Playak News Flash 2010-05-06

Playak News Flash - May 6, 2010
The world's latest paddling headlines.

News Watch Headlines

JackieOnassis: Im Back PaddleBlogs - From the end of summer 2009 til the end of February I struggled with a niggling back injury that refused to go away. I did try ignoring it but after a week of spasms following the Irish Surf Kayak Open in October I threw in the towel on paddling.

Hotel Charley 5: First Descent Kokatat Blog - Join Kokatat Team paddlers Jesse Coombs, Ben Stookesbury, Darin McCoid and Chris Korbulic in the most spectacular and dramatic Hotel Charley yet! Three ground breaking international kayaking expeditions unfold In search of a first descent.

Cali Love 2010 CKS Squad - My trip started on April 29th in front of my house looking at my truck covered in snow. I headed to Steamboat for one last day of work before the annual RCRE spring Cali trip. I only had to make it til 2 p.m. and then..... 10 days of freedom.... Cali baby!!! The crew had the truck packed by 3:00 and we were on the road.

Video: Playing on the Tygart river Immersion Research - Demshitz is here on the Tygart river enjoying a little playboating.

Featured Paddler of the month (May): Michelle Kvanli River Angels - Michelle Kvanli has been competing in kayak races for over 15 years. She is the current K1 Women's National Champion in whitewater slalom, having persevered through a potentially career ending injury. She is also a past member of the U.S. Kayak Marathon Team, and the Austin Lady Bats Kayak Polo Team.

Metz Rodeo Challenge Level 6 - The French paddlers have been pushing limits in freestyle kayaking for a while now with their Gui Gui Boats and progressive paddling, but this years Metz Rodeo was nuts! I took off 8 in the morning, but the quick 4 hour drive the TomTom calculated ended up in 8 hours of traffic jam. We arrived in time to do a little session though and for a medical checkup that was needed (for foreign paddlers).

Chilliwack River Festival AND our first winner of this summer's contest! Jackson Kayak - Don and I just finished a lovely weekend at the Chilliwack River Festival in British Columbia. The festival is put on by the Vancouver Whitewater Club and those guys and gals did a great job organizing everything from food, to shuttles, to prizes for their raffle.

2010 Robe Race a Massive Success Kokatat Blog - Homegrown out of local love for Robe Canyon on the Stillaguamish, Todd Gillman engineered this 30 plus minute downriver torture back in 2008. It has quietly gained strength beyond the local northwest tribe, and is one of the burliest on the ever-growing list of downriver races.

Session 2 - Challenge by Choice Hydrotherapy Sessions - Steve said it well - a good time had by all. Check out the fun from last week to get an idea of what is in store for next week!

Actor Nick Offerman Releases Canoe-building DVD Paddling Life - Offerman released a DVD April 21 on how to make canoes. PL caught up with him to get his take on building canoes and, of course, the paddling life...

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