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02
May

European Team Tour 2013

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The Team will be visiting the festivals and rivers around Italy, Austria, France, Germany, Norway and Sweden this year.

21st – 26th May
Val Sesia River Festival
Campertogno, Italy

1st – 2nd June
Soca Rapids Master
Positive Sport
Kobarid, Slovenia

8th June
Drau Rodeo
La Ola
River Drau, Austria

9th June
Augsburg Demo
Kanu Treff
Augsburg, Germany

15th – 16th June
Pyranha Freestyle Demo
Canadian Canoe Co.
Huningue, France

18th – 24th June
L’Argentièrer Campsite
Demos available all week
Briancon

26th – 30th June
Voss Extreme Week
God Tur
Voss, Norway

6th – 7th July
Valldal Summer Games TBC
Valldalla, Norway

9th – 14th July
Sjoa River Festival
Stri Strommer
Otta, Norway

19th – 21st July
Masters of the Water
Kajaktiv AB
Dala-Floda, Sweden

We hope you can join us!

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30
Apr

Pyranha in Blue Ridge Life magazine

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Virginia’s monthly mountain lifestyle magazine, Blue Ridge Life, put its latest edition on the newstands this week. Inside is a multi-page article on the outstanding whitewater paddling in the area.  They were even good enough to send a professional photographer to this year’s Goshen Pass Race back in March, then another shutterbug caught up to us at the end of an afternoon creeking session on the North Fork of the Tye. Folks are clueing-in to the fact that the some of the state’s best creeking is right here in the the central Blue Ridge – and Team Pyranha is out front and center.
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To go directly to the May issue of Blue Ridge Life mag, click here .

For results of the 2013 Goshen Pass Race, click here . (Team Pyranha wins again – 6th year in a row!)
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The Speeder leaving Devil’s Kitchen on the way to another win.

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Just some of the almost 50 racers at this year’s event.

Photo creds: Paul Purpura, Joshua Brooks, Trafford McRae

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30
Apr

Read and run fun in Pakistan

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Pakistan has some very scary sections of whitewater in the summer months. However, tucked away amongst the crazy are some of my favorite sections anywhere in the world. I made a little video featuring what I consider to be the best four that I did last year:

 

Joe

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30
Apr

Pyranha On The Cover of LocalADK Magazine

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Last week a brand new magazine was launched in New York State’s Adirondack Mountains.  The magazine gives a fresh view of all of the exciting things there are to do in The United States’ largest land preserve.  This is where I call home and I am very proud to be part of this fantastic project.

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I was humbled to have my photo selected for the cover as well as some text that I put together about my favorite rivers in The Adirondacks.  It was a great first experience working with this magazine and I hope to contribute more in the future.

The best part is, LocalADK is a FREE publication. You can read it cover to cover for free on the web or pick up a hard copy at one of the advertiser’s place of business.  Check it out: www.localadk.com

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27
Apr

The New Haven Race…Grassroots Creek Racing At It’s Finest

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This Year I finally had the great pleasure of participating in the annual New Haven River Race near Bristol, Vermont.  While I’ve been make the commute across Lake Champlain from New York to paddle the New Haven “Ledges” section for several years, this was the first chance I’ve had to make it to the race since they started holding it in 2009.  As temperatures rose into the 70’s (That’s Fahrenheit) the day before, melting all the snow and bringing the river up to a fantastic flow on Friday evening, it was clear that I had chosen a good year to attend.  It was a great opportunity to see so many of the great folks that I hadn’t seen since Moose Fest. and do some fantastic paddling.

© scott martin-2370

A huge thank you goes out to Scott Martin and Nick Gottlieb.  They took a ton of photos and shared them graciously.  If you get a chance visit their sites: Scott Martin Images and Nicholas Gottlieb.com

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25
Apr

Birmingham University Kayak Club – Cardiff, Scotland and NSR

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Scotland
This Easter saw some of our intermediate and advanced paddlers head way up north to The Highlands for the club’s annual Easter Scotland trip. Joined by some friendly ex-members, a fun week was had by all, undeterred by irritatingly low water levels.

