Worth the wait...

It's been a while since any good swell... but when it came it brought us some great waves! This great North Devon break needs really specific conditions to work. Everything lined up and there were some awesome waves to be had, including some barrels!

Hopefully the summer swell will be here to stay!

Philip Watson

After a very busy few months moving from my home town of Chester, to Nottingham. Moving schools and training hard in the UK, France and Bosnia I have a free minute to write a post.

BOSNIA PRE EUROPEANS

The time has come where the Junior and U23 GB teams have returned to Bosnia. Thankfully the river is staying at a consistent level now, not like in our training camp, where the water rose each day from 25 cumecs to 200, which was challenging to say the least with gates having to be risen every 5 minutes.

The course has been altered very little since I was last here, and although it is not the most technical river out there, I am still thoroughly looking forward to racing, which starts with my individual and team qualification races on Thursday.

And yes, it’s a little hot, 40+ deg c :O :O :O

PADDLING MY NEW PYRANHA VARUN AND CARBON FREERIDE BLADES AT HPP

As my training started to dip for racing, and "hot" weather visiting the UK I decided it was about time to get comfortable in my Varun, before I get on larger rivers in central Europe in 3 weeks time. I really enjoyed paddling the boat down river, its a lot faster than other play boats of its type, yet also carves nicely on a wave as well as it being playful in a hole. It really is ace for all round paddling, which is exactly what I intend to do in Austria, Slovinia and Switzerland.

The carbon blades were also great; I am still using the Freeride blade design, which as I said in a previous review are nice strong, powerful blades. The carbon blades are quite a lot lighter, making them more similar to my slalom blades.

David Bain

Living a dream

I couldn't wait. A small VHS tape had arrived in the post. I was still at college - parked outside my parents house my Mums mini metro had my Dancer kayak on the roof, a dayglow ribbed pfd hung on the washing line.



I placed the VHS into the top loading tape player and watched in wonder as Shaun Baker and friends descended the Prysor, Gamlan and Llanberis Falls. Now almost 20 years later, I live at the back of the Cresta-Prysor. The Gamlan just a short drive away is enjoyed when the rain falls and time allows. But still the mighty falls at Llanberis have taunted me. On 27th May 2011 after a brief chat on social network sites we, Dave and myself, drove up the steep lane that parallels the falls.

Awaiting us we saw water levels on the high side of good, camera crews in position and blue bird sky.

Stories and articles about kayaking drops can fall short of getting to the feelings and depth of emotion. The calculated risk, the dynamic assessments we make, these cannot be from the heart. It is my personal view that the heart matters. For me, for the ride - this inner being more than anything is why we push ourselves.

The place of magic - the place of bijou- is on the edge, the thin chance - the moment that is passed before it arrives. The moment that you have planned for in the sleepless nights. The moment of no return, no second thoughts - no second chances. For those that have the ability to think in this way our natural world will hold spells beyond belief, it will hold you in its charm and welcome you for the ride.



For my part, the cusp of the real, is the point where the use of meditative breathing slows the pulse and empties the mind. This is the point I live for - the point that matters most.





To see the film please click the Vimeo link.


http://vimeo.com/24362707

Images by Pete@chargingarc.com & Chris Headleand@xsportmap.

The straight facts are simple. Whilst not without risk this descent was a calculated affair. It was a graph of probability and possibility. Years of kayaking had brought us to this point. We were not some guys on a whim, cast adrift in chance. We would not have been able to tackle the fall if we did not understand the subtle ebb and flow.

For my part the equipment was important, A creek boat and full face helmet were standard affair. Elbow pads, paddles, dry top and wetsuit vest top are perhaps obvious. But once in the boat the most important features for me were the paddled shorts and the Z2 Chaco sandal. The latter thick sole acting as further cushioning if I needed it. I chose gear that I knew would work not because of some team deal or spot light promotion and for the gear that never fails, I think all those involved. Pyranha, Lightning Paddles. Sweet Protection. Chaco and Nookie.

Using my paddles in Nepal

Since April this year, I am now being sponsored by Robson Paddles. They have always been my paddle of choice and I have always competed using a Robson. Here are a few pictures of myself and Tusc (who is sponsored by Lightning) paddling around Nepal.

Using my paddle in the Himalayan whitewater Championships

Tusc, waiting on the rock at Hakapur on the Sun Kosi river.

Our camp on the Sun Kosi river next to the Dudh Kosi confluence. This guy was very impressed with our paddles!

Very cool baba we got chatting to on the Sun Kosi

Flying through the waves on the Karnali

Just before setting out for a day on the Upper Bhote Kosi

Using the Robsons to teach a kayak clinic on the Trisuli.

Preparing to take on the Sun Kosi rapids!

Playing around on the Trisuli

Tusc taking on Hakapur

Tusc having a play on the Sun Kosi

How the local kids use the paddles!

Having fun on the Upper Bhote Kosi

Maila Gurung

Testing out Lightning Paddles

Photoshoot with a difference - Jumping Croyde!

Recently I was in front of the lens for a surf kayaking photoshoot at Croyde Bay, Devon. The photoshoot was for the promotion of the North Devon area for tourism and also for promoting the Atlantic watersports and Interceltic Games which is being held in North Devon this summer. The photoshoot was a bit different as we wanted not only surf kayaking pictures on the water but also creative shots on land with my kit (not the sort of thing usually done with kayakers but I'm sure the results will be great!).

A lot of the pictures used the theme of jumping (including jumping my legs through my Robson paddles whilst holding them!). We also had artificial lighting on the beach to create some great effects.

The photoshoot and interview with me was one of a few featuring top local athletes such as surfers, a windsurfer and a kitebuggy rider. These will go towards some national media articles.

It was really great working with such a creative photographer (Roy Riley – www.royriley.co.uk). I’m really looking forward to seeing the results!

  

Philip Watson

Robson-Crashtest.flv

So, are the paddles strong? Below is a view of the Robson brand.