RS HANDS ON
Hand paddling: good, bad or ugly? We asked readers to weigh in with their thoughts on Rapid’s Facebook page and most paddlers were in favor. “Improves paddling skills a thousand times,” chimed in Paul
Wren. Dave Saaf wrote, “I taught myself. Swam a few times at first figuring it out on eddylines, but it really is just putting in the time and deciding to ‘forget’ the paddle at home once in a while.” Saaf added that it’s easier than most people think. “I enjoyed it when I went without a paddle for a couple years…It’s just another way to paddle, everyone should try it!” It isn’t everyone’s first choice, however. “Hand paddling is per- fectly acceptable and expected should your paddle break in the middle of a race and you don’t have access to a spare,” wrote Ryan Ovens.
Pamela Francies Maynard added that she’s a fan of hand pad- dling, “just not on a river with much flat water.” We’ll cheers to that.
IDENTIFY YOURSELF
River Alchemy’s Jeff Jackson still has readers talking about his 2012 Summer/Fall column (
www.rapidmedia.com/0006) on whitewater culture and how we identify ourselves as paddlers. Jackson used the example of big-wave paddlers wearing bas- ketball jerseys over their drytops to discuss social identification theory, a theory that says when we choose to join a group we also take on that culture. On Rapid’s website, Roger commented,
“I
was musing only the other day about how freestyle skiers look a bit like
whitewater kayak-
ers now—baggy clothes, and yes, basketball jer- seys. It’s a tribal thing, and I admire it.” He adds that, “to every oldie questioning
the sense
or practicality of some- one’s mode of dress, I would say, ‘Did your parents never ask you if you were really going out dressed like that?’” Roger that.
EVENTS
Get on the river while the water is high. Check out the third annual Palmer River Fest May 18 and 19 in Palmer Rapids, ON (www.
paddlerco-op.com). The Summer Mountain Games takes place this year from June 6 to 9, in Vail, CO (
www.mountaingames.com). Join hairboaters at the North Fork Championship, June 6 to 9 in Idaho (
www.northforkchampionship.com). America’s oldest and boldest whitewater festival, FIBArk, celebrates its 65th birthday this sum- mer. Get in on the party from June 13 to 16 in Salida, CO (www.
fibark.net). Celebrations of paddling craft, sport and heritage take place in events across Canada during National Paddling Week, June 15 to 23 (
www.paddleweek.ca). International freestyle kayak- ing and standup paddling competition heat ups at the Payette River Games in Cascade, ID, from June 21 to 23 (
www.kwpid.com). Want a great excuse to go on a road trip? For hardy drivers and big water enthusiasts, head to the Northwest Territories’ Slave River Paddle- fest in Canada’s North, August 2 to 4. Don’t forget your drysuit.
FIND US:
editor@rapidmag.com,
www.rapidmedia.com, www.facebook. com/rapidmagazine,
www.twitter.com/rapidmag,
www.rapidmagtv.com
www.rapidmag.com 9
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