I know everyone of us has heard that from their Mom. We, for the most part, ignored them because our hearing came back after the concert a day or two later. It’s OK, right? Then as you get older you notice the change and maybe your Mother was right. But you ignored her. But now…
Reading Water and Rapid Classification
The river has a unique way of communicating and unfolding its secrets. If you listen you will find the river carries a constant and ever graceful song that is measured at a rate of cubic feet per second (cfs). As you sit by its side and navigate the moving waters you will also find that…
Safety Gear and Style
“Safety is no accident.” This has become my dad’s signature farewell as I tell him we are headed to the river. I have grown to love this simple reminder. The beautiful unpredictability of life allows ANYTHING to happen; there is no combination of paddling skills, comfort level, familiarity with a run or karma that will…
American Whitewater at Work
“The care of rivers is not a question of rivers, but of the human heart.” —Tanako Shozo Whether you appreciate clean, free flowing rivers from a raft, drift boat, canoe, kayak, stand-up paddle board or alongside the water’s edge, stewardship is an important component to every river lover’s livelihood! American Whitewater has led the industry…
5 Benefits of Pool Sessions
For a kayaker any time devoted to sitting in a boat is always time well spent. Kayak pool sessions offer a great avenue for new kayakers to get their sea legs as well as intermediate and advanced paddlers to continue improving their form and technique. 1. Predicable Environment The pool setting can alleviate a great…
Hagen Gorge, WA
Hagen Gorge is on a small tributary to the Washougal River in southwestern Washington. About 3-4 miles long, this creek can be characterized by class IV boogie-water boofs and slides with various vertical class IV/V drops dispersed throughout. There is no gauge to the creek, so it’s all about proper guess-work. On our trip, the…
Recap: 2013 Wind River Festival
The Wind River Festival can be described as CHAOS. Chaos in the form of a mass start as paddlers leave the Starting Line together, and rally downstream all at once. Such was the case the last few years, and one could only continue the tradition in 2013. The Upper Wind River is considered Class IV/IV+,…
Dagger Axiom Review
Last year we had quite a few people request the Dagger Axiom for their kayak school, so we bought a few for the 2013 season. Of course, I have to test all of our equipment first, so I paddled it at our local kayak polo match and loved its speed and maneuverability. Today I took…
2013 Upper Wind River Festival
It’s almost the end of February and the 2013 Upper Wind River Festival is soon upon us! Saturday, March 16, 2013 is the 2013 Wind River Festival, the kickoff to this year’s Western Whitewater Championship Series! The series is comprised of about 17 races over 7 festivals throughout the Northwest between March and October. Racers receive…
How to Choose a Whitewater Paddle
As a whitewater kayaker, it’s just as important to choose the right paddle as it is the right kayak. The paddle becomes an extension of your body, so it’s only logical to choose one that is comfortable in your hands, and feels good! If only it were that simple: what about all the different blades…