2014 was a busy year for me, and for the first time in a while I did not manage to venture on an international kayaking adventure. Instead I had to explore my own backyard a bit more. Fortunately, my backyard is beautiful British Columbia, a true whitewater Mecca.
Maxi on Dipper Creek — Photo: Steve Arns
A below average snowpack had us worried at the start of the season. But all the worrying was in vain. Water levels were consistently great. In the early season we got many great runs on the Ashlu and the infamous Whistler triple.
A big highlight was the annual Callaghan Creek Race, a team race down the entirety of this classic run. It was yet again a huge success with great turnout (50+). Together with my partner Ric Moxon we managed to tie for third place with the comedic duo of Hector Darby Maclellan and Rich Kemble (I am pretty sure I beat them at the afterparty though!). Congrats to Darin Albright for his third consecutive title!
Jonas Delonge, Cheakamus
In July we went on a bit of a road trip to the Central Rockies, a new paddling destination for me. The Upper Fraser was a special highlight, and a river that was long near the top of my list. It lived up to its expectations.
Maxi on the Upper Fraser
The best boating of the season was perhaps in the fall. October was unusually wet and the rivers appeared to flow perfectly every weekend. Then all of a sudden it got really cold and Dipper Creek became an option.
In mid November, together with Steve Arns, Riley, and Mathieu Coldebella, we braved -10 C temperatures and ventured into that deep crack in the earth. We found a perfect water level and lots of ice! Some of the rapids had scary looking icicles hanging over undercuts. It was a day to remember a great way to finish of a BC boating season.
Happy padding in 2015 everyone!
Maxi