Middle Kings River... Trip of a Lifetime

After two Upper Cherry runs and a couple chill days, it was time for Pat, Coop, Dylan and I to bite off the crown jewel of the Sierras... the Middle Kings River.

We met up with the Asheville crew that was just taking off the river and got some very encouraging advice, as well as a couple scary peeks into what we were going to be dealing with:

Tommy- "It's the river trip of a lifetime."
John- "Here's a picture of Jules hiking in the snow on Bishop's Pass... ok here's a picture of Jules puking on Bishop's Pass."
Tommy- "There's the rapid where I swam."
Katie- "There's the rapid where I swam and lost my boat."
Jason- "Get ready to punch a thousand holes. It's awwwwwwnnn in there!"
Jules- "There's the rapid where homie compound fractured his arm and swam."

I knew that the Middle Kings represented a milestone that I've been training for since I started creekboating. The specs of this adventure are pretty incredible:

Shuttle- 400 miles down around the southern slope of the Sierras
Hike- 13 miles to putin, over a 12,000 ft. pass, 2 miles up at the takeout
River- 31 miles
Putin Elevation- 8600 ft.
Takeout Elevation- 2200 ft!!

I didn't take any pictures of this trip, so I'm going to refer to Pat Keller's Blog, and Cooper Lambla's Blog to tell the photographic story of the Middle Kings. It was six of the most incredible days of (I think) all of our lives, and I can't wait to go back.

Click below to watch the Middle Kings video.


Peace.
Chris

Ohiopyle Falls Festival Rescheduled to September 15, 2007! Downriver Race, Freestyle, & More

The Ohiopyle Falls Festival is happening. The festival will include a downriver sprint, freestyle off the falls, upstream race through Entrance Rapid, a wicked town party, and much much more. So, if you are cool and want to continue to be cool, come out to the Ohiopyle Falls Festival Saturday, September 15, 2007.

Additionally, there has been some concern about the level for the race. Recently the area has been getting a considerable amount of rain which has brought the level of the Lower Yough up considerably. The official word is this:

It does not look good... The Corps of Engineers can adjust the flow from the Yough dam to meet our 1.8 limit but they cannot adjust the flow of various tributaries and only do so much. If we cannot run the falls on Saturday we will try to run the falls on Sunday assuming the water level will permit this. If we can run the falls on Sunday we will still have the town party Saturday night which will now be the beginning of the Festival as apposed to the end.

If the water levels are too high for both days, then the event will be rescheduled for September 15, 2007. (UPDATE: Event Rescheduled to the 15th). Information about the event will be updated Thursday, August 23rd at FallsRace.com
Photos coutesey of Bob Anderson, SYOTR.com
See you there!

-Adam Johnson

Cheesman Canyon and Yule Creek

Hello Folks! Hope all is going well in the whitewater world. We had a pretty good summer out west, and now I'm back in the southeast paddling the green off and on. While we were out there, we met a lot of cool coloradonians, who made our trip go a lot smoother! Whether it be showing us down the mankety-mank or letting us crash on their couches, these guys really helped us out. Eli Loper in Vail, Nate Brown in Boulder, Evan Stafford and Kyle McKutchen. (Check out their bad-ass colorado guide book here: http://www.wolverinepublishing.com/). Also thanks to Nic Vanderhoof in Glenwood, the Wavesport guys, and whoever else I'm forgetting.

We were lucky enough to get on Cheesman canyon, which is very rarely run as the access issues are pretty tight. As we put on, the stories of rock-throwing fishermen and photo shooting old men lingered in our minds. One incompetent police officer, and one photo-shooting old man later, we began paddling down one of the most beautiful rivers I've ever run.

The famous Dave Finney demonstrating a perfect rudder.

The entrance to "double undercut" or something like that.

Boogie

Sitting in the blazing hot sun at the take-out


Yule Creek was probably the highlight of the trip for me... It was absolutely gorgeous, with huge waterfalls, crazy steep scree slopes, and crystal clear water.



Go HERE for more photos from Yule.
Stay tuned, we have lots of good video and more photos from the trip. Be safe out there,

Nathan

The Upper Cherry Double

I've heard a lot about Upper Cherry Creek near Yosemite National Park, but none of the hype could possibly have prepared me for just how incredible this granite playground is.

The 11 mile hike in through a lunarscape...

