Paddling tips, tricks, news and gear reviews from an Unsponsored point of view

Tag: Skills (Page 2 of 4)

The Problem With Bomb Proof Rolls

The Problem With Bomb Proof Rolls – I think instructors who perpetuate the concept of a “bomb-proof” roll do their students a disservice.

First of all, there really is no such thing as a “bomb-proof” roll. The term alludes to a roll that’s so reliable, and so fine-tuned, that it never fails. That’s misleading and unrealistic. Every experienced instructor knows that given sufficient “conditions”, everyone eventually bails and swims – and in fact, the best paddlers I know have all taken swims at one time or another.

Continue reading

Why They Are Called Thighhooks Not Kneehooks

Why they are called thighhooks not kneehooks

The concept is that when rolling, riverrunning, or playboating (cartwheels, stern squirts, etc.) The upper body leads and rotates the lower at the hips.

Why They Are Called Thighhooks Not Kneehooks

Continue reading

Whitewater Leadership

Good friend of Unsponsored Chris Wing has launched his new series of edits on the topic of Whitewater Leadership.

Whitewater Leadership

The first three edits including the trailer are shown below and are well worth the watch.

Continue reading

EFFECTive River Running Tactics

Looking back on my introduction to paddling on moving water, the extent of my tactical knowledge was based purely on ‘looking where I wanted to go’, developing my technical skills and progressing onto more difficult rivers. This approach soon put me in positions looking at eddies I want to be in as I flew past them! As technical proficiency and just ‘looking where I wanted to go’ wasn’t always getting me where I wanted to be, something had to change, it was time to develop my river running tactics!

EFFECTive River Running Tactics

Continue reading

Stern Squirt

One of my favourite moves.

Stern Squirts

The Stern Squirt is a classic move for those of you playing with low volume kayaks. In this video Shane Benedict explains the basic concepts for performing the Stern Squirt.

Continue reading

Rivering Untrailer

The Riving film is almost ready for release. Check out this untrailer from the Rivering guys.

Rivering Untrailer

I wanted to cut a promo, but I did not want to give anymore away than I already have with the other trailers. Thus, we have the “Untrailer”. Other than two shots, none of this footage and none of the interviewees appear in the actual film. So this was also an opportunity to add a few folks who were great, but simply because you cannot have everything (the film is already longer than I expected) did not make the cut. Thanks to everyone who donated, participated, crewed, was filmed etc over the past three years. I hope you enjoy the finished movie.

–Bill

Continue reading

Dirty First Aid – The Series

Old man river Darren Clarkson-King (DAZ) will be supplying a series of ‘Dirty First Aid’ articles for Unsponsored. The series of articles will be posted here over the next few months and will centre around first aid for river runners.

Dirty First Aid - The Series

Continue reading

Rope Work

Being able to effectively use both rope and tape is an essential skill for any paddler. The best way to gain these skills quickly is to get signed up on a course with an approved provider. The guys at Boreal River Rescue have shared some really useful information that is well worth checking out. This one relates to knots used on both rope and tape used in rescue situations including the figure 8 family as well as alpine butterfly and water knot.

Rope Work

They key to all things like this is to get practice so when/if they have to be used in anger they can be set up quickly and correctly.

Continue reading

10 Easy Ways To Become A Better Paddler

When you start your paddling career progression is often very rapid. Skill acquisition is quick and you develop the technique required to safely get you down a piece of water. After you have been paddling for a while it is easy to hit a plateau. Moving past this can seem quite difficult but a few changes or adaptations can help you to continue to make progress/develop.

unsponsored_BUCS131
10 Easy Ways To Become A Better Paddler

Consider where you mainly paddle. Change venue if you can. Try a new piece of water.

Paddle more. It’s a simple step that can really speed up your progress.

Continue reading

Gene17Kayaking Norway Road Trip

Gene17Kayaking Norway Road Trip

Capturing the highlights of a Creeking Norway with Gene17Kayaking during a summer adventure. Travelling from Sjoa, through Rauma pass the Troll Wall to Valldal and back via Geiranger Fjord, this road trip takes in some of the best white water in Norway and tourist attractions of the west coast too.

Continue reading

Rock Spins

Rock Spins

I just love these short edits. Pat Keller gives us a quick one minute tech tip on pulling off a downriver classic – the rock spin.

Continue reading

Lines – How To Do It Right – THE STYLE UPDATE

Screen Shot 2015-02-01 at 08.37.37

Style is more important than ever – here are the BRANDNEW MOVES for the upcoming season. Continue reading

« Older posts Newer posts »

© 2024 Unsponsored

Theme by Anders NorénUp ↑