tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50415208757975227542024-03-13T14:37:11.253-07:00HydroTherapy SessionsHydroTherapy Sessions are free, grassroots, learning events for kayakers of all skill levels and ages. Structured exactly like a competition this Instructional series will be judged by Jud Keiser or alternate. Prizes are awarded to all competators that show up for this free event. Come out and throw down with friends from near and far...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041520875797522754.post-16551108740753059112012-03-01T11:00:00.002-08:002012-03-03T23:34:48.913-08:002012<span style="font-size: 100%;">Steve (<a href="http://hydrotherapysessions.blogspot.com/2011/08/steve-bailey-in-spokesman-review.html">featured here</a>) asked me the hard question this week at a Spokane Whitewater Park meeting; "Are you going to do Hydrotherapy Sessions this year?" I had thought a bit about this question previously but had not forced myself to answer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">This event was started with the desire to build a stronger bond of community </span>among Inland Northwest <span style="font-size: 100%;">area playboaters by encouraging people to try new things, help people learn a few new moves and get out on the water at the same time. I can thankfully say that at some level or another I've seen all three of these results happen over the past few years thanks to HydroRX events. With a revolving group of personalities over five years of events (started in 2007), we have had scores of smiles in the water, and even more on the shore cheering. As I look back over the memories from each competition I can't help but smile with fondness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Hydrotherapy Sessions will not continue in its current form for 2012. It is hard to say this, as the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">fondness and memories are</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> hard to ignore. The time for a change has come. Our event attendance has </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">dwindled over the past two </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">seasons</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> primarily due to a lack of event promotion (aka my fault). Looking at 2012 I don't have the internal drive to promote or organize these events. In 2010 and 2011 seasons I was incredibly grateful for the help of the other event leaders (Dustin, Steve, Dave, Chris, did I forget anyone?) but I can't ask them to continue if I'm not going to put the work into promoting the event series on the water, on the web, in print, and through numerous e-mails. </span></div>
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Hydrotherapy Sessions started before the foundation of <a href="http://regions.worldkayak.com/spokane/" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">World Kayak's</a> Hometown Throwdowns which essentially mirrors the ethos of our local series WK Throwdowns were a natural fit for our local event and were the primary sponsor for 2011 and an amazing partner (Thank you Colin Kemp). I hope that if anyone is disappointed to see this series end for 2012 that they get in touch with <a href="http://regions.worldkayak.com/spokane/ambassador-steve-bailey/">Steve Bailey</a> and see how they can help re-start the fire under World Kayak.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">2012 is going to be another great year of paddling in the Inland Northwest. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone out on the river this year as we </span><span style="font-size: 100%;">thaw out and splash around a bit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Events like this don't happen without allot of support. Our sponsors have been very generous (be sure to thank them with a purchase). Our host the Spokane River has been kind with water flows and we could not be more grateful. </span><span style="font-size: 100%;">Most of all, my deepest thanks go out to the people who showed up, tried something new, learned a new move and smiled a bit in the process.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Travis</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041520875797522754.post-60129844666382571792011-08-18T08:48:00.000-07:002011-08-18T08:50:32.202-07:00Steve Bailey in the Spokesman Review<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-size: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><h5 class="details" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(170, 170, 170); overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; clear: both; "><a class="quiet" href="http://www.spokesman.com/2011/aug/6/" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: medium; outline-style: none; outline-color: invert; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(170, 170, 170); font-weight: bold; border-bottom-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; cursor: pointer; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">August 6, 2011</a> in <a href="http://www.spokesman.com/washington-voices/" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: medium; outline-style: none; outline-color: invert; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(38, 70, 93); font-weight: bold; border-bottom-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; cursor: pointer; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Washington Voices</a></h5></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(170, 170, 170); font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 3px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Steve