Paddling tips, tricks, news and gear reviews from an Unsponsored point of view
Here’s a run down of a few of the things that kayakers, canoeists and SUP paddlers may like as a pressie from Father Christmas. All could be useful and all are items that I either own or have tested.
I am assuming that other large bits of kit are already on the list!
Last August, 4 boys of our crew had the chance to go run the infamous Grand Canyon of the Stikine river. They drove 60 hours to reach the put in. After the 3 awesome days on the river, they drove south to meet with good friends and to paddle the rivers of whistler and Squamish. Here is the video recap of the trip. Enjoy !!! Continue reading
As the cold and darkness of the winter lifts and the light of jah returns to the beautiful lands of the Pacific Northwest, the rivers flood to the ocean creating kayaking paradise. In this episode follow the crew as they explore the best waterfalls and river the glorious PNW has to offer. From huge drops to “layin treats” on the little white salmon river. With our best footage yet, and some of the most beautiful aerial shots we have ever seen(thanks to Shifted Cinema) we are stoked to show you a new perspective on classic rivers. Huge thanks to everyone who helped to make this episode possible. Continue reading
The Chelan River is located in Northern Washington flowing off the east side of the Cascade range. The river cuts through a short steep dessert canyon before entering the Columbia River. American Whitewater arranged a recreational release for one weekend, once a year. For that weekend in late September The Chelan Gorge holds the perfect flow of 400 cfs and contains 5-6 class five drops back to back. Enjoy a taste of what we got to experience up there this year. Continue reading
A superb edit showing Expedition Inception Co-team leader Shannon Mast strut his stuff in this comical kayaking classic. Continue reading
Summertime fun on the Upper Yough with the Hombergs and Valley Falls with Ken Lumm and Meatball. Enjoy! demshitz.com Continue reading
One Friday afternoon, the crew from Boston packed up and made the drive to the Northern Adirondacks to run the Ausable Chasm. It was a bluebird day and the level was a perfect 700 CFS so we could not have had better conditions to run the Chasm for our first time. Continue reading
Three and half months in Chile.
The first of the 2014 Unsponsored Q&A series has landed.
First up is Tom Parker. Tom Parker of Tomparkercoaching.co.uk is one of the UK’s most talented and experienced white water kayakers and coaches. With over 20 years experience on the water Tom has kayaked in around the world.
Tom started his coaching and guiding business in 2005 with the aim being to offer high level technical coaching in white water kayaking, comprising of skills courses in the UK and Europe, coach and leadership education and development, along with the full range of BCU courses.
As a talented boater and coach I was excited that Tom agreed to take part in the 2014 Q&A series. Enjoy….
How did you first get into kayaking? Who introduced you to the sport?
Me and a load of my mates had just moved up into scouts from the cubs. Around the same time, the troop were putting a kayaking course on. I wasn’t too keen but my mates convinced me and it turned out to be quite fun.
I get quite a few emails at this time of year asking for advice on presents for paddlers that won’t necessarily break the bank. Here’s a run down of a few of the things that kayakers, canoeists and SUP paddlers may like as a pressie from Father Christmas.
Jackson’s Star is designed for the smaller paddler and part of the Jackson All Star Series of kayaks.
From Jackson:
Our most popular playboat of all time still available to everyone!- Those who want to make their playboating game bigger, better, faster, and easier have been flocking to our highest performing and easiest paddling All-Star yet.
Short, fast, loose, and goes huge on loops, wave tricks. The Jackson 2010 Allstar dominated the Worlds as a boat that is legend in how it takes your playboating to the next level!
• Beginners enjoy the fastest learning curve of any up and coming playboaters. Your first spin, surf, loop, cartwheel or even Eskimo roll will be rewarded with an easier to perform boat.
• Intermediates really begin to set the All-Star loose with explosive pop in the wedged shape bow and stern, speedy hull, and easy to get off the water design.
• Experts have already earned the 1st-5th places in the last World Championships in Thun, Switzerland in the Men’s Pro class. Need we say more?
Specs:
Weight: 28 lbs
Length: 5’6″
Width: 24-1/4″
Height: 13″
Volume: 47 gallons
Cockpit Dimensions: 19″ x 32-1/2″
Ideal Weight Range: 90-160 lbs.
The boat has been used extensively as a river runner and park n play boat and it does well as both. The Star, despite being quite short tracks really well and I found it easy to attain eddies and move across the flow without a loss of speed or control. I do need to watch for the tail end getting caught in the tow back now and again but since moving the seat forward a little it is a rare occurrence.
The outfitting is simple yet effective and setting up the Star didn’t take very long with all the bits and bobs supplied. Adding shims to the hip pads is super easy and it only takes a short while to get everything just right. I use a Jackson Happy feet in the Star and it works well. I use the smallest Happy Feet available. I therefore feel really locked into the Star which allows me to transfer weight shifts directly into the boat. As a result I found that edging and rolling the boat was very easy. The Star provides a very stable platform from which moves can be launched. The Star spins incredibly well and feels stable when in the vertical position. I can even retain stern squirts down fairly week eddy lines. Over the years the Star design has been tweaked but I am still really happy with my Jackson Star.
I have paddled all over the world with my Star and have ran rivers all the way up to large volume grade IV which was a blast. For the smaller paddler I reckon that the Star is a great choice for all types of kayaking with the exception of creeking!
Freestyle paddler, expedition guru and accomplished slalom paddler Deb Pinniger has been at the top of the game for over two decades. Deb has participated in many wilderness/whitewater adventures across the globe and spends a great deal of time sharing her kayaking skills and knowledge with others. I was delighted when Deb agreed to take park in the Unsponsored 2013 Q&A series.
Tell us a little a bit about you accomplishments in the canoeing/kayaking world.
I was freestyle world champion in 1999 and twice world silver medalist 2001 and 2003, European champion and five times British champion. I guess had a pretty good run.
I was also lucky during the same time to participate in a number of expeditions, one of which was an attempt of source to sea of the Stikine, with Olaf Obsommer, Olli Grau and others in 2001, another highlight was running the Ivindo River in Gabon with Nico Chassing and Olaf Obsommer in 2007.
Beyond competition and expeditions, I have been involved with coaching for a long time, which has been very rewarding and with its own highlights, some of which have been running youth trips to the Zambezi, Zanskar and Tara Rivers with young people. More recently I have been working at the 2012 Olympic kayak slalom venue Lee Valley and have headed up the kayak program there, which has been great fun to kick the program off from scratch. Continue reading
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