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In between paddling some beautiful gorges and a couple of runs down the Garry during a dam release, the group enjoyed a little relaxed walking in the area around Ben Nevis, as well as celebrating Chris’s birthday on the slopes of Aviemore’s ski resort. Despite having never been skiing before, Richie seemed to be making great progress until an unfortunate collision with a fence ended in a trip to A&E!

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Towards the end of the week, a trip down the Carron provided some unexplored territory to keep the group’s river leaders on their toes, including spending 40 minutes rescuing a pinned boat! Unsurprisingly, tit of the week has to be awarded to Harry for spectacularly dropping his boat all the way into Findhorn gorge and watching it float down the first rapid unmanned.

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Overall, despite a couple of hospital trips and an almost-lost boat, everyone survived an awesome week away. Hopefully next year the water levels will seem huge in comparison…

Cardiff Weekend Away
This was the weekend it snowed loads in Brum so needless to say, it was rather cold… We spent the first day messing around on the whitewater course. Highlights include Sarah’s first white water roll and Vicky’s swim from a Jefe!

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After a rather heavy night at Metros and a couple hours sleep in the luxury of a Travelodge we paddled the fun but rather urban afon Taff. This weekend also saw the maiden voyage of our fantastic new Pyrahna fleet.

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We’ve chosen 3 JEDs and 2 Varuns with one more boat still to come. First impressions indicate that they’re amazing boats. The Varuns seem to be particularly good choices!

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NSR!! 

NSR is the largest student kayaking event in the world and definitely one of the highlights of the year. This years circus themed event was particularly memorable with candyfloss, balloons, bbqs, own circus tent and so much more. The Birmingham clowns won the spirit of NSR prize and came third overall.

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A special note to Antonia for coming third in the novice category and Rhys for coming third in expert! These amazing achievements mean we can look forward to one years worth of Pyrahna sponsorship and seven shinny new boats. With Chris as our new events sec I’m sure we can all look forward to an even better time at next years heroes and villains themed event.

NSR

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22
Apr

High

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For the last 9 months or so myself and a group of friends have been saving up footage for a paddling film. So if you’ve got 43 minutes going spare enjoy some high water from Kenya, Siberia, Pakistan, Meghalaya and the UK:

 

Joe

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18
Apr

Mexico 2012 Part II: The Big Banana

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Below: Namesake, photo by Adam Goshorn

After spending out first full day in Mexico paddling the Roadside section of the Rio Alseseca (see pictures and video HERE) we returned to Aventurec and ended up spending the evening drinking a few beers with German paddler Julian Schafer and Canadian paddlers Mikkel St. Jean-Ducan and Lianne Germaine, who were also staying at Aventurec. As often happens among paddlers, we all quickly became friends and ended up paddling together almost every day for the rest of our time around Tlapacoyan. While hanging out that evening, Julian offered to show us the Big Banana section of the Alseseca the next day. The Big Banana section was on our hit list for our trip, but, having only paddled one day so far, it didn’t seem like much of a warm up before heading to one of the harder runs in the area. However, we all certainly understood the advantages of having him there to show us the put-in and feed us some beta along the way. Eventually we decided that we would paddle the second half of the Big Banana section the next day, hiking into the river at the notorious Silenco waterfall and paddling out through the Pezma section to Puente Tomata.

