Innholdsfortegnelse for Winter 2024 i Kayak Session Magazine

It is difficult to contest the fact that with global warming comes a host of natural disasters. This is not a new phenomenon, but the growing frequency of these catastrophes worldwide is becoming increasingly concerning. Droughts, floods, mudslides, wildfires…When these events occur on the other side of the world, they are alarming and devastating, yet they remain somehow easy to ignore. As these “once in a lifetime events” become part of our daily news, we grow accustomed to them, normalizing what is anything but. It is often only when we are directly affected that we truly realize the extent of these crises. In September of this year, the southeastern United States, particularly North Carolina, experienced floods of an unprecedented magnitude as Hurricane Helene swept through with unexpected force. The (paddling)…

The annual Turbo Kayak Festival was held for the fourth consecutive year in the south of Iceland on the pristine Tungufljót River. Three women and ten men competed this year, from ages 15 to 51 years old. The first qualifying category was slalom. Racers made their way down a technical course on Class III rapids that ended with a drop to the finish line. Two women and eight men qualified for the finals, where two paddlers would then compete against each other, head to head. Fifteen-year-old Freyja Friðriksdóttir from Iceland and Benjamin Rowlands (GBR) took home the gold after an exciting competition. The DJs kept the spectators in good spirits, and the grillmaster made sure nobody went hungry. Red Bull kept the competitors on their toes! Afterward, everybody headed to…

The Upper Tummel is one of Scotland's most beloved sections of whitewater, with easy access and something for everyone. The river winds through native woodland and spectacular rock formations. There are several Class III rapids immediately from the put-in, with the main event, a two-stage Class IV rapid called McLarens, right in the middle of the run. It's a beautiful section and super easy to lap. In the Scottish competitive spirit, some local paddlers have racked up an incredible number of runs in a “session,” possibly none more so than Robert Eggleston, who was known to lap from sunup to sundown. It was Robert's idea to run a slalom race on this section, merging the best parts of competition with one of the coolest places to paddle with friends. This…

This year's Snowy River Extreme Race (SRER) took place over the long weekend in October, with around 140 racers descending on the stunning Snowy Mountains region of New South Wales, Australia. As one of the premier whitewater kayaking events in the country, the SRER attracts paddlers of all skill levels. It takes place on the Snowy River between Guthega Power Station and Island Bend. The race offered two main sections: a Class III-IV expert race and a Class III intermediate race. Dan Hall and Tom Elms took the top spot in the expert category, while Ben Taylor and Tim Taylor claimed victory in the intermediate race. The inflatable class winners were Aston Cox and Nors Corstorphan, and the junior category saw Bane and Caitlin Burr secure first place. In the…

EVENTS From September 20th to 22nd, 2024, the Oetztal Kayak Festival 2024 took place in the municipality of Oetz. Hundreds of whitewater kayakers from 15 nations gathered in the Oetztal to experience a spectacular weekend with optimal water levels, bright sunshine, and warm temperatures. The event's highlight was the Oetz Kayak Cross's first edition on the Oetztaler Ache slalom course. Anyone who wanted to be in the final had to qualify via a timed run and make it through three heats. Pavlina Kodadova (CZE) won the women's final ahead of Marisa Kaup (GER), Laura Hofberger (GER), and Rachael Dale (GBR). In the men's race, Huw Butterworth (GBR) came out on top ahead of Holger Jung (GER), Andy Kettlewell (GBR) and Dennis Messemer (GER). In addition to the competition program, the…

In early August 2024, after descending the Upper Jore with their students, the EWWS coaching crew, Quim Fontane, Otger Soler, David McClure, Urko Cot, and Ewan Murray still had the itch for more paddling. Fortunately, Quim knew of a potential first descent on the nearby Sørhelläi River. Without overthinking it, they crossed the valley in search of the river. Upon reaching what seemed to be the take-out, they scouted the final rapid visible on satellite maps (a big slide). It didn't take long for them to discover the hidden gem. They hoisted their kayaks onto their backs and hiked straight to the put-in. The descent began at the mouth of a beautiful lake, with a series of small slides and stylish drops. After that, they encountered a rockier section with…

New Zealand's rivers are under serious threat, with 149 rivers listed in a “fast track bill” proposed by the new government. If passed, government and energy companies will not have to consult public groups (such as Whitewater NZ) before changes are made to current and potential new hydro schemes around the country. Instead, the Ministers for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Conversation, and Crown Minerals assess the application and decide whether or not to refer a panel. The panel will seek comments from the application and directly affected groups before approving or declining the project. This bypasses the normal consenting process and precludes public hearings or opportunities for submissions, negating the consideration of public voices. Among the 149 listed rivers are the Wairoa (Tauranga), the Tekapo and Pukaki, the Ragitaiki, and…

