Playak News Flash 2010-11-28

Playak News Flash - November 28, 2010
The world's latest paddling headlines.

News Watch Headlines

4 days in Devon Gene17 - This was going to be a interesting trip with a steep learning curve that much was clear in my head as I drove south to meet Simon Westgarth and my fellow 4* trainees at River Dart Country Park in Devon.

A Weekend on the East Lyn worldkayak blogs - During the week I had been watching the many millimetres of rain find their way to the river prior to the UHCC weekend trip to Dulverton. The webcam for the East Lyn was showing a steady 100 cm (tope levels for this run). After a good night at the Bridge Inn and ear plugs to block out the snorers, a group of us headed over Exmoor to one of the best runs in the Southwest of the UK.

Joe Keck Reviews The Jackson Kayak Villain CKS Blog - Well, fall is here. It's always a time to look back at the kayaking season's great memories and triumphs that we've had on the river. At the end, I always think back about my gear that was all shiny and new at the beginning. Did it work as advertised or is it time to try something new next spring? Well, one piece I loved all summer was my new Jackson Kayak Villain. I am a big fan of the Rocker and last winter I waited in trepidation for EJ's newest take on the creek boat.

Upper Palguin worldkayak blogs - Apart from that we have visited the local drinking establishment called Mamas & Tapas. Watched the Demshitz run the middle Palguin (a 70 foot waterfall). Other rivers in the area which we have managed to get on are the lower Liacura (class 3 medium volume float), the Maichin (class 4- boulder gardens with one portage), the Magic Canyon of the Liacura (class 4 with one massive horrific portage and another easier portage), the Truful Truful (non stop class 3 rapids with around 3 eddies in 9km).

VIDEO: Jet Kayak Rapid Magazine Blog - What happens when you take a top performing play boat design and put a jet engine in it?

Getting the Shot: Veinte y dos and Garganta New River Academy - On Tuesday New River Academy took a group down Veinte y dos Saltos on the Rio Claro in Chile. This insanely fun run is a wonderland of super clean waterfalls. Still, this is no Siete Tazas, you don't just fall off the waterfalls, they have lines and some are pretty challenging. But even more challenging than the run was getting to the run. First is the drive over hundreds of rocks and potholes followed by a thirty minute trek into a forest, over hills, and through streams. Finally you arrive at the river and see this incredible twenty-five foot waterfall.

Coaching with Cardiff Canoe Club worldkayak blogs - Last Sunday I was back in my home town of Cardiff and was lucky enough to get out on the Ogmore River with Cardiff Canoe Club. Chris and Mark are both going for their Level 3 Coach assessment soon and were keen to get some practice in. The group was split into two and Chris and I headed down river with Sarah, Gethin and Phil. Although I was official photographer for the trip, I did join in all the exercises that Chris set to help improve breaking in and out, surfing, ferrying.

The Adventure Show - Kayaking this Sunday Simon Willis - The Adventure Show at 8pm on Sunday (28th Nov) features exciuting canoe and kayak slalom on the River Tay at Grandtully. There's also a catch-up with Andrew Murray, who is attempting a record breaking run from John o'Groats to Morocco.

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