Boat with Paul

Who invited THIS guy?

2012-02-01T10:19:00.000-08:00

I have to try and show a little class this month. I will be doing some sea coaching with some of the very best, at two amazing venues in February! Who's ready to get back on NW waters for 2012?

To start things off, I will be heading North into Washington's Deception Pass to teach with one of my favorite coaches, Gordon Brown over from Scotland.

Gordon and I will be presenting helpful ideas and techniques for smarter paddling in dynamic waters. Everything from breaking in and out of swirling whirlpools to mopping up the mess with incident management will be covered. Follow all the action from the weekend or jump on last minute cancellations by visiting this link: https://www.facebook.com/events/148496055257573/
This is truly a unique opportunity. Gordon's classes always fill up fast. I can't wait to coach with him again.

After all the "Deception" you won't believe where we are headed next...

GOLDEN GATE SEA KAYAK SYMPOSIUM HERE WE COME!!!!!!

There are still a few spaces left at the big symposium in San Francisco. If you have not been before, I HIGHLY recommend the experience. Visit the site and sign up NOW before it fills up too!!!

I have been down for "Golden Gate" every year. This February, Tide Race Sea Kayaks and I will be heading back down to the city by the bay. San Francisco Bay offers some of the very best coaching and learning venues anywhere. Work on refining basic technique in the calm waters of the inner bay, or tackle the beginner tide rips off yellow bluff or tour around Alcatraz. Slip under the Golden Gate Bridge and out into the wild blue ocean beyond for more advanced training grounds with caves, rocks, and explosive swell. San Fran has it ALL!

World class coaches from all over the world will be there including a special visit from the legendary Jon Turk! There is something for everyone down at the Golden Gate Symposium. It's a truly iconic backdrop to an incredible sea paddling event with some of the very best coaches from all around the world. Hurry...don't miss this opportunity...I'm not sure how long that dock will hold all the amazing coaching talent!

Visit http://www.ggsks.com/ to get signed up! Don't wait!! It's filling up fast!!!

Farewell Scotland!

2011-11-08T04:50:00.000-08:00

I have had an amazing week of paddling here in Aberfeldy; Thanks mostly to the generosity of good friends like Steve Macdonald of Beyond Adventure. They are true professionals and river experts. If you are ever up over this way, check them out. You will not be disappointed.

Steve and his two oldest boys are all fantastic paddlers. It was a true pleasure to be on the water with them for my last trip down a Scottish river for awhile. (Hopefully not too long though). The last time I was here was 3 years ago. In that time, the boys have become giants. I have a feeling I will be back for another visit soon enough. Hopefully before Steve's youngest lad becomes taller than me too!

We had a friend's wedding to get to later in the evening, so we opted for a short run on the Lyon. The Lyon is a quintessential river in Scotland and is one of my favorites. It has a little of everything. It's tight twisting gorge provides enough entertainment to keep you on your toes without being too threatening. The banks are lined with beautiful autumnal colors and the shuttle is an easy jog or bike ride providing a great one car option close to town.

We arrived at the river just as the morning light was warming the hill tops. The air was clam and the water glassy smooth. The morning fog still hanging low over the river provided a touch of mysticism and intrigue. The stage was set for an amazing day celebrating life and good times with friends and family.

We slipped downstream deeper into the gorge. Struan, Ben, and Steve followed behind hopping in and out of eddies with slalom like precision. It's so fun to watch these guys ripping through curves and carving their way down the river. I have always and will continue to maintain that slalom paddlers make the best paddlers, but perhaps I am biased as a slalom paddler myself.

While scouting and setting support along the bank I stumbled upon this cauldron of swirled rock. It's amazing to think how long it must have taken the pebbles and swirling water to carve out these pockets of granite. The special things we paddlers get to see are part of why I continue to explore rivers. I may never have seen this special spot had I not taken the time to get out of my boat along the bank. It's something that no hiker, hill walker, or mountain biker would ever have experienced.

The crux rapid was too low to get through so we made the short hike around and ended the day with a fun seal launch into the silky pete colored water below.

I will miss the rivers here in Scotland, but I will miss the friends I have made here far more. Aberfeldy will always hold a special place in my heart. I know I will continue to travel and explore other amazing places, but it's the people here that will keep me coming back in the years to come. Thanks Macdonald family and all the new and old friends I've made during my visits! I couldn't have done it without you. I will be back!

2 in 1

2011-11-07T13:51:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite parts about paddling Scottish rivers is the ability to easily paddle multiple runs in a day. While the rivers are typically short lived, they are often quite exciting. I had been keeping my eye on the rain forecast. When I arrived to pick Nell up from Grandtully he said it had been raining all night and his rain gauge (his topo left cockpit up) indicated about an inch had fallen. His boat was already at the gate when I arrived. Let's go boatin!!

The Hermitage viewing room

Nell had yet another new river to show me. I had paddled the easy section of the Bran before, but this time we were headed to the goods. The lower Bran was one that I have been meaning to check out.
With only one rig we dropped the boats at the bridge then drove to the take-out below The Hermitage. There Nell showed me the observatory hermitage building that gives an amazing view point of Hermitage falls while channeling the deep roaring sound given off by the water cascading into the pool below.

The circular concave room in the gallery was said to be built to allow fair ladies (likely Victorian) to view the falls safely. The story was that the falls were considered so awesome that ladies could not look directly at them lest they should faint. The room it's self was fitted with several mirrors that would allow a "safe" viewing experience while protecting the ladies from the raw power of nature! I know at least one lady that would find that just a bit insulting. I know a few other ladies that may just huck themselves straight off the thing. Oh how times have changed...for the better.

Rumbling Bridge falls looks disgusting. It has a manky lead in that would drop you onto bedrock from about 30 feet up. From there you would be twisted down towards a nasty undercut cave and into the opposite bank with some force. Just after the base of the falls the river squeezes under a boulder that has fallen into the gorge from above. Needless to say, it does NOT get run and is considered a "grade 7"? I had to ask, but over here if it's considered "un-runable" they call it a 7. It always amuses me what gets called a 6 around here, but there is no doubt about what a 7 is. Just goes to show you that rating systems differ depending on region. A simple number can never tell you everything you need to know.

The run from the bridge down had a portage or two and was quick blast down, but was well worth the effort. With a bit more volume than the other rivers we have been exploring I felt right at home. Check out Nell giving the crowd a thrill. I chose the slightly slower route down to the river.

For the afternoon we hit up a section of the Tummel below the dam. We took a gamble and it paid off! They were releasing a bit of water due to the overnight rain so we put on before they turned off the river for the night. I have run fish ladders in the past, but none quite like this.

The run it's self was pretty and secluded with a really good class IV drop in the middle. After a quick scout from the road on the walk up we put right on and were done within an hour or so.

My time in Scotland is quickly coming to an end. I have one more blog post from the Lyon to go. After that I'm off to Ireland for some quality time with my lady. Stay tuned for my last day on the river for a couple weeks. The withdrawals are going to be painful, but I have a feeling she will keep me sufficiently distracted until we get back home.

Ben down The River Etive and Alt a Choaruinn

2011-11-02T16:49:00.000-07:00

Today was another great day on the water here in Scotland. (My 13th day on the water in a row to be exact). We left Aberfeldy this morning jonesing hard. We felt a serious need to feed our vertical addiction.

One of my favorite things is taking someone down a section of whitewater for their first time. Not just any stretch, but one that they have propped up on a pedestal as being THEIR big goal; their personal benchmark on their road to whitewater bliss. Ben Macdonald, now just 15, has had his eyes set on the Etive for quite some time. Today was the day. So critical to his personal development infact, that his folks gave him a pass for the day off school. Here's to having your priorities in line!! Thanks Ben's Mom!!

Nell, Justin, Ben, and I made our way into the highlands to likely the most infamous piece of whitewater in all of Scotland. The Etive is a right of passage for whitewater boaters in the UK. It is not the hardest run in the land, but it is likely the most photographed and videoed runs around and is ALWAYS a blast to paddle. Check out my post from a few years ago here.

Ben drops into triple just below the put-in. If things don't go as planned here, you may as well call it a day. This drop is indicative of the rest of the run, and is within sight of the shuttle rig. He styled it!

Nell hits his line on this sweet angled boof move. Is that a Topolino? Oh yes it is!

Justin styles the move here too. If you punch out too far you can nail the wall opposite the drop. He did well here with a sweet side boof.

The crux rapid on the run is Right Angle Falls. The lead in is tricky and technical involving a class IV move into an eddy right at the lip of the drop. Those that miss the eddy typically end up dropping over the falls with less than ideal results.

Ben absolutely stuck this one. How's this for your first waterfall?

We just weren't done yet. When we got to the take out it seemed our vertical addiction was only made worse by the previous drops, so we hiked up the glen into the Alt a Choaruinn to find a fix. I remembered this one from my last trip. It's unbelievably fun. While it looks "a bit dodgy" it's good to go and go we did! Never before has so many feet per mile felt so welcoming. I compare it to a water park for big kids. It's a MUST if you've had a good day on the Etive.

The view down into the Etive valley is incredible from high atop the Alt a Choaruinn. Justin, Ben, and I posed for this shot after running "Speed" to start our descent. You can really get a sense of the gradient here. The horizon line is enough to raise even the most seasoned paddler's eyebrows.