DANE'S WORLD I was fortunate enough to be able to not only have kayaking surround me while growing up but to have it presented to me in a way that kayaking seemed like the most fun thing I could be doing with my day. No matter if it was another simple day on a river I had done a hundred times or a run I had wanted to do forever, my dad and the people around me always made sure that even on the serious stuff, the ability to enjoy myself was still there. It seems like a simple concept. It's easy to just say, “Have fun,” and leave it at that. But there is a difference between assuming you'll have fun and making something fun. My dad and those…

FRIEND OF THE FEARLESS It feels like every time I chase a new river, I have to relearn the method or art of it again. For some, the 7P's might work, but since proper prior planning has never been my strong suit, I settle for 4Ps, a D, and an R: patientpersistence-produces-pretty-descent-results. It's a patient persistence where perfect doesn't exist, “good enough” is ideal, and unfavorable results are just part of the game. And that last part takes time to reconcile with my overwhelming desire to accomplish something meaningful. It doesn't take much to convince myself to roll the dice and drive south; there is water in the forecast “este año.” More importantly, it doesn't take much to convince Willie to join me. “Why aren't we heading to BC?” I…

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 Merely a few decades ago, before we all had little baby supercomputer-camera-satellite phones in our pockets and widely available service and Internet, if you wanted to find…

THE PADDLE SPORTS SHOW STRASBOURG, FRANCE, SEPTEMBER 2024 The biggest names in paddle sports came together under one roof this September in Strasbourg, France, for the Paddle Sports Show. A B2B tradeshow for industry professionals, the Paddle Sports Show highlighted groundbreaking products and gave voice to current issues with conferences and opportunities for collaboration, from impromptu casual catch-ups at the “Booth Party” and Industry Dinner and Awards night to organized meetings. For video recaps, product previews, and best-in-show highlights, visit PaddlerGuide.com or PaddlerGuideTV on YouTube. To reserve your booth space for next year or for more information on how to be involved, visit thepaddlesportshow.com. See you next year in Strasbourg. Sept 30th- Oct 2nd, 2025. PADDLE SPORTS SHOW PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2025 Once again, the Paddle Sports Show…

The Seven Sisters X Slalom is an extreme kayaking event for athletes of all calibers, held at the Nouveau Monde rafting base in Grenville-sur-la-Rouge, Quebec. The competition showcases the talent and skill of kayakers as they navigate the iconic Seven Sisters section of the Rivière Rouge, guided by gates strategically placed to increase the difficulty of the run. The aim of the race is for each kayaker, after two runs, to set the fastest time. To achieve this, racers must demonstrate great agility and precision and speed. The river-side trail allows spectators to experience the high-intensity event and watch top-level athletes perform. All are invited to come and cheer on the athletes and partake in the festive atmosphere. As you'll see, the Slalom 7 Sœurs is not only an annual…

The Devil's Extreme Race has been one of the biggest European races for eighteen years, yet the event continues to grow and improve. For 2024, the Devils Streams also hosted the Extreme Kayak European Championship. The Devil's Extreme Race is a weekend full of paddling on the most beautiful section of the Vltava River known as the Devil's Streams. There are multiple races throughout the weekend, including the notorious Dam to Dam, the Qualification, and the final race down the Devil's Staircase. There is also a Master's race, music, food, and fun, plus lots of money and prizes to be won from event partner HIKO Sport and many others. The organizers arranged the legendary GoPro HellTrain shuttle, which ran almost every thirty minutes, allowing a weekend of non-stop car-free laps.…

The MKF is done and dusted for another year, and this seventh edition did not disappoint. This year, it was nearly an all-Indian race, as there was only one competitor from overseas, Paul Aubertin from France, who cleaned up all his races and took out the overall prize. The Fest program consisted of Downriver Sprint and Kayak Cross. The DR start was on the Super Slide, perhaps one of the highest launch ramps in the world at 30 feet high and 75 feet long, which sends competitors into the Umtrew River at frightening speeds. The river is dam-controlled, and there was a constant flow of 16 cumecs for the festival's duration. The Kayak Cross course is 200 meters long and includes the notorious Class IV Terminator Rapid, where the sticky…

The 2024 Maine Whitewater Championship race series continued with the Kennebec and Penobscot Races this August. The Kennebec Race was held in conjunction with the newest whitewater festival on the east coast, the West Forks Riverfest (a smaller, kid-friendly Gauley Fest), bringing paddlers from all over the country together. Twenty-two racers came out to race the Kennebec Gorge, including one of the largest female race classes since the beginning of MWWC. The overall winner of the time trial was Pyranha paddler Eddy Mead, who had a time of 11:35.57, followed by previous Kennebec Champion Raef Gormley (11:41.37). The third-place spot went to blazing-fast junior competitor Avery Discentis (11:48.67). Alex Horne took first place in the women's division (fifth overall) with a time of 12:01.00. Fiona Gormley took the second place…

