Playak News Flash 2010-05-29

Playak News Flash - May 29, 2010
The world's latest paddling headlines.

News Watch Headlines

Val sesia contest Team LiquidLogic - I was in Val Sesia this weekend to make a portrait of Fred Gilardone, secretary of the committee for Val Sesia preservation. They now have a 20 year protection plan for the rivers in the area.

Pyrenees, THE place to paddle in May! Valentin Grollemund - After 2 years of reflexion, coming again and again in the Pyrenees, I can now say: it's THE place to paddle on May!

Tao Berman: My first time going off a ramp Dagger Blogs - Just before flying out to Slovakia Red Bull called and asked me if I wanted to attend an event in Richmond with a kayak ramp. I had never been off a ramp in my kayak and didn't want to embarrass myself in front of 25,000 people so I turned them down. Next my team manager called and told me the city really wanted me there and that he would appreciate it if I would attend. I told him if he didn't mind me landing on my head every time and I'd do it.

The North Fork of the North Fork- California Creeking Kokatat Blog - The North Fork of the North Fork has been a thorn in the side of paddlers for over 10 years. Numerous trips in have been turned back due to the small range of runable flows, committed canyon, technical portages, and numerous other challenges. Finally in May a group of us decided to give it another go.

Norway – Getting Political! Team Pyranha - It is my birthday towards the end of May, so for the last two years I have been heading to Norway to celebrate and start the summer kayaking season with a refreshing start at the deep end… Last year I was in Telemark. However, this year there was a bigger cause at stake – saving one of the most beautiful rivers in the world! There are plans afoot to dam the Raundalselva – a chrystal clear river with many many kilometres of incredible white water for every level of kayaker – and beautiful scenery too.

Tryweryn British League Event SquareRock - A while ago, it was announced that selection 2010 was to be combined with the British championships as part of a 'British league'. Many people were sceptical of this method but even more were in favour and, after all, it means more competitive freestyle in Britain.

Gore Canyon High Water Ross Herr - With a few hot days behind us Gore Canyon went from its normal flow to a good Juicy 2000cfs. I had the entire day Sunday off so rally we did. Ian, Will, Jules, Chris, and myself met at 10am under the beautiful Colorado sun.

iPhone and iPad App for River Lovers Rapid Magazine Blog - With my just recent iPhone savvy (and one of the very first iPads on its way to the Rapid offices), I learned about this very cool app for your iPhone, iPod or iPad. RiverGuide is a handy tool for the paddler on the move, with thousands of real-time streamflow gauges...

Upper Apurimac, Salkanatay & Peru´s Rio Santa Teresa passion4adventure - What an incredible week! Our legs are still suffering, cut by jungle thorns and beaten by heavy loads but it's a good pain! During the last seven days JV and I have made sure our time in Peru has been well spent.

Overnighter on the Chattooga 2010 Shane's Logic - It's a trip I have done since I was a kid. When I first started paddling down the Chattooga it was all about me and the experience I was having. I was completely focused on the skills I was learning, the rapids I was running, and how much fun I was having. Now 30 years later its all about the trip as a whole. Sure I want to have a good time but seeing every body else have a great time is as important if not more so and in that experience I am having the time of my life.

Boaterchick Festival Brings Women Together on the River Kokatat Blog - The Boaterchick Festival is a unique grassroots whitewater event organized by Southeast paddling chicks Anne Connolly and Salli Katz. Boaterchick brings women paddlers from all over the east coast together to paddle and hang out in a friendly, supportive environment. It was a huge success this year with over 100 women attending! The vibe at the festival was all about having fun, being supportive and supported, and welcoming everyone – including men who support women in boating! There were paddling trips on the Nantahala, Ocoee and Cheoah Rivers as well as playboating and creeking clinics.

2010 Maui to Molokai Challenge SUP Surf - Here are some more pictures from the 2010 Maui to Molokai Challenge sent to us by Karen Baxter. Congratulations again to Connor Baxter for winning the Stand Up Solo division and to Mark Raaphorst and Jeremy Riggs for winning the Stand Up Men's Relay division.

Aleut Style With Jim Mitchell Dash Point Pirate - I met Jim Mitchell a few years ago at SSTIKS and caught up with him this weekend. I was interested in hearing how he makes Aleut paddles because I want one for my Shooting Star cedar strip baidarka.

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