All Blog Posts (137)

NC First Descent: Upper Creek

The epic winter season in Western NC continues and so do the adventures! My most recent one involves Upper Creek which is outside of Morgantown, NC near the Linville Gorge. As far as I know this was a possible first descent and what I do know is that I had some serious lessons about winter padding reiterated. Read below to find out what I relearned the painful way: 1. Always put on early when you don't know the run. Even if its in your own back yard 2. Maybe take a closer look at the topo map… Continue

Added by Andrew Holcombe on January 28, 2010 at 5:57pm — 1 Comment

EP's Latest Film 'Flathead Wild' Premieres Tomorrow at Wild & Scenic!

(Photo: Garth Lenz, iLCP) This summer, the International League of Conservation Photogr… Continue

Added by Andy Maser on January 16, 2010 at 2:10am — 1 Comment

Holcombe is Millrace Massacre and Iceman Champ

Results are posted up over at BoaterTalk for the recent Millrace Massacre and Iceman Championships on the Saluda River in Columbia. Team Dagger Manager Andrew Holcombe came out on top in both competitions. Posted over at BoaterTalk ..Saturday we set a few records with the most racers ever in the Massacre (42), the coldest race on record, as well as the highest water level for the race. We are hoping that we don't have the mix up with the level again anytime soon... … Continue

Added by Webmaster on January 14, 2010 at 5:38pm — No Comments

Holiday Paddling in Mexico

Our flight to Mexico City took off just before a major snowstorm hit Western North Carolina and buried the area under 15 inches of snow. Talk about good timing! Jalcomulco, Veracruz is one of my favorite places. The town of about 3000 residents is

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Added by Anna Levesque on January 13, 2010 at 3:33pm — No Comments

Dagger Axis Review at Colorado Kayak Supply

If you're in the market for that all-water kayak that does a little bit of everything, but does it all well, check out the new 2010 Dagger Axis series. We designed the boat as something of a hybrid, but gave it options to push the performance limits at each end of flatwater and moving water so that it's a boat that grows with you. CKS reviewed it recently over on their blog, and they did a good job putting the Axis to the test doing what we said it will do. Find out how it performed, and if it… Continue

Added by Webmaster on January 12, 2010 at 2:30pm — No Comments

Wonderful waterfalls of Pucon, Chile

Rush Sturges bombing the Third Salto of Tres Saltos. This is a spicy local favorite when the rivers are high, often run first by Mr. Kayak Pucon, Rodrigo Tuschner. photo by LJ Groth

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Added by LJ Groth on January 12, 2010 at 2:12pm — No Comments

Utilizing Curlers...

I've always thought of kayaking as being a sport in which you try to achieve synchrony with the river, not fight against it. I think that the best paddlers are able to put in very little effort to get their boat where it needs to go. This is true even in the most massive, convoluted, class VI rapid. One tool that I've always found very useful for my own paddling is learning how to interact with curlers. For the purpose of this discussion I'm going to include pillows as well, because they requir… Continue

Added by Chris Gragtmans on December 27, 2009 at 1:30pm — 1 Comment

Anna's Top Five Winter Paddling Accessories

I have to say that I’m not a hardcore winter paddler, obviously, since I run winter trips in Mexico! So, I can relate to those of you who hang up the paddle for other, dryer, sports in the winter. However, I do know paddlers who still motivate even with snow on the ground and icicles hanging from the brims of their helmets. And, I admit that when I do drag myself out when it’s 40 degrees or colder (what I consider cold weather paddling) I have a lot of fun. So, if you’re planning on getting out… Continue

Added by Anna Levesque on December 17, 2009 at 2:21pm — No Comments

El Rio de Oro- A Mexican Classic

A broken hand cause by a fall while scouting on the Rio de Cajones kept me from getting to kayak as much as I wanted to on my recent trip down to Mexico. Before the accident however, I did get on an awesome creek on the Eastern coast that is a must do for anyone taking a trip south. The Rio do Oro is located on the Costa de Oro in a tiny town called Arroyo de Lisa. Gareth and I drove five hours from Tylapacoyon with essentially no beta about the run besides that we should do it. The only beta t… Continue

Added by Laura Farrell on December 17, 2009 at 2:21pm — 1 Comment

Dagger Wishes Rush Sturges a Speedy Recovery!

