May 9, 2008

I got this email from Erik…

Jackson dominates the Swedish team trails

Last weekend Jackson boats dominated the first of three team trails to the
national team of the great nation of Sweden!
At the Hagfors-wave local hero Mats Walstedt dominated in his green Super
Star. Daniel Greken Warberg air blunted his way to the second place in his
brand new yellow star.

Best regards
Erik Westberg - captain Sweden

Watch 7 year old kayaking sweetheart, Sage, on the Reno news!

May 7, 2008

Sage Kayaking

May 5, 2008

When I see pictures like this, it reminds me of so many photos of me over the years. Something about when you are getting your photo taken while kayaking makes you want to just give your biggest, goofiest smile, and obligatory hand signals, and immortalize it in a photo.

Here are Matts photos from MD.

EJ

May 5, 2008

It was a good day at Climax wave on the Payette. Lots of Flying munchkins on the turbulant wave. The boys set up a photo they insisted I send to Jackson Kayak so true to my word, here it is. Enjoy.

Link Jackson

May 1, 2008

Photos

Today we did the C to G section of the South Fork of the American
River near Coloma. What a great group of paddlers on a great river. The
day started off at Coloma Club for breakfast and then went to the Marshal
Gold Park where we put in. This was an intermediate clinic where we
focused on rolling and bracing, strokes and concepts, river running and
playboating.

My friend Mike Brown helped set it up along with Michelle, and my good
friends at California Canoe and Kayak, Keith Miller and Bryant.

I was doing my best to help everyone become more self sufficient in one
session so we moved pretty fast. At one point I pushed Barbara over in a
rapid to help her get over her spring cobwebs and jitters.

We did a ton of slot moves, eddy moves, rock moves, rolls, surfing,
squirting, and stroke stuff. At the end my friend Riccardo, switched out
of his older river runner (non-Jackson one) and into the New Hero and after
not rolling once all day, got his roll immediately and went home with a
strong roll. Sweet! (I’ll take that any day!)

A few large pies at Husum Pizza and some of Riccardo’s wine and we topped
off a great day of paddling!

Tomorrow we will do the same clinic followed by a Rolling/Bracing clinic
too! (we have two spots left for the rolling clinic, since Riccardo is
pretty sure he’ll be too tired)

EJ

Paddlefest in Colorado is two weeks away! I just got the details from CKS owner Earl

May 2, 2008

One thing you can say about the owners of CKS, Earl and Chad. They know how to organize a good time for paddlers! I had the pleasure of doing paddlefest in the past and it is a great combination of perfect water, weather, activities like clinics, video premiers, and is an awesome social setting for any paddler. Here is what Earl sent me about the event…

The buzz amongst Colorado paddlers is that 2008 will be a season to remember. It has been a long and cold winter here in the central Rockies. We have seen record snowfalls and cool springtime temperatures. Everyone is anxious to get on the water and enjoy the melting snow. Well the season is here.

Water flows on the Arkansas River are at a prime level for boaters of all abilities. Flows in the 500-1800 cfs(cubic feet per second) are conducive to both river runners and play boaters alike. The Buena Vista Play Park is great within these ranges and will make the perfect staging area for a myriad of on water clinics at Paddle Fest 2008. As the flows surge past 1800 cfs, it get’s even more fun for those with experience and still can be a “hoot” for the beginners that choose the right gear, the correct river section, and the right paddling crew.

There is so much to offer at Paddle fest 2008, that every paddler of any ability should find the class, clinic or gear they are looking for. The schedule of events will give you a quick over view of the diversity of the 3 day event. You will not be disappointed.

For those seeking some educational opportunities, try a play boating class taught by world champion Eric Jackson, or an all women’s paddling clinic. Have your child learn about paddling on a lake from Dane Jackson, or get stroke advice from Olympian Clay Wright. If you do not like the river, we even have classes for Recreational and Touring paddlers. All of these and tons more classes will be offered at Paddle Fest A few other highlights include Free Educational Seminars, the famous and gigantic Sale and Swap, and Free Demos for the 3 days.

This event is one of a kind for Colorado. There will be guests, athletes, and vendors from all over the US there for the 3 day event. Not matter what you age, ability or interest, there is something at Paddle Fest for you. We hope to see you there in Buena Vista.

EJ

April 30, 2008

Hi E.J.

Last Sunday was the Level 6 Rodeo at the wall on the Ottawa River.

Our club had an excellent turnout and we brought several new competitors to the open categories including Cheryl McGregor and Tilly Martin.

Tilly Placed second in the Junior Women’s, Cheryl placed 4th in the Women’s, I placed second in the Masters and here come my personal moment of pride: Zachary (my 12 year old son) placed 1st in the Junior Men’s.

He was working on his moves on flat water at home the week before and so he came out with a bunch of clean spins,a roundhouse and a donkey flip (his first one ever!) to place first (last year he took second place).

There was a lot of happy sounds coming out of him and even more coming out of me, my wife and the club members.