This is the first drop on the Choaruinn is called "speed". Hey diddle diddle...right down the middle! Ben drops in as Nell plays catch at the bottom.

I don't think he will be able to wipe that grin off his face for a week!

"Pinball" is the crux of this trib. You basically come bouncing off the lip into a center rock that projects you down into the right wall and off a slide into the pool below. It was described to me my first time down as "a bit physical." (elbow pads are not a bad idea here).

Chasm is the last drop in gorge and is by far the easiest. Just tuck your paddle and hang on for the ride! Justin show us how it's done. I challenge anyone to drop into this one and not come out with a smile a mile wide. It's just too much fun!

A little flesh is a small price to pay for such a memorable experience. Justin is heading home today, so Nell and I will have to find someone else to boat with tomorrow. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping for rain. I need to get my 14th day in a row in tomorrow!! The addiction is like any other... it needs to be fed DAILY.

Now for some proper Scottish Whitewater!!

2011-11-01T15:47:00.000-07:00

After an exhausting week at sea coaching, training, and passing my 5 star sea assessment under the British Canoe Union in Anglesey; I am ready for some light hearted fun in some shorter boats. I need to do some paddling just for ME!

3 years ago I came for the month of October to paddle all the rivers I could in Scotland. (check out the MANY blog posts from that trip here) Steve Macdonald and the Beyond Adventure crew showed me the time of my life. When I was invited to coach at this years UK Storm Gathering this year I KNEW I had to take the opportunity to get back up north to visit my old friends in Aberfeldy.

I'm soo glad I did. This week has been amazing and it's only a few days old. So far I am at twelve straight days of paddling and have not had enough yet. I'm headed back out tomorrow, but I wanted to get a blog post out asap to share all the fun I've been having here in Scotland.

My first day here, we headed out to the River Tay for a quick morning run before blasting off to the Lyon. The Lyon is a GORGEOUS run with several fun technical rapids separated by brief calm pools. The fall colors are incredible in this the longest (and possibly the most beautiful) glen in Scotland. Around every corner awaits an even more spectacular view than the last.

Today we hit up a new river to me. The North Esk. The N. Esk is a famous salmon fishing river on the East coast of Scotland. It is fed by the Lee and the Mark rivers near Invermark. Just downstream from there, it is joined by the Tarf, another important spawning trib. The stream runs Southeast for about 35 miles before emptying into the North Sea. The river is known to produce about a thousand salmon and grilse each season. While we did not see any fisherman we DID manage to see several large salmon making their way up the river.

Justin even managed to capture one on "film" as he was shooting pics of us paddling the last rapid on our second lap. (yet another bit of proof that fish are not afraid of kayaks).

Local river expert and guide Nell picked the perfect river for the day and I can't thank him enough for his expertise and willingness to get after it day after day. Thanks Nell!! See you again tomorrow...

Enjoy the pics and check back soon for more from my Scottish River adventures...

Justin and Struan have a look at the center wave at Grandtully my first day here

Justin gives it a go

Struan shows us both how it's REALLY done. (While his classmates sit in their first period classes)

To his credit, Struan has worked hard enough throughout his high school career to afford himself a free period every Monday and Wednesday morning. He takes advantage by getting some "training" in as he is striving to join the Great Britain National Slalom Team as soon as he can qualify. It's amazing how far he and his brother Ben have come in the 3 years I've been away.

Tom Sibbald looks towards yet another blind horizon line on the Lyon

Nell dropping into the double drop on the N. Esk as Justin sets support on river left

Justin boofing the last ledge on the double drop

I ran this one super clean sight unseen on the first lap of the day. My second go around was average at best.

This was the last big one on the Esk just a few hundred meters above the take-out. It had a super clean tongue on river left that made for an easy no stroke finish.

Where's Justin? I think he is looking for that fish he took a picture of...That was a DEEP hole on the first tier of the double drop on the N. Esk. He managed to blast right through once he re-surfaced.

This was my favorite image of the day. I managed to capture Nell peeling out of a pocket eddy. I love it so much because it reveals the incredible fall colors here. The steep gorge walls are speckled with brightly colored fall leaves that matched his boat perfectly. This shot simultaneously shows the peacefulness and serenity of the river in autumn contrasted by the exciting action and intensity of our sport. What amazing places we get to experience as kayakers! I would not trade it for anything in the world.

This is ME in the Sea!

2011-10-31T17:23:00.000-07:00

Justine Curgenven

"Cackle TV produces award winning seakayaking and adventure films which are available for purchase on DVD. The company was set up in 2001 by Justine Curgenven to combine her professional television background with her love of kayaking and the outdoors. Justine has successfully pioneered a new genre in seakayaking films – the inspirational ‘This is the Sea’ series features talented paddlers, some of the world’s most beautiful paddling destinations and cutting edge expeditions. The films are shot with a kayak mounted camera system which captures warts-and-all action in the most challenging rough water. Justine’s films have been shown on the National Geographic Channel & BBC Wales, and have won awards at prestigious film festivals such as Banff Mountain Film Festival and Kendal Mountain Film Festival. In 2010 she released her first open boating DVD “This is Canoeing” which has been called the best ever collection of open canoeing films. Her aim – through films and her website – is to inspire everyone to escape from everyday life, and get out on the water."

So what's next?

Get ready folks...the 5th installment of the award winning film series, "This is the Sea" is in production now. I was lucky enough to be asked to do some filming with Justine just after the storm gathering. We had a great time working together and I can't wait to see what else she has come up with for This is the Sea 5!!!

Her and Barry Shaw were such gracious hosts and showed me such a great time during my visit. Justine and I went out for a couple of really fun paddling / film sessions around Anglesey. We went for a super stormy surf session at Cable Bay the first day, then squeezed in another day of filming before I headed North to Scotland for some whitewater boating this week.

I got a chance to hit up The Swellies Wave in the Menai Straits of N. Wales with her and Barry, then we cruised up the hill to do an interview. Be on the look out for her next flick. From what I can gather, it's going to be another classic. Some huge expeditions, a few laughs and a lot of sick boating. Check out a few images for the shoot below and be sure to visit her website http://www.cackletv.com to see the rest of her work.

Paddler: Paul Kuthe Photos By: Justine Curgenven

Photos By: Barry Shaw

Coaching at the 6th UK Storm Gathering

2011-10-30T15:57:00.000-07:00

Being invited to coach at the UK Storm Gathering was quite an honor. Never before have I been surrounded by so many amazing coaches at once. Having never been there I wasn't sure how I would fit in. There were many unknowns for me leading up to the event. For instance...Would I even have anything to show these folks? What are the venues like? Will I be able to manage a group of students on my own in unfamiliar waters? What class am I even scheduled to run...? and with whom will I be coaching?? Where will we go???

It all became clear as the event got underway early Saturday morning. Nick Cunnliffe and Matt Giblin did an amazing job of organizing coaches and students into groups based on the conditions of the day. It was actually really good for me as a coach to not need a plan the day before. Having the ability to set up and run a successful session with only about 20 minutes notice was key.

For more information about the event check out my post on the Kokatat Blog at http://www.kokatat.com/blog/2011/10/the-uk-storm-gathering-2011/

Check out some more photos from the event below:

A proper Welch breakfast at the center...when in Rome I guess... ;)

Matt Gibling sorting the classes in the morning

It's even more rainy in Wales than it is back home in Portland!

Axel Schoevers copying down his class list for his session the morning of.

Once the classes were announced it was GO time!

Watching a student get after at at Treaddur Bay. Go Jackie go!

The heavy South winds were churning up the water into a thick foam

Getting our nav on.

I love it when students go big! Nice one Brian!!

A little fun with the coaches after a long day on the water.

I had a great time coaching at the Storm Gathering and can only hope that one; there will be another one next year and two; that I will be invited back. What an amazing event! Thanks to everyone involved, especially Mark Tozer for organizing this year's event and for including me!

I made it to Anglesey!

2011-10-21T14:00:00.000-07:00

It was quite a journey, but I've made it all the way to Holyhead Wales in preparation for The Storm Gathering. My flight left around noon on Wednesday from Portland. Things went surprisingly smooth even with my "wind surfer" with me. (No kayaks allowed on planes you know?) I wasn't sure they would take it, so I put on an extra big smile and cheery disposition. I wrapped my Pyranha Burn up tight in black felt and hoped for the best. They charged me the expected $150 and I was on my way. No questions asked. The first leg of my trip took me to Atlanta, Georgia then onto Dublin.

When I hit the ground in Dublin I cruised through immigration, picked up my two oversized bags and ventured out into the world to find a bus. No easy task when you have a backpack, a huge golf bag, and a kayak. As I began to board, the bus driver shot me a look of disbelief. I asked if he had any suggestions. He replied in his thick Irish accent, "I suggest you get that thing on the bus if you wish to take it with you." I wrestled it aboard and we were off to the City Center in no time. From there I listened for the driver to call out my stop, but managed to miss pushing the stop button in time. That's ok, it gave me a chance to stroll the streets of Dublin.

It's WINDY here.

The looks the locals in Dublin gave me were precious memories in the making. Everyone was SO nice. Several total strangers stopped and offered to help me find my way. When I found the central bus station, I waddled inside to figured out where to pick up my next bus. That bus took me to the Ferry Port and the ferry would take me to Holyhead.

