Playak News Flash 2011-01-17

Playak News Flash - January 17, 2011
The world's latest paddling headlines.

News Watch Headlines

First spring feelings this Year ! Team Pyranha - Normally in January you can only go Skiing or Snowboarding in Austria, but the warm temperatures and some heavy rain made some hidden creeks around Salzburg rising …

Right to Float Law: Battleground Colorado Jeremy Rodgers - I'm frequently asked by new kayakers "is it true a river is a public resource and may be floated across private land"? Yes. What if a dangerous water level fence, bridge, or rapid affects my ability to make passage safely? Grey area. It's generally acceptable from case law the paddler may safely walk around the obstruction incidentally without trespassing.

Stookesberry's Top 10 Jackson Kayak - Stookesberry's Top-10 River Trips: From some of the most idyllic kayak destinations on the Planet, to some of the most challenging river expeditions I have ever undertaken, here are 10 highlights in my Kayaking world along with a more user friendly alternative.

AT2 Flexi-Shaft Long Term Review by Casey Cunningham CKS Blog - As kayakers, we must accept certain facts of life. Gas is expensive, but necessary to get to our beloved rivers. No matter how good you think you get, swims and carnage are inevitable. And gear comes and goes. It usually ends up getting bashed on rocks, lost on swims, left behind on shuttles, or just plain wears out from age and use. But every once in a while, we discover a piece of equipment stands out among the rest. For me, this is my paddle. So let's first start with a little background.

Hucking Huka=Beatdown Mike Dawson - Yesterday was an epic. With the Arateitia Dam getting some work done, the entire generation flow has been diverted down the river bed, making something that gets your heart pumping. Forget the Zambezi, the Waikato at full noise is a serious proposition. The inky blue water looks so tempting, but the raw power of this beast is unbelievable.

Mica Dam – Revelstoke The Columbia Experience - After reaching the top of Mica Dam the reality of how difficult the portage was going to be had yet to set in. Looking at the map at the dam it didn't look like it would be too far to a bridge downriver where I may be able to put-in. Breaking my gear into two piles I began portaging everything but my boat, sleeping bag, stove, and some food.

Geneva Kayak Center Update: Ryan Rushton Interview Chicago Area Sea Kayakers Association - In just a few years after its opening the Geneva Kayak Center established itself as an integral part of the paddling community. GKC offered quality boats and gear and plenty of pool sessions and Kayak and Coffees to use them. It matched students with top-notch instructors, and some of these students have now become into instructors in their own right. GKC organized trips across North America appealing to a variety of interests and skill levels. GKC hosted special events such as visits by paddling luminaries from around the world.

Tandem kayaking in the Dynamic Duo! Jackson Kayak - Not long ago some friends were going out on the local class 3/4 run, and it was suggested that I take one of the company photographers out in the duo. Having never paddled a duo, I didn't really know what to expect. But my boss at the raft company assured me that I would do great taking this young lady down the river despite her having very little whitewater experience. I agreed to give it a try, at least through the easier rapids and would make the decision to continue downstream from there.

The closing chapter of Autumn and my lifes new beginning A whole bunch of Ing's - My cell rang just as I finished gathering my kayaking gear. When subordinates call it's usually in regards to something simple, however hearing one of my boss's on the other line I knew it wasn't great news. "Can you come in? We had a death". FUCK! Names and questions never go out over the phone lines in regards to deaths so I hung up and headed in. Suicide? Car accident? Tour death?

Wilderness Systems, Perception and Wavesport, more new models for 2011 Western Canoeing and Kayaking - While southwest BC continues to get hammered with snow most people's thoughts of outdoor adventures are of mountains and enjoying some white fluffy stuff. But we here at WCK find ourselves buried under piles of snow and BOATS.

Owens River Odyssey Canoe Kayak - This is not going to be your average kayak trip," Keith Franson says as we roll along the dusty scrub-lined track leading to our put-in. "Some people can't see the beauty.

Tight ropes on Slack Heugh SeaKayakPhoto.com - The SW coast of Meikle Ross has steep cliffs extending from Fox Craig along to Slack Heugh.

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