Indholdsfortegnelse for Fall 2016 i Kayak Session Magazine

We just had the opportunity to watch one of the best kayaking movies ever – Chasing Niagara. The film, in short, is the story of kid named Rafa Ortiz who decides to kayak Niagara Falls. A great deal goes into making it possible: three years of training on big drops, major logistics, huge sponsorship, the help and support of many close friends, not to mention the years of kayaking leading up to that point. Then, on the morning of the run, Ortiz decides to walk away. Ortiz called it “the most difficult decision of his life,” proving it is often harder to turn and walk away than it is to get in your boat and run a rapid. When the camera is rolling, paddlers can feel an extra motivation to…

 There is no question that the state of Idaho has a handful of well-known classic rivers. Runs like the Middle Fork of the Salmon, the North Fork of the Payette, and the Lochsa are notorious North American rivers, recognized worldwide. But the local boaters of Idaho welcome the opportunity to paddle the state’s unique and less well-known runs. For the fortunate paddlers in the know, the Jarbidge and Bruneau rivers hold the allure of rolling whitewater, sections of scenic drifting and perfect riverside camping in the lonely desert canyons of southwest Idaho. Putting on the Jarbidge River, paddlers run 30 miles of mixed whitewater through desert canyonland to the confluence of the Bruneau. From there, the quality of whitewater increases (class 3-4 whitewater with some class 5 consequence), with a…

PLAN FOR THE UNEXPECTED Whitewater kayaking is all about fun. The only thing that should come before fun is safety.Yes, we all want to push our limits and push boundaries to become our best on and off the river. But no matter how we look at it, kayaking is not worth dying for. A key part of paddling safe is to create a plan B. It is not enough to simply rely on a perfect line and perfect scenario on the river. It’s up to you to create your best plan B – and to make sure your team knows it. PLAN AHEAD One of the things I have noticed over the years of running whitewater is how many paddlers tend to place so much focus on their intended line,…

RIVERS MEAN LIFE For centuries people have built their lives around rivers and oceans. These waters nourish communities, fuel economies, connect people and hold cultural significance for many tribes and nations. We often focus on the environmental aspects of rivers, but in places like Asia, Africa or South America, fishing is the only way some populations are able to eat every day. About 94% of all freshwater fisheries occur in developing countries. Fish provide food and livelihood for millions of the world’s poorest people, and also contributes to their overall economic well-being by means of export commodity trade, tourism and recreation. In Thailand’s Mekong River basin alone, some 55.3 million people depend on freshwater fish for nutrition and livelihoods, with an estimated average fish consumption of 56.6 kg a year…

For the elite division of the NFC, practice laps are crucial. The evening before the race, Kalob Grady and several others lapped Jake’s and dialed in the technical moves required for gates one and two. With the last sunlight of the day as a spotlight, the boof into Rodeo Hole was looking magical. Photography: John Webster Rider: Kalob Grady Wind and rain welcomed the We Are Hungry Productions crew during their recent mission to Iceland. The harsh weather conditions led the team to roam the southern part of the island in search of bearable conditions to paddle and film their next documentary. After hours of driving on dirt roads they reached Pjòfafoss. While kayakers can normally be found drinking beer or sleeping at midnight, the crew decided to enjoy the…

Stakeout is a time of anticipation and uncertainty. The two go hand-in-hand when waiting beside swollen rivers deep in rural Québec. In addition to an abnormal snowpack, even the weather patterns seemed confused as temperatures throughout eastern Canada rose and fell sporadically throughout the spring of 2016. This inconsistent and unpredictable weather left Canadian kayakers wondering if and when their favorite waves would emerge from the ice. An eclectic mix of misfits assembled to create the 2016 Stakeout crew, gathering in the Ottawa Valley to enjoy long days on the classic big waves of Bus Eater, Gladiator and the Ruins. Flows peaked then hovered around prime levels, meaning the crew was able to take their pick between surfing either the Ruins or Gladiator for almost a week. When those giants…