Christilaw</strong> wurdsmith2002@msn.com</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-size: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><h1 style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 28px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; clear: both; line-height: 1.2; ">Aspiring kayakers can learn to enjoy what river offers</h1></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div class="clear" style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; clear: both; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; display: block; float: none; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px; "></div><div class="tag-details details-top" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(170, 170, 170); overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); "></div><div class="grid-3 story-embed" style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; float: left; display: inline; width: 220px; clear: left; "><a class="nohlt" href="http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/aug/06/aspiring-kayakers-can-learn-to-enjoy-what-river/?photos" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: medium; outline-style: none; outline-color: invert; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(38, 70, 93); font-weight: bold; border-bottom-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><img class="frame" src="http://media.spokesman.com/photos/2011/08/08/SRX_VV_STEVE_BAILEY_17506161_t210.JPG?74a72ef94756bccc16ea1c78066b52f96b62dbc7" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); float: none; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); width: 210px; background-position: 0px 50%; background-repeat: repeat repeat; " /></a><div class="photo-credit" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 1px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; display: block; text-align: right; ">J. Rayniak photo</div><p class="caption" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Spokane Valley kayaker Steve Bailey surfs the “Sullivan Hole” on the upper Spokane River, Mon. evening, August 1, 2011. The wave is a Spokane low water play spot for whitewater enthusiasts. J.
<br /><a href="http://www.spokesman.com/photos/2011/aug/08/140037/" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: medium; outline-style: none; outline-color: invert; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(38, 70, 93); font-weight: bold; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(38, 70, 93); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">(Full-size photo)</a><a href="http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/aug/06/aspiring-kayakers-can-learn-to-enjoy-what-river/?photos" title="photos" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: medium; outline-style: none; outline-color: invert; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(38, 70, 93); font-weight: bold; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(38, 70, 93); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">(All photos)</a></p></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
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<br />“I think most of the people I grew up with were raised to fear the river,” said Bailey, an EMT and a lieutenant in the Spokane County Fire Department. “The water is deceptively fast, and if you don’t understand it, you learn to fear it.”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Steve Bailey grew up with a fear of the Spokane River and its deceptive mix of currents and eddies.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">That changed when Bailey took up kayaking. For the past seven years he’s been a certified instructor, teaching others how to respect and enjoy the river.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">This year, with most area rivers and streams running high, Bailey and his friends have enjoyed exceptional kayaking conditions on the river.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">“If you know what you’re doing and if you have the necessary experience,” this has been a great spring and summer on the river, he said. “I’ve been fortunate to be able to kayak in some pretty incredible places – from New Zealand to Norway – and Spokane is unique in that some great kayaking is so accessible. You don’t have to drive a long way to get to good water.”</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">The people you read about getting into trouble on the river, he added, are people who don’t have that necessary equipment.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">“You see folks go out and buy a secondhand kayak and go straight for the river,” Bailey explained. “You know, in a lot of ways a kayak is counterintuitive. If it feels like you need to go right, you probably should go left. If you think about it, a kayak’s most stable position when you’re in it is upside down. It’s not the kind of sport you can go off and learn on your own. You need instruction from a qualified teacher.”</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">The good news, he said, is that the amount of instruction needed to enjoy the stretch of the Spokane River that runs through Spokane Valley is only seven or eight hours.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">“The first couple of hours of instruction for someone brand-new to the sport is done on still water – no current at all,” Bailey said. “You need to learn how to handle it, how to right it – you need to get a good feel for it.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">“You get that under you and you can get out on some great sections of the river. The Spokane River is considered a Class 2 (rapids) and Class 3 river. The stretch through the Valley is pretty much all Class 2. The Class 3 stretch comes below Spokane Falls and includes the Bowl and Pitcher.”