Playak News Flash 2011-03-01

Playak News Flash - March 1, 2011
The world's latest paddling headlines.

News Watch Headlines

Ecuador Update Jackson Kayak - Looking back, our recent trip to Ecuador was on-par with some of the best trips I've ever been on. It followed the motto that some of the best things in life come without planning, and started with a phone call into Marty Cronin, less than 3 weeks prior to our departure. Initially we had planned on a Corsica paddling trip in April, but one thing led to another, and… well, 3 weeks later we're sitting on a plane heading to South America on our way to meet with Chris of Endless Adventure International, and Don and Darcy of Small World Adventures. Over the course of 7 days we paddled a mix of creeks, rivers, and jungle runs off the Eastern slope of the Andes, from Tena on north to the Columbian border...

The Freeride: A new playboat by Liquidlogic Team LiquidLogic - The Liquidlogic Freeride 57 spins into the final cycle of the design process this week.  What's been fun with this one is that it was a boat that we had started designing a while ago and then you all requested it from us through feedback on our facebook page.

Liquid Fusion Kayaking: Following the Pied Piper PaddleBlogs - Like the Pied Piper, Jeff played a sweet tune and lured several of the GGSKS instructors to our house and the magical paddling playground of the Mendocino Coast. Paul Kuthe, Dave White, Matt Nelson, and Bryan Burkhardt couldn't resist the piper's tune and came to play.

Introducing the 2011 Reign Drytop! Level 6 - Check out the ground breaking features on the brand new Reign Drytop! We're pretty excited about this one! =

The Isles of Scilly, there and back solo PeakUK - It was a large fin, moving slowly across my path. It was a shark at least 3.5-4 meters, jaws has a lot to answer for, or i guess it should be Spielberg! I kept telling myself it was a Basking shark, a plankton feeder and then i noticed a second one. this was shorter and probably a young one so i was keen to get a photo but also ensure i kept my distance, not wanting to spook mum!

Brett Barton's Nicaraguan Adventure! Jackson Kayak - The rains have come and so has the cold, snow and general nippiness you get living in the mountains. Haven't been skiing in the last 2 years because boating (and recovering from boating) keeps the lot of my time. 4 PFD's (personal first descent) this year so far, and some sick trips in between including this one to Nicaragua. - Ernie's Canyon: Ernies's Canyon, now taking reservations One of the new runs I got on, Ernie's Canyon, defies description. And I should say before offering any description that it's the scariest bit of whitewater I've paddled. Ernie's is serious. You know it even before you hear about it. You know there is a run out there like it...

Destination Update- When and Where to Paddle in California! by Darin McQuoid Jackson Kayak - California is my favorite place in the world to enjoy kayaking. The best season is May through June when temperatures are warm and snow is melting. Hot sunlight, clear cold water and smooth rocks make it a unique experience. Boat's can be bought or rented at California Canoe and Kayak in in Sacramento.   Coloma on the South Fork of the American River is a hot spot to base out of with class II and III runs right out of town, and a park and play spot just downstream at Camp Lotus. If you want to enjoy a bit of the rafting lifestyle, enjoy an evening the infamous Coloma Club...

Viajecito Al Sur Evan Garcia - So first off I would like to say...Thank You all for the love and positivity y'all showed in the comment war about the last post. I'm more than stoked to see all the people fired up to read and check out what I put up. I have been doing this blog for a long time now and sometimes I get lazy. However, if there has ever been a time to step up the amount of effort and media I put up, this is it. Much love to all the people out there that kayak for the love of the game and of course, the love of the river.

Numedalslagen – Zambezi Section Rocks & Water - Norwegian Zambezi, the most difficult commercial rafting stretch, bigwater run, but also river for everybody. All of these can be said about Numedalslagen. Personally I call it Norwegian Sazava (Czech river used for open canoes sightseeing tours), mainly because different water levels will entertain different groups and levels of paddlers. Getting ready for a first run

Beginning your 'Journey' Jackson Kayak - The Jackson crew just spent a great week in Florida hitting the Everglade coastal region for some adventure and came away elated with our experience.  Thanks to the Port of the Islands Resort in Naples, we were within arms reach of a long list of amazing destinations; both interior to the famed Everglades and to the open sea...

Belize: Crooked Tree Dash Point Pirate - And so we said goodbye to the Canadians Peggy and Tassy as we dropped them off at a beach on Coco Plum Caye. Their kayaks were already at the campsite. They hurriedly checked all the other gear to make sure they had everything. As we pulled away I heard some frantic yelling from the beach -- something about only having one paddle. And where was the stove fuel? In the end everything was accounted for. Goodbye, Peggy and Tassy! And good luck! Watch out for crocodiles!

River Lagan with LCP Kevin McCabe - Today a large group from LCP headed for a ran down the Lagan from Lambeg to Shaws Bridge. This is quite a long run, about 4-5miles, so I wimped out and took the big boat and dog.

The Klingon! Down Hill Kayaking - The new Klingon sprayskirt from Immersion Research replaced the popular SBD (Simple, But Dry) series and has clearly evolved from the earlier design. For those unfamiliar with this style of sprayskirt, it is a bungee skirt that sandwiches a flap of neoprene between the bungee and the cockpit rim. What was unique about the SBD (and continues to be so great with the Klingon) is the rubberized coating on the underside of the neoprene where it contacts the cockpit rim, which creates an impressively dry seal.

Paddle Technique part 3: Stacking the Shoulders by Robert Stehlik SUP Surf - First off: I don't consider myself an expert and am always open to trying different things and learning from others. In this technique series, I'm merely sharing things that have worked for me, not saying that the technique I'm describing is the only right way to do it.

3rd Golden Gate Sea Kayak Symposium Mark Tozer - On the eve of the 3rd Golden Gate Sea Kayak Symposium based in San Francisco Bay, the mood of the Pacific Ocean was decidedly wild. With 35-40 knot winds from the south howling through the Eucalyptus trees and big swell pounding the coastline  Sean Morley , who co-organized t...

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