Delights

At the moment, as the sun shines and frost is hard on the ground the Xmas holiday traffic is sure to make moves slowly home, I am left finding comfort in the memories of rivers run in the past and plans for the future. Its has been many days housed in the many years that I have always dreamed of the next river. I should be content with the exploring that I have done, India. Europe, Pakistan and many more but I suppose that is not the be all and end all.



I just love showing people the delights of the river, the joy of sleeping next to the water as it swirls in flat pools or the thrill of chasing the waves. Our journey here at Pure Land Expeditions has taken us from the creeks of the UK and Europe to the dirt roads of Canada. Along the way we have explored the sunny coast of the UAE and the magic of Tibet. We have run rivers in Kashmir and plotted descents in Alaska. Although it is Nepal that has become our second home. We have been with Robson paddles and the sister brand Lightning for this time and we are so pleased.

Hurley Light Club - never forget the first rule!

Zambezi High Water

Most people will have seen footage of the Zambezi and it’s famous huge volume pool drop rapids.  Of the many facets that makes the river so special a significant one is its variation in flow. Victoria Falls is Approximately mid way through the 2500km course of the Zambezi and with natural flows rising during the rainy season or ebbing during the dry season. This means that over 12 months the White Water section below the Falls is always either rising or falling with a vertical cycle of over 8 metres in some places in the gorge.

The result is that the world famous run occurs at the low ebb of this cycle but as rains bring it up the upper section (rapids 1-10) become commercially un-runnable. There are two reasons for this. Mainly because the pools disappear and the raging, thunderous volume of water causes huge boils and whirlpools that would swallow rafts and paying clients. Specifically because the level means that the one portage (rapid no 9) can now no longer be portaged. Putting in at rapid 1 commits you to a class 5+(++) rapid.

It can however be run by a kayak. And after finding myself in the Zimbabwe for a shoot it’s too hard to pass up a run on this upper section. Unfortunately I can’t find any one to go with me. Most of the river staff are working in other countries as the commercial rafting is closed due to the level and the locals are perhaps just too wise.

It’s always a dilemma deciding to solo. But sometimes opportunities like being next to the Zambezi are just too good to pass up, curiosity outweighs wisdom and I know this section too. So on the 18^th July I put in at rapid one on my own. The Porters who carried my boat in wish me luck and wander off squabbling over the fist full of Kwatcha notes I’ve given them.  I know their look, they can’t quite work out if I’m mad but they’ve seen me here before so are expectant that they’ll at least earn some more money carrying my boat out of the gorge at the take out.

These huge flows mean I can’t even see the falls as I push away from the boiling pot as spray 350ft high drifts though from the cascade to the head of rapid one. It’s a quick hop across the cushion wave at rapid one and I’m on my way, buoyed in confidence by the feel of the warm water across my face and the rainbow formed by the mist from the falls. There are major hurdles along this run, rapids 5, 7, the narrows at 7and a half, but at every stage of this run Rapid 9, the commercial portage is at the back of my mind. If getting there is a challenge, then certainly rapid 9 is the gauntlet.

It’s clichéd, but life is nothing without taking risks and finding challenges. And none are more valuable than calculated risks based on years of skill, experience and the odd arse kicking. Today I run Solo but I’m with everything I ever leaned, I’m carrying all the confidence from years of paddling with a huge array of paddlers on diverse runs around the world. Today we’ll find out if that’s worth anything.

To see how it went …watch the footage from my head cam on the short film ‘Solo’ at

http://vimeo.com/47919375

Scotland Road Trip

Me and a few friends set off to Scotland in one of their Hymer Camoervans, I do say it is probably the best paddle wagon in the world....

 The Water levels weren't great but the usual dam runs were very fun including a higher than normal level Morriston due to the dam being repaired. Other rivers paddled included a nice level sunset run of the Etive as well as a technical run of the Meig-proper ditch boating!

After a few days it was time to head back home to reality but first we enjoyed a lovely cooked breakfast by the river, well actaully, on a cliff face next to a waterfall...It doesnt get much better than this...

A Review- Robson Hells Bells

Robsons new innovation to the paddling scene in Flowtek technology has been so successful that recently we have seen other companies taking on similar ideas! The Robson Hells bell is just one of the many different designs Robson do, with a wide variety of blade sizes and feels available. This particular review is on a 191cm , 0 degree cranked shaft set.

For Freestyle

The massive blade surface area offered a stable platform to help initiate moves such as cartwheels without the effort required with a smaller sized blade. It also felt comfortable for the longer play boating sessions many people do.

Me and Kev Griffiths battling it out on the Cafe Wave at the Tryweryn, testing the real strength of the hells bell ;)

For Creeking

Whilst on the river, the Hells bell gave support when needed as well as giving a good amount of power to help initiate those much needed boof strokes as well as helping your desired boat get up to the speed required for that particular rapid. Although I would not personally recommend a zero feathered set of paddles for river boating, it gained no discomfort at all whilst on the river. However, personally I would prefer a longer length shaft if I was to use these paddles for Creek Boating alone.

Overall

The Robson Hells bell was a great alternative to a full carbon set of paddles, with the main difference being that it added a lot more durability and a longer lasting life to your blades, another selling point is the colourful blade design which is not only nice to look at, but makes it easier to spot in the event of a swim and loss of paddles. In a freestyle session it offered a lot of support to help initiate moves as well as being comfortable. On the river the large surface area aided boof strokes and it also enabled you to really pull on the paddle for increased pace and speed. However, the large surface area of the paddle is not for everyone as some people find it a little too large but luckily the Robson flowtek range offers a lot more sizes for you to choose from ;)

See you on the river,

Charles Blyth

Hurley Summer Sessions

Teva Outdoor Games – Valchiusella

Week before last my self, Tom Wakling, Joe Morley and Jen Chrimes headed out to Northen Italy for the 2012 Teva Kayak Race.

