Topo Duo World Record… ~ Waiting at the BUS stop ~ Alberton Gorge Video

Playak Weekly Digest
The world's top paddling links in week 17, 2011.

News Watch Topo Duo World Record… Immersion Research (Thursday 28th) ***** - IR Team Member Todd Wells, and his bud Sam Freihofer take the plunge over 82 ft Metlako Falls on Eagle Creek in the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon a couple of weeks back- breaking the previous record.  To get the full scoop, check out Todd's blog: http://toddwellswhitewater.blogspot.com/2011/04/metlako-gets-topo-duoed.html Enjoy the Video! Waiting at the BUS stop Sweet (Monday 25th) *** - Finally the spring has arrived and the Ottawa River is free of ice and the water levels are high. It has been a good 2 years since the world famous Bus Eater Wave has come into its prime. I spent the past week stalking the river by walking to the shoreline in front of my house every hour to see what the level was doing…and finally….IT'S IN. Alberton Gorge Video Evan Garcia (Sunday 24th) *** - After the small Northwest rally I have been kicking it in Missoula Montana with my little brother Nate Dawg. We have been getting out on the Clark Fork River about a half hour outside of town for some small play sessions on some cool little waves that are sort of in right now. PROJECT X Surfing AUSTRALIA Wavesport Blogs (Tuesday 26th) *** - Mate! Overall I am stroked and fired up about my new baby. YES it is a hug improvement on the project, but still keeps the Wavesport, Robert Pearson feel about it. LOVE IT Meet Team Dagger's Laura Farrell Dagger Blogs (Wednesday 27th) *** - Laura Farrell takes some time to answer a few questions, make sure to check out the video as well!   Where are you from? Where do you live?  I grew up in Tampa, Florida but moved up to Western North Carolina the morning after my high school graduation and have called Bry... 2011 Super Hero Review (vs Hero) Jackson Kayak (Sunday 24th) ** - Take a 2011 Hero and 'Super-size-it' and you get a boat just as lively, quick, stable, and nimble ast he2011 Hero – only bigger! But what about when a 170 lb guy compares one to the other?  That's the idea here – to compare how differently the 2 boats paddle so middle-weight users can realize they have 2 different choices. Porcupine Mountain Wilderness Ross Herr (Thursday 28th) ** - This past weekend while I should have been at home studying for my finals beginning Monday I jumped on the opportunity to split up to the the Porcupine Mountain Wilderness right here in the good 'ol Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The Porkies, as many call it, is a beautiful dramatic landscape full of old-growth trees and a variety of rock formations. The prize jewel and my main goal driving me to this area is the Black River. Corsica- the Best of the Rest worldkayak blogs (Tuesday 26th) ** - After the adventure on the Travo the guys retrieved the boats while I stayed at the gite and nursed my poorly wing. They were victorious in getting my boat down the river, carrying it around the more serious rapids, but nudging it down less consequential ones. Well done the lads!Mediterranean oasis. Cant wait to return next year. Stakeout! Bomb Flow (Monday 25th) ** - Stake out 2010 went off like a fire cracker! The boys paddled some of the classics of the quebec area taking 2010′s Stake Out bigger than ever. Gladiator was first discovered in the Coliseum Rapids on the Ottawa River in the spring of 2006 by Nick Troutman, Tyler Fox, and Dan Caldwell. Benny Marr going HUGE on ... It'S About to Get Massive - The White Water Grand Prix Cumec Magazine (Wednesday 27th) ** - Whitewater Grand Prix - Final Countdown from Tribe Rider on Vimeo . In what is one of the most anticipated kayaking events in recent history, Pat Camblin and Tribe Rider is set to launch the White Water Grand Prix next week. Combining 25 of the Worlds best kayakers (including NZ's Louise Ur... Write-Up: Silver Creek A Wet State (CA) (Sunday 24th) ** - Although Silver Creek has been present in my consciousness, it was not so much for as a potential run but as a source of relief the two times I have descended the Golden Gate section of the South Fork of the American. For once you paddle past the Silver Creek Rapid (the creek itself has always been 100% dry when I have boated by it), you know ... EJ's Rock Star Review- World Championships Preview…. Jackson Kayak (Wednesday 27th) ** - Over the years of creating new designs with David Knight and paddling them, I learned that there are two phases for any review. First phase is initial review, usually after a week or two in the boat. This review gets most of the initial design/performance features on the table, and gives anyone considering buying the boat a good feel of what they can expect to experience themselves. A Life Defining Moment surfski.info (Wednesday 27th) ** - What is your definition of the phrase: "Life defining moment"? I will let you ponder on that for a while as I retell my experience last Friday morning. I really want to share it because this truly was "life defining". Burnt Ranch Gorge at Raging Flows Fluid Blog (Thursday 21st) ** - This past March, Leif and I joined a solid crew for the highest known descent of the classic V- run, Burnt Ranch Gorge in Northern California. This run is commonly run during the summer at ~500 cfs (14 cms), and 3,000 cfs (85 cms) is considered a high flow. We got on this puppy at a whomping 10,000 cfs (283 cms)! It was an incredible day. Quick Dent Fix for Jackson Kayak! Jackson Kayak (Tuesday 26th) ** - Creek boating is great fun and an excellent way to explore the world around you with some of your best paddling friends!  It can be very physically & mentally challenging too!  Sometime the challenges can take a toll on our kayaks too when we crash!  But have no fear… the good news about owning an elite Jackson Kayak is the crosslink plastic has hull shape "memory" that can be repaired even after the most punishing hits that leave large dents in the bow or stern!adventures!!

