Enjoying my last days... ~ Can You Boat Scout? ~ Contour Connect App

Playak News Flash - December 27, 2012
The world's latest paddling headlines.

News Watch Headlines Enjoying my last days... Dylan Nichols - It is always hard coming to the end of a trip, especially one like this. I have been fortunate enough to make MANY friends and be apart of a few families. And knowing that my time here is about to expire, makes a flood of memories come back... Can You Boat Scout? Small World Adventures - Midge boofing like a banche on the Oyacachi Introduction to Creeking—the importance of boat scouting skills.  Boat scouting— figuring out a rapid from in your boat rather than getting out on shore to actually scout ... High Water on the Toaroha River padallen - Andrew and I had walked in and paddled the Toaroha River the day before at normal flows. However, it had been rain most of the day and been getting heavier in the afternoon. With rain bringing water levels up around Hokitika and only having time in the afternoon to paddle we decided to head back up to the Toaroha River, with the expectation of some more water. Andrew and I were joined again by Tristan for the paddle. Contour Connect App unsponsored - I have had the Contour +2 for a few days now and have been playing around with the App for iOS devices. Top 10 paddles of 2012 - #8 Tony Paradise - On January 15th a group of us went to Bay Bulls for a cool winter's day paddle.  The day started out sunny and bright.  We paddled along the south shore.  There was no wind. We poked into every little cave and overhang. 2012 SupConnect SUP Women of the Year Winners SUP Connect - Two categories of women are being honored this year in the SupConnect 2012 SUP Woman of the Year Awards.  They include the Elite Division Winners and the People's Choice Division Winners.  Find out who took the top spots!  Big Tuna Goes Pike Fishing on the Sugar River Jackson Kayak - We finally had the chance to take the Big Tuna down the Sugar River in southern Wisconsin. Andi and I paddled and fished out of the Big Tuna while two friends floated in a canoe. We were fishing mainly for Pike but this river does have the occasional Musky and Brown Trout. Help Pass Virginia Stream Access Legislation! Am. Whitewater - The lack of clarity regarding the rights of residents and visitors to paddle Virginia's many rivers and streams has long been an unnecessary source of conflict.  Virginians are now ready to change that by clarifying that in Virginia people have the widely supported right to float... Merry Christmas...Mele Kalikimaka Atlantic Paddle Surfing - Christmas isn't a season. It's a feeling Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. Updates to 2013 racing calendar International Rafting Federation - There have been a few changes and additions to the 2013 Euro Cup racing schedule. For instance, the Austrian Wildapen event is now being held on the 26 to 28 April so as to not clash with the Slovakian event. Virus Women'S Stay Cool Compression Crop Pants – Review SUP Surf - Guest post from Kari Leong (2x Winner of Hawaii Business Magazine's Fittest CEO Contest)I was so excited to get my own Virus International Crop Pants and V Neck Top. Evan has been raving about how his Virus Compression gear helps his body to "recover" after a hard SUP session. Youth Freestyle Development Weekend Palm Blogs - With the Youth freestyle series officaly over for the year, We where able to look at the results and pick out some of the most promising youngsters to join us on a weekend of coaching in Nottingham. Big Winter Specs YakAngler - After almost a month-long absence from my kayak due to my annual hunting trip to Wisconsin, it was once again time to board my Ocean Kayak "Trident 13" . IRF wishes you all happy holidays and a great New Year! International Rafting Federation - The IRF wishes those of you who are celebrating Christmas a wonderful time and all those lucky enough to be on holiday a great break and hope you are having quality time with friends and family.

To see all the latest news, 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.
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Today's News Editor(s): bartw.

Day one in Chile ~ Florida: Ozello with Aardvark's Florida Kayak Company

Playak News Flash - December 25, 2012
The world's latest paddling headlines.