Upon arrival I wasn't sure who would pick me up. With no phone number to call and no mobile (that's of course a cell phone for you fellow Yanks;) I was left with little options. I sat myself down and logged on to the free wifi in the terminal and e-mailed Mark Tozer, The Storm Gathering organizer. He shot back a quick e-mail and re-assured me that his friend Jim would be by to "fetch me". In no time he was there and we made our way to the Anglesey Sports Center where the gathering would happen. (By way of the pub of course).

The wind whistled around the Anglesey Sea Center all night as we slept. It’s only fitting that an intense storm is on the way for this event. For those that know how to read the surface pressure forecast above…you can see that we are set to have some wicked South and SW winds as that low comes across Ireland and the rest of the UK. By Sunday things should be properly HUGE.

Before everyone arrived to the gathering and before the winds build we went out for a short paddle. I showed up early to pick up my loaner Tide Race Extreme and some other pieces of gear from the local premier shop called Summit to Sea. I packed most of my own kit, but I was forced to borrow a PFD and skirt to complete my ensemble. Hopefully my sponsors will take pity on me and show me forgiveness for temporarily straying out of necessity.

Local expert and guide book author Jim Krawiecki showed me around. We went to the North to hide from the wind. We put in at Bull Bay and paddled over to an old deserted brick works facility called Porth Wen Brickworks. Here between 1850 and1914, silica ore was mined by hand from open cast pits. What’s left behind is beautiful dome shaped kilns and a towering smoke stack along with massive brick buildings that are slowing eroding into the sea. In it’s prime, this place would have been a buzz with activity with ships coming and going from the working port. It was really fun exploring the ruins. It’s a great place to duck out of the south wind as well.

We had a good time poking around the rocks and seeing the sights. I think I’m going to like this place! I can hardly wait for The Storm Gathering to begin!!

Photo By Jim Krawiecki: For more images and great stories from Jim, visit:
www.jimskiblog.blogspot.com

I'll be blogging in up along the way. Stay tuned for much more! Also visit www.kokatat.com for my Storm Gathering post coming soon!

The Storm Begins with Lumpy Waters

2011-10-03T13:15:00.000-07:00

It's go time! I have two big time sea kayaking symposiums coming up that I have been anticipating for MONTHS!

AND...

The 3rd Annual Lumpy Waters Symposium is fast approaching. The classes are locked in and coaches are on their way from all over. As one of the event coordinators, I am feeling the crunch big time. Orchestrating coastal and rough water classes for almost 90 beginner and intermediate paddlers at once is an organizational "challenge" to say the least. We are watching the forecast close and crossing our fingers for GOOD weather.

The 6th Annual Storm Gathering on the other hand is all about paddling in challenging conditions. It's specifically scheduled for a bit more...turbulent weather window. This year's event is to be held at the Isle of Anglesey, in Wales. The goals of this symposium are to bring together intermediate and advanced boaters with similar passions while providing solid programs with an emphasis on challenging conditions, commitment, and open crossings. It's my first year being invited to coach at the event. It's also my first international sea kayak symposium! I look forward to exploring this sea kayaking mecca and working with more British Canoe Union Coaches while I'm there.

Once the Storm Gathering is over I will be participating in the necessary training and completing the required courses to begin the 5 star assessment process. Then it's onto Scotland where I hope to explore more whitewater rivers and visit some friends I made on my previous trip there in 2008. After Scotland it's over to Ireland to meet up with Kate.

It's going to be an exciting month coming up. Wish me luck.

Getting Trashed on the River...AGAIN

2011-09-23T22:38:00.000-07:00

This year's event was the biggest ever! Over 420 volunteers showed up to the Clackamas River near Portland, Oregon last Sunday Sept 11th for the 9th annual Down the River Clean Up. They rolled up their sleeves and dug in with enthusiasm! This is "restoration recreation" at it's best and people really stepped up to the task this year.

The Barton to Carver section had the most trash by far as it sees the highest level of use. People are venturing further and further upstream to avoid the alcohol regulations put in place on the lower sections in recent years due to crowds and violence. I took a short hike upstream from Barton and found the scene in the first photo. I have a feeling there is much more where that came from just up river. We Love Clean Rivers is now considering expanding the effort to include stretches above Barton including Milo McIver State Park. While it's important move, it would add to the already complex labyrinth of logistics an event of this scale requires.

Staj Pace preparing the crowd of volunteers for their day

No stranger to logistics, Staj Pace (pictured above) did an amazing job as event coordinator. Never having been to the event prior to running the show didn't seem to hold her back. Her detailed oriented and relentless work ethic served to turn out an unprecedented amount of sponsor support. Everything from the shuttle, the silent auction items, to the top notch food was all donated by generous businesses and clubs. Despite having the largest volunteer turn out ever the registration went as smooth as it ever has. We can only hope that she will return for next year.

As the river safety coordinator for the event I have to give a shout out to American Medical Response, Clackamas County Marine Sheriff Dept, Clack County Fire and Rescue, and the Oregon State Marine Board for their support during the event. Without their expert assistance we could not pull this off year after year.

The AMR team ready to deploy their rescue kayaks to sweep each section.

After the big safety chat all 15 pods hit the river in hot pursuit of all manor of debris. The biggest, nastiest, heaviest, and weirdest pieces of refuse were all compiled for a contest back at HQ. Other pieces of trash were sorted and pulled aside for The Ripple Effect, a recycled art auction to benefit We Love Clean Rivers. This year's auction is October 6th. Visit the website and be sure to check it out.

Kristin Dahl President of We Love Clean Rivers & event co-founder (on the left) hits the river for her 8th year!

A pod takes off from Baron Park

Noting wrong with having a little fun in between bobbing for beer cans.

Having fun while inspiring change is what it's all about. If we can create lasting memories for the kids and establish those close connections to the natural world perhaps we can protect this water way for years to come. While all the kids were "working" out on the river we were back at HQ getting everything ready for the party.

Sierra Nevada donated the beer

When it was all said and done this was the second largest trash total of any year: 3.4 TONS of garbage and debris was removed from the river, 51% of which was actually recycled (In 2006 4.2 tons were removed). While the numbers are impressive, they are not going down as quickly as we would like. Public awareness campaigns like the Stash the Trash program are helping, but it's my hope that we can continue to spread the word of Leave No Trace to all river users. May we continue to take only photographs and leave only footprints.

photos and story by Paul Kuthe

A Dance to Remember

2011-08-13T21:44:00.000-07:00

I am always amazed at the people I've met through boating. Coaching paddle-sports gives you this amazing opportunity to meet people on a level that most never get the chance. Working for Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe has led to ad campaigns, media and film jobs, and other high profile projects that I would have never even known about otherwise.

Yesterday I experienced canoe dancing in person for the first time. So beautiful...so passionate, so hilarious! Well, hilarious especially when Saturday Night Live's Fred Armisen is doing the dancing.

He and co-creator Jonathan Krisel are in town shooting season two of Portlandia. A 6-part IFC Original short-based comedy series based on and filmed in Portland, Oregon. Alder Creek got the call from the production company and I was brought in to teach Fred how to canoe well enough to pull off some seriously sweet canoe dance moves in the 5 minutes we had before the first take.

I was amazed at how quickly he took to it, and what a great sport he was about it all. I enjoyed having some time to chat with him on set. He seemed genuine and was kind and courteous to everyone around him. He was one of the easiest students to work with by far. Once our quick lesson was over, I was asked to fill in as an extra in the scene. Not a bad days work...

I handed my phone off for a quick student / coach photo with Fred in character between takes.

Move over Marc Ornstein there's a new game in town. The interesting take away from this for me was that you could be on You Tube one day and end up being spoofed by some of the best sketch comics in the biz four years later?! Sometimes real life presents the most humorous of all situations I suppose.

Behind the scenes on the Portlandia Set

Fred styling Blue Lake, Oregon as the crowd looks on.

Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Season 2 of Portlandia. It was a great opportunity, and I look forward to seeing it all come together. If your curious about Portland or your just looking for a good laugh, it's worth a look.

I'm headed to the Upcoming UK Storm Gathering

2011-06-22T06:02:00.000-07:00

Looking forward to heading East again this fall. I have been invited to attend the 2011 Storm Gathering. I've always wanted to go. I will be working the event for my first time this year!! Can't wait...

6th UK Storm Gathering (SG6)

BCU Week 2011, Anglesey Outdoors, North Wales

http://ukstormgathering.blogspot.com/
October 22 to 24
Location: Anglesey Outdoors, North Wales

Workshops / Clinics (Examples): Rolling Workshops – Seamanship & Navigation – Incident Management – Rolling and Rescues – Moving Water – Tidal Races and Over Falls – Crash and Bash (Kayak Repair) – Forward Paddling Clinics – Lectures – Slide Shows – Day trips – Demo Boats
Courses: 3*, 4* (T & A), 5* (T & A), FSRT, VHF

Tiderace Xtreme Review

2011-04-14T15:37:00.000-07:00

Now...where did I put that champagne?

