This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
river shorties
I thought I saw a Space Godzilla
A new online database created by USA Freestyle
Kayaking catalogues the ever-expanding and in-
creasingly esoteric repertoire of freestyle tricks.
A panel of expert freestyle paddlers and judges
matches uploaded videos to moves recognized by
the International Canoe Federation. USAFK hopes
colt.bc.ca

250.286.3122
the database will increase the number of people
able to judge freestyle competitions (or at least un-
  
  








 
  
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derstand what the F*#% is going on) and thus move
away from the current trend of having the athletes
judge themselves. www.freestylekayakmoves.com
400 kilometres, 11 days, 10,800 calories
Canadian kayaker Pat Camblin and South African
brothers Dave and Steve Fisher made record time
on a self-supported descent of the Pekans and
Moisie Rivers in northeastern Quebec last Sep-
Paddling is fulfilling.
tember. They didn’t have much choice. With winter
just around the corner and only nine days of half-
It takes me to untouched, distant corners of the world.
rations packed into their kayaks, the men had to
keep the pace up and subsidize their meals by It tests my physical and emotional strength.
catching fish. Even so, the mission was a success,
with the team running all but two of the rivers’ pre-
viously un-run waterfalls and rapids.
It’s not gonna be a long, long time
Paddling completes my life.
Rocket man Shaun Baker, creator of the world’s
first jet kayak, plans to use his devious invention
to tackle record-breaking waterfall descents, in-
-Bryan Kirk
cluding—some day—Niagara Falls. Baker’s kayak
uses a hydro jet powered by a 330cc, two-stroke
engine and controlled by a paddle-mounted throt-
tle. He says a boost from the jet at the lip of a wa-
terfall could launch him clear of the torrent to land
safely downstream. Baker admits there are lots of
refinements yet to be made—“The electrocutions
are the worst; tens of thousands of volts through
my butt and out through my arms”—but he says
he could be tackling a 100-foot drop within the
year. Niagara, he says, will have to wait until he
develops an aerofoil system for his kayak. We’re
not even kidding.
Paddlers Riot over bankruptcy
Riot Kayaks shocked the paddling world when news
broke that its parent company, Voodoo Technolo-
gies, filed for bankruptcy in February. Almost imme-
diately, the rumour mills at online paddling forums
started flying with accusations of credit dodging
and underhanded business. With Voodoo’s $1.18
million in unpaid debts and some of Riot’s moulds
on the auction block, the jury is out on whether Riot
can make an independent comeback. Just don’t
cross your fingers on that Astro warranty… —V.M.
WhiteWater eveNts
Bryan Kirk, Team NRS, Wave Sport Brand Manager & world traveler on the
Official Ride and exclusive spOnsOR
Yuba River, CA. ©Josh Davis/NRS
May 8–10 June 4–7
Reno RiveR FeStival teva MoUntain GaMeS
Reno, NV Vail, Co
renoriverfestival.com tevamountaingames.com
May 15–17 June 17
PalMeRFeSt ShUSwaP whitewateR
Palmer Rapids, oN RoDeo
rapidmedia.com enderby, BC
What does paddling mean to you?
canoekayakbc.ca/events.php
May 16–17
UPPeR ClaCKaMaS July 11–12
whitewateR FeStival alBeRta PaDDle FeSt
Share your thoughts at nrsweb.com/rapid 800-635-5202
estacada, oR Sundre, AB
upperclackamasfestival.org albertapaddlefest.ca
NRS_Rapid_Spring.indd 1 12/16/08 2:49:15 PM
www.rapidmag.com 15
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