News Watch Headlines Day one in Chile Wavesport Blogs - On my first day in Chile I went on the Trancura and Palguin rivers with my friend and WS team member Martina Wegman. Florida: Ozello with Aardvark's Florida Kayak Company PenobscotPaddles - When we decided to drive north to Crystal River, my first thought was, this time we're going to have a real adventure, this time we'll call ahead to Aardvark's Florida Kayak Company to arrange a tour. From the Mag: Wild Water, Wild Women SUP Magazine - This summer, a group of hard-charging ladies went on an SUP magazine trip into the heart of Idaho searching for whitewater. Class V Training OR Rafting Team - Behaviors of a self centered nature were discussed at the onset. Our expectation was that in running Class V water, group think and constant vigilance in regard to being mindful of others is the best skill in insuring safe behaviors. Anywhere, for anything. Tons of Photos Today NC Paddle Surfer - No comments - just a bunch of photos :) White Water Grand Prix 2012 Werner - Werner Team paddlers reporting from the 2012 White Water Grand Prix. Words by Jakub Nemec and photos by Nicole Mansfield. GB Rafting Selections 2012 PeakUK - This weekend saw the National Selection event for Great Britain's white water rafting teams held at the Olympic London 2012 Lee Valley venue. An elite field of around 60 paddlers were competing to represent Great Britain at next years rafting World Championships in New Zealand. Cathedral Rock and Horse Heaven Wilderness on the John Day Am. Whitewater - In 2011, Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkely reintroduced legislation to create the Cathedral Rock and Horse Heaven Wilderness Areas in Eastern Oregon. If passed, the legislation would protect almost 18,000 acres as wilderness along the John Day River, ... Gear Review: SK8Pole Skate Paddle SUP Surf Mag - When the waves are down and you're looking to satisfy the urge for some land stand up paddling with a skateboard, don't overlook the SK8Pole as an option for your skate paddle. SK8Pole sent us beautiful silver Sk8Pole a little while back. We've been putting it to the test and this is our review. Jake Jensen wins the "20 Beaches" race in Sydney Naish - The "20 Beaches Classic" has become one of the top SUP races in Australia and has attracted many of the country's finest downwind paddlers. Competitors were lured with the promise of stellar downwind conditions from Palm Beach, in Sydney's North, down to Freshwater Beach. SurfSpotting App SUP Surf Mag - Entrepreneur and local surfer, Andrew Scales, has had a long time dream and vision that inspired him to launch SurfSpotting. The aim was to provide surfers with an app that focuses on surf spots and finding them based on the users personal observations. Santa Claus Kayaks Great Falls – Happy Holidays From Accent Paddles! Accent Paddles - As a token of our holiday spirit we would like to share a holiday video of Santa Claus kayaking Great Falls of the Potomac River.

To see all the latest news, 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.

Torqeedo Kayak Motors ~ 2012 Year Wrap up ~ Chile ~ WWGP Stage 4 & 5!!

Playak News Flash - December 24, 2012
The world's latest paddling headlines.

News Watch Headlines Torqeedo Kayak Motors YakAngler - I believe there comes a point in most kayakers lives where they wish they had a little more than just self propelled power behind their kayaks. For me its on those long windy days where you let the wind push you miles away from the launch and then turn around ... 2012 Year Wrap up Wavesport Blogs - As the year is coming to a close I can't help but think about how I have such a blessed life. The year got kicked of with a new to me RV, the addition of Shred doggy. In mid spring I started my tour traveling all over the US to competitions. Chile Sweet - Somehow I happened to pull off a flight to Santiago de Chile after straight two months of work after getting off the one and only Stikine river. My friend Nicole Mansfield happen to have a same plan so we decided to rent a car together to be able to travel more and have cheap car rental. south branch, middle feather, Cali From the Dirt - we made the long drive through the night, over mountains and valleys, highways and alleys, with jah by our side. From the Columbia Gorge we arrived to the lovely Feather drainage, far from the reaches of Babylon and before the post-Reno crowds. ... Wavesport Recon 83 Review by Andy Holt Desperate Measures - After a good innings with my Wavesport Habitat it was time to invest in a new Creekboat and loving Wavesport boats I went with the new Recon from Desperate Measures  a couple of weeks ago. WWGP Stage 4 & 5!! Martina Wegman - Rush and Markus in stage 4 - photo by Mike Dawson The second to last and last stage of the Whitewater Grand Prix were held on the Fualeufu deep in Patagonia. Both stages where totally different than the previous but equally as epic! Jez'z YIR with the Southeast, CO, WY and World Cup! Jackson Kayak - What an amazing summer it has been. I can't believe I packed so much into it. For me this summer included trips to the South East, West Virginia, Colorado and the World Cup Event. More of a Niche Mt. Hood H2O - I have always had the impression that Silver Creek was a force to be reckoned with.  This came from a number of sources and I may have been reading between lines that were not there.  Uganda by Bartozs Pirate Production - It's been already 2 weeks since we arrived, I've been staying at Hairy Lemon and in the Village already, enjoying great fresh fruits , local food and mostly - great big waves! Met alot of good friends here already adnd in last couple of days more people arrived, ... A Change of Pace in 2012 Level 6 - Most of the time when people ask me what my goals are, I answer back goals that consist of my personal paddling ~ a certain waterfall, river or adventure.  In 2012, however, it was different.  2012 consisted of a shift in my normal paddling routine by focusing more on developing as an instructor and leader in the whitewater industry outside of my paddling performance.  A medical emergency and moonlight landing at Port Carrick. SeaKayakPhoto.com - When we approached the roosting gulls on Carnage Corner south of Dunure it was pretty obvious that it would be dark by the time we got to Maidens. So we made a decision to cut across the 7km wide mouth of Culzean Bay direct to  Barwin Point. This was to prove to be a major navigational error. Drysuit neck gasket replacement Tony Paradise - In the fall of 2010 I had to replace the neck gasket in my drysuit.  I got it done but it was a messy process.  I had the process just about 50% right.  I used the bottom of an 8 3/4 inch plant pot that fit tightly in the material but when I applied the Aquaseal, Last Minute Nifty Gifts surfingsports.com - Here's a few last minute gifts and stocking stuffers for that standup paddler in your life… SteelCore security straps…12′ : $95 15′ : $105 The Stohlquist Rocker PFD Review CKS Blog - Stohlquist has been building PFD's for as long as there's been whitewater kayaking it seems. Models like the BRIK, Wedge-E and X-tract were, and still are staples in many a whitewater kayakers gear bag. Top 10 paddles of 2012 - #10 Tony Paradise - The number 10 top paddle of 2012 was a paddle Dean, Hazen and I did today.  Why? Well, its on the basis of "What have you done for me lately".  Its fresh and on the 10th last day of the year. We drove to Holyrood Marina where we put in amidst all the yachts that had been taken out ...