Paddler:
Paul Kuthe
5'10" 165 lbs size 10 shoe
Team Tide Race Paddler

Photographers: Dave White and Bob Burnett

Test locations:
-Rosario Strait (Washington)
-Ocean Side, Oregon
-Cascade Head, Oregon

When Tiderace Sea Kayaks first hit the scene a few years back with two hull shapes, the X-Cite and the X-plore, the choices were simple. The X-cite was the playful one an the X-plore was the expedition boat.

Both boats featured beautiful lines with clean smooth transitions and quick acceleration, but the X-cite really turned heads with it's flat semi-planing hull and well rockered maneuverable shape. It made you want to surf just looking at it!

Leave it to Aled Williams, lead designer of Tide Race Sea Kayaks, to make the most radically designed cutting edge hull of the time seem like an 'all around' boat. With the addition of the new "Xtreme" it becomes obvious that he was simply compromising to start. Careful to hit the right mark with his first offering from his new company. Now it's time to let loose!

Photo by: Dave White Paddler: Paul Kuthe Location: Ocean Side, Oregon

Let loose he did! The boat felt smooth and greasy on the wave, willing to be coaxed and nudged in whatever direction you desired. I have never felt a sea kayak that could so readily be spun 360 degrees on the foam pile. The highly rockered stern is loose and dynamic allowing the boat to carve the face of both small and large waves with subtle shifts in weight and edge. This may be the first true planning hull sea kayak.

Photo by: Bob Burnett Location: Cascade Head

Photo By: Bob Burnett Paddlers: Paul Kuthe left, Dave White right

The ends of the boat are high volume making for a dry ride and the ability to break out over towering foam piles with ease. After repeated attempts to drive the bow under water while dropping in to some steep offshore break, I decided that this boat is difficult to front ender at best, but the low deck around the paddler makes for increased control when the boat is up on it's stern. Back surfing and back enders were a breeze due to the rocker profile and volume distribution.

Photo By: Bob Burnett Paddler: Paul Kuthe Location: Cascade Head, Oregon

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to start the test by taking the boat out cruising in the San Juan Islands in Washington State on a short multi-day staff trip with the gang from Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe (a regional Tide Race Dealer here in Portland Oregon).

Photo By: Dave White

I loader er' down and made the 3 mile crossing through the wind while towing a short plastic touring kayak and she did pretty well. I had to drop the skeg for a half hour or so in the middle of the channel, but I was surprised at it's speed across the choppy strait. That being said, to give you an indication of this boat's intended use, the deck is void of something we have all grown accustom to seeing on performance sea kayaks... As my eyes scanned the flat table top like bow for the first time, I noticed that it had no compass mount moulded in! I already knew I was going to like this boat.

Photo By: Dave White Paddler: Paul Kuthe Location: 3 Arch Rocks , Oregon

At near 17 feet, the Xtreme carries plenty of speed even under a load, but where she really shines is on the wave. If you want a boat that can take a beating, hold the big line, and come back for more then look no further. The lay-up is stiff and feels rock solid on the water. Tide Race is taking it to the next level with this one, and I don't think they are going to look back. You have got to take it for a spin!

Read more about the new X-treme at the Tide Race Website and test paddle many of the Tide Race boats at Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe.

On "The Fringe"

2011-04-14T13:33:00.000-07:00

What does it mean when National Geographic considers you and your friends to be on the "fringe"? I'm not so sure it's a good sign. One thing is for sure, working with Bryan Smith and Fitz Cahall continues to provide opportunity after opportunity. This latest project was a really fun culmination of many of our best tidal race trips over the past few years. It's set in classic National Geographic death defying style and directed at a mainstream and perhaps even youthful audience.

Dave White, Nick Jacob, Richard Davis, and I along with Bryan Smith and crew have been seeking out many of the biggest tidal races in North America to both challenge ourselves and to capture what it means to us to be a sea kayaker on camera. In the end, we may have just helped bring sea kayaking into a new era. When most people think of "sea" kayaking, they envision floppy hats and flat water or perhaps agonizing extended trips that cover hundreds or even thousands of miles across open seas or around huge islands in record breaking fashion.

Tide race paddling can take you deep into the wilderness, but more often then not, it has you waiting for that perfect moment, that perfect wave to take shape. It's a form of the sport that is accessible on a day to day basis. Locations like "Yellow Bluff" in San Francisco, California and "Reversing Falls" in St. John, Nova Scotia are actually located within major metropolitan areas, but for some of the best rides you will need to travel a bit further from the beaten path.

It's not about how many miles you can crank out, or how far from land you can exist. Tidal race surfing is a rhythmic dance with the sea as it breathes slow deep breaths of life through the channels and basins of it's outstretched extremities. It's experiencing a place on a deeper level and exploring it's complex nooks and secret recesses, many of which can be peaceful sanctuaries of bliss or horrifyingly powerful and deeply humbling torture chambers depending on the position of the the sun, the moon, and the rest of the universe beyond.

Check out the episode and be on the lookout for sea kayaking to grow in some... interesting directions.

The Golden Gate Sea Kayak Symposium 2011

2011-02-28T22:20:00.000-08:00

As the rain and snow approached, world class sea kayaking coaches began to gather in San Francisco for one of the best symposium's anywhere. Their students made their way there, despite un-characteristicly snowy and cold weather in California. They came from near and far. Places like Russia, the UK and all across the U.S. They didn't come eager to ride the street cars or taste the sour dough. They came to learn. They came for top notch coaching. They came to BOAT!

It rained for the first 2 days; a cold miserable rain. Those that held out til Sunday were rewarded.

By day, students enjoyed a wide variety of classes, trainings, and assessments from many of the best in the world, often with astounding 2:1 ratios! The fun kept rollin as they enjoyed movies, Greenland rope demonstrations, slide shows and live music back at the Hostel by night. If you didn't make it this year, get signed up now. It's worth every penny.

Classes ran all three days. Everyone finds what they need, from the fresh newbie cutting their teeth to the saltiest veterans out to fine tune their technique for the season. There is everything from rolling, and stroke refinement classes to advanced rock gardening and rescue classes.

It rained enough the first two nights to FILL the boats on the roof.

Matt Palmariello and Sean Morley did an amazing job keeping things organized this year. They invited some of the best including Ben Lawry, Nigel Dennis, Tom Bergh, Shawna Franklin and Leon Somme just to name a few. A special treat this year included the return of the Tsunami Rangers! Eric Soares, Reg Lake, Deb Volturno, and John Lull were all there. Check out the symposium website to see the full list of classes and coaches.

Event Master Minds: Matt Palmariello (Left) and Sean Morley

The success of these type of events is a good sign for sea kayaking in the West. It seems skill levels are rising and people are hungry for more. I'd sign up soon for next year's Golden Gate Symposium if I were you. It's not to be missed! Word is spreading fast, and instruction based grass roots events like this deserve your support.

Check out all shots of the symposium below. Then be on the look out for the post symposium action. Hey, coaches gotta play too ;) That post will be on Outdoor Research's Verticulture Site.

Presidio Yacht Club was nice enough to pretty much let us take over for the weekend.

All the cool California kids wear yellow Kokatat drysuits...

...some are just more faded than others.

An All-Star cast was on hand this year. One of the best things about working events like this is the chance for cross-pollination of ideas. I learned so much working with new friends this year. If there were any more of us we would need a bigger dock.

Once the morning meeting is over we go to work. The students at this year's event were amazing. I met so many enthusiastic and inspiring folks.

Well...They seemed nice anyway. :)

When being attacked by angry students, roll repeatedly. Whatever you do...DO NOT SWIM...

Better yet, just make sure they are well fed.

...Swag like free hats don't hurt either.

My secret ingredient for keeping them at bay is a little adrenaline ;)

One of the things I love about sea kayaking is the ability to sit in a perfectly safe spot with front row seats close enough to see your buddies eyes become the size of saucers when it's his turn.

Having been over that bridge long before I was a sea kayaker, I remember wondering what was out there around that corner. Paddling a kayak through the gate and looking up at the Golden Gate Bridge and out into the sea is a special experience that is well worth the effort...

But the best part, was definitely the company. Thanks Tsunami Rangers for a great day on the water Sunday. I had fun working with all of you. I hope to see all my students again next year, or better yet at The Lumpy Waters Symposium this October!

Remember to check back in soon for the post symposium antics. Jeff Laxier of Liquid Fusion Kayaking in Mendocino took some of the coaches back for some of the best rock gardening imaginable. I will be posting those pics on Outdoor Research's Verticlture Site SOON.

The final Season Episode

2010-05-05T18:51:00.000-07:00

The Season Episode 19 from Fitz Cahall and Bryan Smith on Vimeo.

In the end, "The Butze" delivered the goods. She didn't give them up easy, but the experience was well worth the effort. We weren't sure what we would find up there. What did The Butze have to show us? We had already been to Skooks, styled Okisollo, surfed tidal bores and rode the whirlpools of Fundy Bay. It ended up showing us more than we ever could have expected. It revealed to us something you can only learn when it's all on the line.

Dave White (Left) and Bryan Smith (right) wait out the flood in high camp. It was miserable.

I have obviously learned a great deal from my experience working on this project with Bryan. I have finally stopped wearing a pfd to bed, but beyond that, I learned that I would trust these guys with my life. I learned that we can band together as a team, despite adversity and pull off the trip of a lifetime.

Dave White, finally dry wearing the few items of clothing he had left.

