C-Forum

So I have a short story that I think is an excellent demonstration of the generosity and selflessness of the c-boating community--and yes, it is related to squirt boats, that's the only reason I'm posting it here. This past Sunday I went to run the Mongaup--an easy class II+ river in southern New Yo...

I don't know, Isaac. I'd be pretty psyched if I did that in the middle of one of my runs at nationals this year.

That was a lot of info. all at once. Give all of the different suggestions a try, let them sink in, then try them again. Figure out what works best for you.

Hey Paul, I'll be down at the Riversport and then at nationals the next weekend and if you guys are there he (and you, of course) are welcome to try it out. It's nice and narrow so I think a smaller person would be able to get out over the gunwales easily. That was a big plus for me when I first got...

The Spark will perform admirably. Although I can't say I've had it on class IV+, I have used it in some IV and have no trouble whatsoever. The only time I've seen people struggle with the boat is when they switch to it from a larger, bulkier boat such as an Outrage, Probe, or Nitro and they are not ...

Maybe someplace like the course in Golden, CO could put in an example--they have proximity to Denver and the confluence whitewater course as well. I know they held Jr. Team Trials there this past spring, and the Junior Olympics there the year before, but I'm not sure how much open boat representatio...

Hey Craig, I have a Vajda Lizard that you're welcome to try out. It's already in Wausau, and I'm joining it tomorrow. Although I don't know that I would classify myself as a "phat kid" at 6' 145 lbs, the boat is supposedly made for people in the 154-176 lbs weight range (I find it fits me fine thoug...

I just found this neat new video. It doesn't show Martikan's lines very well, but talk about making slalom look flashy!

http://www.canoeworldseries.com/gallery ... KAN-Michal

Nate

Been spending too much time around those beavers Alden? Isaac, tough luck. I hope your boat's okay and you're not too rattled. Sounds like the river was rising fast. In March I paddled the Tohickon a few times and one day the river rose a foot-and-a-half before we took out. By the time we arrived ba...

Those are good pictures. Alden's boat must have been nice and sparkly in the sun. Wish I could be there racing.

Nate

I think that people want to keep open boating based on finesse rather than pure strength. Last weekend I snagged the fastest open boat time at the Punchbrook race by one second--both of the top two boats had clean runs. My second run was abysmal though, with three touches. The point of the ten secon...

Okay, here's my take on things. One gate poles and no penalties are a terrible idea. I see the wisdom in eliminating reverse gates; you don't have to make the tough decision about whether or not the boat went backwards. But why reduce the penalties further? It will become faster to hit a gate than t...

I'm hoping some other young folks will show up to open boat nats. this summer. The most competitors I've ever had in the open boat Jr. class racing is one--and even that is rare. Louie, do you mean I'll have to wear makeup and a wig to get into one of those magazines? Oh man... My question is why ca...

Oh yeah? I'm 8'9 and 630 pounds. I recently converted one of these and find it handles quite nicely--especially for steep creeking:
http://flickr.com/photos/dash_v/270624572/

I remember reading somewhere (maybe on here) that Robin Bell, who is 6'3''or4'' uses a 59.something. It really is true that what length you use depends on your torso height.