WV Hometown Throwdown #1

 I have been working to get representataion in WV since the begining of WK, and now finaly after a number of years we are on.  A great group of stoaked boaters has taken the reigns and hosted a fantastic event.  keep your eyes set on the new WV region at WK for all that these guys have to offer.  Thanks a bunch guys and great job.  Here is what the WV Boys have to say about their first event. 

Monday brought the first in a series of World Kayak Hometown Throwdowns to the Southern WV region. Paddlers from the local rafting companies, including videoboaters and their families, descended into the New River Gorge for a laid back downriver competition through Fayette Station. This first event boasted a turnout of twenty-three participants, armed with countless different river craft. Creek boats, play boats, long boats, river boards, and inflatable pool toys cycled through the rapid displaying only the most artful downriver techniques. From the elusive shutter rudder, to the mysterious beat down, and even the well known carp roll, all those involved threw down the most impressive move within their arsenal.

Jeremy and his two kids put on a good show with a family ducky run down the rapid. A brief out of boat experience at the top progressed into big wave hits and paddle twirls, not to mention a few good laughs. Marcus had the best ride on the top wave in his C1, throwing a few roundhouses and a back loop to leave him with the best ride of the event. Charlie, Evan, and Steve showed what video boating is all about, with big wave wheels, kick flips, and lots of imaginative splats. Lil’ Perkins got the best carnage, wheeling off into the big pour over for a brief but brutal ride. All skill levels were represented, with Kyle getting his first run down a rapid ever.

We ended the day with a cookout provided by Jeremy and his family, sharing stories about the day and eagerly awaiting the events of the future. We would like to extend our deepest gratitude all of those who participated and made this event a great success. Stay tuned for more information on future events.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Reno Hometown Throwdown #5 2010

After the Reno River Festival everyone had boatercross fever, so Toby decided that we should turn that week’s throwdown into another boatercross race.  We had 4 heats stuffed full of kayakers wanting to go fast.  We had a backwards start where all the racers lined up backwards and once the start horn sounded they had to spin around fast and get moving across the flat start pool.  Once they crossed the pool they were all lactic and had to negotiate the remaining three drops with other boaters looking to shove them off line.  The top two boaters from each heat advanced on to the next round.  We also had a consolation final were all the boaters who did not advance got to have one more shot to advance.  There were some great passes during our day of racing.  Rusty and Noah were dueling it out all day for the title of fastest racer, and in the end Rusty walked away with the win.  The results of the final heat were.

1.Rusty

2.Noah

3.Drew

4.Matt

5.Sage

6.Mike

[[Show as slideshow]]

Reno Slalom Survivor #1 2010

Once again we got terrible weather for our Slalom Survivor race.  Despite the weather we had 13 frosty boaters brave enough to get wet.  We set up a super fun course, and we had people racing in everything from play boats to creek boats.  The course contained sections were boaters were required to hand paddle, paddle backwards, shoot a throw rope, and work on taking fewer strokes to get the job done.  There were time bonuses for great throw rope shots and time penalties for excessive stroke work through one section of the course. 

Jessie and Kyle both got a jump ahead of Blaine, who was not even present.  Sage, just fresh off of some great race finishes in Kernville, raced well.  Scott gave his new Villain a great test run.  Noah managed to get a second place finish in a play boat.  I am looking forward to our next pre Reno River Festival throwdown

1. Nick

2.Noah

3.Pete

4.Matt

5.Scott

6.Jesse

7.Dirk

8.Brian

9.Justin

10.Drew

11.Kyle

12.Mary

13.Sage

[nggalleryid=101]