, directions, and other useful information: Calumet Area: Riverfront Park to Gouwens Park Chicago River: Bunker Hill to River Park  Chicago River: Clark Park to Weed Street Chicago River: Linne Woods to Bunker Hill  Chicago River: Skokie Lagoons Control Dam to Blue Star Memorial Woods Chicago River: Weed Street to South Western Avenue  Des Plaines River: Allison Woods to Dempster Street Dam Des Plaines River: Chicago Avenue to Plank Road Meadow  Des Plaines River: Columbia Woods to Lemont Road Access Des Plaines River: Dempster Street Dam to Irving Park Road  Des Plaines River: Irving Park Road to Chicago Avenue Des Plaines River: Stony Ford to Columbia Woods  Kankakee River: Chippewa Boat Launch to Wilmington Dam Kankakee River: Wilmington Dam to Des Plaines Conservation Area Boat Launch  Lake Michigan: 12th Street Beach to 63rd Street Beach  Lake Michigan: 63rd Street Beach to Calumet Park Lake Michigan: Diversey Harbor to 12th Street Beach  Lake Michigan: Leone Beach (Touhy Ave.) to Diversey Harbor Salt Creek: Cricket Creek to Hunter Drive Salt Creek: Dean Nature Sanctuary to Plank Road Meadow

Justine Curgenven: BirchBark canoes What a whirlwind few days! On Monday I went paddling in Wisconsin's North Lakes with Hailey Thompson and her mother Jean. They are an inspiring family who love being outside and canoeing, but find time to be kind, generous and environmentally conscious. We paddled on 3 of their favourite lakes, port...

Freya Hoffmeister: Day 201, Thursday, 6.08.2009 Text message from Freya via satellite phone: 24.01 113.26, Red Bluff. 40km, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. Strong headwinds all morning wore me out, easing very little at 2pm. 40km was enough, landed on a heavy dumping beach in Red Bluff, wonder how to get out tomorrow.... One whale close by ...

Jackson Kayak: High Tension Session Update This wave usually has a short window of opportunity, mostly seen in the spring run off. Though in one week I was able to paddle High Tension three times. First with Stephen Wright, when the wave first came in; we then came back with the Keeners, for their weekly river trip; then again for the third time for the whole weekend with Emily, Dane, and EJ.

AS Watersports: Staff blog updates. Jim and Ewart have been out and about paddling, surfing and other things. Check out the GoPro head cam footage Ewart took of surfing a "ducky" inflatable kayak last week and Jim's hot wave ski shreding at Saunton. Also a picture of the new Dagger Axiom in action. Jims blog here: 3rider Ewarts bl...

Alpine Quest: North Fork of the Payette Upper and Middle Sections The North Fork of the Payette is one of the best, challenging, fun rivers I've ever been on. It was August 2, long after most rivers had slowed down yet I was getting my high water fix on the warm water. The normal progression is to do the lower 5 miles first, but I called up Shane Trapp and we went straight to the top.

The Lake is the Boss: The 'second shift' arrives and tent angst We parted ways with the SKOAC Renegades on Sunday afternoon after lunching at the Sand Island dock. We then headed over to York to await the arrival of the 'second shift' on our permit, the crew from Des Moines and Omaha, guys that the VOR and friends had met while windbound on Sand Island durin...

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