June 2009 Blog Posts (15)

Become a Dagger Fan on Facebook!

New Dagger Page on Facebook, show your support by becoming a fan! Click the link below if you have a Facebook account and select "Become a Fan"

Dagger Whitewater Kayaks on Facebook

Added by Craig Ray on June 26, 2009 at 2:00pm — No Comments

Colorado Tour

Greetings All!

So I just got back to the hot, humid southeast from a sick trip out to Colorado... where I did not take off my drysuit. For a recap of the first half of the trip, surf on over to the Astral Blog.

Here are a couple of still grabs from the aforementioned mission to the Crystal drainages. There was some sick stuff up there if your vehicle survives!

Andrew… Continue

Added by Chris Gragtmans on June 24, 2009 at 1:00am — 1 Comment

Tao's secrets to winning races

People often think that because I consistently win races I’m more genetically gifted than my competitors. I’ll let you in on a secret, unfortunately for me that is not the case. There are a lot of very talented athletes and the only way to beat them is to train harder and smarter.

The most important ingredients to success are motivation, perseverance, and having a plan.

Below is my training program.

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 150 pull-ups with no rest being… Continue

Added by tao berman on June 23, 2009 at 8:48pm — 1 Comment

Tao's top 10 creeks in WA

People are always asking me what my favorite creeks in WA are, so I decided to list my top ten.

First for my disclaimer. They are all dangerous. Most have logs, undercut rocks, sieves, and other hazards that may kill you. But that is precisely why they make my top 10 list. Keep in mind that all of these runs are best at really high water levels.

Little White Salmon

Tumwater Canyon

Middle section of Icicle Creek

Upper Little North Fork of the Skykomish

Ernie's… Continue

Added by tao berman on June 22, 2009 at 7:52pm — No Comments

Whitewater Creek Boating on the Gear Junkie

Anyone interested in creek boating, but especially those who want to know what all the fuss is about, check out this pretty cool article just posted over at the Gear Junkie. Of course, Dagger gets a little mention :-)

The Gear Junkie - Whitewater Creek Boating

Added by Craig Ray on June 19, 2009 at 1:06pm — No Comments

I just moved to Springfield, Missouri and am looking for some creeks, and great rivers within 2 or so hours

away from Springfield. Also any paddlers around here, I have met tons of nice people just not boaters.

Added by Greg " Sleepy" Owens on June 17, 2009 at 8:40pm — No Comments

Playboat Outfitting

It can be very frustrating when you are out on a wave or in a hole and you are sliding around or falling out of your playboat every time you throw a move. On the other hand, if your outfitting is too tight you won't be able to stay in your boat for more than a few rides. Outfitting a new boat can be a drag sometimes but here are a few ideas to get started:

Moving the seat as far forward as possible is helpful if you are having any problems with bow initiations. The backband should be… Continue

Added by Christie Eastman on June 16, 2009 at 1:53am — No Comments

Little People, Big Hikes

That time is near. West Cherry is in and setting the timer for some good ol’ Upper Cherry pie. Then, ultimately, teams will make the exodus to the Godfather of trips: The Middle Kings. You’ve always dreamt of bombing off the ramp and stomping the boof on your left hip before charging “The Weir”. You’ve memorized the Seven Rivers lines… maybe thinking about The Big Bad Beaver before falling asleep at night. So what’s keeping you? People say you’re too little, the hike is too big, and you believe… Continue

Added by Lizzy English on June 15, 2009 at 2:36pm — No Comments

How to create a carrying system for a Nomad or Mamba with only 1 cam strap

First of all a word of caution needs to be expressed. This system is for carrying your boat on flat land only! Serious danger could result in a fall down a steep slope with the boat attached to you back.

This system is ideal to rig up if you come to an unexpected locked gate a mile or two from the river or anytime you need to carry your boat down or up a long road. I came up with this system in Nepal after having problems with porters two days from our put-in.

1.… Continue

Added by Scott Ligare on June 15, 2009 at 1:31pm — 4 Comments

This was my most difficult month of racing, EVER!

Racing well is all about being prepared. What I mean by that is that doing well racing is usually just a reflection of how hard one trains.

I think I got Mono about 3 weeks before leaving for CO to compete. There couldn't have been a worse time of the year to get it because it meant I wasn't going to be able to train before my races. In fact I didn't even have the energy to finish more than five holes of golf.

I was one second behind first place in the Teva Mountain Games… Continue

Added by tao berman on June 15, 2009 at 11:43am — No Comments

Teva Extreme Mountain Games Results

Results are just in from this year's Teva Extreme Mountain Games and Team Dagger has once again made us proud. Results below, Andrew Holcombe (Team Manager) passed along this report:

Dagger did great, well represented and the mood seems good. Here's some results that I know:

Homestake Creek Race Men: 2nd Tao Berman, 3rd Pat Keller, 7th Andrew Holcombe, 8th Chris G., Brad Ludden 10th

Women: Lizzie English 4th

Downriver Sprint Race: 1st Andrew Holcombe, 4th… Continue

Added by Craig Ray on June 10, 2009 at 3:30pm — No Comments

V Trofeo rio Gallego.

The last weekend of May was held the second test of the cup of Spain rodeo. more info on www.aixaskayak.blogspot.com

Added by Albert Aixas on June 9, 2009 at 7:30am — No Comments

The Waterfalls of Dinkey Creek

After three full days of driving from North Carolina and one quick run down Oh Be Joyful, I finally arrived at the takeout of my first California river- Dinkey Creek. I had heard so many great things about this epic run that there was no way I could pass it up (even though I would have preferred a bit more warm up). This was also my first experience paddling a loaded boat and I was surprised at just how well the Nomad handled the weight. It… Continue

Added by Laura Farrell on June 6, 2009 at 11:15pm — No Comments

Dagger Retailer Kayak Shed on TLC Reality Show

Or at least their boats will be. The TLC reality show, "Little People, Big World" came out to the Columbia River Gorge this last weekend for a day of kiting and paddling. Given that it was 70 and there was no wind (just another perfect weekend in The Hood), we're not sure how the kiting went, but the paddling couldn't have been better!

Read the news on their blog for the whole story!

Added by Craig Ray on June 4, 2009 at 4:58pm — No Comments

Teva Mountain Games preview

Here we are again, the first week of June in Vail, Colorado. With above average snowpack and great flows happening right now the stage is set for some the best paddling competitions on the planet. Creeking, downriver, freestyle and of course the 8-Ball (picture smash up derby meets paddle cross). Over the last 8 years the events held her in Vail for the Teva Games have become the standard by which other events are judged.

The action starts on Homestake Creek this Thursday as some of… Continue

Added by Ken "hobie" Hoeve on June 2, 2009 at 12:40pm — No Comments