Tino Specht- Traveling Through Chile

More amazing photos taken of his travels through Chile. Tino is down there coaching with New River Academy and showing the students some of the goods. Pictures are taken by Melina Coogan, Zoe Ross and most of them are by Matt Smink.

Update from South America- Maipo River

US Crazy Christmas Recession Special Double Deal!

Here it is US Paddlers, back by popular demand, a kayak deal too good to be true!

Purchase a new 2009 model Mystic or Mini Mystic kayak at our US price of $1049, from November 27th, 2009 through January 1st, 2010, and pay just $650 for either a Rad 175, Super Rad 180, Rad 185, Rad 195. And this time the Specialist 5'9 and Smoothy 6'1 are included.



The above prices exclude shipping and taxes, where applicable. Limited time offer, that is only available through WakaWai. Valid only if a Mystic or Mini Mystic and play boat of your choice are both purchased at the same time, between now and before January 1, 2010. Offer applies to US customers only. Double deal kayaks are Export grade kayaks in the color combination of your choice. Here is the current inventory that is available on a first come, first serve basis.

It is as easy as that, simply contact us directly for further details on this fantastic festive season offer, and to secure your boats today.

Chile Update- Rio Claro, Siete Tazas Section

New River Academy Student Stephen Forster

I have spent the last week at the Rio Claro and it has been epic. This river is renowned for its Siete Tazas section, which is a series of seven basalt pool drops that are some of the cleanest waterfalls I have ever seen. What many people do not now is there are two other sections known as the Entres Saltos and the Veintidos Saltos sections. The Veintidos Saltos consists of mostly clean waterfalls ranging from 10- 30 feet. The section is completely gorged in and hiking out is not an option.

The Entres Saltos is a longer section that consists of three parts the Upper, Cinco Tazas, and the Garganta del Diablo canyon. the first section is class 3-5 with possible portages for the less experienced boater

Then comes the Cinco Tazas. This section is a set of waterfalls, easier than the Sieta Tazas, but offers a fighting chnce to be more pristine than its sister section , the Siete Tazas.

Lastly, the most notorious section the Garganta del Diable begins with a 15 foot slide that banks 180 degrees off a wall and into a 25 foot free fall. Its stout but fully epic. This drop leads into a committed canyon with a 20 meter slide and a few other sick drops

Here are some pictures....

Well I am off to the Achibueno to do a possible multi day

Money Drop on Rock Creek in Hood River, Oregon

Hey Michael,

This past weekend my brother and I decided to rally out to Hood River, Oregon for some snowboarding and huckin. On Saturday we rode at Meadows resort which was super good.. They had like 16 new inches of snow and it was about 12 degrees so the snow was nice.

On Sunday morning we woke up, got some breakfast, and decided to go check out Money Drop on Rock Creek. When we got there the flows looked really good and me and my brother both decided to give 'er. It was a super fun drop. I can't wait to go back out to Hood again soon.

Take care,

Seth Stoenner
Team Bliss-Stick


Seth...




Dustin...

Sam Fullbright on the Green Race 2009

After all the hype and fuss of the Green race mania, the fateful day finally arrived. The week prior to the race it was all anyone would talk about, which lines were fastest, who crashed that day, and the constant thought of how your race run will go. Needless to say, I was ready for race day to arrive.

I woke up early that morning and did a few mental runs in my head and was ready to get this thing started. Unfortunately though it was my first race so I would be in the back of the starting order. I waited anxiously in the put-in parking lot for my time to come around.

Finally it was time to hike down to the put-in and paddle down to the start of the course, just above the first rapid, Frankenstien. I got down after nervously paddling the warm up section of the river. After reaching the start line I hopped out of my boat to watch a few racers take off downstream. The atmosphere at the start line was very excited as we we’re all stoked to begin the race down the Green. I started to feel relaxed as my time came up. Finally I was up. I backed into the starting rock, calmly physcing myself up.

Go time! Off around the corner of Frankenstien and the river is to yourself. It was quite peaceful to have it be just me and the river. I had good lines in the top section of small slots and boofs. I rolled into Go Left and it was the first time the crowd started to appear. People were yelling as I came through Go Left nice and clean. From here the course is packed with people. I rolled through Zwicks and Chiefs with good lines and was feeling good paddling towards Gorilla. Its quite impressive to be at that rapid with hundreds of people there screaming at you. I kept focused and didn’t allow myself to look up at the crowd. I subbed out a bit coming through the notch, but was just were I wanted to be coming off Gorilla. I took a small little ride in Speed Trap, killing my time just a bit, but rolled up and came through the rest of the slides with good lines. Paddling hard into the finish line rock. I was breathing hard, tired, and STOKED! First Green race was done, I could hardly believe it.

After such a long build up and being constantly in my thoughts the race was over, just as quickly as it began. I’m definitely excited that I was able to race this year. I can’t wait until next year when I know the course a little better and won’t have the first timer nerves. What a great event. A big thanks to everyone who helps put the race together and all of the photographers who took some incredible shots that day!


Sam Fullbright
Team Bliss-Stick

First two shots are of Sam about to go off the launch pad at Gorilla. These photos are copyrighted by Chris Bell and Boatingbeta.com. We are using them with his permission. Thanks Chris!






Sam spanking the monkey. Thanks to Randy for this shot!

Bliss-Stick Mini Mystic, Tellico Ledges, Angie Williamson

Chile Update: Stephen Forster, 30 Footer, Yesso River

This is Stephen Forster here coming from Chile. Today, David Hughes, Tino Specht, and I ran a 30 footer on the Yesso River by Santiago. This drop had a class 5 entrance and a cave at the bottom. The waterfall was a lot of fun even though I broke my paddle. Now I am off to the Rio Claro to run some more, big drops. Here are some pictures fro the Yesso

November in West Virginia

Ahh...November in Fayetteville. Most everyone has left for the season, and the rain goes directly into the river instead of being sucked up by the trees. I've been waiting for one of the best wave features anywhere to run, and today it finally did. 5 Boat hole is known to most as a wide, shallow surf during Gauley Season, but with higher flows in the riverbed, it becomes a sweet wave that gives up almost every wave trick. Here's some photos to give you an idea. Hopefully some rain tonight and creeking tomorrow!


Brian Jennings
Team Bliss-Stick

Northeast Update- Jason LaSelva

Northeast Update...

The northeast has received some rain and with temperatures in the 50's we have had some perfect weather for boating. I ventured to some of our regular runs and tried my best to get some quality photos for Bliss-Stick. With most of my paddling companions retiring for the year--this is usually the case after Moosefest--I ventured off to paddle the Poultney Creek at flood(see my previous post) and the famous Mettawee Creek.

The Mettawee is a rather new find. Some of my friends, including the late Chris Wolski, completed the first descent in 1997. It can be paddled at various levels for about 8 months out of the year and is often compared to the Bottom Moose, but in my opinion can be way more fun at higher levels.

Thanks to Daylight savings and shorter days I was unable to get to all of the drops today, but fear not, I will have more photos in the next few days.

Cheers,

Team Bliss-Stick
Jason LaSelva

Team Bliss-Stick- Jason LaSelva- Poultney Creek, NY

I checked out Poultney creek, which is usually run from 200-1100cfs and today we found it at 2300cfs. I've sent a pic from the first rapid and I have to say that it +2000 is the way to go.

More to come!

Jason LaSelva
Team Bliss-Stick

Bliss-Stick Agent, Jason Bordwine Getting Exposure

This is a website that gives you information on what to see and experience in Damascus, Virginia. Scroll down the page and see Jason running Big Rock on the White Top Laurel!

CLICK HERE!