Hot Forum Topics waterproof camera Creek kayak size (Whitewater) Surf Kayak fitting (Surf) Kayaking from chicago to new orleans? and concerns (North America) Dagger G Force Hip Pads?? Top Videos Ben Brown: Wainui River (Ben_Brown) Green River Narrows Race Practice 2010 (KatrinaVanWijk) Applegate waterfall rescue (M Leyva) Ben Marr - Lachines (cony) Kayak Adventure (burke) Upcoming Events Vancouver Kayak Club Whitewater Festival Canada, Chilliwack, Apr 29 - May 1 Kern Riverboarding Festival USA, CA, , Apr 29 - May 1 Mid West Sea Kayak Symposium UK, Scotland, Tayvallich, Apr 30 - May 2 Spring Paddle Festival Portland US, DC, Portland, Apr 30 - May 1 Frühlingsrodeo Bremgarten Switzerland, Bremgarten, Apr 30

To see all the latest headlines, videos, forum discussions and more, visit Playak News Watch. This is the standard version of the newsletter, covering all paddling disciplines. To change the tailoring, please login on Playak, and then click the yellow triangle at the very top of the page to set your interests.
To unsubscribe from this newsletter with only one click, click here.

Today's News Editor(s): bartw, Tony Dyrsmid, Jean-Ellen M. Trapani.

Playak Weekly Digest - week 16

Playak Weekly Digest
The world's top paddling links in week 16, 2011.

