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
From the 18th-20th the Kanumesse trade show will be open! It’s held in Nuremberg, Germany and is one of the biggest trade shows in paddlesports.
Today was the final set up day for the show, so everyone at Palm was putting the stand together, talking over the new kit & getting everything ready for tomorrow.
During the show me and Katya will be putting up photos and videos on the kit range & what Palm has to offer for the upcoming season. I’m working on a video wrap up of the day right now where you can get a closer look at some of the new Palm items coming out, in the meantime check our photos:-
Me & Katya have had our new Palm kit for a little while now, in all seriousness its the best gear i’ve ever used. Additionally Katya is an professional Artist so is very keen to push more beauty and style into the sport and as you might guess from my multi colored kayak I really want to stand out in my gear. The new Palm gear gives you the colours, cut and look to do that with all whilst functionally performing great too!
Below is a short video I made of Katya from one day after Worlds
Few photos of Katya in the Swirl (Purple) & Zenith (Lime)
It was very interesting experience to be back in place which i used to call “my home”. I haven’t visit Altay for 3 years, and didn’t paddle this Rivers for 4 years. But time from 2004-2007, my first four summers in kayak i spend here, paddling every day and sleep under open sky every night, and every autumn it was painful to leave. My life changed a lot since this time in all directions: my mind, my friends, my location (which is in constant change), my kayaking, my dreams and i think i even look different now. It was a bit of surprise, what things here stayed the same, and local paddlers live same lifestyle as 4-5 year ago.
However there is one noticeable improvement – amount of kayakers paddling here went from 5-6 to 30-40! This competition organised for the second time and looks like it growing big! Kayak culture rooted here and region drown more and more attention for the paddlers from western lands. As soon as i realise i’ll be visiting my parents around this time i decide to come and support my old friends effort by participating in Race.
We arrived on Friday – first day of competition. 12 hours drive for here is no big deal, and we took boats and climbed up to put in for Chinese Race. It was a mass start with over 20 people. I paddled careful as i didn’t remember the lines perfectly and missed one night sleep on a way here. Surprisingly run went smooth and i got 11 from 22 people, leaving all other 5 girls far behind.
Evening i spend so good, what next day i felt a bit uncoordinated on a water. First part went good, but i last rapid , i guess i suddenly missed freestyle, so my unconscious desires led me to the hole, and then to another one. Safety guys enjoyed my beating and laughed hard. I lost quit a bit of time, but paddled hard on last km. My time was 6 min 3 sec and i finished 3d, missing first place by 15 sec and second by 0.5 sec! I hoped it will be final next day, but girls decide to cancel it, because some of them was too scared. This rapids a pretty powerful, so i was impressed to see 6 ladies racing!
Mans final was on most difficult part of the gorge, best 10 all successfully made it to the bottom. First place was not a surprise – Egor Voskoboynikov (winner of all Russian races) after big party and late night sleep won again. Vasiliy Porsev – main organiser of everything to do with Altay kayaking – got in to a hole, so finished only 3rd.
All competition going on in deep gorge, its not what great for spectators, but very intense for competitors, even there are safety after every rapid you still feel lost and alone. I was taking picture in canyon, so got to run last bit one more time. Paddle down without racing was great and i got clean lines, regained confidence shaken yesterday.
Awards ceremony was straight after. Prizes was pretty good, that is one bit i especially like about Russian competitions. I very hope plans about damming this river will not work out and next year and many years after kayakers will paddle and helicopters will fly high filming our finals of King of Asia race..
I love this Rivers and beauty of nature here, i feel safe and at home. Connection to this land is unbreakable like with mother. Even you not live together anymore and visit rarely u promise to come back. I will definitely come back here and introduce it to my new friends. I am proud to be from those lands.
The World Championships for me had a pretty dream ending, taking home the Gold Medal in Mens K1!!!
Throughout the event i’d not really paddled at the level I knew I could. I knew I was being too relaxed, not aggressive enough. For the finals I focused on pumping myself up as hard as I could and getting ready to have the fight of my life.
First ride didn’t go my way but I was feeling more myself for sure. 2nd ride I just gave it everything I had and got 1020 pts. The leading score at that point but definately not unbeatable, so 3rd ride i went even harder. I didn’t go as big as my 2nd ride but squeezed in a few extra moves to get 1053 points.
Then i had to watch as 4 great kayakers, Gerd, Nick, Stephen and Peter all went and gave it their all trying to beat my score. They all paddled great and Peter, who is a deadly competitor and amazing kayaker, very nearly got me. Finally though, luck and timing went my way and I took the win!!!
I never felt so good as when the results came out and I could see everyones faces. All my friends, family, Katya and many of the people who helped and supported me over the years all around enjoying the moment. And then all the GB team piling on top of me and sinking me. Seeing how happy and emotional Terry Best (friend and supporter for years) was was so so nice. Then seeing Guigui’s face after finally one of his amazing designs the Easymix 2008 got to the top!