Below: Matt Beauchamp on Meatlocker, photo by Mikkel St. Jean-Duncan

The hike into Silenco begins at a locked gate in a barbed wire fence at a small pull-off on the side of the road on the drive between Puente Tomata and the Roadside section. It’s such a non-descript spot on the side of the road that we were all immediately thankful to have Julian there to show it to us. The hike was relatively easy, almost all downhill and for most of the way it follows an old roadbed that led down to and through fields of grazing cows. After sliding our boats under another fence, we hopped over and found ourselves at the top of Silenco, a thunderous drop in the 35-40-foot range with a tricky entrance and boxed in landing at the bottom. We spent a little while scouting, but ultimately no one in our group was willing to commit to such a stout drop in their first few paddle strokes of the day. We traversed another barbed wire fence and portaged around a bend to a spot where it was possible to enter the canyon by either jumping or doing a big seal launch into green water at the bottom. After watching the first few folks seal launch with mixed results, the rest of us tossed our boats and jumped in, floating a short distance to a shallow rock where we could get into our boats.

Below: Adam Goshorn on the 20-footer that signals the beginning of the Pezma Section, photo by Mikkel St. Jean-Duncan

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17
Apr

Te awa is our taonga (The river is our treasure)

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No matter how many times I head overseas on a boating trip, I am always super stoked to come home and brace myself for what I know will be a huge NZL Spring and Summer!
This season has been no different from those of the past, and now that I’m finally ready to say my season here is coming to an end, I can take the time to post about it.
Come November every year, I say farewell to my fellow colleagues in the architectural office and head South.
Despite what you may have heard of the New Zealand season, it starts in the South.
The Waikaia River is potentially my favourite river in the world. The East Branch of the Waikaia is in my eyes the hardest multi day run in the country. Having been a part of the first descent team in Spring of 2009, I have been back every season since and caught the short window of eye opening, edge of seat excitement. Starting with a heli trip to 1100m altitude, you gradually descend to 300m over 13km’s and two days. Two days of non-stop horizon lines and long, technical rapids in a stunning high country tussock and beach forest setting.

Snow on the approach to the Waikaia Valley

Snow on the approach to the Waikaia Valley

 

I enjoy a quiet moment with Shannon Mast during our first descent of the Upper West Branch of the Waikaia.

I enjoy a quiet moment with Shannon Mast during our first descent of the Upper West Branch of the Waikaia.

 

About to drop back in to the East Branch of the Waikaia after a long sustained class V+ section. With the numbers for safety, this bad boy will go.

About to drop back in to the East Branch of the Waikaia after a long sustained class V+ section early on day 1. With the numbers for safety, this bad boy will go.

 

Enjoying a waterfall in day two of the East Branch.

Enjoying a waterfall in day two of the East Branch.

 

Willz Martin launches on one of the last rapids of day 1 in the East Branch.

Willz Martin launches on one of the last rapids of day 1 in the East Branch.

A week in the Waikaia’s generally has the body aching for a rest, and from here, I head back home to Central Otago. The gems of Central are what make me most proud to be a Kiwi. Every year, you are guaranteed good flows on the Nevis River from September through to Xmas while the snow is melting. When your bored of the Nevis (or just needing a rest) head to the Blue River, Routeburn River, Manuherikia River, or how about the Kawarau for some laps on Nevis Bluff, Citroen and Retrospect rapids!
The Nevis is my backyard bread and butter, and I was stoked this year to fit 14 laps in. Two solo, and three sub two hours, smashing the previous record of 2hr54min set in 2011 by myself, Barny Young and Jordy Searle.

Anyway, too much writing. Check out the “Central Spring” episode of “Worthless” for somewhat of a summary.

NZ Worthless- Central Springtime

And.. keep an eye open for the full edit of “Worthlesser – Weekend Worriers” dropping soon.

Worthlesser – Weekend Worriers

When Spring finally rolls to a stop, then I head to the “Best Coast” for some alpine heli runs and walk ins. The options are endless, and I can’t quite portray my affection for the New Zealand kayak season enough.

