Last week Team Palm paddlers Matt Tidy, Nick Horward, and Lowri Davies were in Voss for their annual extreme sports festival ‘Ekstremsportveko’
For one adrenaline fueled week long event, skydivers, BASE jumpers, skiers, bikers and kayakers from all over the world congregate in the small Norwegian town of Voss to go huge off cliffs, waterfalls, ramps and of course at the parties.
One of the highlights of the week is the Brandseth downhill, an individual sprint down a steep little river. This year the Brandseth had fantastic water levels, and the competition was fierce.
Amongst a big international field of competitors from Canada, US, Italy, Czech, Norway and UK, Nick, Matt and Lowri and Palm sponsored Andy Phillips and Mike Abbot slogged it out through the prelims with Lowri winning a place in the Ladies finals and finishing an overall 2nd (and taking home a big Norwegian Cheque!) and Mike, Matt and Andy winning a place in the Mens finals and places of 3rd, 9th and 11th respectively.
After the sprint, teams of 3 had it, on the full length of the Brandseth over about 3kms of steep rapids and slides, locals Mike Abbott, Andy Phillips and Allan Ellard won top honors yet again this year.
The best thing about being in Voss though is the surrounding rivers and we all took time away from the crowds to go big on the huge Norwegian white water and ‘Foss’ (waterfalls)
Full results are here http://www.ekstremsportveko.com/?page=16&news=262
Results and video are here http://www.friflyt.no/index.php?pagenr=12&articlenr=57157
The next big race is the Sjoa River Festival, also in Norway, from the 15-19th July. It looks set to be massive, hopefully we’ll see some of you there.
It’s that time of year where the Etive levels are a wee bit low, for more experienced boaters there is however a more challenging alternative. Pushy enough for a bit of excitement and short enough to do some ‘laps’ the Dallness Section is a saviour in drier times.
Starting off, the first drop has two obvious options, both are nice but watch out for the undercut on river left in slightly higher levels.
Just down from the here, a drop with both a tight intro and exit keep you on your toes, watch out for the holes tow back and have a live bait ready!
A nice section of rapid follows and although it looks quite rocky, you cruise around smoothly.
The next drop which looks slightly precarious with a hole pilling up against the bank directly in front of it, is actually a beautiful move.
And then to finish off the section, Dallness falls itself provides quite a horizon line and at slightly higher levels the little hole just above the lip is not to be underestimated (as I did on this occasion). Either way be sure you have plenty of safety cover for the undercut at the base of the drop on river right.
Take care and enjoy it!
Ed
Photographs courtesy of Graeme Cowan
Pah!
We had a fairly new Dagger Approach returned for a check over this week after it fell off the car on the Motorway. Written off right?
Apparently not. When we checked the depth of the plastic in the most worn areas we found it was still thick enough to be classed as a first quality boat. It’s survived (albeit with a slightly battered sense of pride)!
A new security bar and it will be (almost) as good as new!
Check out the wear on the bolts!
Arkangel Chemical Weapons Facility (Aka. Verzasca Dam)
Hello there, so I’ve just returned from a beautiful week in the Italian and Swiss Alps. After spending a day on the middle section of the Verzasca, we stopped off for lunch on its unfeasibly large dam, before heading to the rarely run Loana and Basso for an epic day’s hiking, kayaking, and some gnarly portaging (see Tim’s post).
Your truly in a cheeky flair move on the Middle Verzasca
Simon Boofin' on the Basso
Having previously only experienced Valsesia during the monsoon, it was a revelation to arrive there in glorious sunshine. Although levels were still slightly too high for many of the steeper runs, we spent a thoroughly civilised few days enjoying the high water, relaxing in the valley’s gelateries, and arguing over how to pronounce stracciatella. Fot those stilll unsure, it’s pronounced ‘Stracciatella’.
Matt Tidy plugging hard on the upper Gronda
Relaxing at the bottom of the Gronda racecourse
Dropping in on the Sorba Slides at 'man levels'
Tim in the meat. Sirloin I believe.
The Mastallone river is not considered by many to be one of the classic runs in the area, however when the water is high and the sun is shining it makes for a grand day out, offering some fun bouldery rapids, an incredible pristine gorge, and if you head a little further up the Valley a cheeky Park ‘n’ Huck on it’s lesser trib the Landwasser. On this occasion we were lucky enough to catch a fish.
Jared Meehan and Jim Cummings: Park 'n' Fish 'n' Huck.
Simon on the Landwasser drop.
Dave Carrol from above.
On my last day in Valsesia, Simon and I entered the Valsesia River Contest downriver sprint, which due to high water on the Sermenza was to be held on the Sesia at Piccolo Canada rapid. The sun shone, we paddled hard, and despite a moderately controversial choice of line on my part, Simon and I won first and second places respectively in the ‘International’ catergory.
The Sesia in high water
Yours truly, sporting the victory bling. Solid Silver.
All in all a cracking week in one of the world’s greatest paddling destinations, and a sweet warm up to what looks to be an incredible season. I’m now back in the UK, preparing for further adventures in France and then Norway. I can’t wait.
Safe paddling, see you on the water!
Nick
