The Green Light!

Just got back from seeing Carl, my phisio, and I've finally got the official green light to get back in a kayak after my shoulder op! A very good day indeed. OK I'm away off being back in a playboat and I can only paddle on the flat, and it's probably going to hurt after, but I can do it. I've been in a boat once or twice, as you'll have seen on this blog, but always held right back in case of damaging it again, but it finally seems to be getting their in terms if strength and stability, so to have the official 'phisio' go for it is a BIG step in the right direction. Wiggs is hatching a plan to have another crack at sea kayaking around Anglesey this September, so I've got something to train for too. Right I'm off to the shed to get the touring boat out and head to the water...

Posted by Jason Smith

Nice Weather For Ducks

Now usually we like a bit of prolonged precipitation to get the rivers up, but come on, it is supposed to be summer! What happened to all that 'BBQ Weather' the forecasters were on about a few months ago? We were supposed to be out filming some top tip videos for the site yesterday,but we got totally rained out and when we phoned the campsite that we're planning on staying at in the Lakes for our forthcoming multi-sport gear test they told us that they were currently under water! Ah well it is Britain in't it, so I guess we shouldn't be surprised, but I bet you a penny to a pound that when we're planning a trip to Scotland for our winter creek boat test the sun'll come out or it will all bloomin freeze or something. Anyway the only ones having a good time yesterday were the ducks in the lane at CK Towers.

Posted by Jason Smith

Gone to the Dogs

A picture's worth a thousand words and all that! Ross and I had a big planning meeting yesterday to sort out all the logistics for a forthcoming multi-sport gear testing trip to the Lakes. as we pored over OS maps on the office floor we heard the tapping of keys and bleeping from the Mac. We turned round to find Ruby the dog sat on the desk trying her paw at dog blogging. Either that or she was trying to bite the moving desk-top pic!

Posted by Jason Smith

Brighton Rock & Thames Cruising

Found myself down in Brighton this weekend, have what some consider a significant birthday coming up, and as the Mrs is planning a trip to the Lakes to paddle and take a stroll up Blencathra on the actual day, we headed south for a day out with the family. No kayak in tow down at Brighton, although we did see a few sea kayakers out enjoying a cracking sunset, and I did 'Man up' and brave the waters for a swim and ride the crazy rapid log flume on the Palace pier with my niece! After staying at my Mum's in London for the evening we were up early and with our trusty Canadian Canoe loaded headed off for a morning's paddle on Old Father Thames. We launched at a place called Hurst Park, the scene of my first ever paddling experience as a scabby kneed, wooly jumper and football shorts wearing scout! The sun was shining and we headed downstream at a leisurely pace. The Thames always feels special to paddle on and it was fantastic to share a river that I've known so well with Faye, and Ruby our dog. A quick portage over Hampton Lock (the last time I did that was in the middle f the DW race at about four in the morning) and onwards under Hampton Court Bridge and Hampton Court Palace. We were joined by a few touring kayakers for a short while and then watched some great skiff racing at a regatta outside Ditton Rowing club. Kind of cool to be paddling on a stretch water that Henry the Eighth would have once tavelled along. After a few hours we headed for the far bank and then paddled once again upstream until we reached Hurst Park again and journey's end. All that was left to do then to round of a cracking day was head off for a Sunday roast and a well-earned pint of Fullers London Pride Ale.

Posted by Jason Smith

Dagger Axiom Tried & Tested

Out testing the new Dagger Axiom this week. We've paddled one before on a dawn run on the River Usk and were impressed, but now we have one on long-term test and have been really enjoying putting it through its paces. First impressions are that it is a fun and versatile craft. It drives well of the bow and the slicey stern is just begging to be stern dipped. Over at the whitewater course in Nottingham it proved a lot of fun and our resident freestyle God Ross was soon throwing a few ends and even trying a few new school tricks like Lunar Orbits. Not to mention spending more time twirling around on the tail that he did horizontal! It surfs and carves really well and we're looking forward to getting it out on a few more rivers as soon as possible, not to mention hitting the surf in it... Think that will be a lot of fun. Check out the gallery for a short video of the Axiom in action and check out issue 102 for our full 'First-Look' Tried & Tested Review.

Posted by Jason Smith

Don't tell the Doc!

Still not officially allowed to paddle, but after a few touring trips in the old Canadian canoe and the Test Crossover kayaks when it came to test the Crossovers' abilities on the white-stuff I just couldn't resist. Only meant to have a bimble about in the froth below, but the drops looked so much fun... and the current caught me... and before I knew it I'd only gone and run them... Twice!

