2008 Canyon Creek Race

Christie G.


The new and improved 2008 Canyon Creek Race in SW Washington was a huge success this year. The length of the race was doubled to include Thrasher and Boulder Garden. It was held April 12, about a month earlier than usual, to take advantage of higher flows. Tons of boaters, rafters and river boarders came out from all over to participate and enjoy the 75 degree bluebird day. Thanks so much to Luke Spencer for organizing such a fun and rowdy event!

Austin R.





Results:

Men's K-1 Expert

1. Geoff Calhoun 5:9.99

2. Tao Berman 5:13.80

3. Todd Anderson 5:13.99

Women's K-1 Expert

1. Christie Glissmeyer 5:53.91

2. Monica Gokey 6:48.22

Men's K-1 Advanced

1. Brian Little 5:40.84

2. Joe Stumpfel 5:46.95

3. Laurence Rosen 5:47.12

Women's K-1 Advanced

1. Rachel Crowder 7:21.91

2. Roberta Grant 7:47.29

3. Lisa Jeidy 8:51.00

THE SOURCE: YGP's Masterpiece

Rush. Thank you. The kayaking market has been cluttered, with for lack of a better word, porn. I would definately even go as far as to say YGP contributed to this, even if there's was the best of the porn on the market. Now, don't get me wrong, I love kayak porn. For about 5 minutes. then it gets old. It sounds really simple, just add a plot-line and make the movies entertaining...easier said than done. You see, shooting actions shots is easy. You pick your angle, point the camera and shoot. But to build a story-line you have to strategize, prep, shoot and edit everything into an entertaining story thats easy to follow. It's kinda like writing a good story. It always sounds much better in your head than it does on paper and it takes alot of work to make it work right.
We've all known for ages, that Rush and the YGP crew have incredible talent. All the way from the beginning with The Next Generation, Rush has been using new and creative film angles, top of the line editing techniques and the athletic ability of the athletes, speaks for itself. basically these guys have redifined what is possible in a kayak and it's super exciting to watch. Especially when you know whats going on, which is where the source hits home.
For the first time in a YGP film and one of only a few times in kayak films in general, I was able to have a deeper connection and understanding to waht was going on in the film.
I hope to see the industry move even more in that direction!

Little White Salmon Results

Overall Results

1. Todd Anderson

2. Geoff Calhoun

3. Tao Berman

Day 1 Downriver Results

1. Tao Berman

2. Todd Anderson

3. Ryan Casey

Day 2 Giant-Slalom Results

1. Todd Anderson

2. Mikkel St. Jean Duncan

3. Geoff Calhoun

A huge thanks goes out to everyone who made this event happen. The full results with times, can be seen at http://lvmtv.lvmvideo.com. The weekend went as smoothly as could be expected and the National Weather Services forecast was wrong yet again and sunny skies dominated the off and on weather of the weekend. I would have to say the Giant Slalom event was as exciting and fun as any race I've ever been apart of and I look forward to more races of this new discipline . Thanks specifically to John Grace of LVM and to Kris and Joel Goodwille of Wind River Cellars for providing the party location and of course the prizes.

Check back soon for more on the weekend

Austin R.

Little White Race Details...4/19-4/20 2008

The time is drawing near for the Little White Salmon Race. The Race has had some exciting developments in recent weeks and is now a part of the LVM Giant Slalom Series, more on that at LVMTV.LVMVIDEO.COM.
On Saturday April 19th, we will hold the Downriver portion of the race. On Sunday, will be the Giant or Extreme Slalom through a rapid which is yet to be determined :)...The downriver course will begin in the large eddy on the left at the top of getting busy (below the first manky rapid) and will end on the right below wishbone. Both the starting line and finish line will be marked by wednesday to allow all competitors to familiarize themselves with the course.
Registration: 8:30 - 9:30 A.M. Saturday April 19th
Start Time is 11:00 A.M. Both Days

A shuttle for boats from the takeout to the put-in is being provided by CRG Freight company. All competitors are more than strongly encouraged to use this shuttle for your boats and please carpool bodies to the put-in.
The party will occur on Saturday night at the Wind River Cellars in Husum, WA. Food will be provided for competitors.

Entry fee $25...There is no cash purse for this event, but $4,000 up for grabs on the Green River Giant Slalom championships on September 1st. Entry fee does include food on saturday night at the party.


