R E A C T I O N A R Y > > > A S K B E N
Predator Lee
Are class V rapids in Canada harder than class V rapids in the States?
Francois Heubert, Montreal
Great question Francois! It’s a question I hear a lot and I think one with a lot of merit. My short answer is yes, it seems to me that they are harder, but the answer isn’t that easy. There isn’t a board or committee that determines what a river’s ranking is.
On top of that, there are only six classes, yet there are thousands of rivers, so it’s pretty hard to lump all tough rivers in just one or two classes. Certainly, the Tareau section of the Jacques Cartier River in Quebec is
• Improved fit
• New black carbon graphic • Wear with visor front or back • Waterproof closed-cell foam • Interchangeable fit pads • Detachable ear covers
• Stainless steel chinstrap rivets • CE approved for watersports
harder than the Bottom Moose, but both are considered class V. I would also argue the Narrows of the Green River in North Carolina is tougher than the Seven Sisters on the Rouge River, also in Quebec, yet their classifica- tion is the same. History and how the sport is developing really changes the way rivers are ranked. Take the Lower Gauley. Fifteen years ago William Nealy’s famous poster of the river mapped out the Gauley to be a class IV-V river. Today I would argue it’s a fun class III with some class IV rapids. So what changed? Well, just about everything. Perhaps what changed
most is technique and mindset. As paddlers have been pushing boundar- ies, what was impossible is now possible, and what was really hard, just isn’t as tough as it used to be. The way I see it, there are rapids that make me sit up and pay attention and others that don’t.
Why doesn’t anyone ever tell Corran Addison to shut-up?
Anonymous, Beachburg, Ontario
www.predatorhelmets.com Team Rider - Kelsey Thompson 22
In my opinion Corran has earned the right to blather on. But your question makes me laugh ‘cause boaters are always telling Corran to shut up. Here’s Corran’s response to your question. “They do, but I don’t listen. If I had, you’d still be paddling an RPM.”
RAPID
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52