The original date for the Celtic Cup was on Saturday the 3rd and Sunday the 4th of March and it was being held at Black Rock in Bude. When we got there at 8am the surf didn’t look very nice from the car park. It looked big and messy and I wasn’t looking forward to going out in it.
After the check-in and the safety brief I found out that the first heat of the day would be the Junior Short final (which I was in). I got changed quickly as I hadn’t a lot of time and then I got a bib and my boat off the roof-rack and went down to the beach. We launched, and paddling out I had some of the worst beatings I’ve had for a long time! The surf was really powerful and if I timed something wrong I definitely got a beating. I finally managed to get out back and then I found that I couldn’t see the flags! After looking very carefully I managed to spot them and saw that the green was up meaning the heat had started. It was really messy and I had trouble catching a wave. In the end I caught one but it wasn’t very good. It was closing out so I only had time to turn and go for the lip. Once back inside I found that I couldn’t get out back again so I tried to get a few inside waves and managed to get a couple but they weren’t very good.
When the heat finished we got out and did safety cover for the heat that was on after us, then I went up to the car park and got something to eat and drink and watched the next heat. At that point it was decided that the competition would be cancelled and re-run on a different date. It was decided, though, that the expression session ,which was going to be held on Sunday (the next day) would be held then instead, but at a different beach. I hadn’t entered this so I stayed around and watched a bit before I went home.
The re-run date was decided for the 17th and 18th of March (Saturday-Sunday) at the same place. After getting there I saw that surf was smaller than the time before but was still messy. There were a few heats before my first one so I had some breakfast while I was watching them. My first heat was in the Open Short and I didn’t do very well. I came third and the surf wasn’t very nice: again it was powerful and messy but it was better than the previous date! My next heat was later on in the day in the Open Long so I had time to watch everybody surfing. My heat in the Open Long was combined with the Junior Long final. I went out and I was glad of the extra length of my long boat as it was faster on flat water so it was easier to paddle out. I again didn’t do brilliantly and I came third so I didn’t move on to the next heat of the Open Long.
I had one more heat and that was a rep in the Open Short and I did a bit better in that and came second but I needed a first place to move on. That was all for me as I didn’t have any more heats to attend so I went and got changed and had some lunch and then I helped out with the judging for the rest of the day. There was some impressive surfing to be seen and towards the end I think everybody was beginning to feel tired.
Finally, at the end of the day we had the prize giving. The results for the Junior Short that was held on the first competition date still held and I came 3rd in that. In the Junior Long I came 2nd. I would like to congratulate Jon Mount who won the Open Short for the first time, beating the current world champion in the process. Well done! I can’t wait for the next competition (which is in April) to try and better my own results. See you around.
The first ever Gladiator of the Sluice competition took place this past weekend at the National water sports centre in nottingham,the competiotn brought together a wide range of paddlers from various parts of the country.
The event was run in the evening with prelims in the fading light of dusk and finals in complete darkness – fortunately lit by “rainbow daves” strobe lights, lasers, snow and fog machines.
It was by far one of the best competitions I have taken part in and am thoroughly looking forward to the next one !
I realised the other day that it’s just about to turn five years since I joined the Palm and Dagger Europe Team. With that in mind I wanted to say a massive thanks for all their support and express my appreciation at being involved with these companies which are run by a group of people who are good friends and absolutely irreplaceable within the paddling world.
It’s been a very productive time and there’s always more in the pipeline, from online Ford Ad’s and Blue Peter to creeping up on 100 articles for CKUK. To say cheers I’ve put together a mash up of footage shot across the five years alongside great friends in what are hot spots for the kayaking community. Hope you enjoy alongside a few snaps below! Here’s to what’s coming and good friends along the way…
… This video is best enjoyed small as it’s a compilation from the last five years so more good old three chip footage than full HD… never the less, Dave’s dancing is worth it.
Falls of Lora, always a beautiful day.
Andrew Holcombe, Yule Creek, CO. Thanks to Andrew for showing me around the US tour and what the South East and Colorado had to offer.
Afternoon run on the South St Vrain, CO.
Quiet moment on the New River Dries before the 2007 world champs.
On the clear water of Italy’s finest.
Heading for the final in the Sweet Rumble, Norway.
Fancy knowing how to select an an iceberg as a lunch spot?
Want to know how to deal with wild bears?
Questioning how to get five days food into your 10L drybag?
Well look no further! Questions like these and others like where do I poo in the woods, are answered in Palm paddler Olly Sanders new expedition skills DVD – which is on-sale now.
Its taken Olly a while to get this together, not least because he’s had to do so many expeditions to know whats what. But all that time in far off places (jealous, us!) means he is Mr Know-how when it comes to planning and undertaking those fiver-star experiences that are life defining.
So if you’re desperate to know the etiquette on telling a polar bear your just not their sort get on-line and ordering.
Over the past fortnight I’ve had the new Luna PFD for my students to use during their coaching sessions. The reception has been great, but don’t take my word for it!