Same deal on the bike too. Doc said OK to the road bike, so took that to mean that gentle XC rides on the mountain bike where OK, but now we've discovered some sweet free-ride trails right on the door-step. I swear I only meant to have a roll around and check them out... But you know how it is, next thing I now I'm in the air and laying it flat ; ) Arm was sore after, but it sure felt good at the time.

Posted by Jason Smith

The Longest Day Part 2

Our journey down to South West was pretty OK, and despite a bit of rush hour traffic, going through Bath, we rocked up outside Frome Canoe Club's smart looking club house just after six. We introduced ourselves to Pam, Sarah, John and Rich who were busy preparing for that evening's sessions. They gave us the low down on the club and told us that in about 15 mins it would be all systems go as they often have up to 50 paddlers on the water. The sessions all take place on the narrow River Frome, which flows right past their back door. Sure enough it wasn't long before a long line of eager young paddlers was forming ready to book in to one of the evening's sessions. There was slalom training, canoe polo, skills training and fun and games. These were mainly aimed at the youth of the club, with club coaches taking groups of ten at a time. Everywhere you looked there were colourful kayaks in the evening sun and kids having a fantastic time on the water, it was a joy to watch. The adult sessions take place later, when the 'grown up' members of the club get to jump on for a training session or just for a relaxing float. Frome is an active and lively club and all the guys and gals made us very welcome indeed. You can read their full 'Club Scene' feature in issue 102, out in Aug, or by visiting their club web site
www.frome-canoe-club.org.uk. We left the club at just gone 9 and wearily headed back on to the road for the long drive home again. As we climbed the hill out of Bath we were treated to a stunning sunset and the traffic wasn't to bad and we were fueled up on cake and strong coffee, until with only two junctions to go on the M42 to Ross's place the flippin' motorway was closed and we had to endure a forty minute detour! Once Ross was dispatched off to his much needed duvet, in a lightning drop-off, at just past 12, it was back across the winding country roads, buzzing the rumble strip and dodging rabbits before finally arriving back at CK towers 16.5 hours after I'd left... What a day!

Posted by Jason Smith

The Longest Day Part 1

Up at the crack of sparrows and loading the car with a rack full of crossover kayaks for more testing this morning. An hour of cross-country driving and I was pulling in to Ross's drive just in time for coffee and croissants with Rossco and Mr & Mrs M. As he only arrived back from his adventures in Canada on Monday Ross was feeling a little jaded, but suitably refreshed, and fired up on the java, it was off to Zouch and the River Soar for some touring paddling and a wee bit of whitewater fun, courtesy of some big stepped weirs. Despite the ominous black clouds threatening, the sun kept shinning for us. We paddled all the boats empty and with a pack of over-night/day tripping gear stowed in the dry hatches. By the time we had finished it was getting on for two o'clock and we retired, knackered, back to Ross's for a quick spot of lunch before climbing aboard the CK wagon once more for the second part of the day's mission - a three and a half hour drive to Frome in Somerset for a 'Club Scene' visit to Frome Canoe Club!

Posted by Jason Smith

Sunshine and Thunder Storms

That's what we got when we hit the River Welland this evening to take the Crossover kayaks for yet another spin. Despite the rain there was some rather lovely evening light and it was still warm enough for shorts etc. As usual Ruby the Jack Russel was reluctant to stay on the shore, and keep her nose out of a picture, and had to be taken for a little spin up and down the river, much to the delight of a gathering crowd on a nearby bridge, before retiring for a kip, so we could get on and get a few miles in on the river.

Posted by Jason Smith

Crossover Kayaks

We're putting a selection of the new breed of crossover, 'do-it-all' kayaks to the test for issue 102 and the CK garage is once again now stuffed full of boats. We'll be testing the Pyranha Fusion, the Dagger Approach, the Liquidlogic Remix XP and the Jackson All-Water. We've already taken advantage of the great weather and had them out on the water, and we can really see the appeal of this type of boat, and why they seem to be growing in popularity all the time. We'll be out again later this evening for a spot of touring, and novice suitability, and then latewr this week we'll be loading up with gear for a long trip and then finally hitting the white stuff for a bit of rapid fun. We'll keep you posted on how we get on and bring you the full-test report in issue 102 - out 6th Aug.

Posted by Jason Smith