Playak News Flash 2011-02-10

Playak News Flash - February 10, 2011
The world's latest paddling headlines.

News Watch Headlines

A Mediocre Review of the Project X New River Academy - It was a little over a year ago now that I learned that Wavesport was working on a new boat to compete with newer models like the Jackson All-Star and Pyranha's Molan. Then around the time of Gauley fest, we were given the first video of the new boat. At the time I was paddling a 2010 All-Star and my first impression of the new project was that it seemed very similar to the All-Star, maybe a little easier to cartwheel and a bit faster on a wave but otherwise not too much different then my Jackson. At this point I had been pretty good friends with a few of the wavesport guys, specifically Bryan Kirk, who I saw frequently on the New and Gauley rivers every year.

Mexico Part II: Roadside Alseseca Deuce Fahrun - Returning from Vera Cruz exhausted after 9 days straight on physically demanding class 5 runs we took a much needed 3 days sombremese/siesta in Mexico City, Rafa's parents(my honorary adoptive parents) were kind enough to put us up. A hoard of smelly, taco sweating, kayak trash. Philthy, Rhino, Rafa and myself spent the next few days in the city awaiting the arrival of Nico Troutman, Dane Jackson(Joven), Red Bull photographer Lucas Gilman, as well as Adele and Kat, two friends from Canada looking for a vaca and cultural experience(they were sure to get one).

Wavesport Project X56 a week on worldkayak blogs - This weekend I was able to get my Project X out on the water for only the second time. This was a great chance to get to grips with a very different feeling wavesport boat. The boat is not as easy to paddle as a few of its competitors but when it does go it goes big! I'm looking forward to a good few months getting to grips with the boat and ensuring i'm happy with height position of seat etc ready for the summer season.

A Year of Travel and Kayaking... Immersion Research - Its been a good year for our friend Andy McMurray. Andy has been a traveling nomad since the first time he set his rear end in a boat, a few years back, and has yet to officially call one of his grand pitstops "home". There are a lot of great paddling towns to choose from!

The weekend begins WWTCC - With a free weekend and MetCheck suggesting that Wales might be in line for a spot of rain it seamed only fair to make the drive north and see what was running. Not long after crossing the border into Wales it was pretty obvious, pretty quickly that most were running in Wales.

Kayak Huasteca: SUP Mexico! Stand Up Paddling Inland Mexico! PaddleBlogs - The lower Micos is a gem of a run here in the Huasteca region of Mexico. It is often overlooked, much like the Lower gauley, because of the 7 waterfalls upstream.

Scouting and Filming: The Mellte Palm Blogs - Hey all, I managed to escape for the day on Sunday for a quick mission to the beautiful Mellte in South Wales. The river was at a really fun level, and as well as the usual fun lines, we went for a scouting mission nearby.

The BirdDog Has Landed Astral Currently - After much anticipation we are proud to announce the release of the BirdDog - Astral's first canine lifevest.

Greenland-style Kayak Braces SherriKayaks - At the last few pool sessions that I have attended, it seems that practically all of the sea kayakers have been working on Greenland-style static braces (balance brace) and the sculling high brace. As I have mentioned in previous posts, Helen Wilson's "Simplifying the Roll" DVD has been extremely helpful in providing some very useful techniques for learning these two skills. In the case of one of the paddlers, these techniques have been the key in helping him to finally master his elusive offside roll.

Paddling class 2 is NOW class 5…on A SUP! worldkayak blogs - The lower Micos is a gem of a run here in the Huasteca region of Mexico. It is often overlooked, much like the Lower gauley, because of the 7 waterfalls upstream.

Youth Challenge Kayak Program: Day 6: – Little Kids, Big ambitions, Big Smiles worldkayak blogs - Ma' Nature is teasing us with mild weather. Loads of snow hit us on the weekend and some of our paddlers are asking about out door paddling :) - You got to love the enthusiasm!

Out Skerries SW Sea Kayaking - The most easterly point of Shetland is a group of rocky islands known as the 'Out Skerries' – 'Out' being derived from 'East'. The crossing from the island of Whalsay is only a few miles, but traverses one of the UK's cetacean hotspots; paddling through the swelly tide race on the way out, we saw several dolphins and porpoises.

Werner's sea kayaking pro, John Carmody, showing us the Irish coast Werner - Working at Werner Paddles does have its advantages, we are strongly encouraged to get out and paddle. Certainly each of have our favorite way to enjoy time on the water, a specialty if you will.

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