Vaniljesaus is set for release this coming weekend at the Gene 17 adventure paddlers weekend as well as across the internet for free!
Here’s the final teaser:
“Vaniljesaus is a short film that follows a bunch of goons travelling through Norway for two months; searching far and wide for beautiful whitewater, new and classic.
We tried to film as much as we could, capturing the trip and trying to get the best shots we could. We found big water, small water, no water and a delicious custard drink called Vaniljesaus.
The post production phase of any motion picture is thoroughly time consuming, frustrating and tedious. A process that initially seems creative, enjoyable and generally feasible, however inevitably leads to an overwhelming feeling of sadness and rage.
Luckily, myself and Nick just love all those wonderful things and are currently deeply engrossed in the editing of ‘Vaniljesaus – A Kayaking Adventure’; A short film we will be bringing to the internet for FREE – and boy will it be worth none of your money!
Anyway, whilst we continue editing, here’s the all important concept trailer. There is more kayaking in the actual film, we promise.
The Kanumesse 2011 show opened this morning, the Palm team spent the day showing off the new range of kit, meeting and talking with dealers and traders and in the evening were giving out snacks and free beer to visitors of the stand…
Me & Katya have been taking photos of whats going on and todays video target was the three new Dry/ Immersion suits in the range:- the Spark, new ladies Element & the touring Aleutian.
Here is the New ladies Element suit:-
The Spark edit is up in the post below more to come as we get through the footage
As the good(ish) weather officially comes to an end here in Europe, I thought i’d put up a post with some of my favourite pictures of the spring/summer season. I managed to squeeze in two trips to the Piemonte/Ticino regions, before heading north, as ever, to Norway. This season we did some more exploration, both in central Norway, and further north, as well as paddling a number of rivers which have been secretly documented in some detail over the past few years, and since the publication of this online guidebook are set to become classics.
These are some of my favourite shots, huge thanks go to the photographers, as well as the people in them!
First up – I finally caught the Devil’s slide at the perfect level, in the right mood. Huge thanks to Adam Dumolo for taking this photo whilst simultaneously doing safety for this one.
Next, an excellent shot from Tom Parker of a sweet boof in the Lower Sermenza Gorge. I’ve been absoulutely loving my Harlequin Fuse Jacket, definately the comfiest shell garment ever, and coloured to match everything!
Lakeside camping in Hattfjelldal, Norway. Is this the best paddling destination in Europe?
Next up a shot by Hugh Graham, of Finn Burrows lining up for a rinsing. Dusj-boof (Shower-boof in Norsk)on the Susna. One of the most fun rapids anywhere, especially in high water, when it becomes Wipeout-boof.
This shot was taken by a friendly local, who regularly fishes the pool below this fall. Yours truly, on the first descent of Storfossen, on the Herdalselva, near Valdal.
Due to the trees being harvested on the right hand bank of the Mikkemus-elva, there was excellent light for photos for the first time tis year. Here Hugh Graham hits the perfect line. Watch out for Hugh, he’s one of those people who makes everything look a bit too easy.
Finally, a shot of Finn I took on the incredible Tverraga, another first descent and a true gem of a river way up inside the Arctic Circle.
I’m now back in the UK for a while, waiting for storm fronts to roll in and dump their goods in the hills. The new Mambas will be arriving soon and I can’t wait to get mine out and flying.
Last Saturday was the Youth Freestyle event on the Washburn River in Yorkshire. Check out the video above that me and Palms Junior star Bren Orton filmed and edited together to see what it was all about.
Its a great series of events for young paddlers of all abilities with the main aim of getting on the water having fun, getting top quality coaching and then doing some fun competitions. I’ve been at 3 YF events now and they have all been great days out showcasing an amazing array of talented young paddlers coming up in the Uk kayak scene. It looks to me like the future of British kayaking is in a very healthy condition.
This marks the first summer I haven’t traveled out west in a long time. The west coast gets all the glory for summertime paddling in the US and rightly so as California, the Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Montana and Colorado are all at their prime right now. However it doesn’t mean that you can fully overlook the right side of the country as there are plenty of quality options! Also as I’m still in the process of healing a herniated disc the East Coast offers me some great summertime paddling close to home and a chance to get to some places I haven’t been in a while.
The best part about kayaking in the East in the summer is the heat, and that means day after day in a shortie! It’s pretty good to be on a creek run without a dry suit and a bunch of fleece. Many folks think that the water goes away here with the end of spring, not so. Summer time thunder storms, some timely dam releases, and just plain big rivers lend themselves to great paddling all the way through the dog days of August.