Nick Jacob crackin jokes in the "athlete's corner"

I hope to continue seeking out the seldom seen, and incredibly magical corners of distant seas with these guys, but you can't ever take it for granted. Life rolls on, people move and grow; crews form and disperse. You can't keep looking back. Once you get home and unpack from that last big trip it's time to start planning the next. I have some ideas, but no new expeditions off the ground at this point. The sea calls. Stay tuned and in touch for future project announcements. In the mean time, get out there and EXPLORE! Thanks for watching!!

Looking out from high camp at high slack.

Photo by: Phil Tifo

Flooded out at Butze

2010-04-06T23:38:00.000-07:00

If you've been keeping up with "The Season" at Arcteryx.com you already know about the flood. The latest "webisode" (web+episode) shows you one of the most uncomfortable nights of my life. I guess technically, it was early that morning when it all went down.

The Season Episode 12 from Fitz Cahall and Bryan Smith on Vimeo.

You know the ending if you watched the clip... lets go to how we got ourselves into that mess in the first place. I think it gives insight into what was at stake on this trip. For that, we have to jump back a few years to when Bryan Smith planted the seed in the crew's minds after wrapping production on Pacific Horizons.

Energized by the possibilities of a new world of tidal race surfing opening up before us; we were eager to see what else the rugged West coast of Canada had to offer. The Butze Wave is no secret. The whitewater paddlers in the area have been shredding that spot for years. Bryan caught wind of it's name through the community and even spent some time in the nearest town on a previous trip up North.

"...Prince Rupert boys...I hear there's a monster wave up there" he said. We sort of knew where the wave lived, that's the easy part. When, is the real question. If you spend the time, money, and effort necessary to pull off that sort of trip you don't want to be skunked by a feature playing peak-a-bo because of the wrong water levels. Especially when tides are so "easily predicted."

Now we have to jump ahead about a year, to the depths of another dreary Portland winter day in 2008 when I started making phone calls hunting for beta on "The Butze."

I started by calling water taxis advertising their services in the Prince Rupert Area. Who knows the sea better than someone who works on it daily? Plus, they make a great platform to capture the seemingly impossible shots Bryan pulls off from the water. Hoping for a clue as to when the best waves form on the tidal feature, I asked what time of the year seemed the most dangerous for a water taxi. I now know you can just ask what are the best times to "view the overfalls."

I needed to start checking tides to find the biggest exchanges during daylight hours. It's too far away to miss seeing the full glory of The Butze. We wanted Spring tides, the biggest of the year, but not just that. Water taxis are great for general knowledge about the currents but we needed to find out what made for the best ride with the sea kayaks. Ebb or Flood? Get it wrong at some races like "Skooks" and no waves form when the current is going one direction while the other direction sets up pure perfection.

The first water taxi driver I got on the phone told me exactly who I needed to talk to. "The owner of the Cowpuccino's Coffee House knows all the kayakers in town," he said. We had a chat and I ended up with an e-mail address of a buddy who could help us.

Within a day or two he got back to me with a couple options and all the beta we needed to make the call. We were planning to spend longer than a week camping on the popular island camp spot right in the rapids to watch the cycle build and dissapate. The nitty gritty details didn't matter so much in the early planning stages. We would be guaranteed a shot at the goods because we would be able to watch it day and night.

Now let's jump ahead to where my last Kokatat Blog post about "The Season" left off.

Basically, we were finally there...within striking distance of our goal after spending our third (and worst) night in-a-row at ferry terminals. I was so excited to get away from civilization and into the zone.

from that last post:

"...The next morning we launched and paddled into the zone. On the paddle up we approached what we thought might be the first set of rapids. As we drew near we realized that what we were seeing was actually huge piles of foam floating head high on the water’s surface. Whatever stirred up this much foam must be powerful. It should have served as a clue to what was to come, but we thought little of it at the time."

We made the paddle from the ferry terminal to the rapid and arrived just after low slack. Bryan had written down some tide info for our arrival day using the Fisheries and Ocaens Canada website.

Times and Heights for High and Low Tides

2009-06-22 (Monday)
Time	Height
PDT	(m)	(ft)
01:12	6.8	22.3
07:59	0.2	0.7
14:25	5.9	19.4
19:57	2.1	6.9

2009-06-23 (Tuesday)
Time	Height
PDT	(m)	(ft)
02:03	7.0	23.0
08:49	0.0	0.0
15:13	6.1	20.0
20:49	2.0	6.6

2009-06-24 (Wednesday)
Time	Height
PDT	(m)	(ft)
02:55	7.0	23.0
09:37	-0.0	0.0
16:00	6.2	20.3
21:41	1.8	5.9

We were all a little disappointed in ourselves having realized that no one else on the team had bothered to write down tides for the week, but a list minute check of the posted tides down at the docks we launched from seemed to confirm what Bryan had written down:

3/22 High 7.0 m @ 3pm 3/23 Next high: 2:03am 5.9 m

(oops, right heights but he switched the days)

We approached the zone with caution as we searched for the island camp spot the locals told us was there. A small wave was already taking shape, but the scene was mellow. It was a beautiful sunny day, and we hadn't a care in the world...We had made it. We quickly spotted the biggest of the islands in the center of the channel. We made our way to the front side, hopped out and had a scout and to watch the big flood.

A barnacle ripped from the rocks by strong tidal currents.

The island camp spot seemed obvious. We found a well used fire ring made of stones on a grassy knoll near a benchmark with coordinates ingrained on it. We noticed some old tide pools just below the grassy knoll, but they hadn't been flushed in a long time. Nick and Dave had a good walk around the island and determined that the grassy knoll although not ideal, must be what the locals had spoke of.

You can see the the first flood of the day has already formed up behind us. It was fairly mellow, not like twelve hours later during the second flood.

According to our hand written note, we thought we would soon find out. In reality, we were about to witness the lower of the two high tides in that cycle. The high high tide would actually be at 2:03am (3/23) and over a meter higher. Having watched what we thought was the highest water level of the trip fall short of our grassy knoll at lunch, we surfed, sunned, and napped all afternoon.

The crew all stashed gear in various caches around the knoll and settled in for a fun but wet week. Rain was in the forecast. Nick and Dave had a sweet stash spot for their gear just over from our tent spot in a little nook. Phil and Bryan had their gear on the high center of the knoll. All but two of the boats were tied securely to a bank of trees on the island. The other two were high and dry up by the tents.

I watched low slack after the others went to bed, and was dozing off when the water slowly began to fill the channel back in. I slipped into bed around eleven after wrapping all my gear into a sort of tarp burrito by Bryan's tent. All the excitement, travel, and subsequent sleep depravation was taking it's toll. I was looking forward to sleeping somewhere besides a ferry terminal. As I drifted off between Dave and Nick I could hear the rain begin to fall. I remember noting that my rain gear was already right by my side for the morning. It was going to rain all night long.

I remember half waking up to Dave White complaining about his side feeling wet. I sort of moved over to give him more room and drifted back off. At about 2 or 2:15am we all noticed we were really wet. I reached down to feel my part of the tent floor and my hand plunged into the floor of the tent without finding the ground. We could hear Bryan a few feet away coming to the same conclusion...We were FLOATING!!!!!

We opened our tent door. It faced upstream in a perfect way as to catch the incoming current which threatened to pull our sleeping pads right out from under us. The new moon night looked black and featureless. All that could be seen was water EVERYWHERE. Water ripping through the trees! Water separating us from the boats! Water washing ALL of our equipment away!!

Nick and Dave were out of the tent in a flash sporting only boxers. They went to check the gear nook. The nook was fully under water. Nick dove down deep but it was empty, completely empty.

I threw on my rain gear and pfd. Dave found something to wear, but Nick had nothing and was instantly overcome by a severe hypothermic reaction. I ran to my gear burrito and started pulling out my extra layers, neo shorts and my drytop. Once Nick had those on, I remembered his first aid kit had a foil emergency blanket too. Bryan and Phil's boats were moments from floating away. Having both his drysuit and boat put Bryan in the best position to scout our options.

We noted the time, took inventory, and decided that we needed to get off that knoll NOW or risk being swept into the darkness. We knew we had to get Nick to high ground fast, then start sorting out stoves, sleeping bags, emergency shelters, and any other hypothermia remedy we could think of. Most of Dave's belongings had been swept away including his drysuit, but he did everything he could to save everyone elses stuff. He helped us start making a plan.

A narrow channel of current now cut us off from the rest of the island and most of the boats which were flipped and tangled in the trees. Bryan managed to get across to find a small shelf of cedar roots to pile gear on that was well above the water on the highest part of the island. He dropped off the first load and returned to what was left of our camp.

The plan would be to evac the grass knoll one cockpit full o' gear at a time. Nick and I came across on the next load with some survival gear for him including a bivy and the only dry sleeping bag. Once I hit the steep bank and climbed over some downed trees I found a path way up to the high spot on the island where we could wait out the flood.

Dave White and Phil kept filling the cockpit with flooded gear that was floating by, Bryan would ferry the boat loads to me. I pulled the boats over the down trees and unloaded them as fast as possible so Bryan could take it back Dave and Phil for a re-load. In between return trips I would run gear up to the new high camp and check on Nick.

We must have made 20 trips like that until everything we could salvage was secure at the new camp which we dubbed Ewok village. We completed the task just in time to watch the biggest ebb of the week take all the water back out to sea and the sun begin to rise. (about 3:20am).

