So that’s a rap for Sweetwater’s 2009 calendar. It’s been a great year with lots of new developments. The highlights included coaching national freestyle team members to success in the 2009 world championships with two golds and many more reaching the finals. We look forwards to supporting Team GB and other European countries in 2010. Our ‘steep creeking coach development’ courses developed in our consultancy services capacity have also been a great success both home and abroad and we are look forward to adding these programmes to our open calendar in 2010. We’ve also spent most of the summer working abroad including Nepal, Sweden, US and Canada, providing river running and freestyle courses.

There are lots of other exciting developments going on behind the scenes and I’m looking forwards to talking more about these in the New Year.

It’s been a pleasure being a part of so many people’s adventures and discoveries in 2009 and we wish you all a very merry Christmas and the very best for 2010.

Here’s a couple of photo’s I took yesterday, whilst visiting a local Christmas fayre

Lisa feeding the birds before heading over to the Christmas Fayre

The Humber Bridge 5 miles from my house

So by now you’re wondering where are the pictures of the fayre…afraid I was too busy eating to take any pictures.

Congratulation to all the finalists who made GB Team selection for 2010, it’s another strong team this season. Sweetwater would like to take this opportunity to wish them all the best in their preparations for the European Championships, June 2010 (Lienz).

Here’s the Team Selection:

This weekend I was down in Devon running a 5 Star white water training course, and as you could guess we weren’t short of water with all of those weather warnings going on. The heavy rain was in isolated pockets so the Upper section of the River Dart was running at the high end of medium flow but by the following day it had dropped to a low level.

After spending the Saturday working on various river running techniques and tactics we headed over to the East Lyn which was low on the Saturday but received heavy rain during the night brining it up to premium flows providing great 4/5 action in the gorge. This was perfect for the guys to practice all the skills we covered on the first day and take a more active lead role whilst being supported by their coach.  Unfortunately the heavy rain whilst on the Dart prevented us getting any decent shots, so here’s some of the Lyn where the sun had decided to make an appearance.

See you on the river

The first of the seven falls are just out of view.  Here we  are just aproaching the 2nd fall called Rainby Force (Graded V).

The river rises and drops quickly with heavy rain, so it’s all in the timing to catch this run in premium flows. A good indicator is the first fall (Wain Wath Force), if there is a curtain of water covering the whole fall it’s going to be an awsome run.

There are some serious rock features at the base of the second fall that require a tight line through past a heavy recirculating stopper – after a quick inspection we both make a clean line through.

It was Adrian’s  first grade 5 test peace (expanding his comfort zone into grade 5) and it was great to see him focused and enjoying every minute of this fantastic run.

There are another 5 falls between grade 4 and 5 with short sections of grade 3/4 rapids between depending on the water level – the level was on the higher side when these photos were taken.

You can find more information on this little gem on the following link: UK River Guide Book

Happy Paddling

So, I put them to the test during the last 2 months to see if they live up to the hype.

The first thing I noticed was the new improved Vibram sole (something that let down it’s predecessors).  The clever R&D team at Merrell have used a new sticky rubber traction sole. Just the right amount of stiffness to protect your feet, but also a softer rubber outer that snugs boulder contours better to increase surface friction. This has vastly improved their grip both on wet and dry rocks.

The shoe has a neoprene  heal lining and mesh abrasion resistant upper with a intergrated wrap system which  provides great foot support. As the name suggests it is a shoe construction, so provides minimal ankle protection but this is a traded off against, comfort and flexibility for freedom of movement. They  would require neoprene socks in the winter, although I  found them more than adequate with my dry suit socks.

The  WaterPro shoe  has  also proven highly resistant to  the damaging effects of dry rooms and have not cracked or come appart at the seams.

All in all I think the ‘New’ WaterPro Ottawa shoe is an excellent choice for those who are looking for a lightweight, reliable, tough shoe that offers comfort and unparalleled sole protection. It gets a big two thumbs form me.

