Northern Youth Camp – Fort Smith, Northwest Territories

Kiddies Having Fun

Surfing it up at Playground Rapid on the Slave River

Chilliwack Cup #2

Event Results

Event Name: Chilliwack Cup #2
Event Region: British Columbia

Event Date: August 16th, 2009 @ 5:00pm
All times are localized to the event location.

Survivor Slalom #4

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CBC News

After shelving the project more than 20 years ago, industry is once again looking at hydro development on the Slave River on the N.W.T.- Alberta border.   Click here to read the article.

Slave River Paddle Fest – hosted on the August long weekend this event was one of the best ever!  Warm water, gentle play features and lots of fun activities for kids, families and kayakers of all levels.  Saturday began with a morning of kids games and activities aimed at children and youth ages 5-17 followed by an afternoon of more kayak games, down river races and a World Kayak Throwdown.

Why has it taken me so long to post such a great event on the Throwdown website?  Well, the truth is I was suffering through a massive ear and sinus infection that kept me lying low for the past week.  Stay tuned for more photos of Slave River paddling adventures for this coming week!

There are 2 main clubs in the Northwest Territories.  The NWT Kayak Association is home to the Fort Smith Paddling Club and the Somba Ke Paddling Club.  Over the last few years these two clubs have worked hard to celebrate the Slave River which is in danger of becoming dammed for hydro electricity.

Event Results

Event Name: Western Canada Throwdown #3 09'
Event Region: Yukon/NWT

Event Date: August 1st, 2009 @ 3:00pm
All times are localized to the event location.

Next Event
Survivor Slalom #4 & Chilliwack Cup #2 – Saturday August 16 at 3:00 pm
Tamihi Rapid on the Chilliwack River, Chilliwack, BC
Paddling Ability – all levels beginner to advanced
River Location – eddies and waves; river access

Details Available As these Events Near

Supporters
Alberta Whitewater Association
Aquabatics
Paddle Performance Kayak School
Undercurrents

Event Details

Event Name: Western Canada Throwdown #3 09'
Event Region: Yukon/NWT

Event Date: August 1st, 2009 @ 3:00pm
Registration Opens: March 10th, 2009 @ 12:00am
Registration Closes: August 2nd, 2009 @ 11:59pm

All times are localized to the event location.

Sign into our facebook group for the Western Canada Region to receive updates about these events.

Event Results

Event Name: Western Canada Throwdown #2 09'
Event Region: Alberta

Event Date: July 2nd, 2009 @ 9:00pm
All times are localized to the event location.

Another great day in Southern Alberta.  The second World Kayak Throwdown event in Western Canada was held at the Boulder Run on the Oldman River near Pincher Creek.

Supported by High Level Canoes and Kayaks, I spent the day paddling the Highwood River near Longview, Alberta with a few of their staff – Cooper Isaac and Anthony Gibson.  In the evening we gathered below the Oldman Dam to offer a playboating clinic before the event.

A little bit about High Level Canoes and Kayaks:  Based out of Lethbridge, Alberta this store is relatively new on the paddling scene.  Their enthusiasm and warmth is iminent when they greet customers in the shop and they seem to be creating a huge influence on developing the grassroots of whitewater paddling.  What sets this shop apart?  They are not only a retailer, but also a kayak school that must take responsibility for growing the sports participation numbers.  Ultimately they are spreading the paddle sports virus to this vast area of Southern Alberta!  Their school programs range from kids camps to lake and river kayaking; drop in for a visit and see what they are all about.  Visit them online at High Level Canoes and Kayaks.

Cooper on the top wave.

The ATCO Power Dam just above the main wave.

One of the many drops on the Highwood River.

One of 4 canyons on the Highwood River.

Welcome to Southern Alberta wildlife…bears in cow costumes.

Supporters
Alberta Whitewater Association
Aquabatics
High Level Canoes and Kayaks
Paddle Performance Kayak School
Pinch -O-Crow Creekers
Undercurrents

Next Event
Throwdown #3 – Saturday August 1 at 1:00 pm
Playground Rapid on the Slave River, Fort Smith, NT
Paddling Ability – all levels beginner to advanced
River Location – eddies and large pools; river access

For Details Visit the Upcoming Events Page

Sign into our facebook group for the Western Canada Region to receive updates about these events.

Event Details

Event Name: Western Canada Throwdown #2 09'
Event Region: Alberta

Event Date: July 2nd, 2009 @ 9:00pm
Registration Opens: March 10th, 2009 @ 12:00am
Registration Closes: July 6th, 2009 @ 11:59pm

All times are localized to the event location.

Directions
Located below the Oldman Dam, the Boulder Run is 13 km NE of Pincher Creek.  Take the Crowsnest Trail/highway #3 and turn off onto highway #785.  Follow this until you see the entrance to Boulder Run Recreation Area (on the left).  You will find us in the parking lot that is closest to the dam.

Supporters
Alberta Whitewater Association
Aquabatics
High Level Canoes and Kayaks
Paddle Performance Kayak School
Pinch -O-Crow Creekers
Undercurrents

The Oldman River
Host to the 1992 Canadian Whitewater Championships, the Boulder Run is a southern Alberta paddling venue similar to Canoe Meadows on the Kananaskis.  Dammed in the 1990’s, this site offers a slalom training facility along with various play features.  As part of the Alberta Whitewater Association’s facility enhancement program the Boulder Run is contributing well to enhancing the development of paddle sports in and around Lethbridge and Pincher Creek.

