C O N T E N T S
volume 12 >> no 1
Cover Photo: Graham GenGe // Photo this Page: michael neumann / World Freestyle championships, thun, sWitzerland
f e a t u r e s D e P a r t M e N t s
22
BEST WHITEWATER
5
OFF THE TONGUE
19
OPEN BOAT TECHNIQUE
Life in the bow—sure the view is great,
TOWNS
6
RIVER SIGNALS
but what the hell are you supposed to
Our shortlist of the 50 best places to
Counting the hours to excellence,
be doing up there anyway?
live and paddle has something for
testing the waters, and cooking our
everyone—from dirtbag soul boaters to
gull…or is that goose?
20
KAYAK TECHNIQUE
keener professionals who’d rather play
If we told you how, do you think you
in holes than punch the clock.
8
WATERCOLOURS
could fly? Six steps to freestyle gold
from the reigning World Champ.
29
OVERNIGHTS
12
STANDING WAVES
What’SUP with whitewater stand 38
BOAT INSIDER
MADE EASY
up paddling; women rock C1 for
Dynamic surfs plus downriver swiftness
the first time at the Slalom World
equal a winning equation in Dagger’s
Struggling to make the leap from day
Championships; and a very unlikely
Axiom river cruiser. Jackson’s Star
runs to downriver overnights? We dish
paddling festival in backwoods British
series playboats shine brightly on the
out the goods on the best gear and how
Columbia.
world stage.
and where to go this long weekend.
16
PADDLER PROFILE 42
GEAR BAG
32
HIMILAYAN HIJINKS
Freestyle kayaking’s golden couple,
Keen Hydro-Guides are river sandals on
Nick Troutman and Emily Jackson-
a “hole” new level; DryCASE waterproof
In the highest country in the world,
Troutman, get divided on everything
camera bags use vacuum technology
Maxi Kniewasser discovers that water
from household chores to après-
but don’t suck; Pyranha Portage Pack
isn’t the only hypoxic element in the
paddle beverage of choice.
is easy on your back; thank your
Lucky Charm by Immersion Research
world of high-altitude paddling.
18
RIVER ALCHEMY
when your deck doesn’t blow; Sawyer
Paddles’ adjustable Venom C1 stick
Rapid’s own fluvial philosopher, Jeff
lets you vary your striking distance.
Jackson, asks Doug Ammons about
his new book, Whitewater Philosophy,
and the deeper gifts gained from 44
RAPID MARKET
paddling difficult rivers.
46
FLUSHED
p.42
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