</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Bailey was first introduced to the sport in 2002 and he’s been in love with it since.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">“I was one of those types who didn’t really like taking classes,” he laughed. “Once I got some basic instruction I just headed to the water. I was fortunate to find a community that was very accepting of a new guy. People came up to me and introduced themselves. They kept an eye on me and helped me out when I got into trouble.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">“I think that’s one of the great things about this sport. The people you meet all care about the sport, they care about the river and its environment and about protecting the sport.”</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Bailey introduced his wife, Kristy, to kayaking and the couple spends as much time on the water as possible.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">“I live along the river, so I’m out here all the time,” he said. “We have a 1-year-old son and he’s down by the river all the time, too. He wears his life jacket, of course. I wish more people could see just how beautiful the Spokane River is and what a magnificent resource it really is.”</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Bailey supports the efforts to create the state’s first white-water park on the river below Spokane Falls – a joint effort between kayakers and the Friends of the Falls.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">“It’s a long process, and since we want to make sure we protect the river at the same time, there are a lot of parts to the process that just have to take time to make sure they’re done properly. It was part of this process where we discovered red trout in the river, for example.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">“The last thing we want to do is create a white-water area for recreation and upset habitat for any of the animal species that live along that section of the river. It’s been a long process and it’s going to take a while longer to make sure it’s done right.”</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Kayaking is not an inexpensive sport to get into, Bailey said. A kayak for a serious enthusiast will run about $1,000. Quality paddles can run between $300 and $400. The right protective clothing for being in the river during, say, the month of February gets pricey as well.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">“It’s not cheap, but you can do your research and try out a lot of equipment – in fact, that’s what I recommend to all of the people I teach,” he said. “The right kayak for you is a very personal thing, so I always recommend that people try out a lot of different types – and you can rent them all locally.”</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">It’s worth it – especially from the health standpoint, he said.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">“You wouldn’t think it from just watching from the shore, but you get a pretty incredible leg workout when you’re paddling a kayak,” Bailey said. “You’re always using your legs to counter what you do with your arms. You get a great workout for your arms while you paddle, of course. But it’s a great workout for your back and abs.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">“If you stop and think about it, it’s a lot like sitting on an exercise ball for a couple hours with your legs up and working your arms. After a couple hours of paddling, I’m pretty tired. But it’s a good tired.”</p><div>
<br /></div><div class="clear" style="margin-top: 28px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; clear: both; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; display: block; float: none; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041520875797522754.post-14377259970621903472011-06-24T15:35:00.000-07:002011-06-24T16:08:48.197-07:00Wicked Good Event!!!Two days after the longest day of the year (Summer solstice) over 25 people helped make the last scheduled hydrotherapy Session a raging success. Corbin Park was at prime flows (19300) giving up some of the best the wave had to offer. With a heap of paddlers and a great spectator crowd we all learned something at this Hometown Throwdown (sponsored by <a href="http://worldkayak.com/">Worldkayak.com</a>)<div><br /></div><div>We had three rounds during the evening each challenging the competitors in a unique way. </div><div><br /></div><div>The First round was a backsurf contest. You cannot back blunt, back Pan Am or even mcNasty well until your backsurf is dialed. Competitors were timed on how long they could keep their stern upstream. </div><div><ol><li>Brian J</li><li>Jarrod</li><li>Dillon & Nick tied</li><li>Daniel & Brady tied</li></ol><div>The Second round was a spin competition. Given 10 minutes to do as many spins, in any direction, in as many rides as they need. It started as a bit of a scrap fest as everyone hustled to get onto the wave and threw elbows to get there. We calmed the event down a touch by giving each surfer as much time on the wave as they needed, there was still clearly some cutting in the eddy. