All work and no play make Dan a dull boy!

Fun times on the 13 wave

Hey there folks,
Well I've definately been working way too much these days (and it's been pushing rubber) but at least the locals found a small playspot for after work therapy. Now B.C. isn't exactly known for the mega play but this little wave/hole is great for training and just what the doctor has ordered for the long work filled summer. Hopefully I'll get some time to hit up the creeks around here before heading East for a few weeks back home on the Ottawa. In the meantime keep on keepin' on.

Working my 'Robot'

There is a 18ft raft in there somewhere

Dan Caldwell

dunière drop

by waiting for good water level, I looking for to have great time in creek... it's not easy during this time in France.
There is a easy drop in Ardèche area in Dunière river. it's possible to run it during all day. The last week end, I gone there with Yan Neime, Cédric Conte, Romain Dumoulin (Mathieu's brother). We past a good day to practice this drop.

Whitewater Research & Safety Institute (WRSI) celebrates the life of WRSI Team Paddler---Ben Earle

Sunday, August, 10, 2008
Sad and devastating news came early one morning when I heard that Ben Earle from Australia drowned after being vertically pinned under a log on Finn Creek in British Columbia, Canada, June 1, 2008. Adrian Kiernan was on the run with Ben and attempted to rescue Ben, but to no avail. Ben’s body was eventually extracted after two days of effort by local rescue teams. Ben leaves behind a large community of friends across the world, his wife Robin and their two young children Rio and Finnley.

It is a sobering reality that our sport is dangerous and always demands a high level of safety and respect for the rivers we travel. I have paddled with, and have worked along side Ben and his close friends and know their high level of professionalism and passion for the rivers they work and explore on. Ben Earle was a respected athlete on our WRSI Team, and I speak personally from the company when I send my heart felt regards to his family and friends.

Ben’s family live in Clearwater, BC, where last year he helped organize the first Clearwater Festival.This years Clearwater Kayak Festival was a celebration dedicated to the memory of Ben Earle. Click here for updated 2008 festival highlights. (http://www.clearwaterkayakfest.com/)

Kim Ward-Robberts ( WRSI Team Manager)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ben Earle 1982 – 2008
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adrian Kiernan, a friend and fellow Australian Team Fluid Paddler wrote up an amazing article about the incident, and Ben Earle’s life. Please visit Adrian Kiernan’s personal blog for more information (http://www.goboatingaus.blogspot.com/) and read below for his thoughts .Photo’s courtesy of Maggie Crocker

(Ben Earle and Adrian Kiernan)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Below is an article Tasmanian paddler and close friend James Thorp wrote and photo’s courtesy of Josh Firth.

I first met Ben many years ago at a paddling festival in Tasmania. At the time Ben was drunk, wearing a dress and dancing on the pool table in the Bronte pub. We were both young then; Ben had just started kayaking and rafting. Over the years Ben grew into a great individual. He became a talented kayaker, an extremely professional raft guide, a husband, a father and a close mate. Ben chose not to conform to conventional ideals but instead to live the vagrant existence of a ‘ river gypsy’ moving around the globe chasing summers of kayaking and raft guiding.

I have paddled with both Ben and Adrian on many rivers in many countries and thus can emphatically say that Ben’s death was more a freak accident than a reckless or complacent act. Both Ben and Adrian are very safe, sensible and exceptionally skilled paddlers who would not haphazardly risk their life. In fact the rapid Ben drowned on was only class4 and he scouted it before paddling it, but unfortunately did not see the submerged log. Sometimes accidents just happen and we have to deal with them in their simplistic nature and not play a blame game to try and ease the pain.

In many respects we should not mourn Ben’s death but instead celebrate his life. Ben was an eternal optimist with an infectious enthusiasm and an endless energy that made him very driven and ambitious. Even on the biggest river epics, when everyone else had a grim face Ben would be wearing his cheeky smile, accepting the terms and conditions of the adventure in his trademark positive manner. Ben was always hard to say ‘no’ to and always the first to say ‘yes’.

My heart goes out to Adrian who had to witness his mate drown. No kayaker deserves to have to endure that nightmare. And to Robin who lost a husband and must now raise two children that will never get to know their father.
In many respects Ben was a martyr for kayaking and the ‘river gypsy’ lifestyle. He paid the ultimate price for the love of the river.

