Russian Northern Wave – Tivdia

Last weekend I went to the North West of Russia to region called Kareliya, next to border with Finland. One of the best russian playspots is located here in the little rural villige of Tivdia. The region itself is beautiful, few people, untouched nature, clean rivers, lakes, waterfalls, white nights.

Cows and dogs run free in the village, bears and wolfs run free in forests. Locals are friendly and offer you fresh milk, cheese, fish and banya(russian sauna). You can camp free wherever you like or rent a room in local wooden houses for 3-4euro/night. I love this feeling of peace and freedom you get here – far from big roads, cities, internet and shops.  If you want to get some taste of russia but not ready to go deep (all the way to Caucasian mountains, Altai or Baykal regions) this is the place to go – you can even drive on your own car from europe (100km from Finland).

The wave itself is natural, so water levels are unpredictable, they depend on amount of snowmelt and speed of melting in spring. But for the whole of May and June you’re almost guaranteed to find something to surf.

Sometimes, when all conditions come together it can be an epic green wave with just the right amount of foam on top. There are eddies from both sides as well, to use right one you need a rope.

Russian freestylers come hunting the water every year, coming from 1st May till end of June on weekends and for a few weeks from all of western Russia (Moscow is 1100km away) and even further. For the last 2 years kayakers from Finland have been coming too.

This time the level was a little bit lower then perfect, but still  provided a  decent wave! The weather made up for the water. It was sunny 19 hours a day and in other 5 hours it was a beautiful sunset/sunrise (you get white nights here so sun never goes completely).

Foam pile was big, so you could do some hole moves. But wave tricks still worked. High speed and occasional pulse keep you on edge.

Competition this year was very interesting, i can proudly say – level of russian paddlers rising with each season. Organisers did a very good job providing very pleasant atmosphere, live music (band came and played for us in the middle of nowhere), a few less serious disciplines and party competitions, no entry fee and even prize money – first time as far as i remember russian freestyle competitions!

In fact organisation was so good, they were running earlier for the womens finals  and i almost missed my rides as i was still changing as a result finished only 3rd after winning prelims. Will be smarter next time.

I very recommend this event for European paddlers to visit. You will see the other world, different parties, experience russian banya, food&nature, and of course  people and relationships here not like in Europe too. Cheap flights now going to St. Petersburg (500km away) or Moscow, where you can jump in someones kayak bus or car. I will answer your questions about visa, it’s easy enough.

I am very thankful for everyone this year for a very warm hearted experience at Tivdia, and for all friends who provided photos. More detailed photo report you can find here http://www.kayaknroll.ru/news/tivdiya-fristajl-2013-fotoreportazh-s-mesta-sobytij/#more-11678

and here

http://ergin.ru/blog/tivdiya-chempionat-rossii-po-fristaylu-na-burnoy-vode-tivdia-freestyle-2013-16-05-18-05-2012-ot-aviatora-do-nyitika.htm

At the moment I am finished with all my selection events and going deep in to training for the Worlds with intention to participate in as many competition before US as possible.

How to Phonics Monkey with Pringle & Katya

With the launch of Dagger’s new Jitsu playboat we wanted to give you some new skills to work on in your shiny new freestyle ripping machines.

Over the course of this year Katya and me will be producing monthly how to videos to help you progress your freestyle skills.

The first one here is on how to do one of our favourite moves: the Phonics Monkey.

What is it?

It’s a  360 degree vertical spin linked into a front loop.

It looks very spectacular, is one of the highest scoring moves and also one of the hardest to master.

How to do it?

Step One: Start up nice and high on the foam pile. Turn the boat so that it’s lined up straight to the oncoming flow. Let yourself drift down towards the seam line with a little bit of edge held on.

 

Step Two: Just before you reach seam line reach across the bow with a crossbow stroke to initiate the 360 pirouette.

 

Step Three: As soon as you’ve initiated the crossbow pirouette, start looking ahead of the boats rotation.

 

Step Four: When you’re getting nice and vertical and your nearing the end of the 360 you want to spot a marker, could be a tree or a slalom pole, anything that is directly upstream of you.

 

Step Five: When you see that marker jump up on your toes into your standard looping position & then kick your feet out straight ahead of you in the direction of that upstream marker.  The more aggressive the better at this point.

How to make sure it scores?

• Try to start at a low angle and build up continuously to vertical. Timed correctly this will give you the biggest air and make sure the judges like it.
• Make sure you keep the loop nice and straight at the end. (Spot your marker & Kick your feet out in front when you finish the Loop)

Things to watch out for:

• Going vertical too soon.
• Taking too much speed into the move (that just means you’ll go vertical too soon.)
• Reaching out too far on the cross bow. Again this will mean you go vert too soon or hurt your shoulder.

Finally

Get out there and have a go, be patient it will probably be a gradual process mastering this move, but very satisfying when you get it.

Good Luck,

Pringle & Katya