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><ol><li>Brian J</li><li>Daniel S</li><li>Jarrod</li></ol><div>The Final round was truly anyone's game. we had another 10 minutes to get the best retro style thrown down on the wave. The crowd was awed by long front surfs, enders, paddle twirls, guitar playing and the classic shudder rudder. </div></div><div><ol><li>Dillon H</li><li>Jarrod</li><li>Nick S</li></ol></div><div>From the night we came away with some overall winners:</div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>Longest Ride Award: Dillon H</li><li>Best Mystery Move: Nick S</li><li>Overall Winner (aka most improved): Brady H</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div>Congratulations to all of our participants, especially Brady for taking on the Corbin Whirlpools like a pro! </div><div><br /></div><div>Due to time out of the area I don't have any more events on the books but I'm guessing based on water flows that we will re-start the series in late July early August for some classic Sullivan Hole Surfing! Keep your eyes on this blog, <a href="http://worldkayak.com/">Worldkayk.com</a>, <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IEwhitewater/">yahoo.com/groups IE Whitewater Group</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_166928536701566">Facebook Spokane Whitewater Group</a>. Note: If you want these to continue be sure to thank all of the sponsors who helped keep the event full of great awards! <a href="http://snapdragondesign.com/">Snap Dragon Designs</a>, <a href="http://www.nrsweb.com/">NRS</a>, <a href="http://jacksonkayak.com/">Jackson Kayak</a>, <a href="http://www.smithoptics.com/">Smith Optics</a>, <a href="http://www.superfeet.com/">Super Feet</a>, <a href="http://www.kokatat.com/">Kokatat</a>, <a href="http://www.immersionresearch.com/">Immersion Research</a>, <a href="http://www.astralbuoyancy.com/">Astral Buoyancy</a>, <a href="http://www.chacos.com/US/en">Chaco</a>, <a href="http://www.acmeclimbing.com/">Mountain Goat Outfitters</a> and <a href="http://www.mountaingear.com/">Mountain Gear</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you to Steve Bailey, our Spokane World Kayak Ambassador and Chris Hoffer for serving as judges while I kept records and the peace between them. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thank You to <a href="http://www.westboundstudio.com/">Westbound Studio's</a> for covering the event and taking photos so I did not feel bad about forgetting my camera. See their <a href="http://www.westboundstudio.com/recent.html">work from the evening</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Special thanks to Dave Turner & Lauren Deland for an amazing evening PB&J sunset surf. I really needed that!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041520875797522754.post-64821930706957205222011-06-22T18:26:00.000-07:002011-06-22T18:40:44.107-07:00Corbin Park<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TaZ-XWV1Al8/TgKZbYNrB2I/AAAAAAAALqI/uIYO0gbTKaY/s1600/259555_10150213776302709_616707708_7396879_2586011_o.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TaZ-XWV1Al8/TgKZbYNrB2I/AAAAAAAALqI/uIYO0gbTKaY/s400/259555_10150213776302709_616707708_7396879_2586011_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621223980547114850" /></a><br />That's the call say's Dave Turner. Now that we sent Erin and Jud off to world's in Plattling Germany we can relax about playing around in holes. So for Thursday we get to Surf one of the Classic's: Corbin Park Wave! Excelent Spectator location with great evening sun its sure to be a good time! <div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; "><div>Where: Corbin Park Wave (Check out the MAP for details)</div><div>When: 5:30pm or as soon as everyone is in the water and Dustin is smiling</div><div>Why: Free Prizes & lots of fun with friends</div><div>What: Playboating that will push all of us to learn!</div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041520875797522754.post-90528894943026572852011-06-11T07:15:00.000-07:002011-06-11T07:19:59.723-07:00June 9th SessionThis weeks session was small but fun. There was more spinning than Hippy Concert, some flipping and a little bit of sticking in holes.<br /><br />Thanks to those who showed up, see you and 30 more friends at the next session.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/AH8bSXWbKoM" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" width="560"></iframe>Dustin Sembhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07435322587866324472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041520875797522754.post-6482562731519297822011-06-08T12:58:00.000-07:002011-06-08T15:37:36.781-07:00Thursday Surf off!Dustin Semb has come to the rescue and is going to Get the Spokane River Hometown Throwdown going for Thursday Night! I've got a conflict and am not going to be able to make it unless the workplace intervenes. Either way Dustin will be out at Dead Dog on Thursday making sure that the Hometown Throwdown is as good as it has ever been! <div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Where: Dead Dog Hole (Park on the North Bank)</div><div>When: 5:30pm or as soon as everyone is in the water and Dustin is smiling</div><div>Why: Free Prizes & lots of fun with friends</div><div>What: Playboating that will push all of us to learn! </div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041520875797522754.post-65758312609954288522011-06-05T13:35:00.001-07:002011-06-05T13:35:54.501-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-is4BOYig6jE/TevokQewQlI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/x00cQMbaS5A/s1600/n840962411_1750118_3621260.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 346px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-is4BOYig6jE/TevokQewQlI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/x00cQMbaS5A/s400/n840962411_1750118_3621260.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614837070044349010" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041520875797522754.post-48762330612460357982011-05-27T13:09:00.001-07:002011-05-27T13:26:42.330-07:00Throwdown #2 in the books!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1mN_I2Y9r0w/TeAGk5_DGbI/AAAAAAAALZU/ET5LQZ07ynw/s1600/IMGP2570.