Innholdsfortegnelse for Spring 2023 i Kayak Session Magazine

EDITO Just over a year ago, Russia invaded Ukraine, kicking off a humanitarian crisis and leaving the world grappling with difficult decisions as they are forced to pick a proverbial side. In response to the shock and horror, Putin's actions have been globally condemned, and countries and individuals around the world have raised blue and yellow fists to stand with Ukraine. On the surface, this seems a classic case of "good" vs. "evil," and the instinct to penalize Russia wherever and however possible in an attempt to shorten the conflict is well-founded in historical precedent. But life is rarely so black and white. Many of those fleeing their homeland and opposing the war in Ukraine are Russian. They, too, are suffering from the decisions of their government. Currently,sport governing bodies…

Twenty-three years ago, the Millrace Massacre and Iceman Championships was created to bring friends together in the dead of winter for a day of friendly kayak racing. On January 7th, 2023, it was apparent that The Iceman has become a Southeast staple in the racing circuit, with the most participants ever: 97 total racers. This race brings together every level of paddler, from seasoned professionals to first-year boaters looking to compete in their first kayak race. High water leading into the day's events provided plenty of carnage for the throngs of spectators lining the boardwalk on the Saluda River in Columbia, SC. Connor Morgan and Lydia Correa took top honors in the Straight Shooter.The Millrace Massacre saw Asheville's Micajah McCurry and Charlotte's Ava Christensen, each claiming first place and taking…

Organized by Kayak The Nile in collaboration with various local partners, the Nile River Fest showcases the beauty and significance of the Nile River and its role in the lives of the river community of Uganda. This year, the festival featured a new format, which perfectly fit the new water levels and rapids. The festival began with the Mass Float, in which a colorful flotilla of over a hundred participants took to the river in kayaks, rafts, SUPs, and tubes. They celebrated the river from Bungee Uganda to Nile River Explorers Camp, where the Big Air Competition unleashed real havoc. Kayakers and enthusiasts showcased their skills and courage by performing incredible stunts as they soared through the air. Bartosz Czauderna and Martha Bylnikiza won their classes. The Endurance Race tested…

The Asahan River is a huge natural stream of water that flows 150 kilometers (93 mi) from Lake Toba to Nibung Bay in the Malacca Strait, forming the longest river in North Sumatra. There are four commercially run Whitewater sections with varying characteristics and difficulties. Just off the floodgate of Sigura Gura Dam to the Parhitean Bridge is known as the Never-Ever-Ends, an endless 3.5 kilometers (2.2 mi) or 20 minutes of thrilling Class IV/V. The Hula-Huli Run starts from the Parhitean Bridge and ends at the Hula-Huli Village, 2.5 kilometers (1.6 mi) filled with fun Class III/IV. The Nightmare Section holds some of the most challenging rapids, big volume Class V/V+. The final section (known as the 'Halim Run') offers beginners and tourists a tranquil introduction to the beauty…

In California, the quality of whitewater on a run is often matched by the difficulty of accessing that section of river. January might not be the best time to attempt a run on Northern California’s Upper section of the Middle Consumnes River “UMC,'' unless of course it’s got optimum flows and it’s a sunny day. Access to this coveted Class V gem used to be bad and has only gotten worse. The current route to put-in requires a stout 4WD vehicle to handle the degrading old logging road. From the vehicle, you’re looking at a shallow stream crossing plus another 15-minute (ish) hike to reach the banks of the Cosumnes River proper. Staying focused while paddling hard whitewater is mandatory for survival, but let’s not overlook the importance of staying…

In November 2022, a group of international athletes gathered in the Asahan province of North Sumatra to compete in the infamous Toba Caldera Extreme Race. The group (Jakub Sedivy, Leon Bast, Michele Ramazza, Martina Wegman, Michael Frey, Léa Grison, Marcio Franco, Maike Möst, and Pavlina Kodadova) spent ten days exploring the beauty of the still free-flowing Asahan River. “With the warm temperatures, challenging whitewater, and incredibly good food, the Asahan really is the perfect place to progress your whitewater kayaking,” summarises Leon Bast. Along with competing in the Asahan Festival, the group completed the four classic sections of the Asahan (Rabbit Hole V, Bridge to Bridge IV, Nightmare V, and the remote Honeymoon Horror Gorge III/IV). German paddlers Leon Bast and Michael Frey pulled off the second known descent of…

