Playak News Flash 2010-07-31

Playak News Flash - July 31, 2010
The world's latest paddling headlines.

News Watch Headlines

Jeff Rivest (founder of Riot & Azul Kayaks) joins Point 65 Kayaks Sweden Playak - Jeff Rivest and Point 65 Sweden are excited to announce that they are joining forces. Jeff will head Point 65's rapidly expanding business in North America. While Jeff will focus mainly on Canada, he will also head US sales until a US sales manager has been found.

Matt Haydock's Norway Fun Gene17 - With a venture to the French Alps completed in June, it was time to leave behind the dry summer rivers of the UK once again and head to somewhere all the top boaters at my home for the last 3 years, Leeds University, had talked about in their spare time. It was time to head to the paddling Mecca of Norway.

Ottawa River and OKS- Take your paddling to the next level- and have a great time doing it Jackson Kayak - Awesome group dynamics, great times. We did flatwater sessions before each class, with the first one being about 1.5 hours long on Monday. We hit EJ's Strokes and Concepts up hard, then Rolling and Bracing to prepare for the enslaught of whitewater river running and playboating about to be had. Each day the group got stronger. Dane was there to help me each day and was awesome.

Callaghan Race Recap LiquidLore - The Callaghan race this past Saturday was a resounding success! Despite some worries about water levels and an organizational hiccup days before the race the local community came together to throw a fantastic grass-roots event with beautiful summer weather, a perfect water level and a great turnout of both competitors and spectators.

Sjoa Steep Creekin' Images Gene17 - Here is a selection of images from our recent Steep Creekin' in Sjoa, Norway, enjoy.

Epicocity Project's expedition on Nat Geo next Monday! Wavesport Blogs - Last year, EP teamed up with National Geographic Monster Fish guru Zeb Hogan and a pair of Brazilian scientists to explore a remote 400-mile-long river — the River of Doubt (now called the Rio Roosevelt) in southwestern Brazil. Our mission: catch the tuna-sized catfish and paddle the Class V whitewater Teddy Roosevelt first described during his exploration of this Amazon tributary in 1914.

Sjoa Progressive Trip Images Gene17 - Here is a selection of images from our recent Progressive Trip in Sjoa, Norway, enjoy.

Summit Creek Slides in June PDX River Explorers - Summit Creek is a tiny tributary of the Klickitat aprx. 2 miles from the Yakima Indian Reservation. After seeing pics of Skate Park Falls I was very interested in checking out Summit Creek. Being late June I wasn't sure it would have enough water, but after hearing whispers that it was all spring fed we were curios enough to check it out. With that said I was still skeptical being that it was the latest anyone had been in.

Sea Kayak Reverse Endo [Video] Paddling Instructor Blog - No comment needed on its awesomeness.

Public Domain Canoe and Kayak Images Nessmuking - I always enjoy looking through old canoeing and kayaking images. They remind me that people have been paddling for a long time–what we do isn't new, because it's been around for thousands of years. It reminds me that our recreational activity links us to all those back through time that have enjoyed it. They enjoyed adventure as much as we do. It also reminds me how much better we look doing it now; look at some of the goofy outfits worn by paddlers of the past.

Wenonah: Wenonah Canoe Delivers Boats to the National Scout Jamboree Paddle Press - July 26th marks the beginning of the 2010 National Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill in Caroline County, Virginia. 38,000 Boy Scouts and 3,700 adult leaders from all 50 states and from countries around the world will spend 10 days of fun, adventure, and fellowship together as they celebrate the Boy Scouts of America's 100th Anniversary since its founding in 1910.Wenonah Canoe has worked closely with this years event organizers to supply 78 Kevlar Ultra-Light Wenonah Champlain's and 85 Current Designs Kestrel 120 kayaks.

"Grand Bruit To Wreck Island" Stan Mac Kenzie - This is not the exact route we took as I am sure we meandered much more but it is merely to outline our progress. It was a long paddle with a few breaks, some fog of course and some delicious sun.

American Women Nab 1st Ever Podium Finish At 2010 ICF Jr. World Championships Paddling Life - The 2010 ICF Junior World Championships have just wrapped from Foix, France and the American women are finding themselves on the podium for the first time. The men, meanwhile, missed finishing in the top three by just two touches and four seconds…

Molokai To Oahu – Race Recap by Connor Baxter SUP Surf - 32 mile Crossing across the Ka'iwi Channel. Before this race I felt so prepared because that week I ate super good, drank lots of water and rested. My mom and I went over to Molokai Friday night on the Ferry to Kaunakakai. Then headed over to the west side and stayed at the condos right where the event was. I slept in on Saturday and then went for a swim – I basically had a super relaxing day.

This mail contains a selection of the world's latest paddling news. To see all the latest news, videos, forum discussions and more, visit Playak News Watch.
To manage your Playak subscriptions, click here.

Playak Weekly Digest - week 30

Playak Weekly Digest
The world's top paddling links in week 30, 2010.

