Playak News Flash 2010-07-19

Playak News Flash - July 19, 2010
The world's latest paddling headlines.

News Watch Headlines

Yoho Teaser Level 6 - I've been working a bunch in the last few weeks so I haven't been creeking at all since June but I did throw together a quick teaser as a entry into the Aquabatics Film Competition. The name Yoho comes from a Cree word expressing amazement. While the Yoho is just one of many amazing rivers in the video, that sense of amazement encompasses the entire paddling experience in Western Canada. Make sure to watch it in HD, bottom right hand corner.

My Home video Wavesport Blogs - This July I am based on the Arkansas river in Colorado. Its great out here. I work almost every day as a safety kayaker for Timberline Tours. In my time off I go kayak somewhere else or work on my videos, designs and gear improvement for next years..

Kimberley Expedition on the Fitzroy River - Australia Wavesport Blogs - This past winter I was lucky enough to join an international group of paddlers on a 22 day whitewater expedition, in the middle of North Western Australia's Kimberley region, in efforts to bring exposure to this areas fight against development. Here are a few photos and stories from my experience.

June Video Update Sweet - Last week has been pretty busy for me. Have been working as a safety kayaker on Arkansas river, kayaked every day after work, worked for catering company making lunches at nights and also edited movie from June spent in Colorado. Here it is, hope you will like it.

American SF (Kyburz, IV+)_updated CA WW Paddling - This is my favorite run, although there are not a few people who don't like this run. For this run, shuttle is easy, driving on only hwy 50 for 10 min for 8 miles. The putin is a turnout that is west of Sand Flat Campgound (~50 yard west of the Indian falls rapids). The takeout is the Riverton Bridge on hwy 50. I ran additional ~3 miles from Riverton to Peavine (nice class III~IV) before, but the dirt road condition to the Peavine takeout was terrible in 2009.

Chris Jones – on the road part 2 Kokatat Blog - Its 2am, my knees are rubbing on a splintered wooden board and my butt is jammed up against a piece of angle iron - my body just wants sleep, but once again I'm crammed in an ancient bus on the way to another river expedition. Every year students from the aptly named Thompson Rivers University Adventure Guide Diploma course embark on an international river expedition. This year the team choose Nepal and a combination of river trips including the Sun Kosi, Tamur, Belephi Khola and Bhotse Kosi.

Norway duemmstuff - I´m back from Norway. The temperature is about 35 degree in Czech republic. It´s terrible. There were nice weather without rain and the temparature 25:). We paddled in Sjoa, Otta and Driva valley. I was there with my friends from Prague. We drunk many bottles of alcohol and we had many funny situations on our trip.

Teva Rafting World Championships 2010 finished Teva Blog - The Teva World Champs at the Dutch Water Dreams whitewater park in Zoetermeer couldn't have asked for a better finish. The downriver race, its multiple laps (5 for women and 6 for men) proved to be grueling and took its toll on the athletes. Each lap you could see them getting more tired. But...aThe Teva World Champs at the Dutch Water Dreams whitewater park in Zoetermeer couldn't have asked for a better finish. The downriver race, its multiple laps (5 for women and 6 for men) proved to be grueling and took its toll on the athletes. Each lap you could see them getting more tired. But in the end every one of the teams took on the challenge of the downriver and gave it their all. The downriver was watched closely by many shouting spectators throughout the course. The ability to watch the teams do multiple laps was a great crowd pleaser.

More Tiderace Fun with the Hurricane Chasers Fat Paddler - There's just something about tiderace footage that gets my adrenaline running. And no-one seems to love it more than those crazy Canadians! Here's some more fun in the rush of tidal water, and keep an eye out for the wildlife in the waves! A big thank to Peter from Kayakr for bringing these guys to my attention.

The Royal Flush Sweet - For a long time people have recognized The Royal Gorge on the North fork of the American to be one of the most hard core and committing runs in Cali. Big water fall fiends have come from all over the globe to test their skills on these sets of massive drops. For a good reason…running 80 foot drops is one thing, but to do it with 3 days of gear in your kayak and out in the middle of no where, is a whole different game.

Canyon Creek Of the Nooksack CKS Squad - Canyon creek of the Nooksack is a small tributary that comes in just below the canyon section of the north fork. It comes from high mountain valley that reaches almost clear to the Canadian border. Although all the runs on the Nooksack nearby are almost all bedrock style, Canyon Creek is much more manky. After a short bushwhack down a steep hill, you will come to the creek, which at this point consists of landslide boulders, creating terribly manky drops.

First Upper & Lower South Branch in a Day Jackson Kayak - Unbeknownst to me, the upper and lower half of South Branch Feather had never been done together in one day. And that is the best way to do a first. In my opinion running something because you think it will be fun is the best reason to run it. Something being a first descent is better enjoyed as unexpected benefit and not the reason to make a decision.

Idaho Hometown Throwdown 2 and 3 WK Throwdown - Idaho Hometown Throwdowns for 6/24 and 6/26. With cancellations for high water we ended up with 2 Throwdowns in 3 days. Thursday evening we had a TD at the Gutter in Horseshoe Bend. The eddy was tough and everyone was tired at the end of the night.

4Corners' Corra Sets New 24-Hour Record! Paddling Life - Last year he took the FIBArk crown while nearing his 50th birthday. This year wildwater paddler Andy Corra, from Durango, Colorado, set a new world 24 hour record by paddling a whopping 273.5 miles in 24 hours during the Yukon River Quest. While his mark is still awaiting certification by Guinness, it bested the old record of 261 miles set two years ago by Ian Adamson. PL caught up with the downriver don to get his take on the new record...

Dagger in Central Park Dagger - Dagger's presence was unmistakable this past weekend in Central Park, New York City! From Adventure's NYC on Saturday to Outdoor Nation on Sunday, red and black flags were flying as we partnered with several different organizations in the outdoor industry to promote paddling for all ages and walks of life.

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