The morning sun peeks over the top of the Southern Alps of New Zealand's South Island as six kayakers prepare for the day's journey down the classic Kokatahi River. Toad, Manu, Zack, Ryan, James, and Phil, a team of local Kiwis and Americans. This is the season opener, always an exciting day uncovering new changes to the river, whether good or bad. The Kokatahi, nestled behind Hokitika in the heart of the West Coast's wilderness, is renowned for its vibrant blue water, breathtaking scenery, and world-class boofs in a remote river canyon accessible only by helicopter. The riverbed is reshaped by annual floods, ensuring that every season's first descent feels like exploring uncharted territory. The helicopter ride into the canyon is an important part of the day as it grants…

By mid-August, most kayakers had already packed up and left Norway, even though the water levels were still unreal. The crowds were gone, but there were still a few dedicated weirdos who remained. There is a special one living in his caravan who's just as likely to be found behind a camera or with a fishing rod in hand around the river. Of course, his name is David Sodomka. Throw in local superstar Ruben J. Davidsen, and you've got a solid crew ready to shred. Although there were quite a few options on the table, the plan was simple as always: “To go kayaking.” The night before, one of the locals shared key insider beta: one of the hydro turbines up at Abjøra was off, and the water levels were…

Founded in 2021, the “Rhein-Main Welle” initiative is a coalition of over fifty kayak and watersports clubs from central Germany. The initiative aims to create an inclusive watersports hub while preserving one of Germany's most renowned and historic playspots, the Steindamm Wave. As the only playspot within a 300-kilometer radius, the Steindamm faces the threat of being removed by a proposed fish bypass. Jonas Kuenkel, spokesperson of the initiative and volunteer advisor for wave building at the German Canoe Association, delved into the complexities of the European Water Framework Directive. Recognizing the potential loss of the Steindamm wave, he and a group of kayakers took action and led a multifaceted campaign. Through strategic social media and press efforts, political networking, and leveraging the sporting success of the region, Kuenkel successfully…

Rugged mountains, clear blue rivers, delicious food, friendly people. Combined with tons of Class II, III, and IV whitewater, the Spanish Pyrenees are a perfect destination for paddlers not seeking the ultimate adrenaline kick. Rather, it is a destination to calm down, enjoy the beauty of life, and relax. To take in the mountain scenery from the river or one of the swimming pools every campsite offers, an ice-cold beer in one hand and a snack in the other. Welcome to the land of whitewater and tapas! The Pyrenean Mountains form the border between France and Spain, spanning nearly 500 km (310 mi) as they connect the Mediterranean Sea to the east with the Atlantic Ocean to the west. In between are many, many rivers. Unfortunately, hydroelectric development is common…

NEW WAVE Costa Rica's combination of mountains colliding with tropical storms from the Pacific and the Caribbean oceans creates a biodiversity of flora and fauna, but also a biodiversity of quality whitewater that attracts all types of kayakers come rainy season. Costa Rica has been firmly on the radar of international kayakers for decades, from Eric Jackson and European slalom stars training on the now dammed río Reventazón to the Epicocity Crew's first Ds on jungle stouts to Pat Keller's infamous tuck-and-huck shot—featured in Sports Illustrated—on La Paz. But Costa Rica has also been creating home-grown stars from their vibrant whitewater community for years. A booming tourist economy, which includes whitewater rafting, has created a culture that now regularly produces some of the world's best guides. Without trying to offend…

The Europeans in Freestyle Kayaking, held from August 27th-31st, 2024, in Graz, Austria, concluded with great success and a lasting impact. Initially set for Salt, Spain, the event was moved to Graz at the last minute, coinciding with the Graz Rodeo. Despite the sudden venue change, the kayaking community came together to create an unforgettable event. This year's competition took place at an industrial channel on the Mur River, a departure from the 2003 World Championships at the famous Terminator hole. The new location offered a high-quality feature that highlighted freestyle's finest moments. In a remarkable show of unity, kayakers from across Europe worked together to repair a sudden break in the hole just a day before the opening ceremony, ensuring the competition could proceed. This collaborative effort perfectly captured…

More than 700 people gathered in the small town of Llangollen, Wales, this August to celebrate the life and legacy of Bren Orton and to paddle some “Class Joy” together. With colorful—and packed!— laps on the River Dee in the Welsh sun, BBQs, and heartfelt speeches, the weekend was a fitting tribute to Bren's global impact and the power of the whitewater community. A massive thank you to all those who helped to organize and host throughout the weekend, including but not limited to the Kirkham/Orton family, Pyranha Kayaks, Palm Equipment Europe, Gales Wine Bar, Whitewater Active, and many others.…