Features/Benefits:

• Compression-molded EVA midsole absorbs shock and provides support
• Vibram ProWater sole/TC5+ sticky rubber/3 mm siped lugs for excellent wet/dry grip
• Breathable, single-layer mesh upper; Aegis antimicrobial treatment inhibits odor
• Welded PU mesh reinforcements and synthetic leather overlays add durability
• Aegis treated neoprene heel lining and padded tongue
• Abrasion resistant polyurethane-coated synthetic leather toecap
• 4.5 mm anatomical perforated EVA footbed with Aegis antimicrobial to inhibit odor
• Air Cushion under the heel absorbs shock, centers the heel and stabilizes the foot Molded heel pull tab for easy on/off
• Slip lasted construction with an EVA board provides flexibility while maintaining a close, comfortable fit

See you on the river.

40 minute trek to the river – the snow made the longer hikes easier as we could sledge our boats and equipment. Part of our morning brief was about essential equipment to meet the demands of wildness and steep environment paddling. As you would imagine the Swede’s are no strangers to wildness boating, we discussed the various considerations  and possible solutions before heading out for the morning hike.

The main objective of the first day was to look at the skills that have the most effect  on our ability to successfully read the river environment, adapting to its demands and applying key strokes  where they really count the most.

After a great grade 3(4) warm up working on creating lines,  and new eddy in and out techniques we moved on to practicing Boofing Techniques – working progressively towards laying the foundation for successfully running larger falls. The group explored various techniques and strategies to suit a wide range of river features and objectives.

Once we had the foundation of a good boof we shifted focus towards running larger falls,  working on different methods of creating a window of opportunity that allows students to develop and enhance their techniques in a safe and structured manner.

After taking the group through various approaches and processes  of running waterfalls we put it into practice. Here I am demonstrating a method of animating key shapes and timings during the coach demonstration process.

From this point on the river step up a grade proving some quality grade 4 and 5 paddling. As we entered each section of rapid we discussed and applied the process of future adaption. This is a process of preparing for the challenges ahead by using one section to rehearse  ’ must make ‘  moves for the next more challenging section.

I would like to say thanks to the team of coaches and guides for their great hospitality, I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the river with all.

Happy Paddling

Our game plan was to spend a few days exploring the Ottawa (now running at 13 on the gauge) and allow the team to adjust to big volume paddling before heading over to the Gatineau River for some high tension action (usually only possible in the early season). Then over to the ‘Lachine’ wave in Montreal before heading back to Ottawa river for the final few days.

Coliseum was one of the Burners favourite sections of the Ottawa, partly because of the large volume rapid, but mostly because we had optimal flows for big wave action on Kauna and Mikeys wave. Check out Joe below getting to know Mikey’s.

Joe playing hard on Mikey's Wave - Coliseum

The Burners Team - Taking time out after a session on Coliseum

After an intense session at the Coliseum we headed up to the McCoy section the next day and spent the day ripping up the ‘Odyssey wave’ on the Initiation Rapid. This feature became another of the guy’s favourites, supporting any move you can think of. The guys described this feature as small but feisty as it changed character quickly at times, shifting from a wave to a retentive wave hole. This became our place to wind down in the evenings.

Me going for a back Pan-am

Joe getting some huge air during a front loop

George taking time out to body surf his boat

Below McCoy Chute the Middle Channel cuts its way through a large group of islands through the remotest part of the Rocher-Fendu. The islands create a variety of options for every water level. The entrance rapids to the Middle Channel can be Lost Channel, Iron Ring or Little Trickle depending on water levels… The Middle Channel had some great rapids and play features, although at time the flat stretches can be a little tedious, great company and stuning scenery more than made up for these somewhat monotonous  sections.

Adam taking on the first rapid of the middle channel

The Burners program also provides advanced white water skills, developing the neccessary knowledge of the enviroment and any safety considerations required not just to run rapids successfully but also develop a sound understanding of what is required to minimise the risk in doing so.

