RS FLIRTING WITH DISASTER?
Whether or not a 62-foot back freewheel off of Tomata 1 in Veracruz, Mexico last year by paddler Galen Volckhausen raised the bar in creek- boating caused controversy on Rapid’s Facebook page. Fans weighed in on whether the run progressed the sport or flirted with disaster. “Without a doubt, both. You can’t really have one without the other,”
wrote Kelly McGinnis. His sentiments were echoed by many paddlers. “Flirting with fun, and hopefully no disaster,” agreed an optimistic Rob- ert Egner. Philosophical about the discussion, Oliver Sykes El-gamel posted, “I suppose it’s both, we can’t progress without a bit of risk here and there. If no one wanted to flirt with danger, our sport wouldn’t really exist in the way we know it today.” Of course, not everyone was so cheery. Taking a dark view, “Chiro- practors will be happy,” wrote David Doyle. Ottawa Valley’s Hell or High Water festival organizer, Philip Kompass, flat out disagreed. “It’s not raising the bar. Dan Campbell Lloyd freewheeled Mamquam (60 feet) over a decade ago. As for the disaster part—Dan broke his back. Galen evidently didn’t. You roll the dice, I guess.” A favorite aviation adage, repurposed by Ian Legris, was also shared:
“There are old kayakers and bold kayakers, but no old, bold kayakers. Does that make sense?”
Read “The New Normal” (River Alchemy, Summer/Fall 2011, www.
rapidmag.com/0042) for Jeff Jackson’s take on how the extreme has become the everyday in river running.
PADDLING GOAL
Congratulations are in order to Rapid Facebook community members who reached their 2012 paddling goals. Resolutions ranged from pad- dling a certain number of times a year and putting miles on a new boat to nailing new techniques. “Solid class III combat roll and survived the Lower Gauley,” reported a successful Pete Katt. Others weren’t as fortunate to complete their year’s objectives. With summer drought affecting rivers across North America, paddlers were feeling the heat, with only backyard pools to cool off in. “Drought killed my paddling season,” wrote Andrew Hastreiter. Still others weren’t paddling because they were bogged down by the nine to five: “This whole working crap is killing my kayaking lifestyle,” complained Mar- lene Jenkins.
As for 2013 paddling goals, Alex Zendel said it best: “Super Number One Good Times in 2013.” Cheers to that.
DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME
When the rivers freeze over and the snow is thick, some people—pad- dlers and drunken college kids alike—take their boats to the local tobog- ganing hill for mid-winter action. Crashing over moguls, carving turns and managing to stay upright is all part of this great sport that Rapid Facebook fan Dave Wilson calls, “Beyond awesome!” Names differ for this elite northern pastime, but canoe-bogganing, slanoe and snow yak-
POLARIZED
The results are in. After a very unscientific study, fans on Rapid’s Facebook page confirm that Oakleys are rated as paddlers’ favorite shades, receiving more than double the votes of closest competitor, Ray Ban. What Rapid staffers want to know: How are you all affording to take Oakleys paddling? Prescription Oakleys on cables are Samantha Holmes
Miller’s staple. “To date, I have not lost a single pair in 10-plus years of boating,” she posted. Lucky. “I’m using the recovery of a pair of prescription Oakleys to justify buying a scuba kit,” wrote Mike Morris. “Yeah, it’s expensive to get kitted out but it’s effectively a £280 discount once I find my glasses...right?” Keep on dreaming, Mike. Smith
Optics, Suncloud Optics and SeaSpecs were
runners up. Shades by Pepper’s Eyewear also made the list— “Polarized and inexpensive. Look for the ‘they float’ sticker,” advised Mark Mullinax. Want to know our readers’ very favorite river goggles? You guessed it, cheap ones. “After several hundreds of dollars donated to the river gods, I wear glasses I won’t mind losing,” posted Pete Letourneau. Zak Aragon agreed: “I know the river can take my nice shades at anytime, so for me, it’s got to be under 15 bucks.” Words to live by.
FIND US:
editor@rapidmag.com,
www.rapidmag.com, www.facebook. com/rapidmagazine,
www.twitter.com/rapidmag,
www.rapidmagtv.com
www.rapidmag.com 9
ing are favored—though the last one sounds more like how your night might end after a gut-churning descent.
Practically speaking, it could be better for your boat. “Snow’s probably easier on Royalex than the river,” suggests Al Johnson. Not everyone is a convert though: “I would want a helmet, or at least a case of beer to ease the pain,” writes Tom Cameron.
EVENTS
Join Rapid Media at the premiere of the 2013 Reel Paddling Film Fes- tival World Tour, February 12 in Toronto, or check out one of 100 other stops on this year’s tour (
www.reelpaddlingfilmfestival.com). Visit the Rapid gang at the Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show, February 22–24 (
www.outdooradventureshow.com); at Canoecopia in Madison, WI, from March 8–10, (
www.canoecopia.com) and at Jersey Paddler’s Pad- dlesport, March 22–24 (
www.jerseypaddler.com). For Rapid’s pick of don’t-miss events, see “Dream Year” (page XX).
PHOTO: CARLETON UNIVERSITY KAYAK CLUB
PHOTO: BETH KENNEDY
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