Next Event
Throwdown #3 – Saturday August 1 at 1:00 pm
Playground Rapid on the Slave River, Fort Smith, NT
Paddling Ability – all levels beginner to advanced
River Location – eddies and large pools; river access

For Details Visit the Upcoming Events Page

Sign into our facebook group for the Western Canada Region to receive updates about these events.

A very special thanks to Peter Thompson and Brad Dudinsky for helping me hang the course and to Brace Lee for helping with the slalom clinic.  It was great to see everyone out last night; I am sure it would not be fun if I were doing this on my own.

Event Results

Event Name: Western Canada Survivor Slalom #2 09'
Event Region: Alberta

Event Date: June 25th, 2009 @ 8:30pm
All times are localized to the event location.

Our next event will be the World Kayak Throwdown held at the Boulder Run on the Oldman River near Pincher Creek.  Our next Alberta Survivor Slalom will be on the Kananaskis River at Canoe Meadows in September.

Below are photos from the event.  Enjoy!

Scotty taking care of the boats

Saskia’s travelling fan club…hopelessly devoted too

Some practice time

Hanging out at the start

Let the racing begin

Hanging out, waiting to go

Anyone up for a little team racing?

The Kids – Brad Dudinsky and Peter Thompson

Peter on Titan

Brad on Titan

Peter – The Notch

Brad – The Notch

Peter on Leviathan – Second Lap

What are the FUNdamentals behind these World Kayak Throwdowns? It is not about the event, the best paddlers, the free schwag, online registration, the fatest rides or who did what. These events serve to promote grassroots paddling from a sport and participant perspective and we are excited to be bringing all the fun to you, the paddler who may be new to the sport or experienced. Next event is June 25; Survivor Slalom at Rundle Canal, Canmore, Alberta.

Event Results

Event Name: Chilliwack Cup #1
Event Region: British Columbia

Event Date: June 14th, 2009 @ 5:00pm
All times are localized to the event location.

The Chilliwack Cup

This is the second of three freestyle events to be held on the Chilliwack River at Pointa Vista.  A wave/hole feature that is challenging enough for advanced boaters and super fun for beginners; come check us out this Sunday at 3 PM.

Survivor Slalom #2 – The Rundle Riot

Hosted at the Rundle Canal in Canmore is the second of four Survivor Slalom events to be run this summer. Come out and join us for this free, fun and super relaxed event aimed at providing a simple competition for all levels of recreational paddling. The event starts at 6:30pm; we will be there at 5pm offering slalom clinics to those interested. Don’t worry about showing up late; we want you there trying out slalom, having fun with your friends and honing your paddling skills!

Throwdown #2 – Oldman River

Host to the 1992 Canadian Whitewater Championships, the Boulder Run is a southern Alberta paddling venue similar to Canoe Meadows on the Kananaskis. Dammed in the 1990’s, this site offers a slalom training facility along with various play features. As part of the Alberta Whitewater Association’s facility enhancement program the Boulder Run is contributing well to enhancing the development of paddle sports in and around Lethbridge and Pincher Creek.

The Purple Hayes motto is simple; “good clean fun” and their passion and dedication to developing a paddling community that welcomes those new to the sport is shown by their weekly club style river runs.

This club is dedicated to youth and offers a variety of sessions for different age groups.  Their main objective will be aimed at providing a fun and safe place to develop friendships, knowledge, and awareness of the environment along with a respect for these facets all while having fun kayaking.

The Purple Hayes Club Program

Lake Sessions

For youth approximately 12 years and younger there will be lake sessions for them to play and paddle while learning the FUNdamentals of the sport.

River Sessions

For youth over 12 there will be river runs suitable to ability and comfort level.  Club members will be welcome on the lake sessions as well.

Freestyle Friday

Once per month we will also be doing a Freestyle Friday where the time will be focused on freestyle moves.

Freestyle kayaking, also known as playboating, is a form of kayaking where a paddler performs a variety of tricks and moves.

During the year there will be opportunities to allow the club members to try other aspects of paddle sports. Future plans would include setting up a paddle sports weekend with other junior clubs and other various events.  Pool sessions in the winter will also be set up. These will not be included with the club fees but will have a discounted rate for club members.

Contact Purple Hayes School of Kayaking for more details and to register:

Purple Hayes School of Kayaking
Telephone & Fax: (604)858-2888
E-mail: info@purplehayes.bc.ca
Contact: Kay-Uwe Konojacki

The stage has been set for our next Survivor Slalom event in late June.  Next week will be the 3rd slalom paddling session on the Kananaskis River as a recreational slalom paddling program evolves in the Calgary and Canmore areas.

Most know slalom as being the highly competitive and technical Olympic sport.  Don’t let that turn you away.  These events are fun, safe and focus on connecting that relationship between the technical precision required of slalom and its transfer to paddling rapids on a river.

Next Events

Chilliwack Cup #1 June 14 at Chilliwack, BC

Survivor Slalom #2 June (dates TBD) at Canmore, Alberta

Throwdown #2, July 4 at Lundbreck, Alberta

Event Results

Event Name: Western Canada Survivor Slalom #1 09'
Event Region: Alberta

Event Date: May 28th, 2009 @ 8:30pm
All times are localized to the event location.