Playak News Flash 2010-07-12

Playak News Flash - July 12, 2010
The world's latest paddling headlines.

News Watch Headlines

Hucking our way to Valldal Pyranha Team Van - So we had our fun in Voss, paddled the Lower Myrkdal several times (at various levels) without breaking ourselves, and headed over to Valldal. On the way we decided – at the recommendation of our friends Julian and Doug – to camp beside some very scenic wat

Nordland Sweden Wavesport Blogs - After and epic few day and mid summer night in Trollfors we started on the creeking adventures. We headed toward the Norway Sweden border in search of a few rarely paddled rivers and perhaps a first descent or two.

Sierra City on the North Yuba Jackson Kayak - I have had this footage on the computer for a while, but I have been slack on putting it together. The video actually covers a number of different sections of the North Yuba. It is everything below loves falls to Downieville. In order from top to bottom we have Wild Plum, Sierra City, Ladies Canyon, and Boss Moss.

Alder Creek Group Clackamas Paddle Team Pyranha - Today Demshitz met up at Bob's hole on the Clackamas River to paddle with a great crew of people from the area and Alder Creek Canoe & Kayak shop. With the hot temperatures, it was a perfect day to spend on this fun and beautiful roadside run outside of Portland, OR. Waiting for my head wound to heal, I was extremely jealous as I sat reading, sweating, and taking photos on the river bank.

Featured Photos Wavesport Blogs - Check out the featured photos from the last few months. Start posting your best photos now to be considered in the next round of features!

Low Water Boating The Roaming Dials - One of my goals was to run bigger water this year. This sort of amounts to doing the popular kayak runs at "normal" flows. So I ran Six Mile's three canyons (minute 2 onwards) just under 10 feet. We looked at a juicy Magic Mile and walked 3/4 of it. I did the Campground Rapids loop when it was running high, too.

Video: Element high speed surfing playak.tv - I could finally test my Fluid Element on the Hawaii sur Rhone at decent waterlevels. The action was shot on the left channel, during my third session in the boat. This is a level where the wave is hardly surfable in a spudboat. I must say the Element lived up to my expectations... and even surpassed them with its impressive combination of speed and forgiveness! Some friends tried it and were impressed too. The performance of a surf kayak, with the feel of a freestyle boat, was how it was described by a first-time tester. I'm still getting used to the new style of paddling that the Element makes possible. This is only the beginning, as I know there's a whole new world of possibilities to explore in this boat.

Video: WHITEWATER KAYAKING playak.tv - Kayaking the applegate. Whitewater kayaking

Video: Wild and Scenic Rogue 2 playak.tv - more video of our trip down and pictures, pictures courtesy Stephen McCleary. whitewater kayaking

C4 Waterman 12′6″ "Switchblade" Prototype SUP Board SUP Surf - During one of our downwind runs, Todd Bradley showed me one of their new prototype stand up paddle boards, the 12′6″ "Switchblade". Todd mentioned that the board will be in production at BoardWorks and will be out in stores soon.

Extreme Sea Kayaking with the Tsunami Rangers Fat Paddler - There are so many different types of paddling out there, each with their own appeal and thrill factor. But if you want to find out what defines "extreme", you need look no further than a group from the US who call themselves the "Tsunami Rangers". Their activity borders on lunacy, but boy is it exciting to watch.

Lokken and Smolen take 2nd in Jr. Worlds Qualifying USA Canoe/Kayak - Zach "Bug" Lokken (Durango, CO) and Michal Smolen (Gastonia, NC) lead the US Athletes in the 2010 ICF Canoe Slalom Junior World Championships to advance to Sunday's semifinals. Also advancing today were Tyler Hinton (Boulder, CO) and Hailey Thompson (Steven's Point, WI).

Where's Jeff? paddling.net - One of the great things I love about the sport of kayaking (and fishing from kayaks) is getting someone else interested in it. I have a backyard full of boats, enough fishing gear for a dozen anglers, and drive past 3 really good launches every day on my 5 mile trip to work. I take these blessings for granted sometimes. But, seeing first-timers hit the water resets the counters, so to speak. I enjoy seeing the looks on their face as they ease away from shore, under their own power, captain of their own vessel. It's good for me because it reminds me of all the things that I truly love about the sport.

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