As his sponsor and as his friends, all of us at Dagger wish Rush Sturges a speedy recovery. Rush sustained an injury while running Bonito Falls (80-feet) in Argentina. According to an email from Rush, who is still in South America, he broke his back, but expects a full recovery. “Luckily, it’s not a bad break and it did not affect my nervous system.” He expects three to four months of rehabilitation and voiced his intention to come back even stronger. Anyone who knows Rush or would like to sen… Continue

Added by Webmaster on December 15, 2009 at 4:01pm — No Comments

staying motivated

I frequently hear trainers talk about different workouts to improve performance. But there is an even more important ingredient to winning. Motivation. I've seen so many incredible athletes loose motivation, which either indirectly, or directly, leads to worse results. Motivation is hard to teach. To some degree you either have it or you don't. Unlike training I can't help you develop a program to improve results. So the key is to find whatever it is that gives you motivation. For me it's the… Continue

Added by tao berman on December 12, 2009 at 2:51pm — No Comments

Running Whitewater in Brazil Before It's Gone

Yesterday, we hit the river for one more round of whitewater — taking on the rapids of Cachoeira de Teotônio (Teotônio Waterfall). The falls are on the Rio Madeira — the longest and the second largest tributary of the Amazon. The river gets its name “River of Wood” from the massive number of uprooted trees that float down its rough waters. And i… Continue

Added by Andy Maser on December 10, 2009 at 7:49pm — No Comments

A Week in Mexico

Veracruz state in Mexico has some of the best whitewater kayaking in the world. During Thanksgiving break this year my brother Brendan and I flew to Veracruz then bused a few hours to Tlapacoyan, a city higher in the mountains. There we met up with Nate and Heather Herbeck and local kayaker Iker Beristain who showed us the goods. From beautiful class IV-V ra… Continue

Added by Todd Wells on December 10, 2009 at 6:54pm — No Comments

Staying Strong this Winter

Well, it's that time of year again. My kayak is already collecting dust after being in hibernation for only a couple of months. Temperatures are below zero and the snow is falling but this doesn't mean that we can't be training for the day the snow starts to melt. Here are a few simple suggestions to stay in shape this holiday season. 1. GET OUTSIDE! Depending on where you live this can be tough. The best thing I can suggest is to learn a new winter sport. Some suggestions include snowshoeing,… Continue

Added by Brad Ludden on December 9, 2009 at 9:46pm — No Comments

Amazing

You guys are either amazing or nuts. Probably both. The pictures of you jumping off 120 foot cliffs or kayaking down water falls are mind boggling. Does your short term health/medical insurance company know you are doing this? How in the heck do you work up the nerve to make those leaps? I just wonder what goes o… Continue

Added by Pat Jewett on December 8, 2009 at 1:19pm — No Comments

What to do with too much water

I know its kind of an oxymoron, cause as a kayaker lots of water is usually a good thing:) However with all the rain recently in the southeast I've heard lots of stories of the dreaded 'drive around and look at things that are way too high' days. If this hasn't happened to you yet in your kayaking career that's a good thing but the odds are it probably will one day:) It's actually a lot easier to have happen than you think. Picture this: You haven't kayaked on a natural flow river in sometime so… Continue

Added by Andrew Holcombe on December 6, 2009 at 9:22pm — No Comments

Closeout Whitewater Paddles starting at $79.99 with Free Shipping

Looking for a solid paddle or a great deal on a spare paddle? Then do not miss out on this awesome deal we've got going on for the holidays from Harmony -- just added today! We're offering the Ty Warp Beam 10 straight and bent shaft paddles for 50% off with Free Shipping now through Jan.1. Supplies are limited so head over soon.

To view… Continue

Added by Webmaster on December 2, 2009 at 6:22pm — No Comments

Journey Down the River of Doubt Begins with Epicocity

Andy Maser sent this update on his latest project, check it out below and be sure to track their expedition via their Twitter, their blog, and live GPS tracker (may not yet be active)!… Continue

Added by Webmaster on November 30, 2009 at 11:34am — No Comments

Dagger Axis Wins Nat Geo Adventure Gear of the Year!

National Geographic Adventure has released its annual listing of Best of Adventure: Must-Have Gear, and the new Dagger Axis 12.0 as one of the ground breaking products for this year in the kayak category. The 26 most groundbreaking products looking ahead into 2010 were chosen for this honor. This year's Best of Adventure gear picks were nominated partly by a panel of 34 retailers from across the country. Check out the complete lineup of recipients at… Continue

Added by Webmaster on November 23, 2009 at 9:55am — No Comments

The Grays River

The Grays River lies in the Coastal Range on the Southwestern tip of Washington. It's a seldom run river, but after paddling it this weekend I wonder why. On Sunday Nate and Heather Herbeck and I met up with some Portland paddlers to explore the Grays. The class IV-V river had lots of fun drops, a couple tight and technical rapids, and amazing scenery the whole way d… Continue

Added by Todd Wells on November 17, 2009 at 11:23pm — No Comments