He absolutely loves the Shooting star (he has traded his Fun 11/2 in with the club for the Shooting Star) and we will see how he does after 3 weeks at Keeners and then in the various local comps this summer and fall.

(CReW is hosting 2 WK Hometown Throwdowns in Valleyfield this season and he will have lots of opportunity to train and compete.)

By the way, Billy and Carly were awesome all weekend, giving tips and clinics to help everyone who needed help. With the help of Billy I am now able to do a Donkey Flip and will try to keep up with Zachary…

My 10 year old (Emily) is the next one to start watching. She is determined to give her brother a run for his money.

The photos of Zachary were taken by Colin Moneypenny.

Thanks for helping us to get young people and families paddling.

See you on the River,

Robert Zwanenburg

EJ clinics on the South Fork of the American River on May 3rd-4th

April 29, 2008

Through California Canoe and Kayak

I ended up having an open weekend (this is very unusual for this time of year!) and haven’t done a clinic in California for two years. I have set up a clinic schedule that will be perfect for all skill levels to participate.   I will be doing three separate clinics this weekend.   You can sign up for one or two of them, but not all three.  My son, Dane, will also be there to help!

Saturday AM:  General Whitewater Skills-  Coloma To Greenwood Creek: 
10:30-2:00  
Class 2   (everyone will be tired at the end!)  ($200)
Maximum 8 people ($350 for both days)

This clinic is perfect to get our 2008 started off so you can be comfortable all year long.    Jump start the season, learn new skills, and know you are on the right track.    Replace fear with confidence, improve your roll/brace, and overall skills.     

We’ll eat in Coloma (Dutch), and continue the learning and conversations over a late lunch.    We can decide where to go as a group.   I’ll buy some refreshments to start!

Sunday AM:   General Whitewater Skills-  Coloma To Greenwood Creek: 
10:30-2:00  
Class 2   (everyone will be tired at the end!)  ($200)
Maximum 8 people ($350 for both days)

Same clinic as Saturday’s, and perfect as a two day for maximum progress!

Sunday PM:   Rolling and Bracing-   Location at Greenwood Creek   
3:00-5:30
Flatwater Beach  ($150)
Maximum 8 people ($100 if this is your second clinic of the weekend)

Are you wanting a bombproof roll,  offside roll, hand roll, backdeck roll, and super strong brace?    This is your clinic!  We’ll take you beyond where you’ve ever been faster than you imagined was possible! 

Sign up for all clinics at CCK:

CCK’s Customer Service Office is open Monday through Friday between 10 AM and 6 PM, Pacific Time. You may reach them by calling Toll Free: (800) 366-9804 ext. 5 or email classes@calkayak.com.

Payment: Because we don’t want to have no-shows taking up spots that others would have wanted, contact CCK to pay for the clinic by Friday, May 2nd to secure your spot!

Meeting spot will be in Coloma at the Marshall Gold Park. Please arrive 1 hour prior to clinic time so we can set shuttle! (except for the Rolling and Bracing which will meet at Greenwood Creek)

I don’t know if it is because I am getting older, or what, but I have developed a soft spot for kids of all ages. I guess this is a good thing since I have another on the way! I just want them to be happy, strong, and healthy, and doing good things. You see each kid, no matter where you are, and know that their lives are so far from being on a specific path. They could do or be anything. While it doesn’t matter what they do, as long as they are proud of it and it is worthy of their efforts in their own opinion, so many things can go wrong before they reach their potential.

Kayaking is such a great way to remove the majority of the unknowns, and put a major positive force in their lives. I got these photos from Scott (Megan’s Dad) who came to watch the races this weekend. Megan wanted a photo with Emily and I. It took two tries to get all three of us together at once, but it happened.

I hope to see Megan in her Fun 1 or Side Kick soon!

EJ

USA Team Trials Over and was awesome!

April 28, 2008

What a great weekend with plenty of drama, great racing, great weather, and tons of people! The Canadians selected their Olympic Team in David Ford (now 5 time Olympian!), and Sara Boudens for the women. They didn’t earn a spot for C1 as the USA took that spot with Jeff Larimer edging out Ben Fraker yesterday. The Americans have to go to Augsburg, Germany to decide who gets to go to the Olympics. It is a long road to the Olympic Team if you are on Team USA. Last year’s world championships are in play (if you were on the 2007 USA Team), and then USA Trials (just completed), and now a World Cup event in Germany. So, still in the men’s class, Scott Parsons, Brett Hyle (won yesterday), and Scott Mann still all have a shot at it!

I had a great time at trials, as did Emily. We both had some solid runs throughout the weekend. Emily was 8th in the USA yesterday, while I was 11th! I haven’t trained for slalom since 1996, and the 12 years of not being in a slalom boat shows. I am still on the fence about whether to train some again or not. I love the training, and love doing slalom, and when I train I am quite good, but it is the simple act of deciding which boat to paddle at any given moment. I am still inclined to get in my All-Star, Rocker, or Hero most of the time. Perhaps a good training camp for three weeks somewhere next year? We’ll see.

Signing off from Slalom racing after three days of action, with a smile on my face!

EJ