Paddling World Saddened by Death of Bomber Gear Founder Rick Franken

Playak Weekly Digest
The world's top paddling links in week 12, 2013.

News Watch Paddling World Saddened by Death of Bomber Gear Founder Rick Franken Playak - The paddling community was deeply saddened this weekend when hit by the bombshell of the death of Bomber Gear founder Rick Franken, who reportedly passed away in his sleep this past weekend while camping on a kayaking trip to Alabama with his son, Kai. The cause of death is not yet known. Boater Bully worldkayak blogs - Fortunately, the 99.9% of paddlers, mountain bikers, climbers, and other extreme adventurists are all too eager to offer assistance and welcome newcomers to their respective sport or past time. Some even take them under their wing, making every minute spent together a teachable moment for both the veteran and the rookie. Life in The Slow Lane - Three Days At The Falls of Lora Nick Bennett - With my dissertation looming and finals not far away I thought that NSR would be my last weekend of fun. Maybe I was right, but somehow I managed to be very efficient and get my work done in time for a thee day mid week break at the Falls of Lora. An Analytical Look at Survivable Submersion Times Site Zed - After the tragic entrapment of a canoeist on the Little River last weekend(1), I found myself wondering about the odds of surviving a long submersion. The canoeist's peers persisted in their rescue efforts for 35 minutes by repeatedly strong swimming through a rapid that had just ensnared their friend in an unseen feature and despite initial orders from responding authorities. Thus is the camaraderie and commitment within the boating community; no other rescue personnel would have given the same concerted effort at such great risk to themselves. That a pulse and spontaneous respirations were restored following resuscitation is further testament to their efforts... "Go Where I Go... Don't Go Where I Don't Go!" MassiveCock Productions - Who said girls can kayak... See here Lizzy doesn't even know how to hold on to her paddle So there have been some more adventures mostly involving far too much water and no photographs. Oh and even some rain... I know, in California!! But for you're enjoyment I have some more pics from T... The National Student Rodeo Nick Bennett - A couple of weeks ago I headed down to Nottingham with the rest of Edinburgh university canoe club for the the national student rodeo, or NSR for short. A Kayaking Road Trip Through Patagonia Palm Blogs - This winter was my third in a row I managed to travel with my kayak through one of the most beautiful countries in the world – Chile. I only had a window of four weeks this time but nevertheless I still got to see new rivers and got some of the best classics done. First Descent of The Upper Rio Diamante- Mendoza, Northern Argentina. Ricketts Kayaking - So here i am in northern argentina wrapping up a season of Rafting with Potrerillos explorer on the mighty Rio Mendoza. Hanging out in the small rafting town of Potrerillos it´s been a very fun an chill 2 and a half months. When You Do What You Love, Love Is What You Do Girls at Play - In our February Gear Giveaway we asked our newsletter readers to share their stories of moving through resistance they may encounter when doing what they love to do. Another 1.D Here in My Home Town & Rio Blanco KayakPucon - Is so good to have good friends whit you, when you go run a new river, kayaking is all about that, good friends, good river, good water level and "Run the real" for having fun. The Self Support Adventure Jackson Kayak - The coldest month in over 30 years on the Grand Canyon, and I decide it is a good idea to spend two weeks self support kayaking the monster. That means everything I need to survive on and off the river had to fit in my boat. No raft support. No extra stuff. River Erme SW Sea Kayaking - Enjoying Dartmoor's River Erme, this morning. I haven't paddled this classic whitewater run all winter, as I've been focussing on paddling lesser known and obscure sections as research for the upcoming guidebook. Trailer of the Expedition "Upper Amazon, Peru" Level 6 - Peru in the Andes at an altitude of 9500ft. It's around midnight, the roaring of the Rio Maranon next to me is deafening. We portaged our fully loaded kayaks for the last seven hours because of a big syphone where the whole river disappears for about one mile. Now we lay outside under a small ledge. An Interview with Kayak Coach Simon Westgarth Gene17 - My advice to anyone wishing to become a full time whitewater coach is go and paddle whilst you are young; if you can pick up some paper qualifications along the way, great, but do not become a slave to them. Paddling Mexico Jackson Kayak - When I first got the call from Rolf Kelly about going to Mexico and paddling the Alseseca. I was fired up, there are a few rapids/rivers I really wanted to see in person.

Forums Paddling World Saddened by Death of Bomber Gear Founder Rick Franken (Discuss) Videos Rider of the Year III Awards Video [ presented by triberider.com ] (triberiders) Time Lapse Video GoPro Hero 3 Black Edition (supzero) A Profile of Jason Serres @ Tellico River Video by dale briggs footage Alf 2013 (dbriggsc2) Alf 2013 Mr. Sears running the Tellico Video by dale briggs footage (dbriggsc2) Alf Race 2013 Highlighting Baby Falls Video by dale briggs footage (dbriggsc2) Upcoming Dam to the Bay USA, Florida, Tallahassee, Florida, Mar 16 - Mar 22 Santa Cruz PaddleFest US, CA, Santa Cruz, Mar 22 - Mar 24 SUCC Student Outdoor Sport Film Festival UK, Debates Chamber @ Strahclyde Union, Mar 22 Richard Tao Franken Goodbye Gathering United States, North Caro, The Green River Takeout, Mar 25 ICF Canoe Slalom Ranking Markkleeberg Germany, Kanupark, Mar 29 - Apr 1

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Today's News Editor(s): bartw.