Creek Race Season Recap

I wrapped up a memorable Fall racing season at the Green last weekend. It all began at the Russell Fork on the second weekend of October. Twelve hardy souls lined up at Ratliff Hole (the usual takeout) for a burly triathlon (the Baddlun). The race was designed by Brian Mattingly and it involved a super steep 13 mile bike ride, followed by a long nine mile paddle that included the Class V section of the Russell Fork. The icing on the cake was a three mile trail run up and down Pine Mountain. I won in 2:32. Brian Menzies was second (2:36) and Gareth Tate was third (2:38). We are pictured below from right to left. Photo by Steve Ruth. Two weeks later I competed in the Lord of the Fork Race on the Russell Fork gorge. Turnout was unprecedented with over 50 racers. Some of the biggest names in the sport showed up to blitz the course. Andrew Holcombe won in 10:03. Last year I finished fourth with a 10:44. This year I had a personal course record (10:38), but the times were so fast I came in ninth place. Extreme racing is becoming incredibly competitive. It is great to see the sport progressing. Photo of Climax by Russell Marcus.
Last but certainly not least was the Green Race. I was pressed for time this year so my training consisted of visualizing myself paddling the course once a day for five days before the race. I also ran a 5k and did a bunch of boating on the Fork. No Green runs though. It was working out really well until I got to Zwicks:
Luckily I had my Peak Creek top on to keep me dry. After recovering from the barrel roll and successfully negotiating Gorilla I completed the course in 5:11. Not bad considering my limited training. It did push me fairly far back in the pack though.

In October and November the Southeast is the place to be! Thanks to Anthony Bellemare for the Green photos. For more check out http://www.flickr.com/photos/abellemare/.

PeakUK dry suit in action.

Here is a quick view of how you get into the new PeakUK creek dry suit. The suits will come in 2 styles, 0ne for sea kayaking, and one for white water boating. The white water version is shown here.

Available February 2009 from PeakUK dealers. MSRP of $799.00.

They key features of the new dry suits are:

• Ease to get into, as you will see below this is by far the easiest dry suit on the market to get into.
• Comfort, the zipper is out of the way, no restriction of movement at all. No thick zipper running under your PFD.
• Pee and or poop access.
• Cordura reinforced elbows, shoulders, upper spine, knees and bum.
• Built in booties.
  

On the Creek dry suit, it will have the features of our Creek top. With the removable motocross
pads for the elbows, shoulders and spine.





















Unzip from ankle to ankle.






















Slip it on like a extra long dry top.




























































Step into the booties.

















Zip up. Put your shoes on and your on your way.

Stand up paddle surfing.

Stand up paddling surfing seems to be really taking off. While visiting my secret boat building bat cave in California I thought I should give it a try. Bryon, long time friend of PeakUK and board shaper/boat builder, hooked Heather and I up with a paddle board. Heather another friend of PeakUK is a surfer, and surf model, so she was excited to give SUP surfing a go.






















Ok I assumed it would be easy, the board is huge, I think it was 12 feet long, the width of a sidewalk, how hard could it be? Well on flat water, its easy, you just cruise around, but once the waves come, well it does take a lot of balance. I found myself in the shark infested water much more than I wanted to be (I saw Jaws when I was young, every body of water is a potential shark buffet in my mind).
















As a kayaker I am used to using my core, standing and paddling, really worked my back. I was surprised how much of a work out it was. The nice thing is being that its a barge, and once you get it moving, you catch all waves regardless of size. The downside its a barge, and once you get going it is not easy to turn.


















Heather has years under her belt surfing everything from short boards to long boards. She is also so light that she caught riffles on the board. Not having much paddling experience she would use the paddle to catch the waves and then pick it up and surf normal. She never quite got the bracing part of it down.






















I finally gave up on it, and went back to board surfing. It is a lot of fun, and I can see while on small days and for getting a work out, why its catching on so fast.

October in Kentucky

I am excited to publish my first blog post with Peak UK. Extended drought here in the Southeast prevented much kayaking this summer, but with the change of colors, the dams start releasing in West Virginia and Kentucky. Luckily I paddled my Session + enough at the local hole to feel good about taking it down the Russell Fork.
I showed my buddy down the river for his first time, and he jumped out at Second Drop to take this shot of my going for the eddy (photo: Jed Hinkley).

It was my first day in the Peak Creek Drytop, and it earned it's keep. Not only did I stay bone dry (even in the playboat), but it saved my elbows in this slot(photo: Jed).

I love this hole. If you jump in, make sure you have a good roll. It is right above the main drop of El Horrendo. Check back for another update from Kentucky, Tennessee, or NC next month (photo: Drew Austell).

PNW is FUN

How to spell (P)acific (N)orth (W)est : FUN.

Just another sunny week up here. Enjoying the Creek Jacket!
= go to Huckin Huge for more =