Some after work surf sessions on the Arkansas river.  Get it while we can because there isn’t much snow.

Aaron

You have to choose your waterfalls very carefully when paddling a SUP.  You want the falls to be near vertical and not too tall.  The drop in these pictures is about 14 feet tall.

With these sliding drops it is very important to not use the skegs.  Either turn the board around backwards or choose a board with removable skegs.

Foot placement should be in the Kung Fu stance so you have maximum stability.  I have also tried surfer stance and it worked fairly well.

Your weight has to stay moving with the board.  If you are too far back the board will kick up and leave you in the landing.  Too far forward and it will sub out and become very unstable.

If you can get in a big stroke for the landing it will help to keep you connected to the board.  A change in velocity is what causes falls, whether it be the board or rider.

The downtime was pretty heavy on this drop.  I actually fell after the board resurfaced.  A board with a little more rocker will keep me from going so deep the next time.

At Kayak Huasteca we use Emotion Traverse boards which can be Purchased at CKS.

See you on the river…

Aaron

This board is gret fro river running.  We gave it a thorough paddling in Mexico this year.   great product and tons of FUN!

The Big Earl is a great inflatable board!   It has everything you need in a portable SUP.

- Very stable design

- Removable skegs

- Extremely Rigid

- Bombproof pump and carrying bag

- Great price…$995

We took our SUPs to the Little TN river.  It was a medium flow with plenty of technical class 2 rapids.  Lake levels were down so we were able to paddle the narrows which added 3 more class 2+ rapids.

I removed the skegs knowing that the river was shallow.  The Big Earl handles just fine without the fins.  It turns well, grabs eddies and you don’t have the fear of getting superman’ed off the board in the shallows.

I was able to strap my Watershed drybag to the front tiedowns and there were no problems.  This board was designed to haul your gear.  It is wide and stable allowing you to take gear and not lose stability.

I love the weight of inflatable SUP’s!  At 29 lbs you can take this board anywhere.

I filled the board to 15psi and it was perfect for warm water and a 60 degree day.  That was 2 weeks ago and the board is still inflated.  It hasn’t lost any pressure.

If you are looking for an economical and rugged inflatable SUP, look no further.  This board from NRS will do the trick.

I haven’t tried it on anything above class 3, but I’m looking forward to paddling it down some great rivers in Mexico this year.

You can find the NRS Big Earl at:

http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=1854&pdeptid=2363

and

http://www.coloradokayak.com/NRS-Big-Earl-Package.html?sc=26&category=37836

Have a great winter everyone!

See you on the water!

Aaron

Every photo below is a reason to get down and enjoy the beauty of Mexico.

Kayak Huasteca is operating for the 6th season this year.   We want to extend a huge Thanks and invitation to all our Friends and Sponsors.

Immersion Research, Shred Ready, Spokiz, CKS and Emotion Kayaks are all helping us explore and paddle the Turquoise waters of Mexico.

The season in Mexico is November through March.  Perfect for those wishing to escape the cold.

Great food and incredible weather await you, south of the border.

SUP or stand up paddling has become an incredible way to enjoy class 2 once again.

Hope everyone had a great summer and when the snow starts to fall you know where to go!   We’ll keep the enchiladas hot and the beer cold!

See you on the River.

Aaron

You have to choose your waterfalls very carefully when paddling a SUP.  You want the falls to be near vertical and not too tall.  The drop in these pictures is about 14 feet tall.

With these sliding drops it is very important to not use the skegs.  Either turn the board around backwards or choose a board with removable skegs.

Foot placement should be in the Kung Fu stance so you have maximum stability.  I ahve also tried surfer stance and it worked fairly well.

Your wieght has to stay moving with the board.  If you are too far back the board will kick up and leave you in the landing.  Too far forward and it will sub out and become very unstable.

If you can get in a big stroke for the landing it will help to keep you connected to the board.  A change in velocity is what causes falls, whether it be the board or rider.

The downtime was pretty heavy on this drop.  I actually fell after the board resurfaced.  A board with a little more rocker will keep me from going so deep the next time.

At Kayak Huasteca we use Imagine Rapidfire boards and Werner paddles.  All can be Purchased at CKS.

See you on the river…

Aaron

French broad river is the first river with our high speed jet boat in TN. Our boat was built by Smoky Mtn Jetboats in Bryson City, NC.

Untitled from Aaron Koch on Vimeo.

Enjoy the Video

Aaron

SUP on the Pigeon River!

CLICK ABOVE!!!

This is some stand up paddling on the Pigeon River in Hartford TN.  It’s an incredible run and a great step up from the Nantahala!

aaron

Click on the link below for an awesome VIDEO of Jet Boating in TN!

Jet boating in TN. 360 degrees spins!

We have just launched our new 410hp jetboat here on the French Broad.  The boat was built  by Smoky Mountain Jetboats in Bryson City, NC.

This boat is all aluminum and is an amazing ride.  Come check us out!

Aaron

The Middle Ocoee river is a summer time staple for the southeast.  Consistent flows and great class 3-4 whitewater make it a great proving ground for whitewater SUP.

There are many lines through all the big rapids.  Since we started SUP here 2 years ago we have graduated to many of the meatier raft lines.  Jon Shannon (above) is running the guts of Double Trouble!

Lines can be technical or stout, you choose!  Left line at Broken Nose (above)

Tablesaw is one of those rapids that flips kayakers, sends rafts crashing against the rocks and is very intimidating on a SUP.  This year we have been running main line.  250 feet of continuous waves 3 feet high or more.  (above)

If you are confident in class 2-3 on your SUP board, come out and see us on the Ocoee in Southeast TN.  Water temps are in the high seventies and we have releases from thursday to monday.  We have quiver of EmotionTraverse and some C4 inflatables.

See you all on the river