We will miss you Benny Earle, but rest easy mate for your spirit will always flow strong in the timeless currents and freedom of the river and in the memories of those who shared your amazing journey.

James Thorpie

The Pinch

I rocked my WRSI face protection this summer. We are in an extended drought in the South. Low water increases the potential for facial trauma. A couple of weeks ago LVM hosted a Giant Slalom race on the Green. We did not race through Gorilla, but I was still glad I was wearing the Pinch.

The face guard stiffens up well on the helmet. It is easy to remove if you are on a mellow section of river. I was apprehensive about racing with it, but it did not interfere with my breathing. I look forward to busting it out on the steep stuff this winter. Thanks to Rob Tompkins for the pictures.

funny boof

Hey all,

Just few shots about a funny boof. Hope you all will enjoy!

before

after rapid on guil river.

Be Safe, Marc ( France)

Vote for my Space Godzilla!

Hey everyone.
The town of Avon in Colorado is hosting a big air competition to promote the WWP. The top men and woman's trick take home some big bucks. The competition is judged by the public; anyone can vote and you can vote as many times as you would like until all the entries are in on Aug. 15th.

The hole was a monster at higher flows this year and we finally hit the park at a pretty good medium flow before the water dropped off this week.

Please click the link below to check out my big air entry and help me out.

Title name: Space Godzilla

http://vaildaily.upickem.net/engine/ApprovedSubmissions.aspx?PageType=APPROVED&contestid=1486

Thanks so much!

Christine

Front Range Play Boating

The water on the Front Range has been at a pretty steady medium flow because of temperature fluctuations in Colorado (it is still randomly snowing in the high country in the middle of June) which hopefully means a long steady season.

I started off my play boating season hanging out in Buena Vista for a few weeks. I was talked into competing in the Pimp and Ho Rodeo. I was the only girl in the competition and was in the same heat as Dustin Urban and other fantastic world class play boaters. I was a little intimidated but had a great time.

View of the Golden Whitewater Park

photo by: Chester Joe Crab

The best part of living on the Front Range in the summer is the Golden Community Rodeo series. http://eddyflower.com/EventDetail.aspx?EventId=86 . As a beginner, this event was the highlight of my week; everyone around the FR would gather at the Clear Creek Play Park in Golden, hang out and compete for awesome prizes. This event consists of four competitions, each one having schwag and awards afterwards and on the final night the overall prizes are given away. The divisions are as follows: men’s and woman’s novice, intermediate and expert classes, a junior class and finally a masters class. I decided I was ready to compete in the woman’s expert division this year in preparation for stepping it up next season and competing at FIBArk and other larger events. I did very well in the series this year.

In the first rodeo competition, I was a little shaky and could not go vertical because of the water level (grrrr, rocks!), but I still managed to place first.

Sometimes it is hard to concentrate when the MC is making fun of you. Thanks Reed!
Photo by: George Gatz Photgraphy

The women got after it!

Shannon Ronan sporting the pink WRSI.

Photo by: George Gatz Photgraphy

After hanging out with Steven Wright in Lyons and Corey Volt in Golden and Buena Vista, I was able to get a few pointers. In the second two events, I improved big time sticking my air loops, cartwheels and trying very hard to throw and stick my McNasty and Airwheels. I was super siked that I placed first in both of those competitions as well.

Throwing down, Check out the reflection of the water in the flames on the helmet. Sweet!

Photo by: George Gatz Photography

Loop!

Photo by: George Gatz Photography


The final competition was no big deal because I was the only girl in my division. I swept and took the overall title in the woman’s expert. The best part of the competition is the overall awards. This year I won a brand new boat!!!! I still need to pick out which one I want. I am so excited!

I also want to thank WRSI for sponsoring this event!!!! I feel it is very important to support grassroot community events like this, where everyone becomes a super star regardless of level. These events are very well attended and usually have just as many spectators as many of the large pro freestyle competitions. Golden is very lucky to have such a great volunteer boating community and sponsors to put this event together.

I can't wait to help out with this event next year and encourage more woman to compete!!!


Now that the freestyle comps and the Eddy Flower Vertical Challenge are over, I guess it is time to step it up and start planning some multi-day trips.

SYOTR,

Christine