A Summer Season Photo Summary

As the good(ish) weather officially comes to an end here in Europe, I thought i’d put up a post with some of my favourite pictures of the spring/summer season. I managed to squeeze in two trips to the Piemonte/Ticino regions, before heading north, as ever, to Norway. This season we did some more exploration, both in central Norway, and further north, as well as paddling a number of rivers which have been secretly documented in some detail over the past few years, and since the publication of this online guidebook are set to become classics.

These are some of my favourite shots, huge thanks go to the photographers, as well as the people in them!

First up – I finally caught the Devil’s slide at the perfect level, in the right mood. Huge thanks to Adam Dumolo for taking this photo whilst simultaneously doing safety for this one.

 

Next, an excellent shot from Tom Parker of a sweet boof in the Lower Sermenza Gorge. I’ve been absoulutely loving my Harlequin Fuse Jacket, definately the comfiest shell garment ever, and coloured to match everything!

 

 

 

 

Lakeside camping in Hattfjelldal, Norway. Is this the best paddling destination in Europe?

Next up a shot by Hugh Graham, of Finn Burrows lining up for a rinsing. Dusj-boof (Shower-boof in Norsk)on the Susna. One of the most fun rapids anywhere, especially in high water, when it becomes Wipeout-boof.

 

This shot was taken by a friendly local, who regularly fishes the pool below this fall. Yours truly, on the first descent of Storfossen, on the Herdalselva, near Valdal.

Due to the trees being harvested on the right hand bank of the Mikkemus-elva, there was excellent light for photos for the first time tis year. Here Hugh Graham hits the perfect line. Watch out for Hugh, he’s one of those people who makes everything look a bit too easy.

 

Finally, a shot of Finn I took on the incredible Tverraga, another first descent and a true gem of a river way up inside the Arctic Circle.

I’m now back in the UK for a while, waiting for storm fronts to roll in and dump their goods in the hills. The new Mambas will be arriving soon and I can’t wait to get mine out and flying.

See you on the river!

Nick

Vaniljesaus – film trailer…

Hi all. We’re back in the UK and work has begun on the film we’re making of this summer’s Norwegian Odyssey.

It’s called Vaniljesaus (Pronounced Vanilla Jesus), and will be released online here on the Palm Blog within the next few weeks. For now here’s a sneak peek….

Vaniljesaus – Trailer from Nick Horwood on Vimeo.

Vaniljesaus – Trailer

More coming soon…

Finn & Nick

Join us at the Tryweryn Festival this weekend.

Fancy going paddling at the weekend?

Some where with warm water perhaps? And guaranteed whitewater? And sun?

Well, why not come join us in North Wales for the Tryweryn Festival 2011? If it’s anything like last year’s it’s set to be a cracker.

Why should I go?

• Try the full Dagger Europe whitewater range. On real whitewater. For free.
• Get some coaching from top coaching providers including Palm’s Lowri Davies. Whether you want to gain confidence on grade 3/4, perfect your playboating, or simply fancy a guided trip of the scenic lower Tryweryn, these guys will be able to help you out. Sign up when you arrive.
• Race in the PALM 8-BALL! This is full contact paddling. Think head-to-head boaterX mixed with Robot Wars. The aim? Get to the bottom of the section first and avoid being taken out by one of many inflatable kayakers in your path…. (Exact time to be confirmed although probably Saturday afternoon)
• Leave your car at the takeout and take advantage of free shuttles throughout the weekend. Leaving you with more time on the water! Ace.
• Outfit your boat. Do you struggle getting the fit of your Dagger kayak just right? Come see us and we’ll help you pad it out to perfection!
• Discover Palm’s 2011 range. We’ll have experts on hand to talk you through the range and our design process.
• Bring your bike and take part in the multisport challenge.

Sounds good! How much is it?

Tickets are £25 and on sale now! Call the centre on 01678 521 083 or pop in to reception to book. Please advise of any dietary requirments at time of booking.
As with last year there will be shuttles from the lower river, camping at Bala Mill on Friday and Saturday night, evening entertainment and meals provided on Friday and Saturday night.