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1mN_I2Y9r0w/TeAGk5_DGbI/AAAAAAAALZU/ET5LQZ07ynw/s320/IMGP2570.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611492366813960626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fyFvXKKdVJ0/TeAGxM7YTEI/AAAAAAAALZk/BARUAZ0nwQ4/s1600/IMGP2574.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">At 6pm 5/26/11 Dead Dog Hole played host to the best Hometown Throwdown Hydrotherapy Session yet on the Spokane River in 2011!!! We saw big moves, consistent scores, camaraderie, and smiles from competitors and spectators.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OOk74-ZLffQ/TeAGudkkm2I/AAAAAAAALZc/SSHktVP4xSQ/s1600/IMGP2573.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OOk74-ZLffQ/TeAGudkkm2I/AAAAAAAALZc/SSHktVP4xSQ/s320/IMGP2573.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611492530985409378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The format was pretty fun, by partisipant request we did a double blind team effort scramble with conventional scoring. Paddlers paired up with their partners, discussed routines and strategy then offered tips after each ride. At the end of the event it was hilighted that the teams were actually secretly switched and the friend you were helping was actually your competition... The result is your enemy is your friend and your friend is your friend! </div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Results:</b></div><div><ul><li>Most consistent: Scott J</li><li>Most improved (with a dry head bonus): Dillian</li><li>Biggest Air: Brian J</li><li>Best Style: Jake (with a clean one handed spin with offside rail grab)</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>Team Score: </div><div>Scott + Jake = combined points high score</div><div>Dillian + Brian = Combined points almost high score</div><div><br /></div><div>We had wind and rain and most were cold so our awards ceremony was brief. John K co-judged the event and is now a certified HydroRX judge, he is still a little way from <a href="http://regions.worldkayak.com/spokane/">World Kayak Certified</a> ;) THANK YOU John! Thank you to the spectators who shared the experience & braved the cold. FYI - additional raffle tickets were awarded to those who <a href="http://isurfvideos.blogspot.com/2011/05/spokane-river-white-water-park-state.html">wrote letters to the RCO</a>!!!! Be prepared with your Spokane Park Board letters for the next event for additional chances to win!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Michael Kinney came out and did a wonderful job covering the event with his magic lens. Check out his amazing work at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.174812372572755.57946.121620767891916">www.thetagurit.com</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fyFvXKKdVJ0/TeAGxM7YTEI/AAAAAAAALZk/BARUAZ0nwQ4/s1600/IMGP2574.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fyFvXKKdVJ0/TeAGxM7YTEI/AAAAAAAALZk/BARUAZ0nwQ4/s320/IMGP2574.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611492578057276482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041520875797522754.post-79745123290654765722011-05-25T16:47:00.001-07:002011-05-25T16:49:55.060-07:00Its May 26th! Time to paddleDead Dog hole has been really really really fun the past few weeks and the time has come to share it as a group. We have some fun contests to play with tomorrow night. <div><br /></div><div>Time: 5:30pm or later</div><div>Where: Dead Dog Hole</div><div>When 5/26/11</div><div>What: Spokane River Hometown Throwdowns! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041520875797522754.post-13248819268531695022011-05-23T16:07:00.000-07:002011-05-23T16:10:08.555-07:00KXLY Story... Spokane River SafetyI love seconds 49 - 58.... Other than that that <a href="http://www.kxly.com/news/27986818/detail.html">the KLXY story</a> is a little flat:<div><br /></div><div><embed src="http://video.kxly.com/inline/swf/FlowPlayerLight.swf?config=%7Bembedded%3Atrue%2C%22controlBarGloss%22%3a%22normal%22%2c%22controlBarBackgroundColor%22%3a%220x3A5B7E%22%2cbaseURL%3A%27http%3A//video.kxly.com/swf%27%2CmenuItems%3A%5B0%2C1%2C1%2C0%2C1%2C1%2C0%5D%2CconfigFileName%3A%27http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.kxly.com%2Finline%2Fasync_scripts%2Fconfig.php%3Fembed%3Dtrue%26id%3D25849%27%7D" width="320" height="210" scale="noscale" controlbargloss="normal" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed></div><div><br /></div><div>Get out and enjoy Dead Dog & Devil's Eyeball in good form with a group. Safety is key right now as the river is high... but the precautions are worth it because paddling is really really really fun! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041520875797522754.post-11388598343014732712011-05-22T09:07:00.000-07:002011-05-22T09:13:32.560-07:00Jud takes 4th place at Green River Wyoming!Jud takes 4th place at <a href="http://mclaughlinwhitewater.com/projects/green-river/">Green River Wyoming</a>! Taking 4th place behind Stephen Wright, Nick Troutman, and Eric Jackon Jud shows that Spokane can keep up with the best on the river! just a few moves behind Eric Jackson Jud laid down a solid ride at this up and coming event. <a href="http://jacksonkayak.com/blog/2011/05/22/green-river-wyoming-great-new-stop-on-the-us-freestyle-tour/"> check out the results. </a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041520875797522754.post-35667500971723036152011-05-18T14:22:00.001-07:002011-05-18T14:24:11.867-07:00WWP Meeting TonightI'm sure it is on your calendars but the monthly Spokane Whitewater Park Community meeting will be at 5:30pm tonight at <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&q=david's+pizza+spokane&fb=1&gl=us&hq=david's+pizza&hnear=0x549e185c30bbe7e5:0xddfcc9d60b84d9b1,Spokane,+WA&cid=0,0,367901064694716613&ll=47.668884,-117.396705&spn=0.008063,0.01929&z=16&iwloc=A">David's Pizza</a>. Several people will be there, others will miss out, either way come and support and learn about the effort!