Josh (aged 14) running Gavin's Shoot on the Middle Channel

Next up is my favourite wave to date – High Tension on the Gatineau River. I mentioned earlier that the region had a record amount of rain fall, and we where more than excited when we heard High Tension was running. The wave has a 6ft high smooth and glassy face and eddie service – furthermore there’s a pile to land all your tricks, and if you do wash off you have an easy ferry back into a large eddy where it only take a minute to hop back over to the wave.

Adam hits another huge clean air blunt

After spending a few days at High Tension we set off for Motreal to visit the ‘Lachine’ Wave. The Lachine Rapids are a series of rapids on the Saint Lawrence River, between the Island of Montreal and the south shore.. The Lachine Rapids contain large standing waves formed by shelf like drops in the river bed.  The water levels were a little on the high side for the Lachine Wave to be in its prime although we had a blast playing on it. There were a number of other great holes and waves that we explored. One thing I must say is prepare for a workout it you choose to visit Lachine, the eddy is of epic proportion involving pulling yourself over shallow reef ledges on a tow line and lots of paddling to make it back up to the platform area where you can ferry out to drop back onto the wave – it’s all worth it though!

Tom Starting the long ferry for the Wave

Tom unknowingly dropping into a unofficial king of the wave competition!

After a great day on the Lachine rapids we cruised back to spend our final days on the Ottawa. OK, there are loads of sections on the Ottawa and all of them offer excellent play potential depending on the water levels, but the all time favourite play feature voted by the Burners was the Butches Knife – Nice name I know! This is the first rapid you come to after Waikiki wave on the Main Channel and gets its name from the sharp quartz rocks that line the outside of the bend. Just off these rocks forms a large eddy with some huge swirlies. We must of racked up a hours worth of downtime here – it was impossible to ignore the lure of these fun but sometimes scary features.  We all got some full on down time, and from time to time 2 or even 3 of us would all get sucked down together. At certain flows you don’t want to be anywhere near these features but we checked them out first and noticed that they where imploding after about 20 seconds – although that’s still a long time.

George and Todd go tag team unintentionally in a swirly

Tom giving Josh a few tips - count to 10, if you reach ten count some more!

Group photograph taken at the put-in for the Gatineau River, with Steve Fisher dropping in to say hi – he was spending some time at High Tension testing out the new Riot prototype!

Group photo at the put-in for the Gatineau River

See you out there

I’m currently in Sweden with the national freestyle team for the final preparation in the lead up to the World Championships in Thun, Switzerland. I’ve been working with the team for three years now, acting as an independent performance consultant and coach.

The water levels are awesome at the moment, providing lots of options for suitable training features. We’ve setup base for the week just 5 minutes from the ‘Bitch Wave’ (the closest translation into English) on Vasterdal River.

The team just gets stronger every year, making their presence ever increasingly felt on the European circuit, here are a few photos from today’s training. 

Mats performing a KY

Mats Walstedt has been a team member for 8 years now and first entered the European Championship at 16 years old. Check out the composite boat in the photo above. There’s going to be an ever increasing presence this year in composite boats, with athletes taking full advantage of their super lightweight carbon construction.

Tomas Rundgren, a seasoned team member going for a Back Pan-Am

Maria Lindgren, another seasoned team member, picture here working through her routine.

New to the team in 2008 is David Sandberg, his passion and drive unquestionable, here he is putting the final refinements to his Pistol flip.

David performing a Pistol flip.

 And finally, myself throwing a air pan-am in my Liquidlogic ‘Biscuit’

Myself hitting a Pan-Am

I’m in the 65 model here, although I could do with down sizing maybe to the 55. Shane Benedict has definitely got the recipe right for this one, creating a fast and loose hull that is more than capable of performing all of the latest freestyle moves.

That’s it for now, catch you laters

Had lots of fun climbing Kili, although I think we might go for a beach holiday next year.

Lisa and myself at the summit

Kilimanjaro Base Camp

Lisa and Dave climbing the ridge up to base camp.