The whole experience was one of the best moments in my life!
Watch the video below to find out how James trained
his body and mind for the event – ed
Standing on the podium it was exactly how it looked when i visualized it
The whole event was such a fun time. Always something going on, great people, perfect water levels. Robson, the ICF and the judging team did a great job pulling it off!
Big props should also go out to GB’s Claire O’hara who won Gold in Squirt and Womens K1 and Palm’s Bren Orton who took the Bronze in the Junior Mens!
Below are the videos of my final rides:-
Photos of all the various Finals:-
On off day we had on Friday they had a some additional events like King of the Wave and an SUP race as well as the Teva Big air comp. Katya kills it in this and took the joint win with huge Airloops and Godzilla’s ahead of all the boys tied only to team Germany who did a loop with 3 Kayaks tied together all at once!!!! check the photos:-
The journey I took to this point is pretty unusual. I loved kayaking since i was 12 and loved to freestyle kayak almost as long. After competing for most of my junior years i’d had a few successes but lost my way a bit about 4 years ago when I got a bit distracted by the party scene. I had a great time then but forgot what it was that i really wanted to do with my life.
I was working as a video kayaker on the Nile with NRE working for Davey O’hara with my buddy Anton and I was having a great time there. On the river every day, partying every night but at the same time i felt not truly happy.
I was missing something. About 3 months after i moved to Uganda I met Katya and together we at first went harder than ever in the bar but she also was so fired up on Freestyle that I began to find my fire for it again. Gradually my focus went off the bar and back onto being in my boat; surfing, catching air and throwing tricks. At this point i saw how Peter Csonka was training hard and kicking ass and I really admired his focus and determination. It was then I decided I was going to be a World Champion one day.
So we left Uganda and started to compete and train hard. Over time we got more and more successful in our competing and this last two years have been amazing. A win at last year’s World Cup, 2nd in the Europeans and now the World Champs Gold. It really has been the best couple of years.
We train hard and have done lots of work to get to this point and Katya has been the best coach you could have.
She also introduced me to many new ideas and approaches to life, we eat only raw fruit and vegetables for a start, we hardly drink any more and we meditate daily. All these aspects she introduced me to have had a profound effect on my happiness and kayaking. Life is for enjoying and improving yourself, this is what makes it so fun.
My next goals are to keep improving as a person, get my wave kayaking to the same level as my hole kayaking, keep competing on the highest levels, help Katya to get her goals, see more new places and to keep pushing ourselves and our kayaking as far as we can!
I have so many people to thank for getting me to this point: Shep, Sneaky, Terry and the whole Best family, Pete Caterall, Hippy Dave, Tim Ward, Jacko, Pete Astles, Sam Ward and Dennis Newton, Matt Chadder and Dickie. Wigan Canoeing Groups Eric Bradbury, Bob Andrews and Will Potts. Elton, Tim, Simon and Sophie from Reaseheath College.
All the Uganda/ NRE crew particularly Davey and Timmy.
My friends who made this year so good and fun, Aniol and Gerd Serrasolses, Martin Koll, Emily Wall, Bartosz, Irish Tom, Mathieu, Sam Ward and Anton Immler & everyone who was at the WW GP event.
Guigui for making the best freestyle Kayaks out there!
EJ, Mathieu Dumoulin, Peter Csonka, Rush Sturges, Pat Camblin and all the Tribe athletes and GB / Palm’s Cheesy for giving me continued inspiration and ambition.
My Sponsors Mark Burch at Brookbank Canoe Stores, Cheesy and everyone at Palm Equipment for the amazing kit and Arnd and everyone at Teva Shoes. Thanks to them all for giving me the opportunity to train full time in pursuit of my goals!
The biggest thanks though go to my Mum, Dad & Katya. They’re the ones who have shaped my life the way it is and are my biggest supporters!
The new 2011 Palm paddle jackets have arrived at your local Palm Equipment dealer! With over 2 years development, team testing and refinement they’re our most technically advanced jackets yet.
The Palm Team have been itching to get their hands on the final production jackets for a while now. And, when the first shipment arrived earlier this month who were we to argue!
Gear for Women
Rosie Cripps introduces the Aqua Jacket
The next day it was off to west Wales to make full use of the spring tides at the awe-inspiring Bitches tidal race. Joining us on the top wave, and sporting brand new Atom jackets, were Palm paddlers Finn Burrows and Nick Horwood. Check out the video below:
Gear for Whitewater
Nick Horwood & Finn Burrows introduce the Atom Jacket
Check back here or our Facebook page over the next few months as we introduce more of the team of paddlers that make up Palm.
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!