News Watch Haymaker / Metlako Falls, OR Northwest Video Scrapbook (Tuesday 27th) ** - Busy and non stop, summer time can fly by before you know it. This past weekend was the Hood River Premiere of Haymaker from HH Films, poolside at the Columbia Gorge Kayak School location. Featured in High Definition with zip-line shots and creative editing of beautiful first descents in locations from Hawaii to Puerto Vallarta. Also featuring some local paddlers and a featured section on the Hood River area with a full rafting chapter of some recent descents in the Pacific Northwest. Some Movies From 2010 Sweet (Sunday 25th) ** - So some of these movies have been linked to this site, but thanks to Team Member Jakub Numek I can now embed them so you can see them right on the page. Only the Youtube videos though, I use Vimeo alot so there are some links just below to those movies as well. Enjoy the outslought of kayaking movies you are about to see! It goes from some guy making a movie a of me running Koosah falls to the Dashboard Empanada Trailer…They are all for your enjoyment! Help save the Reichenbach-Wave in Munich (Germany) Markus Leppaenen (Tuesday 27th) ** - During the kayak freestyle world cup tour this summer the wave was already working and showed its potential. Paddlers like James Bebbington aka Pringle stated that it was one of the best waves they`ve ever surfed. The last weekend we had the pleasure again to surf it as the water was high enough. Something about Icebergs, Oxygen and kayaking??? Whitewater-Koa (Monday 26th) ** - Imagine walking through the desert for 1 and a half months without water and then finding a cooled water machine, or climbing mount Everest and loosing all your oxygen then finding a fresh tank at the very top, or how about being stranded on an iceberg floating in the ocean and coming across a tropical island paradise with sun, surf and a poolside bar.... How good would it feel.... Upper Cherry Sweet (Wednesday 28th) ** - Cherry Creek has long time been known as the best California over night run. I can't disagree with that statment, but only back it up. There are runs that are more challanging than Cherry, but none as classic. There is no portaging, no hard hits, no bad rocks, and it is the most beautiful place I have ever been. This trip was very special to me because everthing worked out just to plan, which never happens! Beast Kaweah Sweet (Sunday 25th) ** - With a good hard trip of portagingand running gnar on West Cherry we headed to the chillest spot in Cali…Three Rivers. Well it's not the chillest because it was 105 degrees everyday we were there, but it's the most mellow and quality place to lay back, tan, run the shit, and enjoy the real kayaker lifestyle. Good As Cherry Pie Evan Garcia (Wednesday 28th) ** - What can be said about Upper Cherry that hasn't already been said about sex...it's pretty much the best thing ever. Well maybe? Anyways this was a trip to be remembered. The hike in was started at 5 a.m. to avoid the heat that has been consuming the entire state of California. It took me 6 hours to get to the put-in, which is longer than my normal 4 to 5 hour trek when I'm in better shape. Hucking great weekend! CKS Squad (Friday 23rd) ** - All I can say is that im still stoked from last weekend. Saturday Big South with Sarah and Ashley, and Sunday Crystal Gorge with Brian Burger, Chris Menges, Sean Lee, Andy Blakesly, and Tom Janney. Here are some highlight photos! The Salmon River Gorge Dagger Blogs (Monday 26th) ** - Breathtaking. If you're lucky enough to have ever been here you know. The Salmon River Gorge is without a doubt one of the most awing canyons I've ever had the pleasure of venturing through. With an unsuspectingly deep and waterfall ridden gorge in the middle of Mt. Hood's thick evergreen forest, this river will blow you away. Waterfall Chasing 2010 Sweet (Friday 23rd) ** - After the North Payette I went back to Oregon and met Pat Keller and a photographer named Lucas Gilman. He followed us around the state as we scouted and ran some pretty amazing big stuff. Candace and I drove them around and enjoyed the high life once again at the Wells House! Big Thanks once again to the Wells Family for being such a huge help this season. You guys are the best… Featured Paddler of the Month (July): Anne Hubner River Angels (Sunday 25th) * - If you've never seen Anne Hubner on the water, you may feel a bit surprised when you do! First of all, she's a very solid river runner, winning the last three european TEVA games in Italy, but the greatest asset about her is that she is always comes accessorized with a big, beautiful smile! Just before Tacen Extreme 2010 duemmstuff (Friday 23rd) * - Tacen Extreme is well on its way. As you may have heard Duemstuff is one of the main sponsors of the event so you can expect some nice looking gear is going to be awarded ;) Kayaker Jason Craig Appears in Sports Illustrated Paddling Life (Saturday 24th) * - Kayaker Jason Craig Appears in Sports Illustrated. What's next...Letterman? That could well be the case for 16-year-old kayaking phenom Jason Craig, who recently appeared in iconic sports mag Sports Illustrated. Sage Donnely wins 5 JR. Olympic medals -plus looping video Jackson Kayak (Tuesday 27th) * - I have had an incredible summer full of travels and competitions. I had a great time meeting people and new friends all over the nation. This summer, I started out with the Reno River Festival, then traveled to Colorado for a month of freestyle and slalom competitions where I managed to get on the podium on almost everything I entered. I then went onto Maryland where I competed in Age Group Nationals in slalom and managed a 1st in Cub Cadets and a second in Cadets overall. Taking Friends whitewater SUP paddling Imagine Surf Blog (Wednesday 28th) * - The day before leaving for California, I went back to the Rouge River one last time with Christine who now is becoming an accomplished whitewater SUP paddler, and also three newbies who SUP on whitewater for the first time – Cibel, Benoit Renauud and Benoit Dargis (old Riot designer).