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041520875797522754.post-91024353658082507522011-05-13T10:17:00.000-07:002011-05-13T16:32:21.039-07:00Bryan and Jarod Rock Corbin Wave<div style="text-align: left;">As you know <a href="http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=12419000">the river level is rising </a>quickly right now and the transition from Dead Dog to Corbin Wave has happened. I went out last night to run a non-event event called Hydrotherapy Sessions last night, I did a very poor job of promoting the event so we are off to a very slow start. The word in the eddy is that many people (Jud, Steve, Bryan, Scott) is that they have been out playboating solo quite a bit the past few months. Flows have been good but the weather has been rough, perhaps our actions collectively simply mirror the river flows. My excuse is that the snow has been fantastic!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">So with that our first two dates have become tentative to non existent. Lets collectively build the hype for what will be the largest Hometown Throwdown of the season : May 26th. Get pumped because Jud should be home from his winning streak. Our sponors have been generous this year and we have some great prizes. And most importantly we have some new formats to learn from!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_IQrHljDuTOg/Tc1nkdYpedI/AAAAAAAALUU/VnVEHfX61mg/s640/IMGP2459.JPG" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 640px; height: 480px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Lat night was a blast. I had a chance to catch up with Bryan and surf a little bit with Jarod. Jared sports a race car where he manages to squeeze in a playboat into the two seater, pretty cool! He is being forced to enjoy the amazing boating season that Spokane offers and HydroRX. The three of us worked on edge transfers last night as the fundamental beginning of the Blunt. After a few eddy drills Jared got out on the wave and flung himself up and over the pile snapping his hips alone. I have no doubt that this warm all season paddler (just look at the drysuit alternative!) will be throwing vertical air-blunts in just a few weeks!</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_IQrHljDuTOg/Tc1ncG2resI/AAAAAAAALT8/qzzYuw6l6Jc/s640/IMGP2469.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_IQrHljDuTOg/Tc1ncG2resI/AAAAAAAALT8/qzzYuw6l6Jc/s640/IMGP2469.JPG" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 640px; height: 480px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041520875797522754.post-55820971254356627722011-05-08T08:03:00.000-07:002011-05-08T08:09:57.451-07:00Jud is top ten at Reno!<div>Jud clearly worked his butt off to score >300 points and pull off a <a href="http://jacksonkayak.com/blog/2011/05/07/reno-river-festival-day-1-results/">9th place finish</a> at the Reno Whitewater Festival Freestyle competition. I have no doubt that Jud will come back to the Spokane River pissed off that he did not do place better but i'm still super excited for him.<div><br /></div><div>With this training in hand I'm sure that Jud will make a quick stop, as should you, to the Clarkfork River's <b><a href="http://www.bombflow.com/archives/2011-best-in-the-west-kayak-event">Best in the West freestyle comp</a></b> May 14/15. This is a great event run by local workhorse Jason Shredder. Sweet prizes, coveted belt buckles and good festival atmosphere make this one of our best local events.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://www.bombflow.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/BESTinWESTfinal.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 720px; height: 502px;" src="http://www.bombflow.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/BESTinWESTfinal.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041520875797522754.post-84312506321617958422011-05-05T13:04:00.000-07:002011-05-05T13:04:00.246-07:00Jud in reno<a href="http://static1.jacksonkayak.com//home/jackson/static_html/main_files/gallery/reno-carbon-rock-star-1/jud-and-billy-bob.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 427px;" src="http://static1.jacksonkayak.com//home/jackson/static_html/main_files/gallery/reno-carbon-rock-star-1/jud-and-billy-bob.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">If you have been living in a cave for the past few years you don’t know that the <a href="http://www.renoriverfestival.com/">Reno Whitewater Festival</a> kicks of the competition circuit for most whitewater paddlers.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Jud Keiser has been paddling all winter in some terrible conditions to prepare.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It has been a long cold spring as you know and I’ve only managed a few days where I said it would be better to paddle than ski.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>On most of these occasions I caught Jud out on the water working on his McNastys & Phonix Monkeys.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He is looking really fast this year on his rotational speed for some of the newer twisting moves so I hope he will place well.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Have fun training in warm weather Jud & best of luck in the comp!