I understand that alot of people who run the little white may not feel comfortable racing the river. WE strongly encourage all to come out and enjoy this event with us, if you're not racing it will still be a fun two days of kayaking on the Little White and will without a doubt be a pleasure to watch!!!!!
See everyone this weekend, good lines and good luck!

contact me with any questions you may have
Austin Rathmann, Austin@dv-s.com, 307-690-8175 (cellphone)

Van-Island Spring Break 08

Vancouver Island. Most people have heard stories in some sort or another of the island, but few ever go there and even fewer go to explore kayaking. I had been to the Island numerous times and this spring a group of Oregon kayakers decided they wanted to see it for themselves during Spring Break. (Most were either Highschool teachers or College Students) So plans were set to go explore one or two of the southern river systems near the Port Renfrew area.
The Gordon River was the main objective as it provides the most reliable, easily accesible and high-quality whitewater on the island. If weather, flows and time allowed we planned on exploring the nearby Lens, Granite Creek and San Juan River systems. However the always unpredictable British Columbia weather patterns sent snow our way and kept river levels low. This allowed for several great days on the Gordon River, followed by a few good days touring the south-half of the island's Park and Huck's.

Team: Christie Glissmeyer, Rob Bart, Ryan Scott, Jay Gifford, Christina Russel, Kim Russel, Josh McKeown, Todd Baker, and myself, Austin.

Gordon River: The Gordon River is located 10 minutes out of Port Renfrew to the north. You follow the Gordon River Mainline and the first bridge you cross over the Gordon River, is the takeout for the lower. You then proceed up to the bridge over Bugaboo Creek. A trail on river left of Bugaboo Creek will lead you to the Put-in for the lower, which is also the take-out for the middle. To put-in for the middle drive 2 miles past Bugaboo Creek to the bridge over Loup Creek. Put-in on Loup Creek for the Middle Gordon. This also serves as the take-out for the Upper Gordon. The put-in for the upper Gordon is 2.5 miles upstream when the road reconnects with the river.

Upper Gordon: This short stretch is jam-packed full of good Class IV/ IV+. Everything is easily scoutable/ portageable. The river leaves the road and travels through a spectacular granite gorge. The water is crystal clear and the rapids are clean and maneageable. Water levels can vary but this run should go at a variety of flows, obviously with the difficulty increasing as the water level increases. Be wary of going in too high as scouting/portage options will diminish as it does travel through a committing canyon.

Middle Gordon: The Middle Gordon, is a Class V gem. 8 Rapids form the highlights of the middle canyon which is equally as stunning and beautiful as the upper and lower canyons. Every rapid on this stretch should be scouted. This run increases in difficulty the higher the water level gets. Everything on the stretch has been run at quite high levels and scouting/portage options remain at high levels.

Lower Gordon: The Lower Gordon is a classic Class III/IV run. All of the rapids are boat scoutable / portageable. Nothing big or scary in this stretch just 4 miles of BEAUTIFUL clean whitewater through one of the most beautiful sections of the Gordon River Canyon.



Spray Skirts frozen- Day 1




Josh First Falls on Middle Gordon




Jay First Falls on Middle Gordon




The Crew in the Hot Tub at the Trailhead Resort




Christina Russel hangin in the Gordon canyon



So after a few days on the Gordon it was time for everyone to return home, except for Christie and I, who were waiting on the clutch to get fixed on my car. So with our trusty new rental Mini-Van, Christie and I went and enjoyed some of the classic park and hucks of the Island. All can be found labeled on the always handy Vancouver Island backroads mapbook, which can be purchased in the giftshop of any BC ferry. The falls we visited were Little Qualicum falls, Old Englishman Falls(the lower) and Goldstream Falls.


Christie G. Old Englishman Falls





Christie G. Old Englishman from another angle




Christie at Goldstream Falls




Myself, Austin R, back in a place dear to my heart....Little Qualicum




Christie G. steppin it up at Little Qualicum!

Swift Creek Exploratory Descent
This past fall I got a call to go run some waterfalls with the local Hood River Girls Posse. The Posse, consisted of Christie Glissmeyer, Lana Young and Heather Herbeck. Christie and I had scouted out the falls before hand and Christie had decided she wanted to hike in and run em. So, being a sucker for a good adventure I carried my boat and video camera in there and Watched as the girls fired em off and then I had too partook in the fun. Here is a short video of the day for more footage check out Nate Herbecks new flick Toxic Waters at HTTP://WWW.LIQUIDKAYAK.COM

LITTLE WHITE SALMON RACE!!!!

April 19th and 20th 2008


We are planning a race the weekend following this years canyon creek race. The race will be a two day event, with day 1 serving as a Bridge to Car time trials race and Day 2 will bring back the 3 leg Boatercross from Island through Spirit!!! Come out and check out what will prove to be one of the top Extreme Races in the Country!