We had some serious stock to take. We knew we were down a pfd, a helmet, and two drysuits. Nick was hangin in there, but was hurting for sure. We lost tons of personal gear, a camera lens, the list goes on and on. We knew we had most of the crew, boats, the cameras, and a bottle of Jameson still in our favor. We managed to keep a fire lit despite the constant rain.

Dave White (left) Bryan Smith (right) tough it out the rest of the night, high atop the island in "Ewok Village"

Moral was at an all time low and sleep exhaustion was at an all time high. It was cold, raining hard, and the tidal feature that we were there to surf was turning into the biggest pour-over I had ever seen. At the height of that morning ebb you could feel the island tremble. "It's like watching a woman give birth. It's a beautiful thing, but the sight of it makes me feel a little sick."

This was the view of the main channel some time after max ebb. Nick Jacob and Dave White discuss options

This deal was a couple years in the making, we had traveled thousands of miles, there was a film project on the line, and it was all slipping away because of a little switch of a couple numbers on the tide info we were using. We all decided that we had gotten lucky. Another few minutes in the tents and we would have lost much much more.

When the current show signs of slowing, we staged our boats to ride the ebb back to P.R.

We decided to head back into Prince Rupert to re-group. We were down for sure, but not necessarily out. After all, we all still had passports, contact lenses, boats, gear, and cameras. We were down a couple drysuits, and lots of personal effects, and EVERYTHING was soaked, but with enough whiskey and change for the dryer at the local laundromat we could be back in business.

The view of one of Prince Rupert's finer B&B's right on the water.

Bryan Smith on the Docks in Prince Rupert.

Phil Tifo, the trip photographer walkin the strip. "Is that a liquor store over there?"

Keep watching the season to find out how The Butze story concludes and don't forget to help spread the word. Send this link to all your friends! www.arcteryx.com

Hey ladies...are you prepared for, "sudden rapids?"

2010-03-23T21:20:00.000-07:00

Last summer the nice folks at Tampax Tampons contacted Alder Creek about props and wardrobe for a new ad compaign starring "Mother Nature", an unwanted imaginary monthly visitor that extends her "monthly gift" at the worst time possible.

The casting, wardrobe, locations, and production staff ALL call Alder Creek at various times through out the day when these opportunities blaze through town. It can be fun, but they want what they want and they want it yesterday.

They hired some local talent, and ran the second casting call behind Alder Creek's kayak & canoe shop. They had requested 17-25 year old women WITH whitewater experience.
(photo left: Kate Ross, Catherine Lloyd Burn, Christy Glissmeyer)
Only two women showed up that could keep their boat where they wanted on the flat water behind the shop. One was Nicole from Hood River, OR. and the other was Kate Ross of Willamette Riverkeeper and Alder Creek. The rest of the girls showed up plastered in make-up and sporting booty shorts. Kate was worried that she might have missed a memo on the booty shorts. ;)

They ended up picking a "real" actress for the lead, but had to keep her tethered to the bank so they could just pull her back to her starting position. She was a trooper, but had no clue how to boat.
They ended up hiring Kate and Christy Glissmeyer as kayakers and Nicole as the stunt double.

I somehow got on as the token dude. The work was easy. Shooting on location mostly involves working for about 10 minutes at a time then continuing to down free snacks and smoothies, while watching the crew set up for the next shot. It's pretty sweet...plus everyone keeps referring to you as "the talent."

Check out the finished product below then scroll down for some more shots I took on set.

The latest in women's specific pfd accessories.

Stunt Woman Nicole drops in with her "monthly gift" in tow.

Ms. Ross & I on set. mmm... smoothies.

Stunt / Lead

You can see "Mother Nature on the rock filing her nails.
You can also make out the rope attached to the lead's boat.

Grips were assigned to carry the boats back to the starting point. "...Your boat Ms. Ross"

We were never short of snacks on set.

That's a wrap

The long way home from Golden Gate

2010-03-11T21:08:00.000-08:00

Photo By: Paul Kuthe

The 2nd Annual Golden Gate Sea Kayak Symposium went well despite challenging conditions. Sean Morley and Matt Palmariello did an AMAZING job organizing the weekend. Over 90 participants took part.

Friday morning eager and aspiring sea paddlers were met with overcast skies, lots of wind, rain, and a bit of hail thrown in. The swell was pushing 20 feet on the outside keeping all the classes limited to the bay for the duration of the event. That's not to say there wasn't any action.

I was working the rock gardening classes all weekend and we managed to find some goods. On Friday we were right in the midst of the Yellow Bluff tide rip with the Rock Gardening Safety and Rescue class as a squall blew in bringing horizontal hail and 50 knot opposing winds.

Roger Schumann and I had to perform an exciting rescue during the height of the storm, but kept things contained for the most part.

It turned into a great real life scenario. I had my proudest moment when Morley said, "That was the most extreme weather event I have ever seen in California, along with the most impressive rescue I have ever seen!" It would have made for a great teaching moment except that no one could see what was going on due to all the water being whipped off the tops of the waves and the hail beating into our faces.

Saturday and Sunday's weather was much better, but the swell continued to punish the open coast line. We managed to find some great things to work with just outside "the gate" on the North end. We found a great blow hole, some nice elevator rides, and some larger rocks to cruise around amidst the waves.

I enjoyed meeting so many new people, but I was most excited by the return of some of the same locals that I met at last year's event. Sharing in their experience and seeing their excitement about how much they have improved is always the most fulfilling part. I also had a great time chatting, boating, and working with some of my more distant coaching friends. One of the best parts about these type of events is that it draws some of the best coaches from all over the world.

Check out this amazing photo sequence by Richard Davis. Paddler was Greg Bermann

Before we knew it the last few boats were being drug up the beach at Horseshoe Bay and the weekend was over...for everyone else that is.

Dave White and I planned to take the long way home. I had to get back to Portland to lead a whitewater course, but not until Thursday night. We had enough Food, time and money for another week with some of the best paddling in the world between us and home.

Photo By Dave White

California boater Bryant Burkhardt came along to show us some of his favorite spots. We checked out Point Reyes, found some elephant seals, and took several beat downs at Dillon Beach. The scenery far surpassed the surf on this particular occasion, but it felt good the get the boats into some bigger stuff. Thanks again Bryant!

Photo By: Paul Kuthe

Point Reyes Light House

Photo By: Paul Kuthe

Beach Flower amidst the elephant seals

Photo By: Paul Kuthe

Resting elephant seal

Photo By: Paul Kuthe

Sleeping elephant seal

Photo By: Paul Kuthe

Pist off elephant seal...

Photo By: Paul Kuthe

Happy elephant seals.

photo By Paul Kuthe

Point Reyes (South Side) -amazing rock gardening

Photo By; Paul Kuthe Paddler: Bryant Burkhardt

Bryan takes one of the few rides had on any green face that day.

Photo By: Dave White Paddler: Paul Kuthe

Getting out was...challenging

Photo By: Dave White Paddler: Paul Kuthe

Once you were out, the rides were just ok.

Photo By: Paul Kuthe Paddler: Dave White

That illusive wave beyond the big dumper kept calling to us...

Photo By: Dave White Paddler: Paul Kuthe

...but Getting there was no easy task

Photo By: Dave White Paddler: Paul Kuthe

Most of the time you got out far enough to see THIS happen right in front of you and you quickly realized that no one was getting out past the break today.

With rain and big seas plaguing the forecast, Dave and I decided to switch it up.
We rallied up to Arcata to meet up with Matt Porter from Kokatat and do some whitewater paddling. Matt had to work, so we hit up the N. Fork of the Smith. It's always been one of my favorite mellow Cali runs. Low stress with LOTS of reward. It's 12 miles of amazing scenery and fun rapids. We saw some huge steelhead, carnivorous plants, drank some super clean river water and surfed until the sun went down.

Photo By Dave White Paddler: Paul Kuthe

Clean enough to drink! We were able to just flip over and slurp a drink whenever we needed.

Photo By: Paul Kuthe Paddler: Dave White

The water was soo clear on the N. Fork that when you looked down it was as if you were flying over the rocks on the bottom. It made reading the river super easy. When you can see EVERY rock in the river, it's easy to find the line.

Photo By; Paul Kuthe

Part of the reason for the pristine water shed is that it's never been logged. The soil does not hold enough nutrients to support large trees, but carnivorous plants thrive along all the small waterfalls that pour into the N. Fork.

Photos By: Dave White Paddler: Paul Kuthe

It's a paradise only 6 short hours from Portland.

Episode 8…We arrive at the Butze

2010-03-09T14:52:00.000-08:00

Episode 8

The Season Episode 8 from Fitz Cahall and Bryan Smith on Vimeo.

Lindsey Vonn, Julia Mancuso...and ME!

2010-02-19T15:56:00.000-08:00

This is as close as I will ever get to hanging out with Lindsey Vonn and Julia Mancuso ;) Check out www.outsidemagazine.com

The Season is featured on the landing page of outside's site. Seems like it's really taking hold. Help spread the word. The bigger "The Season" gets the more likely we are to see more projects like this from Bryan, Fitz, and others.