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you bring back one of those <a href="http://playak.com/news.php?idd=1420024955905">crazy Carbon Rock Star’s</a> expect a ration of $hi# ;) <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; ">Jud Competes Friday May 6<sup>th</sup> through May 8<sup>th</sup> in freestyle, Boater X & whatever else they dream up! Good Luck Jud! </span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041520875797522754.post-31904178272225990462011-05-04T13:06:00.000-07:002011-05-03T13:07:54.798-07:00Spring Paddling Plans<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">Crazy Snow weather – No posts and no promotions because nobody is boating… Steve B. paddled all winter as did Jud but I don’t know of too many playboaters who are out in the river killing it while the snow flies.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>With late snow, cold rivers, the sad loss of the Spokane River Kickoff for 2011 and overall lack of hype we have been slow to migrate back to the river that sustains us.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For the non winter boater its truly time to come out and play,<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I need convincing as well!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Send in a photo I can post to the blog proving you are on the water!<o:p></o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041520875797522754.post-44923046346047190352011-05-03T13:02:00.000-07:002011-05-03T13:03:37.478-07:00NRS Maverick Glove<a href="http://images.nrsweb.nrsweb.com.edgesuite.net/image/media/2454_back_062409_400x400.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://images.nrsweb.nrsweb.com.edgesuite.net/image/media/2454_back_062409_400x400.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"><a href="http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2454">NRS Maverick Glove</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"><o:p> S</o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; ">imply put I’m damn impressed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After ~7 days in the water with them this spring they have found a home in my quiver.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Toaster mits are still the go to piece when there is snow on the bank but these have replaced my reactor gloves and will be used much longer into the season than expected.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Typically I’ll switch from Reactors to Paddlers gloves when the temps warm up a bit and suffer with lack of warmth for a few weeks just to get away from the uber thick 3mm that makes it hard to grip a paddle.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The dexterity on these is just as good as my Paddlers Gloves and just as warm as my Reactors.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They hydrolock seal works,<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>its not just play.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Slip them over my gasket and under my gasket guard and I’m bone dry at the end of a session at Dead Dog.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Great glove,<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>time will tell how durability goes but I trust NRS will stand behind any problems.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041520875797522754.post-43808062476020402532011-05-02T13:06:00.000-07:002011-05-03T13:06:29.742-07:00Dead Dog is better than Ever!<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">No photo to share but if you have been out to Stateline Idaho in the past two months (that’s right,<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Dead Dog has been in for 2x months) you know that the bridge construction has not only made Dead Dog better than ever but also easier to access. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was using the Stateline exit but the cool kids let me know that its easier to take the first Post Falls Exit and drive around Seltice way to the North side of the bridge.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>From there the quick walk down to the hole seems like a luxury!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The hole Is also a bit more aesthetically pleasing this year with the closet pillon being removed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Get out to Dead Dog and enjoy the Spring flows before it bumps up again!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041520875797522754.post-53362239377069535092011-04-15T09:12:00.001-07:002011-04-19T12:43:10.849-07:00Super delayedWe are making some changes, most notably a move to <a href="www.worldkayak.com">World Kayak</a>. Due to these changes this blog has been delinquent in making the updates we need to get psyched for Spring. At the minimum here are some updates on the timelines for this spring:<br /><br />1. New Headline Sponsor: World Kayak Hometown Throw Downs<br />2. New Formats for S11. We have a few new format ideas that will let us break apart from the standard rodeo comp session and let us learn a few new things. <br />3. Rivers are at <span style="font-style:italic;">121% of normal</span> so expect some high water sessions<br />4. Dates:<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />April 28th<br />May 12th<br />May 26th<br />June 9th</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041520875797522754.post-43301640998089803362011-04-15T09:05:00.000-07:002011-04-15T09:06:56.282-07:00Gotta Love itCheck <a href="http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mso/fwxbriefing.wmv">this update from NOAA</a> out! Life at 120% of Ave is a happy place to be for paddlers!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041520875797522754.post-19733954129862153492011-01-26T13:50:00.000-08:002011-01-26T15:04:28.108-08:00What to do for 2011I got the call today... The encouragement to consider what Hydrotherapy Sessions will look like for 2011. To me the event series needs re-invention and cannot continue "as is" for another year hoping for growth and fresh faces. <br /><br />1. Would you like to be involved?