Innholdsfortegnelse for Spring 2021 i Kayak Session Magazine

They say we learn from history, that we learn from our mistakes as well as the successes of others. On the river, we follow the lines of those who have come before, sometimes blindly and other times with purpose. Those who lead the way, who push the boundaries and limits, show us what is possible, what we, too, can be part of. It is amazing the impact a single individual can have. It is even more impressive what a community can accomplish. In this issue, Dag Sandvik tells the story of the Raundalselva River - how, in the 1970s and ‘80s, British kayakers came to Norway, opening up first descents and introducing a generation of Norwegian kayakers to the sport. These first few Norwegian paddlers went on to help shape…

Lean back, close your eyes, and take a deep breath. Now, imagine water of emerald green flowing over solid bed rock, lit by reflections from a sun that will settle behind the mountains at midnight. The emerald water fades into vibrant green forests, which fade in turn to a background of white-capped mountains under blue skies. The Raundalselva flows from the middle of southern Norway, at the end of the mountain plateaus that dominate Norway’s geography, down into the very heart of the western Norwegian fjords. These mountains were once the highest on the planet, rising nearly 9,000 meters above sea level. The ice carved out the rounded mountains, valleys and fjords 10,000 years ago. On certain days it feels like the green-blue water is illuminated from within, which is…

" ''LIKE ALL OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, KAYAKING CARRIES RISK AND MITIGATING THAT IS AN INTRINSIC PART OF ADVENTURE."- NIGEL PARRY, WWNZ" There are many examples of complex river access issues around the globe that impact paddlers and river recreation. Each problem has its own challenges and unique stakeholders involved. Even though not all of these issues can be resolved with an overall positive outcome for river access, we can use these examples as learning opportunities that can empower us to find success when tackling future problems. CLOSURE OF THE LOWER GORGES OF THE KAITUNA, NEW ZEALAND In May of 2019, the lower gorges of the Kaituna were legally closed by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) Harbormaster – an unprecedented move that meant it was now illegal for kayakers to…

Here we are, 10 months into the coronavirus pandemic and miraculously, we have several excellent vaccines available. This is a gamer changer if ever there was one! Since we are living through the “second wave” aka, the first time many uninfected people get COVID-19, it is even more important that we already have very effective vaccines to help those who are most at risk and not yet exposed. As we all know, “prevention is better and cheaper than any cure,” and in this column I’m going to explain why in this case, a vaccine is the best form of prevention. 1. THE GOAL – HERD IMMUNITY.WHAT IS IT AND HOW DO WE GET THERE? For life to go back to normal, we as a collective global society need to reach…

Dane Jackson Takes On the Wake of Two Yachts Jackson gives the term "Yacht Ride" new meaning as two 90-foot yachts generate the perfect wave. The yachts travel North and South in Biscayne Bay, Miami, at a 45-foot distance, with speeds averaging 11.5 knots in 10-foot waters. Dane previously rode the wake of two wakeboarding boats, which generated a social buzz beyond the kayak community. Last year, he upped the ante with the help of wakeboarding legends Parks Bonifay, Brian Grubb, and Bob Soven.…

In April of 1999, Scott Lindgren, Charlie Munsey, Willie Kern, and Mark Hayden ventured into the headwaters Nepal’s Humla Karnali, returning with stories of a devilish canyon, steep committing gorges, difficult portages, and incredible whitewater. Nearly 20 years later, Mikel Sarasolsa, Aniol Serrasolses, Todd Wells, and Surjan Tamang returned to Shiva’s Gorge to help tell the greater story of this most sacred river. Though the gorge itself had changed little, the Nepal surrounding it was a different place: A region perched on the edge of development, seeking the balance between progress and pristine nature. Mention Nepal, and the word adventure immediately resonates in my head. High peaks, extreme nature, and historic expeditions. Though Nepal’s charm and allure for adventure lovers remains unchanged, Nepal is no longer the country that it…

Whitewater is a family affair for the Hillekes. For Tommy and Polly Hilleke, this means hitting the river with their four boys: Bodie (11), Dax (12), Daniel (13), and Kelly (15). While many parents share their love of kayaking with their children, let’s be honest. If your dad is Tommy Hilleke, you might just shred a little harder, a little younger. This dad ran the entire Stikine in one day (9 hours and 50 minutes), set a record Green race time in 2005 (4:34), and in 2007, ran seven of California’s hardest creeks in one trip. Mom Polly is also an accomplished kayaker. However, it is the youngest of the Hilleke clan who has been getting most media attention lately. Bodie, age 10, recently became the youngest kayaker to run…