Where can I find out more information?

More info on Tryweryn Website

Facebook Event Page

I’m convinced, now show me some shots of last year’s 8-Ball Carnage!

I thought you’d never ask. Here you go.

This all sounds a bit advanced to me, is there anywhere I can go to try paddling for the first time?

Don’t forget, we’re also in the East Midlands this weekend at the Midsummer Great Escape in Belvoir Castle. The perfect opportunity to get on the water for the first time…

Corsica Spring Mission 2009

Corsica 2009

Start of april, a team of three Swiss paddlers from Interlaken, consisting of Marc Gacond, Phil Hausammann and myself, set off to explore the whitewaters of the legendary island Corsica. After a warm up on the Verzasca, we had a short stopover at the airport in Bergamo to pick up Canadas Tyler Curtis, to complete the team of this mission. Marc, Tyler and I had already sucessfully been on expeditions in Tibet, Patagonia and above the Arctic Circle, and so we were quite positive to collect a few „airmiles“ early in the season. With the VW Multivan fully loaded we fired up the engine and set off to the ferryport.

Marc Gacond launching at the Travo

Beside Freeriding different rivers, our goal was to shoot the next chapter of a movieseries for the biggest international Whitewater Magazine. And so we’ve been taking cameras, mounting tripods and playing with all sorts of innovative capturing technics. The schedule was tight and challenging, due of the good teamplaying defenatly manageable

„KayakSession Magazine“ organised at the same time the „Corsica Whitewater Festival“ and the regularly at Eastern by kayakers flooded island turned into a whitewater ressort for paddlers from all directions and corners of this globe.

Ron Fischer with the perfect line, captured by Marc Gacond

The first days we spent with Ron Fischer, Arnd Schäftlein and many other well known kayakers and already a couple of hours after our arrival on the island we had the first splashs of corsican whitewater in our faces.

And so we road- and rivertripped around the island, running stunning Whitewater and getting to know to island once more in a unique and very special way.

After a long, very rich winter with lots and lots of pow pow, at was the right moment to start of with spring. Putting up camp somewhere in nowhere and to feel again as individual yet very insignificant part of our nature.

Phil Hausammann boofing very nicely..

Stay away of these cute little creepers: very beautfiful yet very dangerous and poisioning.

Marc Gacond with the camera mounted on the back of his boat.

Ron Fischer at the start of his „Quest of the lost carkey on Corsica“, Phil trying to help. As a note: His van was loaded up on a truck and driven back to Switzerland…

Myself on the first Rizzanese drop.

Marc and phil givin’er!

Second Rizzanese-drop

Phil Hausammann seat belt fastened and ready for landing!

Tyler Curtis waiting for his turn!

Marc Gacond on the Asco

Visiting one of the worlds greatest Whitewater destinations doesnt mean you got to close your eyes from the rest of its treasures and beautiful places… The little town of Bonifacio is not only vey rich on history (Napoleons birthplace), its also breathtakingly beautiful!

Hmmm… One day, i will be back without a vanload full of boys!

A feast for all senses!

Phil Hausammann in action

Canadas Tyler Curtis with the perfect line on theLiamone

Important things for a succesful Corsica trip:

-    Ellbowguards
-    Full Face Helmet
-    Tar- Band
-    Duct-tape

Nice campspot for a night

Typical corsican mountainvillage.

And so we returned after 14 paddlingdays and 13 explored rivers (some we paddled twice), numerous shot videotapes, unforgetable moments and impressions of breathtaking nature back to the mainland. Without any real injuries or problems we discovered most of the islands whitewater gems. And altough temperatures have been lower as expected  with more raindays than Switerland, we will keep this place in memory with a warm heart!

Off to the next adventure… on a mission
Simon

Here is the first trailer of the Kayak Session Video Guide from Corsica:

Kayak Session Video Guide Series #2 – Rivers of Corsica – TEASER #1 from Kayak TV on Vimeo.