Indholdsfortegnelse for Summer 2020 i Kayak Session Magazine

The world has changed immeasurably since we published our last mag due to a pesky little coronavirus known as COVID-19. As we write these lines, we find ourselves in a strange purgatory while the world around us changes, and rivers, forests, oceans, and airports are declared off-limits for a yet- to- be determined length of time. Many of us are attracted to whitewater for the wild, raw, unpredictable nature of the river, and the joy that accompanies being- even for a moment- part of its flow. On the river, we make our own rules or follow those set by the laws of nature. As put-ins, take-outs, and even rivers themselves are shut for the “greater good,” it seems bizarre to have the river- our wilderness, our escape- fall prey to…

The Zambezi River is Africa’s fourth largest river and is already heavily impacted by over 30 dams which have altered the natural flow, destroyed communities, and decimated important ecosystems. Now, another mega-dam threatens to flood the Batoka Gorge below Mosi oa Tunya (Victoria Falls), a World Heritage Site.The proposal calls for a dam wall 181 m high – the equivalent of a 60-story high skyscraper - built about 45 km downstream from Mosi oa Tunya/Victoria Falls. As the reservoir fills up, the water will flood the Batoka Gorge all the way to the base of the falls.The resulting dam will cover around 23 km2 and will be the 4th largest dam on Africa’s most dammed river.The downstream ecosystems and communities that depend on the river’s flow will be damaged even…

“We are a product of our environment.” This incredibly broad statement, while generally accepted, gives little context. ‘Environment’’ is vague and easily adjustable to virtually all situations. The use of the word ‘product’’ further complicates the point. However, with just a little bit of context, this statement becomes more palatable. If we apply “whitewater kayaking” to this philosophy, it tells us, we are what we paddle. While the nuances can be discussed, the idea that we are defined as kayakers by what we paddle is generally true. In White Salmon, WA, there are few freestyle kayaks strapped to roofs. In Beachburg, Ontario, an aerial blunt is generally agreed upon as being, not that difficult. In Sarapiqui, Costa Rica, most kayakers don’t even own a shorty, let alone a drysuit. My…

Soft morning light bathes the streets of Jaen, Peru in a warm orange and a tall man ducks through the too-short door of a hostel. He gives the impression he’s a local as he pads down the bustling street in flip-flops and a faded tee, but his 6’3” stature, fair skin, and dusty blonde hair give him away. He casually greets friends on the street, saunters up to the nearest food cart and orders in fluent Spanish. After he eats, he sits down at the desk in his rudimentary hostel room and opens his computer. Ben Webb came to Peru six years ago because of one river: the Marañón. The Aussie kayaker traveled halfway around the world not just to kayak, but to help protect the headwaters of the Amazon.…

NEWS AND HAPPENINGS PLANET CANOE - ICF MAGAZINE RELEASE New from Planet Canoe! An interactive magazine with integrated videos that gathers all the World Championships and International ICF events in one publication. Check out fantastic photographs, videos, and articles, plus links to athlete biographies, competition coverage, and results. In addition, stay up to date on ICF development and sustainability campaigns, the anti-doping education program, and event cancellations and postponements. canoeicf.com/planet-canoe-magazine DURANCE FEST POSTPONED TO AUG 1ST & 2ND OR LATER Initially scheduled for July 10-12th , The 2020 edition of the Durance Festival, organized by Kayak Session, has been postponed to a later date to play it safe. Tentative dates are August 1st & 2nd , but it is possible dates will be pushed back to late August.The low logistics…

The main river of the Valley is the Sesia ... It springs forth at a height of 2700 meters from a bare glacier, frightening in its infinity, as with eternal things and with death: it is born humble and in the high mountains like simple things, but none of the rivers of Italy are born in such a bright house, few overwhelm their waters between such laughing banks. As soon as it is born, it is already a trickle of silver that sends a cheerful clucking, as happy as a child's voice... " don Luigi Ravelli, Alpinist, Valsesia and Monte Rosa: Mountaineering, artistic, historical guide, 1924. In addition to centuries of amazing cultural history, the Sesia Valley hosts possibly the highest concentration of easily accessible paddleable rivers and creeks anywhere…

The early morning sun cuts through Ontario’s Madawaska Valley, sending tendrils of warming light through the leafy canopy of Canadian sugar maples and pines. Birds chirp their excitement at the dawn of a new day. In the background, there is the soothing sound of rushing water. A cowbell rings, a memento from the 1971 World Kayaking Championships in Merano, Italy, calling paddlers to congregate on the decks of the Madawaska Kanu Centre (MKC) to begin another day exploring the wonders of whitewater. For almost half a century, the cowbell's ring has brought together kayakers and canoeists from across North America. Paddlers seeking an introduction to running rivers or looking to improve their paddling techniques under the guidance of a tight-knit family of instructors eager to pass on their skills and…

PRIJON | DUO With Prijon’s 2B, kayaking becomes a team-sport! Doesn’t matter if you want to explore the whitewater with your best friend, family or an unexperienced paddler – with the Duo paddling is double fun! The flat bottom combined with the firm edges and the heavy rocker guarantee its suitability for whitewater.A new way to paddle whitewater in twos! LENGTH: 372 CM/12’2 | VOLUME: 540 L/142.6 GAL.| WEIGHT: 37 KG/81.4 LB PRIJON.COM PEAK UK | DELUXE A bombproof shoulder-entry suit, ideal for all whitewater kayakers.The entry system is a waterproof, lightweight, flexible and curved zip, which offers incredible freedom of movement with minimum restriction.There is also a waterproof vertical front fly zip.The fabric is a breathable and durable X4 midweight nylon with 20 m waterproofing,…

There are lots of things about this planet that amaze me. Not least that I can leave a cold, dark, England in December, travel halfway around the world, and suddenly be enveloped in warm water and prime levels. What an incredible concept! There is no lack of destinations to choose for the winter escape, Chile, Mexico, Ecuador, to name but a few. One of the places that has me returning year after year is the recently remembered Zambezi River. When I say remembered, I don't mean that it was ever forgotten. But, as the sport specialized into more and more niche categories, ICF freestyle, big wave freestyle, creeking, racing, free fall, etc., the Zambezi fell by the wayside for the simple reason that it doesn’t fall into one category. It…

Kayak Session is proud to collaborate with American Whitewater, a non-profit river conservation organization. Our mission is to show kayaking at its best with amazing pictures of paddling on beautiful rivers. Without the hard work and dedication of AW, we would have a difficult time portraying these incredible rivers, and it would probably become even more difficult in the years to come. We would like to acknowledge this work and AW has agreed to keep us updated on some of the projects they are involved in. For more information on these and other issues that American Whitewater is working on, go to www.americanwhitewater.org In the 1970s, in a small town in Maryland (USA) aptly named Friendsville, an access controversy was brewing. The town’s lifeblood was, and still is, the Youghiogheny…

Paddler: Vávrinec Hradílek Location: Cathedral Cove in Hahei (New Zealand) Photographer: Jan Kasl/rbcp Paddler: Jeremy Nash Location: Graceland Slide-West Cherry, California (United States) Photographer: Dane Jackson Paddler: Rafa Ortiz Location: Prismas Basálticos of Santa Maria Regla in Huasca de Ocampo, Hidalgo (Mexico) Photographer: Marcos Ferro/rbcp Paddler: Jamie Sutton Location: Teigdal River (Norway) Photographer: David Sodomka Paddler: Vávrinec Hradílek Location: Tekapo (New Zealand) Photographer: Jan Kasl/rbcp Paddler: Arthur Bernot Location: Salto Del Tigre (Ecuador) Photographer: Thomas Neime…