 

Laying back for a moment out of the boat in the Arahura River

Laying back for a moment out of the boat in the Arahura River

 

Dropping into the intimidating Morgan's Gorge on the Waitaha River

Dropping into the intimidating Morgan’s Gorge on the Waitaha River

 

Dropping in to "Trent's Trench" during the first descent of the Upper Whataroa River

Dropping in to “Trent’s Trench” during the first descent of the Upper Whataroa River

To top off my 12/13 season, how about a brand new artificial wave in my backyard to jam on before work. Or after. Or even on my lunch hour. It’s literally 5 mins from my office and flows virtually every day! Not a bad way to wind down a season of steeps.

 

Learning to paddle a freestyle boat again is a pretty easy undertaking when this wave is only 1 of 2 new features minutes upstream from my caravan!

Learning to paddle a freestyle boat again is a pretty easy undertaking when this wave is only 1 of 2 new features minutes upstream from my caravan!

I’m on a plane in less than two weeks back to the USA aiming for my first big hit at some Cali love. Stay tuned.

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17
Apr

Watauga Grand Prix

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The Watauga “Grand Prix” took place this past weekend, consisting of a four mile downriver race through the class IV/IV+ Watauga gorge on saturday, and a Downriver Freestyle/Head to Head sprint rolling competition on various rapids throughout the gorge on sunday. The weekend was absolutely rad! Competitors came in from Asheville, Tennesee, Virginia, South Carolina and elsewhere.

The Racers at the put in - Photo courtesy of Arlyn Agababian

The Racers at the put in – Photo courtesy of Arlyn Agababian

The start of the race on saturday was chaotic as usual, as around 40 racers mass started directly above a particularly low road bridge. The longboats made their way to the front of the pack as the field began to thin out over the 4 miles, although the first couple of major rapids were pretty interesting. The race finished over the 15 foot stateline falls at the NC/TN border with Andrew Holcombe leading the pack, followed by JB, Toby Mcdermott, Eric Chance, Mark Taylor, and myself taking 6th place. Ty Caldwell was not far behind with the 1st place short boat finish.

Myself, Andrew Holcombe and Garret leading the pack through Hydro. Photo Emory Klesick

Myself, Andrew Holcombe and Garret leading the pack through Hydro. Photo Emory Klesick

Sunday featured the 1st annual downriver freestyle competition, with consisted of a 2 minute run though hydro to do whatever you wanted (including play in the extremely sticky pour over  at the bottom), a head to head sprint race through heavy water, and finishing with a freestyle trick competition off state line falls.  This set up was awesome it allowed for a ton of creativity, everyone pushing each other to try new, harder, different stuff, and most of all an insane amount of fun for the competitors and spectators alike. We had a huge pack rolling down the river of not only competitors but people new to kayaking as well, even a few watauga first timers. It was awesome having the whole community out there boating together. Through Hydro, boaters were rock spinning, splatting, pirouetting, spinning, cartwheeling, back wheeling, and doing an endless variety of somewhat not intentional rodeo moves in the stomping hole at the bottom, making a great show for everybody.  Toby took this one home with a sweet ride followed with a paddle toss-loop to swim.

Ty Caldwell stern squirting into the final drop of Hydro

The head to head through heavy water was a carnage-fest filled with the highly encouraged shoving, pushing and cheating. This quarter mile long multiple s turning rapid was perfect, and was won by Colin Hunt.

Head to head sprinting through Heavy Water, Photo by Matt Whitson

Finally the last, scariest event of the day was freestyle off state line falls.  This is about a 15 foot drop with a very exposed piton rock on the bottom left but gave up some sweet freewheels to almost everyone.  Toby took this one again with the very scary backwheel, followed by me with a freewheel brown claw, and Chance with a freewheel to beatdown.

Me freewheeling stateline falls, photo by Arlyn Agababian

Me freewheeling stateline falls, photo by Arlyn Agababian

This weekend of kayaking was an awesome event that brought everyone together for a combination of pushing it hard, having fun, goofing off, and great friendly competition. To me this event is what kayaking is all about!

Cheers, Clay

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