This year with the start of the first heat wave I packed up the van and headed North for my first paddling trip since finding out I had a herniated disc. It’s been really good to be back on the water and traveling, two of my favorite things in life. Enjoy the pictures!
Wouldn’t be complete without a little Green River action in here. The Green is one of the best rivers ever in the summertime, lots of releases, good drops, and warm temperatures. Shane and I at the put-in on retro day.
Rolling over Gorilla on Retro Day, good to be back in a boat and stomping this rapid. A 90 degree offset….well that was a little more challenging!
The van outside Moutain Man Outdoor Supply Company in Old Forge, New York home to the Moose River. Due to a lucky lightening strike the power plant was releasing water into the Bottom Moose which allowed me to get my first ever run on this iconic Adirondack river. It didn’t disappoint!
Lining up a boof on the Bottom Moose, I can’t believe it took me 20 years to get on this run. Glad I got to it I felt like I’d been doing the East Coast an injustice:)
Following Will Crimmins down Sure Form one of the great slides on the Bottom Moose
Another takeout after another great day on the water!
The view from Grace Under Pressure on Great Falls, Potomac River. Great Falls and the Potomac are one of the great urban jewels of East Coast kayaking. 20 miles downstream of this boof is the Whitehouse. It’s pretty cool kayaking resource as it has something for all levels of paddling right outside of Washington DC.
My cousin Ben and I at the Center Lines on Great Falls.
Shredding the O-deck waves in my Axiom! Great waves and great boat!
I think two of my favorite parts of a good road trip are the people you get to see and the random things you end up doing. It’s good to have a plan sometimes but sometimes you just gotta go with the flow….
Stand up Paddle Boarding on an upper section of the Potomac
Evening on Lake Placid, New York. Can’t be afraid of some different craft, my friend Christian paddling home after drinks at the Lake Placid Lodge
Speaking of different craft to where am I going with this again?…..
Never be afraid to take advantage of croquet
And above all never go anywhere without your PFD
Catch you next time and happy paddling on whatever craft this summer!
We are part way through our first Canoe Village event of the year and word of our success has spread, as yesterday we were visited by Royalty!
Arriving in style - our royal visitor
Whilst being shown around, the Countess of Wessex made a bee-line for the Canoe Village stand to see why it is one of the most popular features at the show and how the collabiration between manufacturers and govening bodies is helping to grow participation in the sport and enjoyment of the outdoors.
Meeting our on water organiser - Rob from Globe 360
She was amazed to learn how we’d broken records for the fifth year runnning by getting over six hundred, mostly new, participants on the water on the first day alone , although a shoulder injury prevented her from taking to the water herself. She also took time to look over the different types of boats taking a particularl shine to the Wilderness Tapon 120 Angler and of course the show stopping Mad River Duck Hunter.
The Tarpon 120 proved popular
The event continues today and tomorrow and the Canoe Village will then be moving onto the South of England Show next week and the the CLA Game Fair in July.
Seasoned outdoor BBC presenter Kate Humble will be picking up a paddle, donning some Palm kit and jumping in a Mad River Canoe at our first demo event of the season this weekend.
The Springwatch and Lambing Live adventure girl will be at Surf-Lines, Llanberis on Saturday, May 14th at 11.30am leading a kayak and canoe flotilla across the beautiful waters of Llyn Padarn to officially open the Surf-Lines Adventure Gym.
The ever resourceful team at Surf-Lines have spotted a new concept that works in the same way as a standard gym. You can sign up for monthly memberships and then make use of thier extensive range of outdoor equipment and demo boats.
Take your pick from their rowing skull, or one of the stand-up paddleboards, Wilderness Systems and Dagger kayaks, Mad River Canoes or Islander sit-on tops. There will also be wild swimming sessions, as well as regular coaching clinics for those wanting to improve any of their other adventure sports skills.
Staff from Palm will be on site at the demo on Saturday to advise on choice of boat, equipment set-up and showcasing products from the new Palm apparel line. We’ll also be brining along the new Infinity Inflatable kayaks for trial.
For more on the demo event and Surf-Lines Adventure Gym check the web site.
With spring starting off well here in the southeast I figured now would be a good time to give you a little bit of East Coast paddling tour. These are some of my favorite areas to paddle on the East Coast and highlight some of the top destination rivers. If you’re thinking of taking a trip to the East Coast, these would be good places to think about going. I’m sure I’ve missed some so feel free to add your locale in the comments section.