We went out a week in advance to train on the course and of course paddle some other rivers.

On arrival we met up with the Pyranha Team van being driven by Anton Immler and Andy Butler. Our first day was spent on the Chiusella paddling the whole run not knowing which part would be in the race. I immediately liked the style of the river with small technical drops allowing pacey sprints in between.

The following days were spent doing more training on the Chiusella as well as running the Atassa River in the next valley along. This was a really nice run with more technical drops than the Chiusella and a big 200foot slide to finish the run. The photogenic bridges over the river again amazed me as to how they still stand up, and how an earth they managed to built them so symmetrically across the steep gorges.

Coming to race day I felt I knew the race course well, and with low levels felt confident that my light weight would be an advantage for this run.

My first run left me in a strong top ten position but with aggregate scoring I knew I would have to do a good second run as well. My second run turned out to be 4 seconds quicker than the first putting me in a solid placing.

Next day was the team events. First we had the creek race which was held on a lower section of the river. Predominantly flat with 2 main drops, however these drops turned out more difficult than expected. I made a mistake on the first drop that cost the team some time however we picked up the pace and nailed the final drop finishing in second place behind the Kewi team. The Team slalom was held in the evening, where My self, tom and Joe raced as the GB representatives.  We had some issues on the first run, but so did everyone else.  Our second run was great, and finished us in first place and first place over all in the team event.

On the last day of racing we had the Individual sprint slalom and Boater X races. I again finished in a solid top half position with my second run including a role! Over all this put me in Tenth place, a position I am happy with being my second international extreme race!

We still had 2 more days in Italy before heading home so we went to Valseisia to run some more rivers. Without a guide book we really had no idea where to paddle so we got on and inspected each drop well.

All in all I had a fantastic trip, and it was great to see Andy and Anton out there whilst on the Team tour.

Cheers,

David

Lightning strikes on The Futaleufu, Chile. From Alex Nicks.

Deep in the heart of Patagonia in southern Chile, Condors still circle the thermals high above the azure Futaleufu River. Way below in the valleys Kayakers play and hope not to provide carrion for these vultures…
Of all the places I’ve traveled to and Kayaked, The Futaleufu remains one of the locations I’ve returned to the most. Large, long powerful rapids, dotted with spectacular play waves and the odd monster rapid will always keep me returning when I can.
Two rapids stand out for the butterfly factor, rapids that make you consider your line, your equipment and your ability long before you reach them, while your stomach progressively tightens and knots. On the upper section of the river soon after the infamous inferno canyon the Futa drops through two very large and commercially unrunnable drops, first Zeta and then The Throne room.

The first is a funneling of the river before a sharp 90 degree right turn through a slot and a final sharp left hand turn, literally a Z shape, hence Zeta the Castillano for Z. While the slightly less technical of the two drops Zeta poses the greatest risk through its lack of forgiveness, less than a slightly perfect line will deposit you in places that could cause you to swim, and a swim is unthinkable here. The line is simple: hang onto the inside of the first right turn and drive through the slot, this runs against the grain of the whole drop which is driving left. It’s a simple line at its grade you just have to keep driving right and allow no interference from the rapid, easier said than done. As with all big drops you have to be in exactly the right place on entry but a solid horizon line means it’s hard to tell until the very last minute and so my line up to that point is mapped out by a sequence of tiny ripples and diagonals that will lead me into the right entry point, the key to success. I splash my face, forget all distractions and now become the line.

Just half a kilometer downstream the river plunges down a long steep wave train into a house-sized boulder, The Throne. The current peels heavily off either side, on the right into a horrible slot called the Toaster and on the left (the preferred line) into a window by a very large hole. The Throne room is probably the less perilous of the two runs, but is probably the harder line technically. The route drops you though a long wave train before the cushion wave on the Throne. It’s a game of nerves because if you go left too early two diagonals throw you back onto the pillow in way that you’re more likely to drop into the toaster. So leaving the push to the left until the very last minute allows you to avoid the diagonals and a better chance to go left for success. But I bungle it, in my eagerness to stay away from the Toaster I hit the first diagonal early, I’m up on my tail and as I hit the second diagonal it smacks me over. Using the flow of the water under the pillow as I hit it, I roll fearing that I’ve dropped too far right but slammed up by the water I can see I’m still on The pillow wave. Immediately I edge downstream, surf left and am out of the maelstrom and thru the window, I’m through, until the next time.

Alex Nicks, 18.April.2012

New Mega Phantom Surf Kayak

The new Mega Phantom has just been released! I had a few sneaky surfs in it before it was released, you can read my review of the Phantom on its very own facebook page!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/​Mega-Phantom/​351584818204320?sk=wall

Check out the promo video for the Phantom as well!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-r-JJ7dOfs

Philip Watson

Surf Kayak Best Photos 2011!

The best surf kayaking photos of 2011 as selected by the news team at kayaksurf.net have just been announced! Some really great photos from all over the world were featured, I was really pleased to be representing the UK up there in third place! The shot was from a big wave session that was over an offshore sandbar, requiring a ride on a powerboat to get to! Congratulations to Bernie Huigsloot with a great barrel photo for the win.

3rd place - Best Surf Kayak Photos 2011

More at:
http://www.kayaksurf.net/news.html


Philip Watson

tight and twists

It is hidden from view, cuts deep in a gorge. Sharp banks go from left to right, undercuts and blind bends. Bad landings and good lines. Hidden falls, steep and not deep, snow, hail, rain, portages, slides, pocket siphons, undercuts, wood. This is the river that will live in my memory for years to come. Its in no classic guidebook. A true Welsh expedition. Upper Upper Conway.