“Do within, when you are without. Your subconscious mind can not differentiate between reality and that which is vividly imagined.” MENTAL FITNESS Whitewater kayaking is a unique sport for many reasons. The medium that we play in as paddlers is fluid and dynamic. Compared to terrestrial sports played on solid ground or even water sports performed on flatwater, paddling in whitewater means the athlete is dealing with an unpredictable and sometimes chaotic environment. It is both complex and exciting. Athletes of many different disciplines harness the power of their mind through visualization. They know it works, but today there is the research to prove it. Visualization can help paddlers become mentally ready to not only survive, but to enjoy their whitewater experience in kayaks. There are a number of skills,…

NEWS AND HAPPENINGS DEVILS EXTREME RACE 2016 - AUGUST 19-21 - VLTAVA RIVER, CZECH REPUBLIC This year’s the Devils Extreme Race not only marks its 10th year, but it also serves as the finals for the European Extreme Kayaking Championships. The race will be held from August 19th-21st with a scheduled release of water on the Vltava River for all 7 days. The Vltava is controlled by the Lipno dam and, except when flooded, water releases are only guaranteed in August, making this race a special event in the Czech Republic. During the 5 days prior to the race weekend, the water will flow at 15 cumecs, however during the race weekend paddlers can appreciate 23 cumecs of whitewater. Like previous years, the train can be used for shuttle and…

As paddlers, rivers are part of us. No matter where in the world we are, when we are kayaking on a river, we feel at home. Rivers are a place of retreat and a place to recharge. Anglers and other paddlers love rivers too, but when comes to acting and standing up for a river that is threatened, that rebellious kayaking spirit comes out. And it comes out strong. My name is Rok. I am a kayaker, a biologist, and a river conservationist. I’m an ex-Olympic rower, a fisherman and an outdoorsman. I like action; I like art, revolt and rock’n’roll. And I love the rivers of southeastern Europe that I call home. This fusion of passion, paddling and conservation led me and my friends on a wild ride trying…

ZACH MUTTON Let’s talk about where you’re from. There are a lot of fast and talented kayakers who’ve come out of the Okere Falls community. What was special about growing up there? Okere Falls is the center for kayaking in NZ and a super special place to grow up.There is always something going on, from 6:30 am race runs, to slalom training and people constantly lapping the river. I was always paddling around with my dad and he even made me little custom carbon creek boats since I was too little to fit other kayaks. Have you always been fired up on kayaking or did it take you a while to get into it? As the first kid in the Mutton family, choosing not to paddle wasn’t an option. My…

PAIN RELIEF AND HOW IT WORKS In 22 years of paddling, I’ve come across plenty of occasions when I needed pain relief. Since the treatment of pain seems to be a confusing subject, this column is focused on demystifying pain relief. Pain is the body’s way of saying that it has experienced some trauma. Each person has a different tolerance for pain and thus different pain relief needs. Two main branches of pain relief exist: centrally acting pain relief and non-centrally acting pain relief. Centrally Acting Pain Relief This type of pain relief works on pain receptors in the brain and spinal cord. Since pain alleviation occurs at the brain level, it is comprehensive – much like an on/off switch for pain in the whole body. Narcotics are pain medication…

ZET KAYAKS - TORO ZET kayaks presents the Toro, a new generation kayak. Long development and testing have resulted in a kayak that every active kayaker will be excited about. The Toro is not specific to only racing or expeditions but is aimed at all categories of paddlers, from serious whitewater racers to beginners in a local kayak club. The Toro’s progressive bow gives it a racing disposition; a stable stern and innovative hull keep it stable and maneuverable.This boat is incredibly easy to steer and keep on line. The Toro is a kayak designed for all paddlers who want to enjoy the river in every aspect. Length: 270 cm - Width: 68 cm - Volume: 325 l - Weight: 20 kg - Paddler Weight Range: 70 - 95 kg…