Hot Forum Topics Molan Seat (Gear) TR - Ohanapecosh Gear: FX (Gear) How do you control the Pyranha Zone L! Outdoor Retailer Paddlesports Live Blog Top Videos Eric Parker WCKA Promo (epkayak) Northern Norway 2010 Steath S promo (cony) Cunovo White water course with GOPRO THE NARROWS (M Leyva) Upcoming Events Pyranha Midnight Demo USA, NC, Between WCU and Cashiers NC, May 29 - Jul 31 PeakUK Ash Festival South Africa: Free State, Clarens, Jul 31 - Aug 1 Pictured Rocks Kayak Quest United States, Michigan, Munising, Jul 31 Maui Jim SurfMonkey Paddle, Swim, Run USA, CA, Oceanside, Jul 31 Deerfield River Festival USA, Massachusetts, Charlemont, Jul 31 OR Open Air Demo US, UT, Park City, Aug 2 OR Outdoor Retailer Summer Market US, UT, Salt Lake City, Aug 3 - Aug 6 Puget Sound Challenge-Paddle Kitsap Weekend USA, Seattle, Aug 6 - Aug 7 Adirondacks Tug Hill RiverFest USA, NY, Copenhagen, Aug 7

The Playak Weekly Digest is a special Saturday version of the News Flash, containing the most popular paddling news of the past week. To see all the latest headlines, videos, forum discussions and more, visit Playak News Watch.
To manage your Playak subscriptions, click here.

Playak News Flash 2010-07-29

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

News Watch Headlines

Sneak Peak: 1st Descent - Upper 8 miles of the North Fork Little Wind River CKS Squad - With the water petering out, the Winds were looking good. Our crew decided to explore the upper reaches of the North Fork of the Little Wind River near Lander Wyoming. The lower section of waterfalls was first run last summer by a group of legendary vert baggers. We thought upstream looked like a good opportunity. Here is a sneak peak. more to come. watch out for video in the near future.

Upper Cherry Sweet - Cherry Creek has long time been known as the best California over night run. I can't disagree with that statment, but only back it up. There are runs that are more challanging than Cherry, but none as classic. There is no portaging, no hard hits, no bad rocks, and it is the most beautiful place I have ever been. This trip was very special to me because everthing worked out just to plan, which never happens!

Good As Cherry Pie Evan Garcia - What can be said about Upper Cherry that hasn't already been said about sex...it's pretty much the best thing ever. Well maybe? Anyways this was a trip to be remembered. The hike in was started at 5 a.m. to avoid the heat that has been consuming the entire state of California. It took me 6 hours to get to the put-in, which is longer than my normal 4 to 5 hour trek when I'm in better shape.

2011 Darin McQuoid Kayaking Calendar Adrian Tregoning - Get your 30 x 30cm full bleed (large images) 2011 calendar today!!! Printed on high quality paper and filled with twelve of Darin's best photographs, quotes from the kayakers in the shots and EXIF (speed, aperture etc.) data.

Colorado pro kayak tour Sweet - My Wave Sport team mate Kelsey Thompson just posted video from his 2009 Colorado pro kayak tour. Its including very nice informations and talk about Colorado. High elavated (mountains start at 2500meters) and one of the nicest states of the US.

Freestylers Complete Series in Three Months, Four States and Five Events USA Canoe/Kayak - US Freestyle Kayaking has announced its 2010 National Champions. These whitewater experts accumulated the highest number of points through their collective performances at five events held April 17 – July 2: the NOC Freestyle Shootout, Lyons Outdoor Games, FIBArk, Gunnison River Festival and the US National Championships in Missoula, Montana.

Taking Friends whitewater SUP paddling Imagine Surf Blog - The day before leaving for California, I went back to the Rouge River one last time with Christine who now is becoming an accomplished whitewater SUP paddler, and also three newbies who SUP on whitewater for the first time – Cibel, Benoit Renauud and Benoit Dargis (old Riot designer).

2010 Molokai To Oahu SUP Paddleboard Race SUP Surf - I had my last 6 man canoe regatta in the morning at Keehi Lagoon for the OHCRA Oahu Championships and then raced over to the finish line at Maunalua Bay for the Molokai to Oahu Race. I only shot 2 short video clips, the first with Dave Kalama who won by a lot and the second with Jim Hayes, the owner of Tropical Blends Surf on Queen St here in Honolulu.

This mail contains a selection of the world's latest paddling news. To see all the latest news, videos, forum discussions and more, visit Playak News Watch.
To manage your Playak subscriptions, click here.