Rush Sturges- Whitewater SuperStar- Now Team Jackson Kayak

 

I have paddled with Rush Sturges, mostly meeting at competitions or events around the world since the 90′s.   He comes from a family that has been a leader in whitewater for many years before that and still is with Otter Bar.    Watching Rush grow up from a junior paddler, to Senior, to film maker, to Adrenaline Rush, to Rudy Rampage, back to competitor again is an impressive growth phase that has spanned many years.    He  has been a big part of Team Dagger for so long that I never imagined him on Team Jackson Kayak.   When he started paddling our freestyle boats in competitions, I was so proud to have a boat that Rush felt was worth paddling even though he wasn’t on our team.

This past winter, Rafa left his Karma in Rush’s yard and told people they could try it if they wanted.    The result was unexpected to me.   Rush and many others who paddle together on the Little White started paddling the Karma and by the Spring Rush wanted his own Karma to race in.   I was, once again, so thrilled that he liked the boat enough to want to paddle it, even though he wasn’t on our team.

Fast forward and Rush is now on the team, and will be ...more

Kayaks overtake canoes as paddlers' choice in Western Pa.

 

Call it the Kingdom of Kayaks.

From the calm waters in Moraine State Park, Butler County, to the varying rapids of the Youghiogheny River in the Laurel Mountains, brightly colored crafts dot our waterways like recreational punctuation.

They are in rivers, streams and lakes, piloted by seniors, teens and time-tested paddlers. Kayak-ing seems to have become the paddle sport of choice, letting users get closer to nature, their towns or even their family and friends.

“You can do it alone or in a tandem or with a group,” says Joey-Linn Ulrich, executive director of Venture Outdoors, which has, for 10 years, rented the craft, educated users and led trips at its Kayak Pittsburgh on the North Shore. In the summer of 2013, it served a record 26,000 paddlers there and at its North Park site, a figure the group is hoping to break this year, she says.

Ulrich says in the past five years, participation has grown 30 percent annually.

That popularity holds nationwide, as well, according to the Outdoor Foundation, a Colorado-based group founded by the ...more

Intro to Whitewater Kayaking for Women

"Hey ladies!! Have you been wanting to try out whitewater kayaking but never had the gear or pals to get out with? Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe will be hosting SheJumps.org Intro to Whitewater Kayaking for Woman this month. You will go from ground zero to paddling whitewater in the course of the weekend, covering all the basic skills, and hanging out with some great women. It will be ...more

Great Stone Dam Classic race set for Sept. 7

LAWRENCE — The 5th annual Great Stone Dam Classic Canoe, Kayak and SUP race will be held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 7 at the Abe Bashara Boathouse. The Great Stone Dam Classic is one of the largest flatwater races in New England. Last September’s race drew nearly 100 paddlers from all over the Northeast, including past National Champions.

Three courses make racing on the Merrimack River accessible to everyone from veteran paddlers to weekend warriors and kids: 8.6-mile, two-loop racing course; 3.5-mile recreational course, and a 1k kids race.

All boat classes and paddlers are welcome, including SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboard) paddlers.

Free technical T-shirts will go to ...more

Kayaks depart Yeppoon on 300km paddle challenge

 

From The Capricorn Coast Mirror

 

"BRAVE Mates" have set off from Yeppoon on a 300km kayak challenge up the Central Queensland coast to help raise money for the RSL's not-for-profit national veterans' support service Mates4Mates.

Mates4Mates' chief operating officer Michael Quinn said the organisation received no government support.

Instead, it relied heavily on the generosity and support of individuals, communities and businesses.

The Central Queensland coast kayak challenge follows the inaugural Mates4Mates sea kayak challenge from Sydney to Brisbane last year.

This year, two teams are taking part in the two-part challenge and each will have about two weeks to finish their event.

The first team left Yeppoon on Monday, August 4, paddling out to the Keppel Islands and heading north past Byfield National Park and around Shoalwater Bay before finishing at Notch Point, south of Mackay, around August 17.

The second team will leave Hay Point, south of Mackay, on September 1, travelling northwards through the Whitsunday Islands and onwards to Bowen by September 12.

Mr Quinn said adventure challenges such as this were extremely important in the rehabilitation of injured, ill and wounded personnel, whether former or current.

"Whether they're battling physical injuries or ...more

Kayak for a Cure 2014

August 23, 2014 - All day 


Kayak for a Cure is a society that was started in Vancouver, BC in 2006. It is a volunteer-based organization dedicated to organizing fun, safe and charitable outdoor experiences including both kayaking and paddle boarding. The event is open to the public and paddlers of all levels are welcomed! Each paddler is responsible for raising funds, all of which go directly to the Canadian Cancer Society.

This year marks the event’s ninth year! It will kick off on Jericho Beach, just outside EcoMarine. Paddlers will be met by Kayak for a Cure volunteers, along with Ecomarine staff who will provide a quick safety lesson and will guide the group across English Bay. This fundraising challenge is ...more

Jackson Kayak New Petrel Aims to Keep Paddlers on the Water Longer

 

Jackson Kayak’s newest exploration/touring kayak is named for a tube-nosed seabird with fossil record dating back 60 million years that returns to land only to breed.

Like its namesake bird, the Petrel offers timeless comfort on the water with a smooth-paddling hull design makes it a contender for the title of most versatile light-touring kayak ever.

“We like to design boats that will keep you paddling as long as you want although we do encourage you to return to land more frequently than just to breed,” quipped Jackson Kayak President Eric Jackson.

“The story behind was the Petrel was to develop the most feature-laden, most comfortable kayak in it’s class. The Petrel delivers that with a high performance hull, quick and easy customisation for the modern adventurer, and the most comfortable seating system available, “ states Jackson Kayak Product Manager, Damon Bungard.

The built-in Yakattack track systems allow paddlers to  ...more