ENVIRO Bartosz Czauderna recently participated in a meeting organized by the Zambian River Authority regarding Batoka Gorge Dam. Unfortunately, the project is planned to go ahead. However, paddlers have indirectly learned that they estimate it will take seven to eight more years before the reservoir is filled. No funds were officially confirmed during the meeting. More potential good news: the proposed dam height has changed from 182 m to 175 m, meaning the water is predicted to back up until rapid Number 9, rather than Number 5. That is still questionably sufficient to keep local tourism alive to the level that it is now. There is another small shine of hope. It was mentioned that in the low season [August - December], they might draw down the Batoka Gorge Reservoir…

FAYETTEVILLE It was a profound, spiritual experience ten years ago as I floated the New River Gorge, now the United States’ newest National Park, to the abandoned site of my family’s early 1900s coal town for the first time. Nature had reclaimed the area to the point where I could barely make out the old structures of the mine used during its operations. I walked up from the riverbank to peer through the dense forest. In the distance, I heard a loud horn whistle: A train making its way through the gorge, pulling carts of coal from the dwindling mines of the region. Paddlers, climbers, hikers, and fishermen adventure in the park nearby, and the trains sound their horns to warn of their passing. The tracks run along the river…

SILVIO'S DIAMOND IN THE DESERT One hundred twenty years ago, San Rafael was an oasis between two big rivers roaring out of the High Andes of Central Argentina, their mighty canyons opening into a verdant valley. Dirt tracks wandered into a waterless desert, requiring days, if not weeks, to transport goods to and from nearby towns. A dozen or so vineyards flourished, and slowly but surely, a growing demand for international export increased the demand for sediment-rich river water. When the railroad came to town in 1909, the number of wine producers had grown to more than 1500, and Argentina had become a top ten global economic powerhouse. By the 1940s, the area’s first major hydroelectric facility had dewatered the 60 km-long Atuel Canyon and turned it into the country’s…

FOCUS On the way to Aldeyjarfoss.…

NEWS AND HAPPENINGS PADDLE SPORTS SHOW, MOVES TO STRASBOURG, FRANCE, SEPTEMBER 27-29TH 2023 The 2023 Paddle Sports Show will take place in Strasbourg, on the border between France and Germany. Moving to an even more central location in Europe allows people across Europe to attend the show more easily. While the show is a B2B reserved for industry professionals, a few side events are scheduled, including a film festival open to the public. For more info, visit thepaddlesportshow.com 2023 PADDLE SPORTS SHOW BUYER'S GUIDE NOW AVAILABLE The annual Paddler’s Guide, which highlights over 700 new and classic paddlesports products, is now available free of charge. A collaboration between the Paddle Sports Show and Kayak Session Publishing, the Paddler's Guide also discusses industry trends and features major players in the paddle…

On October 29th, 2022, over 30 kayakers participated in the third annual Benham Bash, organized by High Desert Media. The Benham Bash is the last remaining Whitewater event on the Deschutes River and Oregon's premier kayak race. Although there is no entry fee and the prizes are nominal, the kayakers of Bend, Oregon, and surrounding areas are motivated to practice racing and improve their paddling on Benham Falls, a steep quarter-mile-long section of Whitewater. At full summer flow, Benham Falls is a foreboding Class V sequence that rivals the difficulty of classic big water rapids like Jacob's Ladder on Idaho's North Fork Payette. As the water is drawn down in the fall, Benham Falls becomes much more approachable Class IV+ section. Even at low water, a descent of Benham Falls…

Until the most recent dam in late 2018, the White Nile in Uganda was unquestionably the premiere winter freestyle destination in the world. After many of the best features were flooded, freestyle paddlers were left searching for something new. Rumors of various rivers with possible potential floated around for the next few years while people scoured Google Earth or stumbled across chance Instagram photos of potential waves. Following an exceptionally good STAKEOUT in the spring of 2022, Luke Pomeroy and David Silk were among those searching. After hearing about a possible river in northern Brazil, they found information on the Rio Tapajós and decided it had enough potential to make the trip. Bringing in Leif Anderson, in December of 2022, the three flew to Manaus, took a ferry down the…

Salto del Armadillo, or the Yellow Waterfall, is located in northwestern Ecuador and was first descended by Ecuadorian paddler Abe Herrera in 2017. This area is still being explored and has a lot of potential for those looking to go off the beaten path, as it is full of unrun waterfalls and sections of whitewater. There are only a few paddlers in the area. Most rivers run during the rainy season (late February-March), which isn’t as common a time to travel to Ecuador for kayaking. Flows aren't guaranteed, but in early February 2023, Jan Larrue and Albert Martinez hit the jackpot—they arrived in Santo Domingo and went straight to the good ones, sneaking in three laps. Big thanks to @coddy_coronado @nadiagolsak @jair_navarrete17 @greenkayakschool01 for safety and logistics!…