News Watch Check out this Lucas Gilman video of Jesse Coombs doing Abiqua Falls! Amazing Shots! Jackson Kayak (Wednesday 20th) **** - Click here to view the embedded video.Jesse Coombs and Lucas Gilman take their time to document this first D.    For you kayak junkies out there, remember that this video was done by Lucas as a tutorial for photographers. As a kayaker you'll be blown away by a few of the shots! Discovery Channel's "Mythbusters" Investigates Hi-Tec's Apparent Answer to Walking/Running on Water SNews (Monday 18th) *** - Hi-Tec, a leading outdoor footwear and apparel brand, has experts once again asking "Can you really walk on water?" With the success of its sensational "Liquid Mountaineering" viral video – seen by nearly 10 million YouTube viewers – Hi-Tec has now caught the attention of The Discovery Channel's MythBusters program... [which] will put Hi-Tec's "Liquid Mountaineering" viral video to the test during its April 20 broadcast. Take care when leaving your boats on the roof! Seth Ashworth (Tuesday 19th) *** - I had a lucky escape a few weekends ago. My squirt kayak was, as it often is locked to the roof of my car using my rack guard. If your not sure a rack guard is a steel cable with a plastic coating with a large plastic ball on the end to prevent the cable being pulled out of the door. Anyway ... JACKSON KAYAKS TIPS FOR RIVER RUNNING! Jackson Kayak (Monday 18th) ** - Running a river can always get the heart rate up.… From the first time river trip to the class five "knarbuckle".… There are some tips that you can use that will always put you in a good position to make good choices, as well as keep you on top of the proverbial food chain. When Things Go Wrong on the River – And How to Get Out of a Hole Irene's Kayaking Blog (Wednesday 20th) ** - Scott Henderson posted a really poignant account a while ago on Professor Paddle about how he nearly didn't make it out of a hole on the Middle Middle run on the Snoqualmie – a mostly Class III run with a pretty easy IV section... Gopro mount on the glens David O Sullivan (Tuesday 19th) ** - Here is a few pictures of the gopro mount I made. It was very simple to make and is very durable. the slot for the gopro is made out of plastic that was milled into shape thanks to the help of Donal my lecturer. This fits straight into a hollow pipe which has a bracket bolted onto the ... Stookesberry and Korbulic revel in final days in Venezuela Jackson Kayak (Saturday 16th) ** - Rio Caroni, Bolivar, Venezuela. We were sitting around a glowing fire that heated our dinner and lit the amphitheater of jungle around us as we leaned back on boulders or pieces of fallen trees. It was Pedro Oliva, Ben Stookesberry, and me waiting for what we were hoping to be our final meal of tuna pasta. Viva Mexico! Wavesport Blogs (Wednesday 20th) ** - School's out! Finally, after 11 long semesters of studying excessively, I had all the time to realize this long-cherished wish of mine and go on a proper trip with my kayak. The plan: 5 months of travelling in North, Middle and South America - always in search of the most beautiful pieces of white... Nikki Gregg's SUP Fitness Video Is About To Drop Werner (Wednesday 20th) ** - Nikki Gregg, the queen of SUPing, has a brand new video that showcases her SUP fitness routine.  If you have not had a chance to paddle or train with Nikki, you a missing a special treat.  In her new video Nikki will take you through a fun and challenging workout using your SUP.  You can find her video at many shops that sell SUPing equipment or reserve your copy online now. New paddles, PFD's and more!! Western Canoeing and Kayaking (Wednesday 20th) ** - There is no shortage of new boats this year at WCK . To compliment all these great new models we've ordered in some new exciting gear too. This year we have some new PFD's , paddles, footwear, dry-suits and more new stuff arriving every week. Here are some of the hot new accessories, available ... Stephen's Carbon Rockstar in Reno Video! Jackson Kayak (Sunday 17th) ** - After 2 weeks of paddling it, and hours of editing frustration with Final Cut Express…..it's finally online!  Enjoy the edit, but excuse the letter boxing and lower-than-normal res….I'm in the middle of an argument with my software.–it's winning. BOMB FLOW!!!!!! Evan Garcia (Friday 15th) * - So here it is we have been working on trying to get something like this together for a long time now! We have gone through many ideas and failed at a few, but we have finally hatched something of worth I believe!!!!! Bomb Flow TV will be Fred Norquist and Myself's newest project. Thoughts on the new Rockstar SquareRock (Sunday 17th) * - When I first saw that Jackson had launched a new boat, the Rockstar, I was a bit unsure of whether or not it would be so different that I wanted to get rid of my 2010 Star, which I absolutely loved. However, once I tried it I knew that it was time to retire the Star. For those of you who are thinking about ordering a Rockstar and haven't had chance to try one, this is why I decided to change: ... Top Tips for working in Chile. Team Pyranha (Friday 15th) * - After doing 2 seasons living and working in Chile and seeing the popularity of the place increase dramatically for paddlers, I thought I would write a helpful blog for all those hoping to go out there and do the same. So here are my top  tips for working as a safety kayaker/raft guide in Pucon, Chile.   Mastigouche River Guide Level 6 (Tuesday 19th) * - It's that time of year again … The snow is melting and rivers along with temperatures are on the rise.  Paddlers everywhere are starting to turn their attention towards one of our Nations great wealth's of Whitewater – Quebec. Quebec has been receiving more and more popularity over the past few years, as it deserves, and will once again take the spotlight front-and-center with the Whitewater Grand Prix debuting on some of the provinces best rivers. I've put together a short river guide to one of my all-time favorite runs in Quebec, the Riviere Mastigouche Nord.

Hot Forum Topics Asks the experts (Playak) Wavesport ezg 50 (Whitewater) good creek boats for big dudes on a budget! (Whitewater) Paddling in Peru! (Surf) Rand or Bungee? (Whitewater) Top Videos Stand up paddle board fishing (Paddleboy84) Valley High - Teaser (five2nine) Taylor Creek (M Leyva) Choosing the RIGHT Canoe (The Heliconia Press) Kayaksurf Session (lpabreu) Upcoming Events Easter Corsica Kayak Session France, Corsica, Apr 16 - Apr 23 Primer encuentro kayaksurf y waveski Chile, Concon, Apr 22 - Apr 23 Open Canoe Festival France, Drôme Valley, Apr 23 - Apr 25 Earth Day Paddle US, IL, Griggs St. Morris, Apr 23 Earth Day - Cartecay River Clean Up US, GA, Ellijay, Apr 23 Vancouver Kayak Club Whitewater Festival Canada, Chilliwack, Apr 29 - May 1 Kern Riverboarding Festival USA, CA, , Apr 29 - May 1 Mid West Sea Kayak Symposium UK, Scotland, Tayvallich, Apr 30 - May 2 Spring Paddle Festival Portland US, DC, Portland, Apr 30 - May 1 Frühlingsrodeo Bremgarten Switzerland, Bremgarten, Apr 30 VI Vohandu Marathon Estonia, , Apr 30 Upper DesPlaines Cleanup Trip US, IL, , Apr 30

The Playak Weekly Digest is a special Saturday version of the News Flash, containing the most popular paddling news of the past week. To see all the latest headlines, videos, forum discussions and more, visit Playak News Watch. This is the standard version of the newsletter, covering all paddling disciplines. To change the tailoring, please login on Playak, and then click the yellow triangle at the very top of the page to set your interests.
To unsubscribe from this newsletter, click here.

Today's News Editor(s): Jean-Ellen M. Trapani, bartw, Allen.