*All photos by John Warner*

Dylan and I drove straight through the night from Crested Butte, Colorado with beta from my buddies Max Kniewasser and Chris Harjes that Upper Cherry was super high, but would come in to a perfect level with a big cold front rolling into the area. Unfortunately, Max and Chris did not know just how cold it was going to get, and about halfway through the brutal hike it started snowing on us. We then recieved the news from some hikers that the high for the next day was 40 degrees, and lows for the next two nights would be in the teens! Needless to say, after 4 non-stop days of paddling in Colorado, a 27 hour drive straight through a night and a half to get to Upper Creek, and only 4 hours of sleeping in the dust before starting the hike, we were freaking demoralized! I had a 40 degree sleeping bag, a couple of good IR thick skin layers(thank God), and another crucial, lifesaving piece of gear, my tent fly. That night was brutal, nothing short of a blizzard hit us at the put-in, and we all hunkered down and shivered it out next to a dying fire. Harjes got the worst of it with no shelter, and the group was feeling rough in the morning.

It got sunny just long enough to coax us into not hiking out, and putting on to paddle down to Cherry Bomb...


Rapid #1, right below camp.


Filming Sam...


As soon as we put on and ran the first couple of the rapids, the snow started falling again, and the temperature plummeted. There was a lot of blowing into hands that day, and praying that we wouldn't swim as we worked our way through the Class IV Gorge, and the Gorilla Gorge.

Upon reaching the top of Cherry Bomb Gorge, the last place to exit before you drop into the 8 or so entrance drops, Cherry Bomb Falls and the next 5 walled in holes, I was feeling super pumped to drop in without the standard walk around and scout the gorge from the top, and Nick Wimsett, an incredible Kiwi paddler who had run Cherry Bomb the previous year, was also in. After a couple of minutes of deliberation, Sam and Dylan decided they were feeling fired up as well, and the four of us left Harjes, John, and Peacher and started paddling into that chasm.

Leaving the point of no return...


Amazing what glaciers can do.


Climbing up to the rock at the lip of Cherry Bomb was pretty incredible, just because that rapid is so legendary and I've always been so impressed with the way it looks in video and photos... and there I was, finally!

Our lines went well through Cherry Bomb and the next series of walled-in holes, and needless to say I was repeating the 7 Rivers Expedition famous line... "left, left, middle, right, right, middle, left". My dorky kayaking video obsession finally paid off!

Dylan givin' er.


Paddling the beautiful teacups coming out of Cherry Bomb Gorge.


A bunch of wet, cold, underdressed kayakers crowd around the fire at Flintstone camp while the blizzard fires back up.


Filming from the media ledge after it finally warmed up on Day 3.


Brendan Bayly styling Double Pothole.


Needless to say, in spite of the two nights of blizzards, a ruptured eardrum, and a couple of big swims, Upper Cherry is one of the most incredible places a kayaker can find him or herself in. We got two runs with a total of 7 days out there on the granite, and I can't wait to go back. I'll let the video do the rest of the talking...



**Thanks to John Warner for use of his images**

Peace.
Chris Gragtmans

Lockapalooza 2007

On August 18, Lock 32 Whitewater Park in Pittsford, NY will be holding its 3rd annual Lockapalooza Whitewater event. Lockapalooza consists of a slalom race, a boatercross, and a rodeo. Last year there were over 300 spectators and 50 participants in the men, women, and junior divisions. The rodeo will take place at one of our holes called Faceoff. It is possibly one of the best man made playspots in the North East.
This year we hope to have even more participants and more spectators to make this year the biggest Lockapalooza yet. It will be a great time with competition, food, drinks, movies, and I can't forget that the Riot Karaoke Tour: Don't Quit Your Day Job, will be making an appearance. If you want some free kayaking gear, just pick a song.

Lockapalooza Schedule:

9am - 3 pm Registration ($15.00 for participants, spectators – no admission charge)

10 am-1 pm Free Clinics by Lock 32 and Zoar Outdoor Instructors

1:00 pm Youth Slalom Race (under 14)

Junior Slalom Race (14-18)

Adult Slalom Race (18+)

3:00 pm Youth Boater Cross (under 14)

Junior Boater Cross (14-18)

Adult Boater Cross (18+)

5:00 pm Youth Freestyle Competition (under 14)

Junior Freestyle Competition (14-18)

Adult Freestyle Competition (18 +)

Here is a short video of last year's Lockapalooza. Edited by Corey Robinson

See you at Lockapalooza,
Danny Doran

Splash

Well that rare time of year has come in the Pac Northwest when water levels are sinking lower than the President's approval rating. At this time of year when the mighty Little White is reduced to barely more than a trickle and the mountain runoffs have long since peaked, there is one run that remains a dependable source of a summer time splash: the Truss. Here's a little clip from a recent summer stroll, enjoy. Video by Nathan Herbek.