Western North Carolina/Eastern Tennessee/North Georgia
Paddling into the light on the West Prong of the Little Pigeon, TN
Whether you spending your time around Asheville, Chattanooga, or Knoxville this area of the southeast has plenty to offer. While its become famous for its Class V paddling with runs like the Bear, Green, Toxaway, and Ravens Fork all within easy distance it also has plenty of quality Class III-IV options. Rivers like the Chattooga, the French Broad, Wilson’s Creek, Pigeon, the Obed, the Emory, and Nolichucky give the area something for every type of paddler.
Wouldn't be complete without a picture of the Green Race, held the first weekend of November every year!
When to go: The best times to plan a paddling trip to the southeast are in March/April and September/October. This gives you the best combination of weather (flowers in the spring, leaf color in the fall) and water.
What makes it tough: Rain. It’s as simple as that. The southeast is at its best when its raining which makes it really hard to plan a trip a long way in advance. If you have to make advance plans time your trip around the numerous dam releases in the region (rivers like the Tallulah, Cheoah, and the Green) as this will give you something fun to paddle in case its dry.
What to do if it falls apart: Bring your bike. There are hundreds of miles of single-track of all skill levels with areas like Pisgah and Dupont being world-class mountain biking spots. Several shops in Asheville offer rentals as well.
Getting ready to ride a long way down
The quick hit list: For the class V paddler set your sights on the Toxaway, Ravens Fork, Linville Gorge, the Bear, Horsepasture, West Prong of the Pigeon, and Overflow (if you get half of those you’ll be stoked). For the class IV paddler take a look at Wilson’s Creek, North Fork of the French Broad, Tellico, and Watauga. For the class III paddler go for the Nantahala, Section III of the Chattooga, Pigeon, the Ocoee, the Obed, and the Big South Fork of the Cumberland.
Big Boy on the Ravens Fork (photo credit: Fergus Coffey)
West Virginia
After protests from the state residents West Virginia is back to being Wild and Wonderful, and the center of that for kayaking is Fayetteville. There aren’t many towns with the concentration and variety of paddling as Fayetteville. The Gauley, the New, the Dries of the New, Mann’s Creek, Mill Creek, Lower Meadow, and Real Mann’s are all with 30 minutes and offer some of the best playboating and creeking the East Coast has to offer.
Airing it out on another perfect day on the New River Dries
When to go: Gauley season in September and October is a must. However a well kept secret is Fayetteville in the spring when the weather starts warming up (at least a little) and you often get the rains needed to bring in the world class waves of the New River Dries and all the creeks run. Think classic class V in the morning and the biggest air blunts of your life in the afternoon. Just be prepared for some cold weather.
Can't go wrong with Gauley season
What makes it hard: Again rain. Gauley season is easy as you’ve got the releases. If you’re trying to hit the dries or some of the creeks it can again be hard to plan way in advance. However no matter what you’ll always have the New River Gorge as an option.
Some WV creeking, bring your drysuit
What to do if it falls apart: Make sure you bring your climbing gear as an alternative option as the New River Gorge is home to some of the best routes in the country.
The quick hit list: Upper and Lower Gauley, New River Dries, Manns Creek, and Mill Creek. If you have time and the water’s good you can check out some of the lesser known runs up by Morgantown and around the Cranberry drainage.
New York/Vermont
For a little New England flavor head on up to the Adirondacks of New York and the Green Mountains of Vermont. Long known as a great paddling destination by those in the area its quickly gaining popularity thanks to natural runs like the Middlebury Gorge, the New Haven, and the Grass, the area also boasts great dam release options like the Moose, the Beaver, and the Raquete.
When to go: Spring for the natural flow, when it’s good its really good. Late summer for the dam releases of the Raquete and Beaver.
What makes it hard: Brrrrrr. If you’re shooting for the natural flow you’d better have a drysuit as it can be really cold.
Falls of the New Haven
What to do if falls apart: In the springtime bring your snow sliding equipment for a little spring skiing. In the summertime pack your hiking gear and get lost in the Adirondack Park.
The quick hit list: Middlebury Gorge, Big Branch, New Haven, Grass, and if you’re lucky John’s Brook for the spring. Later on just check AW for the scheduled dam releases.
Anyone of these destinations if you hit it right will give you some of the best paddling of your life. The cool thing about each of these areas is that they offer a wide variety of other options if the kayaking isn’t happening so bring your other toys. On top of it all each area has quality dam release options as well so you can guarantee some good kayaking action if you plan your trip during those times. Have fun out there and see you on the water!
Features footage from our drive from the Uk to Galicia, time on the Frieira Dam Wave on the Spain/ Portugal border and then the footage we have from our weeks creeking in Portugal.