INNOVATION "Innovation is change that creates a new dimension of performance." Peter Drucker New moves in a kayak, new techniques, new gear designs, and new lines on a river; all are forms of innovation. So, where does innovation come from, and how can you be part of the revolution? Innovation takes practice, but more importantly, it requires that you believe there is progress to be had. Step one is to recognize that 99% of the time, yours, mine, and our friend's paddling days are spent following in the footsteps of others. Warm-ups, strokes, rolling, gear, lines on the river, etc., are usually all well-worn paths where no innovation is happening. Creating change (for the better or worse) requires a conscious effort. How can you keep changing things up and making…

"Nothing else mattered because, at that moment, all of our efforts were worth every single footstep over that mountain pass." – Patrick Rogers, Hellroaring Creek, Montana, USA. Deep in the jagged grizzly-filled Absorkas of southern Montana lies a wilderness creek only accessible by a beast of a hike from the Boulder River drainage into this remote tributary of the Yellowstone River. Hellroaring Creek provides a rugged whitewater adventure that could soon be protected by a Wild and Scenic designation. The Montana Headwaters Legacy Act (MHLA) would permanently protect 336 miles on 17 rivers and streams in the Greater Yellowstone and Upper Missouri Headwaters geographies, including Hellroaring Creek, as part of the United States National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Patrick Rogers and his team first hauled their fully loaded kayaks…

NEWS AND HAPPENINGS DURANCE FESTIVAL 2021 IS BACK! JULY 30TH - AUG 1ST The 2021 edition of the Durance Festival Whitewater Sessions will take place this year, July 30th through August 1st. Bigger and better than ever, this year the menu features the now-classic WRSI Guil Gorge Chrono creek race on the Chateau Queyras Gorge, heaps of clinics (Waterfall Free-ride, River Sup, Girl Power, Safety, Open Canoe), an exhibitor’s village with tons of gear to test, a Sup Race, an open-air cinema in the evening, and a big stoke float on Sunday called La Grande Descente.This year again, a second-hand market and an intermediate event, the Freefall Paddles Lower Guil Rally! There is something for everyone, so bring the friends, the family, and come enjoy. For more info, visit durancefestival.com.…

Steve, at the wheel of his 25-foot aluminum hunting boat, bobs his head to reggae music as he navigates the strong tidal currents. The morning mist slowly disperses, and we see land ahead. The Meta Incognita Peninsula, named by early European explorers, is Latin for the “dreaded unknown.” For the Inuit, who have lived in these regions for centuries, it is simply home. “Last call, do we bring the bear fence or not?” Boomer asks. “It’s so heavy, and we will need the solar panel and battery as well,” I deliberate. Steve looks at both of us and adds, “We saw four bears in the next bay over just last week.” “Okay, the bear fence comes.” Steve turns his boat right into Hidden Bay, slowing as we approach the shore.…

As winter is upon us, many have moved their training grounds to flat water. Fear not, for I have a wonderful trick for you. It is very easy to learn once you understand it. You don’t need power to do it, so it can be taught before the cartwheel; it will make your roll better, and it transfers to BOTH holes and waves. Oh, and it is an entry step for the legendary helix! Feeling tempted to try yet? To break it down, the felix is a 360° spin where at least 180° of which the boat must be inverted. All you need to do this trick is a decent sweep roll. If you master doing the felix properly in flatwater, you should achieve it in a hole very quickly.…

"EXPLORATORY KAYAKING IS MUCH MORE THAN PADDLING CLASS V WHITEWATER. IT'S A JOURNEY FROM DREAM TO PLAN TO EXECUTION. BUT THERE IS SO MUCH MORE GOING ON THAN JUST ANOTHER KAYAK DESCENT WHEN YOU PAY ATTENTION TO MORE THAN JUST THE RIVER ALONG THE WAY. " Crossing into Ecuador from Colombia by bus at the end of 2003, the bus sprang a leak in the diesel line, and the lubricated rear tires sent us into a sideways slide towards a jungle abyss. In slow motion toward certain doom, I had time to think, "Ecuador wouldn't be such a bad place to crash if not for the thousand-foot cliff!" I clenched my eyes shut just as the bus screeched into traction at the last possible minute. On a trip that had…

SPADE KAYAKS | BLISS Introducing the Bliss, Spade Kayaks' new downriver freeride machine! Leave no rock unsplatted, no wave unsurfed, and no eddy-line unsquirted. The Bliss will take the fun on your favorite play run to a new level. At a length of 245 cm (8'0"), with a planing hull, it's perfectly suited for playful whitewater and spicing up your runs with freestyle moves along the way. LENGTH: 245 CM/8’0.5’’ | WIDTH: 65 CM/25.6’’ | WEIGHT: 20 KG/44 IB | VOLUME: 235 L/52 G SPADEKAYAKS.COM HIKO SPORT | CALYPSO AIR4 The CALYPSO Air4 is a top of the line women's drysuit here to keep you warm and dry even while pushing the boundaries of what's possible in a kayak. Rear entry TIZIP® waterproof zipper drysuit designed…