To see all the latest news, 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.

Elaine Campbell - Season of Fun ~ Van Island

Playak News Flash - December 22, 2012
The world's latest paddling headlines.

News Watch Headlines Elaine Campbell - Season of Fun Wavesport Blogs - 2012 is coming to an end and what a great year it was.  My brother got married so we went to Sweden for the wedding, I made the US WildWater Team, met some new friends, had good competition results, and more great things happened but too much to tell. Dane Jackson wins second consecutive White Water Grand Prix title Kokatat - ARCATA, CALIFORNIA, December 18, 2012 – Kokatat is proud to congratulate team paddler Dane Jackson on his second consecutive White Water Grand Prix (WWGP) title on the Futaleufu River in Chile last weekend. Van Island Level 6 - BC got absolutely rocked by rain storms in late June and early July this year which meant land slides, floods and too much water to safely kayak anywhere in BC, so we took off to Vancouver Island to check out the so called goods out there. What do you know about your crew? Raven Fork, North Carolina Chris Baer - What goes through your head when you lend out two throw bags before putting on a river that maxes out at an impressive 730 Feet Per MIle? Scotty Mann starting his way into the brawl that is Mike Tyson's Punch Out Rain! My Year in a Jackson Kayak! Cali, Japan and More! Jackson Kayak - I started paddling Jackson Kayaks this past April, and had an amazing season. My first day in the Villain, I went down Weber Creek at high water. Perhaps not the best choice for the first day in a new boat, but after a minor hick-up and adjustment, the boat and I were getting along great. Carve Industry Kickstarter Campaign SUP Connect - Carve Industries is a new player in the surfing and stand up paddleboarding industry making long-lasting, durable handmade wooden boards as an alternative to the industry standard of foam and plastic boards. The company's mission is to create a movement toward a smarter and greener industry, while rewiring the consumer mindset toward products that are built to last. Dylan Frick Making Waves in South Africa: Next Stop, Peru. Starboard - Dylan Frick, the young South African, cleaned up at the Coreban Summer Series and took the overall series title by winning all the Slalom heats and races convincingly. He also took the long distance ocean race on his 14′ Carbon Ace Pro by more than 3 minutes, and a close 3rd in the open division of the wave riding event after winning all his heats. Happy Holidays and many wonderful watery scenes in 2013. Werner - From the entire family at Werner Paddles, Happy Holidays and a healthy New Year to you and your loved ones. Leco Salazar wins the Location X Finals and secures the 2012 World Title SUP Surf - In a dramatic and emotional finish here at Finlandia's Location X Finals presented by the Moorings and in association with Starboard, the Brazilian Leco Salazar was crowned not only event winner, but 2012 World Champion here on the Stand Up World Tour. Long Term Review: Adanac Greenland Paddle Paddling Instructor - About a year ago Jill Ellis from Adanac Paddles contacted me to see if I would be interested in testing a new prototype Greenland paddle design she was working on. I quickly yes so when the paddle was ready I was invited to come and visit her woodworking shop ...

To see all the latest news, 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.