Local paddler Patrick Lynch had identified an unrun stretch of whitewater on the Sillahertane River in County Kerry. He had scouted several times over the last number of years. Approximately 50 mm of rain over a short spell is needed to bring this gem up, and unfortunately, it only runs for three to four hours after the rainfall. Numerous attempts were made to run it, but low flows sabotaged every effort. On the 26th of November, the stars aligned for Patrick Lynch, David Glasswell, Diarmuid McCarthy, Ruairi Kay, Shane Murphy, and Anaïs O’Donovan. The team met at Top of Coom, Ireland’s highest pub. As the rain pelted down, they began the steep one-mile hike up a mountain path, catching glimpses of continuous Class IV 4 whitewater. The section included nice…

Chances are, you've heard of the Oetz: a big glacial river in Tyrol/Austria with a huge variety of world-class whitewater, home of the former Sickline and now the Oetz Trophy. Ötztal is one of Europe's most popular kayaking areas for its diversity and water safety from spring to autumn. Nowhere else in Europe can you find reliably runnable levels almost all year round, with ten different sections ranging from Class I -V in one valley. With the expansion of the Kaunertal HPP, the Ötztal will no longer offer runnable water levels in autumn at all, significantly fewer paddling days, and no diversity in spring and summer. If the Kaunertal HydroPower Expansion project is approved, up to 80% of the water feeding the Oetz will be diverted out of its valley.…

As I lie in bed listening to the continuous pounding of rain, I contemplate which rivers will run tomorrow. While weighing up which river to paddle next, I realize I am sick of rain! This is not the summer I spent all winter dreaming of. Being the first full summer for the New Zealand Whitewater Academy, a kayak school started by Sam Ricketts and myself, the plan was to have an excellent season of lessons and tandem kayak trips down the mighty Kaituna River. We would get as many laps down the local rivers in our spare time as possible. But as the winter rains slowly dragged into spring, into November, December, January, and Cyclone Gabrielle, our work hopes might have been dashed, but not our Whitewater dreams. A TYPICAL…

WHAT'S IN YOUR FIRST AID KIT? It's been a while since I have gone over First Aid kits, and it's very important! While the basics haven't changed much, there are some key questions to ask when putting your kit together. The first point to consider is where you plan to use your first kit: remote runs and expeditions or day runs with road access. This distinction will shape the size and complexity of your first aid kit, and it might be best to have two first aid kits—an expedition-style kit and a day-use kit. WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE? WHAT SHOULD EACH KIT CONTAIN? Broadly speaking, an expedition kit should include everything the day-use kit has and more. Let's start with what you pack your day-use kit in. Having tried waterproof boxes…

Reciprocity is the touchstone of our stewardship work here at American Whitewater. We never paddle solo when we enter a process to remove dams, negotiate new hydropower licenses, defend river access, or speak out against new dam proposals. We actively seek collaboration with individuals and groups, mutually sharing our time, expertise, and resources for the protection and restoration of watersheds we hold dear. These key partners include Native Communities who bring traditional knowledge of the lands and waters they have stewarded for time immemorial. Often we are supporting Tribes and Native coalitions as they lead the engagement in decades-long battles to restore and protect rivers our community cares deeply about, but for them may mean protecting or restoring their way of life. How much do paddlers know about the Native…

After three years of cancellation in a row, the Modi Khola Express finally returned this past November 3rd-5th, 2022, with a big bang. This event has been rated as one of the best events kayakers have experienced and has also become a hub for meeting new paddlers, looking for latest information about local rivers, or finding a partner to plan your next expedition. This race has a unique format designed to give paddlers a second chance to reach the podium. The paddlers competed in Sprint, Head to Head, and Boater-X. Of course, the good times followed with an evening roll competition, traditional dance session, DJs, and funky rock'n'roll live music.This year international paddlers from thirteen different countries made it to the race. As always, the event gives competitors the chance…

On the sunny morning of Jan 14th of 2023, the 15th anniversary of the Alseseca Race took place on the Roadside section of the Alseseca River, where the basalt rock and the gradient drop form an exceptional waterfall paradise.There are two different races:The long race, 2.2 km with several Class IV drops, and a Class V waterfall called S-turn, which drops 15 ft into a very tight canyon. The short race finishes above S-turn, allowing less experienced paddlers to participate and involve more kayakers from the region. The Alseseca Race is more than just a Whitewater event; it aims to grow the sport of kayaking in Mexico and raise awareness for the preservation of the Alseseca River, the importance of caring deeply for the natural environment and conserving water resources.…

