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Jackson Kayak Hires European Team Manager

Photo: Courtesy Jackson Kayak
Jackson Kayak

 

Jackson Kayak is growing its presence across the pond. A press release earlier this week announced their hiring of Mathieu Dumoulin as a new European Whitewater Team Manager.

Dumoulin is also joining Jackson as a member of the team he’s been hired to manage—in the announcement, Eric “EJ” Jackson calls Dumoulin “one of the most impressive freestyle paddlers [he’s] ever seen.”

Dumoulin is a nine-time French National Champion and two-time European champ who’s spent a lot of time paddling with Jackson boaters. “My style of playboating, especially in competition, has been evolving with JK team members like Nick, EJ and Dane who have styles of their own,” Dumoulin says.

Impressive paddling resume aside, Dumoulin joins Jackson armed with a master’s degree in business, making him the prime candidate to develop the team overseas, inevitably growing the brand that’s been explosively successful in the whitewater industry since it was founded in 2003.  

Jackson announced their hiring of Dumoulin just weeks after adding French boater Nouria Newman to an expanding list of European paddlers, that also includes two-time world champion Claire O’Hara. 

See Jackson Kayak’s announcement here. 

Daily Photo: Upper Nanaimo

Photo: Dave Prothero
Whitewater kayaking.
Paddler Shayne Vollmers runs the Upper Nanaimo River in British Columbia. Photo submitted by Dave Prothero. 

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Daily Photo: Elvis Paddles

Photo: Scott Smith
Daily Photo: Elvis Paddles

With a name like Elvis, you know Adventure Kayak reader Scott Smith’s corgi is a pup with attitude. Smith, an avid kayaker and professional photographer in St. Augustine, Florida, says, “Elvis is well known on the various springs around Florida. I have dozens of him kayaking!”

Check out more adorable shots of Elvis and his friends, and Smith’s professional work, at http://sssphotographic.com/

Stay tuned for more doggone great Daily Photos.
 

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Daily Photo: Krokån, Sweden

Photo: Morten Engelsted
whitewater kayaking
This whitewater photo was submitted by Rapid reader Morten Engelsted.
 
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Doggy Paddling Canoe Tips

Photo: Kevin Callan
Doggy Paddling Canoe Tips

Camping with your best friend can be hassle free. Use the know-how below, and have a howling good time.

Let sleeping dogs lie

Only a few breeds are independent enough to curl up under a balsam branch and tolerate being chewed by the blackflies. Unless you own huskies and are in the midst of running the Iditarod, your dog can sleep inside the tent with you or can be leashed inside the vestibule. Packing his matt or blanket from home will keep him warm and settled at night and discourages him from sneaking into your own personal sleeping quarters.

Guard dog

Never assume your dog will protect you from black bears or grizzlies—although a few breeds such as the Karelian Bear dogs are bred specifically for confronting and herding problem bears. Instead, stick with regular bear safety practices. In my own experience, I’ve found that more often than not, my dog will chase a bear out of the campsite only to come running back to hide behind me, bringing the bear with her!

Vet’s Orders

A trip to the vet is a must to make sure your dog gets the shots it needs. Ask your vet if your dog needs additional vaccines to protect against Leptospirosis, which is contracted through rodents and deer populations, or Lyme disease, which is spread by deer ticks. Your dog may also need an oral medication to prevent heartworm. While you’re at the office it’s a good idea to inquire if there are any poisonous reptiles or insects in the area and how to treat a bite.

Hot dog

To prevent heat exhaustion and heatstroke, let dogs go for frequent swims to lower their body temperature. According to Dogs Ultimate Care Guide, fast, heavy panting and excessive salivation are the first signs of heatstroke. Try to keep them shaded on hot, humid days. Fixing a small sun umbrella to the canoe gunwale works wonders.

Sun dog

Some dogs’ noses are prone to sunburns. This is easily preventable by applying a little bit of waterproof sunscreen.