The Season Launched

2010-01-29T14:16:00.000-08:00

Today is the day.... "The Season" is a 22 episode internet TV series that features 5 athletes from all around the Northwest. To check it out go to www.arcteryx.com. For more information about the series you can also visit www.theseasontv.com . Enjoy...

Oregon Kayak and Canoe Club Progression

2010-01-22T13:05:00.000-08:00

I've always had a soft spot in my heart for whitewater paddling clubs. The Missouri Whitewater Association was like a second family to me growing up. There are many reasons to be a member of a paddling club. They bring people together for important cooperative efforts like river conservation, competitions, and of course, one of the more popular activities, beer consumption.

The Oregon Kayaking and Canoe Club here in the Portland area also offers members a chance to come together and practice their skills with help from more experienced club members within a structured learning environment.

They organize the practice sessions into a progression for beginners and intermediates. I have been volunteering here and there with them the last few years by helping lead sessions for the intermediates. I really enjoy it because it gives me a chance to check up on students I've in my beginner classes at Alder Creek and connect with new paddlers I might normally get to paddle with. This year I committed to one session per month into the spring.

I've sort of snoozed on this post, but these are some photos of the gang from the first session. We had a great time. The turn out was unbelievable. Twenty-four people were eager to come out and play in the cold January snowmelt. Since this was the first session of the year we started out at the reservoir below Memaloose on the Clackamas River. Then we went up for a high water Bob's to Memaloose run.

It's important to get people's names. I knew most already, but everyone else needed to learn each other's names too. We started on land with the good ole' name game.

We laid some ground rules and expectations for the progression. With such a large group I needed to let them know what I needed from them.

It was pretty cold that day...

...So we got right to a game.

This throw tope obstacle course gave us a chance to practice our throwing AND dodging skills.

R O P E !!!

Once on the water we did some group flat water maneuvering skills. A 24 to 1 ratio is a little rough, but I did what I could. People seemed to really enjoy it.

(Maybe not John who was cramped in the purple fluid :)

After the flat water session we grabbed some lunch and hit the river. These sort of on-going progression style sessions are a great way to keep peoples skills up. It's all about a continual doses of practice and feedback. We all have something we can improve on. If you don't have something like this in your paddling community...start one.

The Season Trailer

2009-12-31T18:49:00.000-08:00

The time is almost here...
Bryan and Fitz sent me this sneak peak at "The Season" trailer. Look forward to my first individual episode in early Feburary.

The Season Trailer from Fitz Cahall on Vimeo.

Help spread the word...I think this could go huge!

Down Home for the Holidays

2009-12-31T18:38:00.000-08:00

My niece helping Santa hand out gifts

Being away from family is by far the hardest part. I get back as often as I can, but it's never enough.

Missouri is known for many things. It's the home of the blues, Ice creme cones, ice tea, and Truman just to name a few.

Missouri was the first slave state to free it's slaves and is the "Gateway to the West"

Named after a tribe called the Missouri Indians; meaning "town of the large canoes" We take canoeing pretty seriously. As a kid growing up in Missouri you spend many weekends with friends and family lazily drifting through lush ozark mountain forests on cold, blue-water spring fed streams.

We mastered the canoe skills needed to safely navigate the mild rivers Missouri is known for just about the time plastic kayaks were becoming popular to rent. I was nine years old and five minutes into my first kayak trip when it happened...I was hooked. This new craft was not just a chance to paddle with two blades; It was independence!

Up until that day I had only experienced a river by tandem canoe. My Dad knew he had just lost his bow-man and bought a couple old Perception Dancers the following winter from a couple Missouri Whitewater Association members. We took a whitewater class, learned to roll and never looked back.

My uncle and a friend had already bought some rec boats, made skirts and started paddling on Missouri's only consistent whitewater run; The Saint Francis River, which quickly became our favorite place to spend time together.

On this particular trip home, I took in two of the "show me state's" finest experiences. One brought me back to those lazy float trips where we would stop off at all the caves we would find along the rivers and explore. The other was a favorite place of mine. My home river. A trip down to Missouri just ain't finished til' ya do some cavin' and some floatin'

The Saint Francis River, or just "The Saint" as it is often referred by the locals, is the primary whitewater run in the region and is the glue that binds together the finest paddling community in existence. The lack of other paddling options within a day's drive means that in Missouri, warm rainy weekends are more like big disfunctional family reunions that spontaneously occur along the banks of this amazing midwest gem.

This particular weekend was not warm, nor was there much water, but we were determined to make the best of it. My uncle John and I loaded up and drove down to "D-bridge" (the take-out) by way of a Steak n' Shake. We parked the van and walked down to the bridge to have a look at the gauge....

2 inches. Not a great level, but enough water for a fun scrape down. Looks like I missed a good season down at the Saint this year. Missouri got record rainfall all October. That's an inner tube deposited high in the tree!

The main run goes by many names. Millstream Gardens, Tieman's Shut-ins, or just "The lower"and contains fun rapids such as Big Drop, Cat's Paw, Double drop, rickety rack, and others.

It's a beautiful class 3-3+ run at most water levels. It's smooth granite features and friendly rapids make for an enjoyable run with a huge range of boatable water levels. It is paddled at below zero on the d-bridge gage up to 10,12, even 14 feet over the bridge! A range of 200cfs to about 35,000 cfs !!!

Curtis sizing up double drop

Uncle John sticks the move above the second drop

The line of the day was laid down by Freddy Carter...proud owner of "The Mega Pickle"

He looks...

He Charges!

Splat!

I thought I was about to lose some teeth getting this shot.

The zone around the Meramec River in Southern Missouri is one of the most porous places on earth. Everywhere you look you'll find small entrances to caves. Some contain enormous rooms and tunnels who's mysterious beauty draw you deeper and deeper into the darkness . Huge deposits of limestone far beneath the surface have gradually washed away leaving a labyrinth of caves that stretch from Kentucky to Kansas.

Many of these caves are protected and have been fenced off to prevent further falls in bat populations. Fortunately, there are some amazing caves that remain open for the public to explore at their own risk. A friend of mine suggested Green's Cavern along the river right bank of the Meramec R.

I had been to the cave's mouth many times as a kid. It's 90' x 90' entrance perched above the river was easy to spot and the cold water running from it's depths was a refreshing oasis from the oppressive mid-western summer heat during long float trips.

I had never been far from the mouth. During float trips only a handful of us had flashlights and it was always too cold walking up the cave's river to go in very far.

Getting to the cave from the river was always easy, but during the winter, most people choose the long walk in. We followed a topo map to the closest trail head and started into the woods.

The little stream in the foreground is the one that runs inside the cave. You can make out the huge mouth in the background.

Once inside, the going was pretty easy. The water didn't seem nearly as cold as I remember. I think it could be a combined effect of being accustomed to the frigid water temps of the Northwest and being at the cave in the winter instead of during the usual summer float trip. It's always 60 degrees in the caves. When it's 95 degrees out that feels cold. During December it's a balmy retreat.

We saw several animals almost a mile in...Several frogs, a few bats...a cave dog.

This is a great cave to bring beginners. Bode dog had no issues. He was actually able to get further than any of us as the last 2000 feet of the cave are done on your hands and knees.

The stalactites and other cave formations were ENORMOUS.

In several places the stalagmites and stalactites joined making giant pillars that lined the river.

The only tight squeeze

Most of the time we didn't even have to duck.

On the walk out I stopped to snap this shot to capture the size of the cave's mouth. You can just make out the others standing in the shadow to the right. Most of the caves I've been through start with a squeeze into the opening, then they open up once inside. This is truly a beginner friendly cave.

Part of what makes this part of the country unique and why the floating streams run all summer long is it's springs. The caves and springs go hand in hand. On our hike back to civilization we stopped to check out this little outflow when I noticed that the tiny spring drained a bigger pool up off the trail. We crossed the small creek and walked up along the spring outflow to the edge of the pool and found this perfect little spring.

I love this shot. The reflected trees look like a black and white photo yet it's hard to tell what is the roots of the tree in the water and what are the branches being reflected from the trees above.

All in all it was a great visit and an amazing year. Check back in 2010! Have a great New Year!!

The Season is a Banff Finalist!!

2009-11-02T17:32:00.000-08:00

I let everyone know about "The Season" back in September. Click the link below if you don't know what I'm talking about then come back...
http://paulkuthe.blogspot.com/2009/09/bc-creekin-for-season.html

...Anyway Brian and Fitz put together a festival cut just in time for the big festival in Banff. It will be debuted at the Banff Center at 9:30pm November Sixth!

Once it goes online to the public I will link people to it.

For now...Wish us luck.

It's a finalist in the "Best Mountain Film" Category!!

Information and photo pulled from Banff Center's site...Check it out.
http://www.banffcentre.ca/mountainculture/festivals/2009/films/nov6-hollekim.aspx

The Season [festival cut]

Canada, 2009, 16 minutes
Directed by Bryan Smith
Produced by Fitz Cahall
Appearing in person: Bryan Smith and Fitz Cahall

Adapted from an Internet TV project, The Season follows three athletes through a Pacific Northwest summer. Each athlete’s season is a unit of measure in a career — an opportunity to leave a mark on their given sports and on their lives. A boulderer returns to form after a series of failed knee surgeries and personal struggles. Aged by the loss of his father, a young kayaker redraws the frontiers of sea kayaking. To push traditional climbing’s boundaries, a veteran climber dreams up a new piece of gear and makes the ultimate commitment to realize his invention’s potential.