<br />2. What would you like the event to look like for 2011?<br />3. Is it time for pizza and beer on what to do?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041520875797522754.post-3146266835485035642010-08-19T18:30:00.000-07:002010-08-19T18:31:12.031-07:00Urgent: City Council Whitewater Park VoteOn Monday August 23 2010 at 6pm the Spokane City Council, under the leadership of Jon Snyder on this issue, has proposed an resolution aimed at encouraging the City of Spokane Parks Department to step forward with the development of the Whitewater Park. In a sign of solidarity with the project it would be very beneficial to have paddlers present for this important hearing<br /><br />Resolution 10-55<br />Expressing support for the Spokane Parks Department’s completion of the Whitewater Park, as well as negotiations with the State Of Washington to adjust funding levels for a Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program grant.<br /><br />Thank you for Supporting the Spokane Whitewater Park.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041520875797522754.post-2667307317992934282010-07-06T14:02:00.001-07:002010-07-07T23:57:55.304-07:00JUD...I have been fortunate to learn how to playboat from many of the the best in the Inland Northwest. Peter Brouseau, Libberty Hoffer and Chris Hoffer taught me my first freestyle lessons in a lake and on the upper spokane. I was a disciple of Dave Turner during the evening summer sessions at Mini C. in the old Booster 55. Chris P. taught gave me the tools to cartwheel. I have Steve B. and Dustin S. to push me to learn new tricks summer after summer.<br /><br />Amongst these local heros, there was one person who year after year made me aspire to the next level, to learn the next trick, and to keep smiling while I paddle: Jud. Jud Keiser has seen more time on the water in giant neon tupperware than many of us combined, boated almost as far as Terry Miller, and has been a pillar of playboating in Spokane/Post Falls for the last decade. <br /><br />In 2010 Jud is nearing his 50th birthday and has yet again upped the anti for everyone in the inland northwest. Last week Jud placed 7th in the <a href="http://www.pitchengine.com/jacksonkayak/us-freestyle-kayak-team-trials-get-under-way-today/73549/">U.S. Freestyle Kayak Team Trials</a> held in Missoula, Mt. He was only 2x Space Godzilla's away from making the team and will be an alternate for the worlds in Germany. Every time I get to paddle with him he is still growing as a paddler and smiling like a kid in a candy store. This accomplishment at the team trials is tremendous in itself. It is also the next amazing step in the path Jud is paving, allowing people like myself to follow on training wheels now that pavement is there. <br /><br />Congratulations Jud for another amazing display of talent in a huge theater celebrated by people from all over the nation. Thank you for the dedication and excellence; <span style="font-weight:bold;">you inspire in all of us here in the Inland Northwest. </span> <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IQrHljDuTOg/TDVx4AjbJtI/AAAAAAAAJIM/PqxF396sZ-4/s1600/jud.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IQrHljDuTOg/TDVx4AjbJtI/AAAAAAAAJIM/PqxF396sZ-4/s400/jud.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491420527683380946" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041520875797522754.post-12229103333045180542010-07-06T14:01:00.001-07:002010-07-06T14:01:49.750-07:00Every Year: Toxicodendron radicansEvery Year I wonder what the heck these little rash like bumps are on my skin and why they spread like fire. Every year I diagnose the problem as if it was new. Every year I try to figure out how I would contract such a nasty bug and how it would spread ALL over my body. Then finally, for the 4th year in a row I realize I walked straight into it on my approach to the river bank for some play boating. <br /><br />The logic is simple - I want to paddle; therefore all small plants in front of me on the way to the put in are to be ignored, regardless of past experience. I remember Dave Turner sitting in the eddy at Mini C. as someone climbed the bank with kids walking through the stuff. He cringed and said something to the effect of "How could they walk through that stuff, especially with kids!". I stared at the bank trying to identify the problem, and only saw soil erosion. <br /><br />So the moral of the story is please use caution out there and avoid <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poison_ivy">these nasty little plants </a>because the results are not fun... I can assure you. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.chinaenvironmentallaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/poison-ivy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 333px; height: 320px;" src="http://www.chinaenvironmentallaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/poison-ivy.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041520875797522754.post-69535937047951644342010-06-03T08:53:00.000-07:002010-06-03T09:13:17.039-07:00The river is up!<a href="http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=12419000">Dead Dog is back in</a> and its time to enjoy some really great June levels - <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IQrHljDuTOg/TAfUeFDaHcI/AAAAAAAAI7A/35qR1GvOYyY/s1600/Graff.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IQrHljDuTOg/TAfUeFDaHcI/AAAAAAAAI7A/35qR1GvOYyY/s400/Graff.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478581084937133506" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0