So here she blows. This is a project that I have been editing all summer and features white water in California and Washington. The project features some of the top athletes on the West Coast and footage from Shasta Boyz Productions, as well as Clear H20 Films. The show will be a benefit for our dear friend Matt Thomas to help him through his road of recovery. (The flyer got distorted but the idea is there)
The world premier will be right here in Mt. Shasta on Friday Aug. 21st at City Park Gazebo, with a benefit raffle before hand. This film will go on tour in early 2010 as an opener for Huckin Huge's new video "Haymaker". Make sure to come out and support both shows and look for them on DVD. Here is the flyer and a trailer to get you fired up.
During this madness of getting footage to Huckin Huge for Cody's film "Haymaker" and finishing Wet Dreams, David Miller at Matador caught up with me and asked me some questions about sponsorship within the kayaking industry.
This was a piece that got published wednesday and could be controversial for some but helpful for others. Just exploiting more fun in the sun.
So during the editing madness of getting "Wet Dreams" released by its premier date, which is Aug. 21st. 2009 for those that don't know, Shasta Base Camp hosted the 1st annual Shastarama XC and Downhill races.
If there is one sport I can compare to kayaking it is downhill mtn biking. Same fall line without water and you boof everything. It has become a serious cross trainer for me and another sport to invest time, money, and of course skin.
Here are a couple shots of your truly holdin it down for the Shasta Boyz and a vid in full HD I made of the event......enjoy.
Sup crew, busy life up here in Shasta getting ready for my brothers wedding. I have been in close contact with David Miller at Matador, and he asked me to put together a helmet cam review piece for their site.
It's a review of the GoPro Wide, VIO POV 1/1.5, and the brand new Contour HD by Vholdr. If any of you adventurist are in the market for a helmet cam be sure to check out this piece for some good prospective.
In this past crazy week of finals and moving back to Shasta for summer, I spoke with David Miller at Matador, an online blogging community. These guys are great and have a great outlook to where they want to take their company.
Here is a shot of the urban mischief we got into last weekend. Yours truly in mid-flight and Chiseki McConnaughy at top. This photo was taken by Trevor Clark a traveling photographer. He hid in some bushes a few hundred feet up on the hillside above the dam to get this shot. Make sure to check out his exploits at www.trevorclarkphoto.com
Look for the full footage in Huckin Huge's next film releasing in 2010.
Last weekend (5/14-17) myself and Chiseki Mconnaughy made the barge north the get the last water on the S. Branch of the Feather. We left Santa Cruz Thursday night planning to meet the rest of the Shasta Boyz and crew the following morning. After the a brutal drive up the back side through Milsap Bar, Chiseki's Lexus was pushed to the max.
In the morning we arose early and waited for the crew to arrive. When everyone showed up the group consisted of us two Devin Knight, Ryan Knight, Chris Korbulic, and Darin Mcquoid. When people refer to this run one of the best day trips in California, this is no joke. The run has everything from fun rapids, waterfalls, slides, and the opportunity to go as big as you want. There is an option to do a two day trip and hike around Seven Falls (three waterfalls from 100-200ft). We opted to do the one day mish and hike the 1000 vertical feet out the canyon above the falls.
The run starts out mellow with some fun boogie before it starts to gorge up. It begins with some fun rapids and smaller ledges before getting into the waterfalls section. Once the waterfalls start they don't stop till the end. An array of 10-20ft drops, a 45 footer named "99 problems", and a 50 footer to finish out the run. One of the most spectacular canyons that I have ever seen in my life. Here is yours truly on givin' it on 99 problems followed by the big hitter Ryan Knight. Photos by: Chris Korbulic
Below 99 problems there is a fun 20ish foot slide and then straight into a 130+ footer that you portage on the right. The seal launch at the base of the 130 footer is amazing because you get to reconnect in the base of the falls. Here is a shot of some Shasta Boyz at the base of the falls courtesy of Ryan Knight.
There is another fun little slide right after this and then straight into the 50 footer. This is an amazing curtain drop that reconnects at the bottom. This waterfall is somewhat notorious for breaking paddles so make sure to tuck er' up at the bottom. Pep the sequence provided by Ryan Knight.
From the base of the falls its a straight shot to take out at the top of Seven Falls. We only spent a little time here to appreciate the scenery before the barge out of the canyon. The hike out is pretty steep but a good straight shot up to the road. It takes most boaters between 30-40min to get out, but it took myself and Chiseki a bit longer due malnourishment and dehydration. Here is a beautiful shot looking back up the canyon from take out. Courtesy of Ryan Knight.
We had a great crew and it was amazing to finally get in there and experience it for myself after hearing so many stories. We left no drops untouched, except the 100+ footers, not quite good to go. From there we left and headed for a weekend on the American with the UCSC kayak club. While in the area we got into some mischief looking at some DAM action and decided to give her a go. We will leave the "exact" location unsaid but it was an epic 70ft non-vertical slide to 8ish ft. kicker to green water due to the low water. We both took really big hits at the bottom, knocking the wind out of us and exploding both our skirts. Besides a swollen finger and very sore backs we had a lot of fun.
Here is a video of the trip and there will be photos of the Dam coming soon, as well as a video featuring the UCSC kayak club trip. Hope everyone is finding themselves on a river somewhere, and remember to keep firin'.
