Why Everyone Should Kayak ~ Dane Goes Absolutely Huge in Canada

Playak Weekly Digest
The world's top paddling links in week 21, 2011.

News Watch Why Everyone Should Kayak Dagger Blogs (Tuesday 24th) *** - Recently I have been asked by a number of people why I kayak. More specifically, what exactly is it about kayaking that makes it so special that I am willing to mold my life around it. After fielding this question a number of times, Dane Goes Absolutely Huge in Canada Immersion Research (Tuesday 24th) *** - The grand prix was the most intense and epic event i have ever done. 2 weeks traveling around Quebec with 25 of the best paddlers competing in some of the scariest whitewater. The first event was a big trick competition on Gladiator wave on the Ottawa river. It was a little low so it had a huge foampile. And for those who don't know about 500 feet downstream of the wave is a river wide pourover that you never want to go in. It was a long and tiring day but no one went in the pourover and lots of people got big tricks. Ben Marr took 1st, i got 2nd and Rush Sturges got 3rd. Kadaň, Plattling, Graz adidas Sickline (Thursday 26th) *** - Finally I'm back home after more than a week tripping around spots and competitions. My past 3 weeks were a little exhausting because I became pretty sick. My doctor gave me some antibiotics to take for 7 days but I felt like I had to train so I didn't rest at all, which definitely was a mistake because my arm started to hurt as well (infected ligaments). Whitewater Grand Prix! Dagger Blogs (Thursday 26th) *** - The Whitewater Grand Prix was far and away one of the most impressive whitewater competitions ever to happen. It has raised the bar for whitewater competitions and is a true testament to Whitewater Kayaking's continued progression. With the six stages of the event being of varied disciplines and ... Grand Prix Wrap Up Level 6 (Saturday 21st) ** - Grand Prix 2011. The Grand Prix wrapped up in a few choice words: Humbling. Inspirational. Fresh. It was a great experience to paddle with all the athletes at the Grand Prix. Learning from each individuals unique racing & freeride styles. All the athletes got along well and by the end we were a big family… living out of vans and hotels… in northern quebec… doing what we love everyday. Cold Norway Sweet (Tuesday 24th) ** - This time of year use to be the real highlight of the season with warm weather and rivers filled up with water. However, this winter didn't leave much snow in the mountains. This fact, combined with cold weather gives us a real challenge to find rivers to run at the moment. The last days we had to run the low volume sections, which we usually run late, late season. Cannot complain, these sections are really some true gems! Milner Mile on the Snake River! Jackson Kayak (Tuesday 24th) ** - The Milner Mile on the Snake River is located in-between Burley and Twin Falls, ID.  The canyon is tight and constricted while dropping 100 feet in a mile.  The steep gradient and large volume of water creates huge holes, massive waves, and surging eddies.  Many people consider the Milner Mile to be the largest size whitewater in the Continental U.S. Olympic Whitewater Course for 2012 Games in London ... Paddling Life (Saturday 21st) ** - Allo, Gubnah! Ok, so my English accent needs work, but that's OK; we're still more than a year out from the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Summer Games in London. The good news for paddle sports enthusiasts is that they don't have to wait that long to take a run down the official Olympic whitewater course. Middle Sermenza on demob Friday Gene17 (Sunday 22nd) ** - A reasonable flow from the dam at Rima, meant we could get a run on the Middle Sermenza with it's several canyons and great steep creek boat moves. Rain… Finally! Team Pyranha (Tuesday 24th) ** - Any boaters on this side of the pond will have noticed that the last few months have been exceptionally poor for getting out boating. Last weekend I'd all but given up hope – not even checked the forecast for rain – but took boats along to help out with safety at a swimming event on Saturday in the Lake District. Freestyle Technique - Learn to Helix Rapid Magazine Blog (Tuesday 24th) ** - Steve Fisher talks about how the Helix came to be and more importantly how you can add it to your arsenal of tricks.  "The hardest part is figuring it out in your head."  Read the step by step article on how to Helix in the Early ... Early Season Wavesport Blogs (Friday 20th) ** - While it seems like most of the northern hemisphere has been paddling for the last month or two, in the Canadian Rockies we are just starting to get water now. Enjoy a few pics from this past weekend.   Pyranha Loki M Playak (Friday 20th) ** - The Loki takes the design features of the Molan and Varun that were released earlier this year and stretches them, creating a long, slick and super slicey old school mover with all the benefits of modern design, perfect for slow blunts and stalls. Pyrénées Buddies Race 2011 Wavesport Blogs (Thursday 26th) ** - The 1st creek racing circuit 2011 with the participation of about 80 paddlers with good environment and not all the river flow at its best. On Saturday, team sprint race and sleeves with qualifying  for  ... Team Van Tour – Val Sessia Team Pyranha (Sunday 22nd) ** - The first few days have flown by, the weather is fantastic and other than the low water levels in the Alps this year things are going well. We kicked off the trip by taking the new Loki out for a spin on the local rafting run.

Hot Forum Topics Necky Blunt Vs. Wavesport Y (Whitewater) New kayaker Newish paddler best creeking shoe (Whitewater) Travelling to Canada (North America) Top Videos Corsica Creeking 2011 (somebody) herbert river 2011 Sketchy Times on the Witte (AdrianTregoning) Kayaking 4 Kidz (SkippyFilms) Fire.. (dalso) Upcoming Events Valsesia River Festival Italy, Piemonte, Campertogno, May 25 - May 29 BioFest Tour Whitewater Festival US, MT, Bigfork, May 27 - May 29 South Dakota Kayak Challenge US, SD, Yankton, May 27 - May 29 CKS PaddleFest USA, CO, Buena Vista, May 27 - May 29 6th Annual ProfessorPaddle.com Ball US, WA, Leavenworth, May 28 - May 29

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