Tuesday, 24 March 2009

The Jekyll - 1st Look

For those that dont know, Dave at Downtime Kayaks asked me to design & shape a squirt boat for him. After months of hard work I've actually been able to get some shot's of the first demo boat. I've now had chance to float test it and it's definitely looking sinky! My maiden voyage will be Wednesday at the new referbed ditch in Notingham. Whilst i'm jumping aorund like a school boy, Dave is currently working hard to get this demo and my spangly carbon version finished [+ a few other projects] for this weekend's Paddle Fest and National Student Rodeo. If you want to check it out or have a play just come and find me around HPP this weekend...


Dave getting busy with the angle grinder

Lining everything up

Hmm tiny boat ;o)

Monday, 23 March 2009

Lucky Cave Rocks

Wow Its been hectic, I’ve probably spent more time in my car than in my bed!
But that does mean I’ve been up to some really cool stuff with some really cool people…

…the main deal here was an actual river in an actual creek boat. It was touch and go but I managed a run down the infamous Fairy Glen, not been to this Class V welsh gem in far too long. Even better I got to share it with 3 Glen virgins, Chris, Rich and Rhod, who proper loved it! The icing in the cake was I managed to bag myself another Lucky Cave Rock after losing my original somewhere along the way!




Rich main lining Cave Drop

Some banter about full face helmets in an eddy ;o)

OK so still no water, but the Surf picked up again, 5ft and clean forecast drew me to South Wales, 4 hours on the water and this is the kind of thing I was met with as soon as I’d left the beach – bugger another 15 minutes, ah well at least summers starting to get going…
And finally some intelligent graffiti we found in the pub!
I'm off to go float my boat - more tomorrow...
Ben

Wednesday, 4 March 2009

At Least There's Surf...

With still no rain, there was only ever one option to get wet. With 4ft of surf forecast for N. Devon a surf session was in order. Picking up my little bro on the way, One good night out in Bristol, 4 hours sleep, and some 'discussion' about not being allowed to strap my boat to my brothers board and were all loaded up...
Thankfully they were wrong about the onshore wind, but right on the money with the swell!
All kitted up and ready to go...

1.5 hours later and it was time to find coffee & donuts!

It's snowing right now, so fingers crossed for a river filled weekend?
Ben