I am just starting to invest in kayaking kit and what I liked best about the Palm Luna is the front entry option (so I don’t always have to pull it over my head). This makes it easy to whip on and off without necessarily having to remove my helmet. It is kitted out with plenty of pockets and while I initially found it a tad bulky at the front when compared with what I am used to, the large padded pocket settled down with use. A piece of kit I would seriously consider investing in.Gemma, London
I didn’t even know they made kayaking kit for girls, until now I thought it was all unisex shapes. It’s pretty inspiring to know that companies have thought about woman in sport and it actually feels awesome to wear. Marissa, North Wales.
It’s really comfy and good because you don’t have to readjust everything each time you put it on because of the clips. I’m looking for a rescue PFD because I’m becoming a River Leader at my club and the Luna will help me carry all my kit and be confident on the river. Vicky, Birmingham. Photo is of Jess also sporting the Plum coloured Luna.
Available to try on at your nearest Palm dealer now!
Uganda was one of those far off destinations that captured my imagination from an early age, with warm water, big rapids and awesome play waves, it truly is the perfect way to escape the cold (and dry) British winter.
The video of my trip is below – Look out for Pring and Katya’s video from their trip !
There’s nothing quite like getting a big box and not knowing what’s going to be inside…
However, several days after receiving the box from Palm, and the day before we were all to meet in North Wales for Training Bryony was struck down with a bad case of food poisoning… disastrously spelling an uneven number of paddlers for the highly sensitive raft! Luckily, being true professionals and driven by the excitement of what might be in the box for us we soldiered on regardless.
Needless to say it wasn’t long before we ripped open the box, to reveal some gorgeous amazing, warm, dry and sexy Amaris dry pants !
Being decked out in new gear gave us all a chance to get up close to that lush XP150ª 3-layer fabric during the warm up…yummmmm Plus there were rumours that over the next couple of week there may be another delivery!! Very Exciting!
On day one we worked on the Tryweryn making eddies, practicing our timing, using slalom poles and, for the newer members, learning the best lines for a raft. Poor Susie and her new Amaris Pants got to know the drop under Miss Davies pretty intimately as she fell out a couple of times, although she was heroically rescued by the team. She obviously did it on purpose so that we can get practice at rescue scenarios should it happen whilst racing…
On day two we weren’t so lucky with the Tryweryn release so headed instead to the Menai straights for some flat water drilling. With it being spring tides we were strongly warned by some firemen not to park our cars on the jetty unless we wanted to have them floating away on our return! And they were right – don’t park in a tidal car park!
In the morning we worked on sprint starts and sprint pacing setting ourselves pyramids of distance – (we all hurt at the end of those sessions!). In the afternoon we managed to get the tides completely wrong so paddled against the flow to Britania Bridge then against the flow back to Menai Bridge as well! What a good workout it was though. We were all still smiling
Here’s a little teaser video from our recent Colombia expedition. If this whets your appetite, we’ll be showing more HD video along with telling tales of our epics and adventures on our lecture tour, so check out the dates and venues. And if there isn’t a talk happening near you, get in touch on info@flowfree.co.uk and we can probably get one sorted!
As winter shifts to spring here in the southeast United States the paddling season continues to be a good one. Even though the weather is starting to warm up its still drysuit season and I expect many more days in my Spark before summer truly hits. This suit has been an amazing surprise for me over the winter and I am now a convert to its comfort, versatility, and quality.
I will be honest when I received my Spark suit back in late October as a part of Palms testing program I was a little skeptical. I mean the purpose of a drysuit is to be dry right? I just couldn’t see how a neoprene neck gasket would do the trick. However after 4 months of winter and paddling in almost every condition count me as an advocate! This thing has far over achieved in every category that a drysuit should.
The best thing about the Spark is its comfort. The cut makes this the most comfortable drysuit I’ve ever worn. This translates to exceptional ease of movement both on and off the water, especially in the arms and torso area. All that space makes this suit a freestyle kayakers dream, you can twist and contort all you want! It doesn’t stop there, the light but durable choice of fabric only adds to the comfort.
Now comfort is all fine and good whether you’re a freestyler or a river runner but the real question is: does it keep you warm enough?
Bryan Knight putting the Spark through its paces on the Linville Gorge.
The answer absolutely yes. I’ve been kayaking both freestyle and river running in temperatures down to around 40 degree F and am happy to say the Spark performed just fine. The Neoprene neck keeps you comfortable, no restricting the airways, yet still provides a good seal. And with gaskets on the wrist my arms stay nice and dry.
An unexpected benefit of the Spark for me was how perfect it was for a couple of the extreme races here late last fall. Often times the weather is a little chilly but if you wear a full on drysuit you can get really over heated while you’re racing. The Spark’s combo of ease of movement and light fabric made it the perfect suit for racing. Then I was able to stay toasty warm while I watched the rest of the race from the shore!
The Flying Squirrel, right above Gorilla during the Green Race.
All in all I would not hesitate to recommend the Spark to anyone and I look forward to many more great days of kayaking in it! Plus it has a badass color….
Airing it out, post Greenrace celebration at Sunshine.