Later roller blader

Andy

Skook News

On tOp of the WORLD

Where to begin? This year has been one endless skook session! Each day is remembered by which paddlers showed up, what crazy sweet steepness the wave brought, and of course by pictures and footy! We've had everything from incredible tides all to ourselves, to packed days being forced to surf the meaty pile for a ride, even a few days when the druman had to work and i had not a sole to surf with... that was the day the seals showed up... check it out:

this is me!
I hear a pod of dolphins are still up the inlet but no sign of them at skooks yet. Here are some pics from the last while - its been fabulous!!

Dru

Chris Gragtmans

Spencer Cooke

James Mole

Karl Moser

Big heads UP!! boats are not safe at skook! We have had three taken from the wave. Two of our stolen boats our good buddy Jay found for-sale online... So we got the cops to bust the thief and dru's astro and boogie will be back on the Skook this week!! Thanks so much Jay!! Thanks to Spencer and Chris for leaving dru the loner too!

Jay Clarke

The summer is just starting. Gonna bust out the shortie tomorrow!! We'll keep the skook news coming. Oh and just wait till we blow your mind with some footage. Keep it real yall..

see ya at skook..
emily

PS. the logging issues are far from over in the skookumchuck area. The Friends of Egmont have expressed much gratitude to all the kayakers who sent word of their concerns.

The fight continues! On the Friends of Egmont website there are a list of Brisith Columbian government contacts that you can email your thoughts/concerns to. The more people that fight for the trees the better chance that they will stay standing!!

Colorado 2007...

Hey Sports Fans,

Well I recently returned from an incredible trip to the Western US, and just wanted to share a couple of pics and video from the first stop of our trip... Colorado.



Watch the Colorado Tour Vid.

Woohoo made it!!


Lake Creek. This was one of the more stressful rapids of the trip... big entrance drop before it fires around the corner into Paralyzer Rapid.

Photo by Josh Werts.

Moving left in the thick of Paralyzer, below the double boof, above the huge pillow rapid run-out.

Photo by Josh Werts.

The put-in for Oh-Be-Joyful Creek, 10,500 ft elevation. The Magnum took good care of me out there...

Photo by Dylan Bruce

Dylan Bruce post-styling Stupid Falls on the Upper East River.

Photo by Jim Toman.

Watch the Colorado Tour Vid.

Peace, and good lines out there! Upper Cherry Creek update/video coming soon.
Chris Gragtmans

Riot at the Potomac River Festival 2007

The Great Falls of the Potomac River at the MD/VA line. Pictured here is the MD side of the falls where the race was held this year. Senor Finney Photo:




Watch the Potomac Fest Video.

Adam Johnson absolutely rocked it for Riot at the Potomac Fest last weekend. "Riot AJ" made finals in the falls race, the freestyle event, and the boatercross, placing well in all. I think if they had named overall winners of the event Adam would have definitely made top five this year. Good job AJ!
Bryon Dorr Photos


Adam boofs the dickens out of Pummel. Photo by Dr David Finney


On Friday, prior to the festival, the Riot team taught several free, private kayak clinics ranging from strokes and rolls to cartwheels and bow stalls. We were excited to be able to help out so many people with their paddling skills. Thanks to Risa Shimoda for setting up the clinics.

Team Riot as a whole had a huge showing and incredible performance at the Potomac this year. Four of the top twelve placers in the Great Falls Race in the short boat division were Riot team members in Magnums. The top placing junior was 14 year old Danny Doran in a Riot Thunder, and the top placing C-1 was Joe Stumpfel in a Riot Thunder. In the freestyle we had Riot AJ in the Astro 54 place fifth in men's pro and Alan Young placing second in juniors in the Astro 54, followed by Danny Doran in third with the Flair 47.

Additionally, Riot was pleased to be the freestyle event sponsor this year, giving an Astro 58 as a silent auction item. The company is very excited to be supporting our dealers close to the DC area, Appomattox River Company (Midlothian VA) & Starrk Moon, (Delta PA).

We proceeded with Riot Karaoke at the Saturday night party with several happy singers stepping up to the mic. We gave away Mion shoes, IR, Shred Ready and Astral gear and Riot Karaoke Tour t-shirts to all the fabulous contestants. Watch the Potomac Fest Video to see some of the lively karaoke action.

Please enjoy the photos, event results and video from the weekend.

Nathan Silsbee races off of Pummel, the first drop. At 19 years of age, Silsbee is absolutely killing it. He was a top contender at last year's Green Race in the Magnum and has made finals at top events this year including Potomac, Vail, Lyons and more soon! Bryon Dorr Photo

Nathan is also known as Mr Smooth. Dave Finney Photo

Mr big shot Nathan had to go and freewheel the drop since it was so easy for him to run forwards. Dave Finney Photo

Nathan tucks... medicated. Finney Photo.