Dog Bitten

Make sure to also bring along bug repellant that’s free of nasty chemicals such as DEET. My vet supplies me with repellant made of oil of peppermint, eucalyptus, pennyroyal and citronella.

Cool dog

For cold-weather camping, pack a dog blanket or a children’s sleeping bag and a small ground sheet for sleeping. Dogs burn more calories in cold weather to keep warm, so give them additional food and treats.

A Bone to Gnaw On

Plan to take two extra days of dog meals beyond your planned stay, just in case. All dog food and treats should be stored like your own food—away from the campsite in water- and critter-proof containers. Feed your dog in the kitchen area and pack up any kibble that falls out of the bowl. It’s also important to use the same food brand your dog is accustomed to at home. Canoe trips are a bad time and place to deal with allergic reactions or a picky eater.

Water dogs

It’s pretty difficult to stop them, but dogs can get sick from drinking contaminated water in rivers and lakes. A common waterborne parasite known as Giardia will give dogs volcanic diarrhea and could be transmitted from them to you. Provide them with plenty of clean water throughout the day.

Doggy Bag

Purchase a dog pack so she can carry her own food, water and snacks. Always store the pack away from the tent and out of reach of wild animals. I believe that if the dogs feel more involved with the trip, they will enjoy the time out there far more…and so will you.

Sit…lay down…Stay

The best way to get dogs to stay in the canoe is to create a comfortable place for them. Try gluing a slab of foam to the floor of the canoe or bring their favorite mat from home. Go for an afternoon test paddle with all your gear to work out the wrinkles and get your pooch familiar with the drill. Training him to sit or lie down takes time…and patience.

Don’t tie me down

It’s very important to never tie your dog into the canoe. If your canoe capsizes, your dog must be able to swim free of the boat and gear. Paddling with your pup in rapids depends on both his and your own comfort level. Dogs can run the portage trail while the owners run the rapid.

Dog rules

Dogs are permitted in many provincial parks across Canada. Park rules state that pets should always be kept on a leash, are never left unattended, do not make excessive barking noise and that their waste is cleaned up and disposed of properly. Some parks have dog-free zones, so make sure to check regulations before heading to your destination. My preferred choice is to go north to the less crowded, more dog-friendly parks and public land areas.

This article first appeared in Canoeroots and Family Camping, Early Summer 2010 issue.  For more expert tips, download our free iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch App or Android App or read it here.

Vertical Pin Rescue

Photo: Epic TV
whitewater rescue

A kayaker gets pushed off line and lands stuck, upright and underwater, in a strange vertical pin on the Lyn River in Devon, UK. He reaches through the rapid to give his rescuers a thumbs-up that he’s still breathing as the water rushes over his helmet. This GoPro footage shows his attempt at the run, a scary look at him trapped underwater and the full rescue operation.

 

 

From Epic TV.

 

Daily Photo: Oceana Falls

Photo: Ryan Shealy
oceana falls
Tallulah Gorge’s Oceana Falls. Photo submitted by Rapid reader Ryan Shealy, with thanks to the Appalachian Paddling Enthusiasts. 

 

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Daily Photo: Deliverance

Photo: Katie Barfield
Bull Sluice
Open-boater Tim Barfield runs Bull Sluice rapid on the Chattooga River. 
 
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Daily Photo: Fall in France

Photo: Laurent Guyot
whitewater kayaking in france

A fall run of the Volane in Ardèche, France. Photo submitted by Rapid reader Laurent Guyot. 

Want to see your photo here? Submit your whitewater images to Rapid’s Daily Photo! [email protected]

 

 

Daily Photo: Hell Hole

Photo: Larry Tucker
Whitewater kayaking

Paddler Eric Tucker enjoys Hell Hole rapid on the Middle Ocoee. Photo submitted by Rapid reader Larry Tucker.

Want to see your photo here? Submit your whitewater images to Rapid’s Daily Photo! [email protected]