The 2024 Whitewater King of New York and Beaver River Rendezvous closed out the summer and kicked off race season again in epic fashion. This year, American Whitewater's Bob Nasdor and Alex Barham with the Hudson River and Black River Regulatory District worked a deal with the Brookfield power company to obtain recreational releases on the Moose and Black Rivers on Fridays and the Raquette, Salmon, and Beaver Rivers through the long holiday weekend (Labor Day) to provide something for everyone looking to get out on the water. The Whitewater King of New York race organizers and the Great Falls Foundation took advantage of this year's extra releases by putting on four extreme races over three days. The first race on Friday was on the Bottom Moose. A “Le Manns”…

After a brief break during the pandemic, the Morriston Enduro is back as an official annual event, rallying paddlers to test their skills and fitness against the 500 m section of classic Scottish Class IV/IV+ pool drop whitewater. The single-day event (which may be the most demanding event in the UK!) took place on Saturday, August 10th. The race is a great way to bring together the Scottish and world paddle communities for some friendly competition, reuniting friends and providing the opportunity to meet new ones before the autumn rainy season. The event has a small family vibe with around thirty to forty paddlers and roughly thirty volunteers who come to support, operate safety, and film. The Enduro consists of three categories, each participant getting three hours to give everything…

The Isel River Week, held on the last weekend of August in East Tyrol, is a unique festival that brings together kayakers for a weekend of adventure and camaraderie. Based at Adventure Park in Ainet, a charming campsite with direct access to the Isel River, it's the perfect spot for paddlers to gather, relax, and enjoy the water and the surrounding atmosphere. While the focus is on kayaking, the event offers much more. Live music on two evenings creates a lively, social atmosphere that extends well beyond the river. Music fills the camp as the day's activities wind down, drawing people together around the campfire. The outdoor cinema under the stars, showcasing films by Olaf Obsommer, adds a special touch, letting paddlers unwind and enjoy a movie night in the…

You may remember that in 2017, 2019, and 2023, Save Our Rivers campaigned with your help to preserve one of the most stunning upland river valleys in the UK. The bad news is that the developer is back with a freshly completed EIA and looks more likely to succeed than ever. Unless we act quickly, one of Eryri's most iconic waterfalls and wildlife sites will be damaged forever. In July, the developers submitted a new planning application to build a dam on the Afon Cynfal in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park and divert as much as 70% of the available water around the waterfall of Rhaeadr y Cwm as part of a hydroelectric scheme. With the deadline for objections on September 20th, Save Our Rivers, Snowdonia Society, Buglife, and the North…

Brazil Jungle Boogie After our first trip, kayaking in Mato Grosso with David Sodomka, Matthias Weger, and two local rippers, Joaocinho and Hilton, we couldn't wait to go back to Brazil. This country was seemingly bursting with potential for kayaking. And, as we learned on our first trip over, the country is big. Like, really big. Like, all of Europe could fit inside Brazil's borders—twice—big. On our initial trip, we covered 8000 kilometers in three weeks in the state of Mato Grosso alone, and Mato Grosso is just one of the 27 Brazilian states. We knew there was more to uncover; the question was when. With the expedition on the Ivindo River in Gabon complete, we returned home to low flows and cold weather. Unsurprisingly, we agreed to head somewhere…

Kayak Session: Eirik, while your passion for kayaking now inspires travel around the world, you used to consider yourself a passion-less “city boy.” True? Eirik Hansen: That's true. Until I was 16, I had no idea what kayaking was. I think I was a very normal kid growing up—not supercool, not a jerk, not a nerd, but an in-betweener who got along with most people. My life was in the city of Bergen. I played in a band, kicked soccer balls, spent hours on my Xbox, and didn't like spending time in nature. Despite my parent's best efforts, I became a sweaty gamer with not much else going on. I would say I was halfway invested in everything I did; I was pretty stoked about a lot of activities but…

DOCTOR RIVER WHAT'S UP DOC? As many of you may have guessed, there is little information on sex-specific training for women, especially at an elite level of any sport! Instead, there is a lot of information about how men should train, which is applied across the sexes. When I went to medical school, the entire medical model was based on the 75 kg (165 lb) male, as if women and their bodies were not different from men's. Don't ask me why that didn't strike the entire medical educational community as incongruous! This column focuses on how women paddlers should think about training based on their menstrual cycle, but I encourage everyone to be educated on this topic. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of information out there on this subject! Perhaps…