This was me running Horseshoe drop on a post-race run. Bryon Dorr Photo

Pummel is a really fun waterfall. Photo Mr Captain Macho Man Dave Finney.


Joe Stumpfel is shown here boofing Pummel in the Thunder during his C-1 race victory. Bryon Dorr Photo


Paul Twist from New York caught huge air off Pummel during the race. The Magnum jumped right off the rock with him. Bryon Dorr Photo

Photo by the one and only Dave Finney


Andy Gates is another up-and-comer to keep an eye on. Here is he boofing the dookie out of Pummel Falls. Bryon Dorr Photo


This is Cooper Lambla who is a poetic genius and an amazingly fast paddler, partly due to his long wing span and partly due to his very fast Riot Magnum. Correction: The poetic genius is not directly correlated to the wing span or Magnum, just good genes.


Here are all the Potomac event results from this year with Riot paddlers and boats highlighted.

Men's Short Boat Race Results - Only the top 12 places are shown here
Bib Name Time 1 Time 2 Boat
74 Geoff Calhoun 00:48.60 00:47.38 Nomad 8.5
90 Eric Jackson 00:48.94 00:47.50 Super Hero
110 Jason Beakes 00:47.16 00:48.13 His own/WS
119 Danny Stock 00:50.07 00:48.53 Super Hero
112 Jay Kincaid 00:50.25 00:49.44 Mega Rocker
41 Adam Johnson 00:51.78 00:50.65 Riot Magnum
114 Bryan Kirk 00:51.91 00:51.44 WS Habitat
34 Nathan Silsbee 00:50.84 00:51.77 Riot Magnum
117 Jessie Shimrock 00:51.16 00:53.04 LL Jefe
101 Cooper Lambla 00:51.19 Riot Magnum
102 Billy Murphy 00:52.09 Jefe
36 Spencer Cooke 00:52.25 Riot Magnum

Junior Men's Race Times
56 Danny Doran 01:00.63 Riot Thunder
91 Dane Jackson 01:02.00 Punk Rocker
115 Nathan Sass 01:02.35 Punk Rocker
92 Jason Craig 01:06.40 Punk Rocker

Men’s Long Boat Race Times
Bib Name Time 1 Time 2 Boat
55 Aaron Mann 00:44.56 00:43.47 Excel
74 Geoff Calhoun 00:42.94 00:43.63 T Canyon
90 Eric Jackson 00:46.41 00:44.47 Excel
110 Jason Beakes 00:48.07 00:45.13 Excel
38 Nejc Poberaj 00:47.38 00:45.55 T-Canyon
114 Bryan Kirk 00:46.10 00:47.36 Momentum
119 Danny Stock 00:45.72 00:47.70 Excel
34 Nathan Silsbee 00:47.78 00:49.87 Riot

C-1 Race Times
Bib Name Time 1 Boat
100 Joe Stumpfel 00:56.06 Riot Thunder
49 Alden Bird 00:57.97 Necky Blunt
37 Seth Chapelle 01:08.75 Fluid Solo

Boatercross Results
1) Geoff Calhoun - Dagger
2) Jason Beakes - WS
3) Adam Johnson - Riot
4) Eric Jackson - Jackson
5) Adam VanGrack - ?
Jay Kincaid (DNF) - Jackson

Men’s Freestyle Pro Class Preliminaries
1st Jay Kincaid 535
2nd Bryan Kirk 455
3rd Eric Jackson 445
4th Todd Baker 330
5th Adam Johnson 325 - Astro 54
6th Alex Mohn 305
7th Aaron Reimer 175
8th Joseph Potoczak 165
9th Spencer Cooke 140 - Flair 47
10th Paul Twist 120 - Astro 58
11th Jeremy Laucks 115

Men’s Freestyle Pro Class Finals
1st Jay Kincaid 335
2nd Eric Jackson 320
3rd Bryan Kirk 215
4th Todd Baker 130
5th Adam Johnson 95 - Astro 54

Junior Freestyle Class Results
1st Dane Jackson 300 - Jackson
2nd Alan Young 190 - Astro 54
3rd Danny Doran 130 - Flair 47
4th Jason Craig 120 - Jackson
5th Nathan Sass 115
6th Jordan Poffenberger 60
tie Andy Gates 60 - Astro 54

See the Potomac Fest Web site at http://potomacfest.com/

Watch the Potomac Fest Video.

Later,

Spencer Cooke, Team Riot

My son made me do it, I swear.