After arriving back from Oetz into a strangely dry October for Wales, the wasn’t much kayaking to be had for John, Huw, and Andy of Pistyll Productions. That said, making the effort to head to Llandysul Paddlers Club night was ever so worth it. October came and went bringing November, and with November finally came the rain, or in Johns's words, “the best November season there has ever been in South Wales.” Going from not knowing if there would be any water to waking up with pretty much perfect flows every morning made it hard to decide where to go! Huw had only two days before flying out to Bali, and he still got in a Lady Falls huck fest with John before a chunky Mellte lap and a walk…

This fall, Spencer Beck quit his job and headed to Central and South America for an extended paddling tour. The first stop on this trip was in Veracruz, where he met up with some of the local paddlers to work on some waterfall projects in that area. This year, they completed two major first descents near Jalcomulco. The first was a 70 ft waterfall on the Río Sordo that they have been calling Nauyaca. Issac Martinez and Beck ran the first descent of this section last year but walked around Nauyaca on that trip. This waterfall lands close to a rock shelf, and the duo wanted a higher level to give the rocks at the bottom some more clearance. They were lucky with levels this year and caught Nauyaca at…

Class 2/17 - “Out sick.” It was Friday, and Isaac Hull and Finn Gardner were on the way to Fayetteville after a long week of exams and more importantly, a week of rain. Hull spent Thursday impatiently refreshing gauges after seeing the Meadow already at 1200 CFS, with more than an inch of rain still coming. After a late night out, Hull and Gardner checked the gauge one last time: it was at 5000 and still rising. Friday would be spent on micro creeks. The boys stumbled to Keeney Creek out of luck. They were trying to meet local Corey Lilly, but Virginia Tech is a two-hour drive from Fayetteville, and Lilly wanted to start early. His last message said he was checking out Keeney Creek, something that wasn’t even…

Into the Dawn Lit Mountains: Kristof I had never heard of the easternmost of the seven sister states that belong to India since the British Empire retreated until a conversation with Chris Korbulic, who said, “Arunachal has some of the best whitewater I have ever paddled.” It is a big statement, especially from someone known for some of the most daring river trips that our sport has seen. His words stuck to me like dust on the sensor of my mirrorless camera, and I knew I had to go. I got my first glimpse of what Chris spoke of when I had one of the best river days of my life on the upper Lohit River with Daniel Egger and Adrian Keirnan a year later. But our trip to Arunachal…

KEEP THE ROTATION WHILE BEING INVERTED-TIME FOR A PAN AM In preparation for the 2023 Freestyle World Championships at Good Wave in Columbus, GA, USA, we continue developing our wave boating to get you in shape! TAKING THE BLUNT OVER VERTICAL We’ve already learned how to initiate moves on a wave using rail drive and how to transition the rail drive into vertical ends to throwdown blunts (Both covered in #KS79). Now, to step up the game, getting more air and more points, we will learn how to invert our boats with a Pan Am. In ICF rules, the Pan Am is an "elevated aerial rotation on green water at a vertical angle greater than 90°, clear of the foam pile at some point, where the freestyler rotates around the…

NRS NO PLACE LIKE HOME The entire Deerfield River holds a very special place in my heart, as you may already know if you watched the NRS "Home Run Series," where the main branch of the Deerfield is featured. This time, I want to share my love for the West Branch of the Deerfield River in Readsboro, 1.8 miles down the hill from my house. It’s a classic Vermont IV/V creek that has had a few flood-related changes over the 18 years I’ve been paddling it, but the character of the creek has stayed the same. A beautiful piece of whitewater with awesome boofs, flowy drops, bouldery s-turns, and the iconic "Tunnel Vision" rapid. "I’LL BE HONEST: NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I’VE RUN THE WEST BRANCH, I STILL GET…

RTM | PANAME Shaped by Zig Zag in collaboration with members of the French slalom team, the PANAME has been designed for paddlers who are looking for performance both in extreme kayak competitions and out on the river. Fast, fluid and responsive, this new model is developed both for fun and reaching kayak cross podiums. Available in two sizes, adapted to fit a range of the paddlers. LENGTH: 274 CM | WIDTH: PANAME 63.5 CM - PANAME S 60 CM | VOLUMES: PANAME 239 L - PANAME S 207 L | PADDLER WEIGHT: PANAM 0-85 KG - PANAM S: 55-70 KG RTMKAYAKS.COM NRS - WOMEN'S LIGHTWEIGHT UNION SUIT Layered under dry wear or worn solo at camp, the Union Suit is the key to shoulder season perfection. Recycled Eco Blend,…