Finalist in: Best Film on Mountain Sports

6th Annual West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta

2009-11-02T11:22:00.000-08:00

I've spectated and participated in many boat races, but none as hilarious as The West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta put on by the City of Tualatin and The Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers.

Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe always provides the paddles, pfd's and support boaters, so I've had the pleasure of attending several Regattas from the heart of the action.

I always have the best seat in the house when running safety from the middle of the lake. Check out these photos I took from the event...

Everything you already know about carving pumpkins is more challenging when the pumpkins weight in around 1300 lbs!! Spectators begin to gather hours before the races to watch the process.

Just getting the huge gourds into the water requires three people and a fork lift.

A crucial step is finding the pumpkin's natural position in the water. By rolling it around you can feel a stable position. It's the best way to decide which side is the deck and which is the hull. (all are displacement hull design...so far)

Most folks use some simple hand saws to carve the cockpit out, but there is a faster way.

These guys make short work of carving and quickly move onto scrapping the seeds and giant pumpkin goodness out. I'm always surprised by how quickly it all happens. The growers are sure to keep seeds from the best pumpkins.

Word on the pond is that you want something that is not too heavy and as elongated as possible. If it's too large and round it's difficult to reach the water with the paddle and is much slower.

Several buckets full of guts later the pumpkins are empty and ready for captains.

Future pumpkin racer perhaps

Costumes are encouraged and rewarded. This won best racer costume.

Spectators line the perimeter of the Tualatin Commons pond every year taking photos and cheering on the racers.

The growers race first. It's always a crowd pleaser because almost everyone is in full costume

Charlie brown gets passed by ketchup while cheesing for the camera

This was my personal favorite... That's one bad princess

Ketchup didn't cross the finish line first...

...but anyone that manages to make it around the whole course without rolling their pumpkin over or passing out feels successful. (He did manage to win best pumpkin decoration)

Gourd Vadar attacks!!

Multiple heats allow for anyone that wants to to race to have a chance. Start training now, because this crew was serious.

This shots shows the full spectrum of emotion experienced by each racer.

What I saw most was big smiles!

If you missed this year's event put it on you calendar for next year.

New Thule Website goes live featuring sweet video shot in Columbia River Gorge

2009-10-28T20:05:00.000-07:00

The brand new International Thule Homepage wet live!! Normally this would not be so exciting as to require multiple exclamation marks, but the new site happens to feature none other than...ME!

Just go to www.thule.com pick your language and country. When you get to the home page be patient and wait for the whole thing to load. You should see 4 different cars you can click on. Click on the kayaking car and start going through all the paddlesport stuff...I'm the hairy one.
You will even find a really flashy short video that shows some nice shots of the gorge.

"When it rains, it pours"...More Great News is rolling in.

2009-10-28T19:48:00.000-07:00

Outdoor Research makes some amazing adventure wear and outdoor gear. I look forward to developing a strong relationship with this local NW based company. They will be helping to support future projects of mine through the donation of some sweet gear. I remember admiring the goods back in the day when working the sales floor at The Alpine Shop as a "kid". I am proud to be sporting some of the finest threads in the biz.

Thanks Guys!

Joining the Kokatat Team

2009-10-28T19:28:00.000-07:00

It's official as of today... I will be joining forces with Kokatat for future projects, trips, service projects, sport-growing initiatives, and events. I am listed as an "Ambassador" on their homepage with some pretty big names.

Check it out!!..

http://www.kokatat.com/team.asp?team=Ambassador_Sea_Kayaking

Also Check out the nice plug Kokatat provided "Boat with Paul"
http://blog.kokatat.com/

Lumpy Water Symposium Pacific City, Oregon

2009-10-25T19:40:00.000-07:00

With strong winds and big swell in the forcast we weren't sure how it would go. Everyone on staff had been glued to the surf reports all week long hoping for a break in the weather for the big event. Ten to twelve foot swell was predicted to be rolling in all weekend with a slight chance of smaller seas on Sunday.

Despite never seeing any sign of good weather ahead; last weekend almost all 60 people who registered made their way down to Pacific City, Oregon for the first ever Lumpy Water Symposium hosted by Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe.

The goal of "Lumpy" as it came to be known by the staff, was to provide an inclusive skill based weekend that could keep even the most seasoned paddler entertained "without ending up in a coast guard helicopter or on the 6 o'clock news."

While we did manage to challenge even the most talented students, we also provided a number of beginner paddlers a low cost, super fun experience that would keep them coming back for more. The skill range at the event was quite broad, but the venue in combination with some amazing coaches made the weekend a great success.

We caught a nice break on Friday. The air was warm and moist, but no rain was detectable. The wind was light and the swell was small enough to create surprisingly forgiving conditions for most all the classes and trips happening that day.

People were excited to be there. Smiles were not difficult to find that first day...

...It was the second day that proved to be the real challenge. Strong winds moved in from the south bringing unusually warm temps and lots of precip. The sea was being whipped up by stiff gusts of balmy air creating an especially challenging learning environment. There was much head scratching early that morning trying to sort out some of the more advanced classes and appropriate venues.

Dave White (left) did an amazing job as Event Safety Coordinator. Saturday's weather gave him little to work with but he managed to put together a plan. At least the towing / wind management class , or "towing in the wind" as it became known, had what they needed.

All the classes on Saturday went relatively smooth except for my "rock gardening" class.

Three Arch Rocks at Ocean Side, Oregon typically offers some rewarding off-shore rock gardening with minimal commitment. The rocks are off limits during warmer months for un-disturbed marine mammal and sea bird habitat. There is easy access into Netartz Bay close by or you can launch right off the beach at Ocean Side. The bay can offer a route through the break that is doable even with large swell, and can offer a pretty sweet back up plan should the beach break intimidate participants.

photo by Richard Davis

I was not the first to pull into the lot. When I arrived there was already several wide eyed students anxiously starring at the sea. We watched one pelican out near the rocks that seemed to be flying at top speed. We watched that one pelican for a good 5 minutes without so much as turning our heads. The South wind combined with the long shore currents made the sea appear as if it was a giant river headed to Alaska.

photo by Richard Davis

Nick Jacob and I had a chat about the plan. After listening to some of the student's comments and assessing the scene, it quickly became clear that this rock gardening class was going to turn into a play in the bay class instead.

We beat into the wind within Netartz bay for awhile, had some rescue practice on an eddy line created by the strong flooding current, and took out about 45minutes later a 1/2 mile up the bay from where we parked.

After a rainy lunch enjoyed in our respective heated vehicles, the gang all decided to head back to Pacific City to either surf the slop on the beach side or work on skills in the river on the back side.

By early Sunday morning the winds subsided and the clouds gave way to beautiful blue skies...at least for most. Three Arch Rocks to the north were still hidden in a vail of thick fog, while Pacific City and Salmon River to the South were mostly clear.

I had the pleasure of teaching the Advanced Long Boat Surfing Class Sunday and had a great time!

photo by Daniel Fox

Overall, the consensus was that, The First Annual Lumpy Waters Symposium was a great success!!! It was stressful and lots of work, but the constant stream of smiles and "Thank you's" made it all worth it.

If we missed you this year... keep your eyes on www.lumpywaters.com for next years dates and to check out more photos and media from the event.

Daniel Fox was the event photo / videographer. He provided me a couple photos for this post and his other videos and photos can be seen by visiting the links below. Thanks for reading!

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=153583057423

On Flickr for the ones who wish to post their own photos from the weekend. http://www.flickr.com/groups/lumpywaters2009/

Video Day 1 http://vimeo.com/7150099

Video Day 2 http://vimeo.com/7150455

the photos from the weekend on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielkeimou/sets/72157622619828042/

on Kontain http://www.kontain.com/thewildimageproject/entries/50955/lumpy-waters-symposium/

On iWend blog http://www.wendmag.com/iwend/2009/10/pushing-your-limits-a-weekend-of-wind-rain-and-kayaking/

350.org River of Action Portland Oregon

2009-10-24T20:31:00.000-07:00

"TODAY, people in 181 countries came together for the most widespread day of environmental action in the planet's history. At over 5200 events around the world, people gathered to call for strong action and bold leadership on the climate crisis."

Portland's contribution to the 350 movement was a sight to be seen. Over 150 determined Portlanders formed the image of "350" by combining kayaks, canoes, stand up boards, a small sail boat, row boat, rafts, and other paddled craft in the Willamette River proving once and for all that cats can be herded and that the paddling community is strongest when banded together in a fight for a common cause.

Portland Boathouse Dock

Thanks Andy Maeser for all your hard work. Without Andy's motivation and dedication this demonstration would not have happened. Nice work Andy!!

Also, be sure to thank your local paddle-sports businesses and organizations that donated time and boats to make all of this possible with a minimum impact. Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe, Next Adventure, NRG, Willamette Riverkeeper and others brought boats to the event so people had the option of taking public transit, biking, or walking to the site.

Keen Footwear and Wend Magazine were also big contributors to today's efforts. A big thanks goes out to them as well!!

And of course...A thank you to all who volunteered today!! Nice Job Portlanders!

visit 350.org to find out more!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/350org/sets/72157622522487331/show/ View Actions at 350.org