The unofficial king of stern squirts is here to reveal his secrets for getting the fun (and trending) trick dialed. You may recognize this polyonymous trick by one of its regional colloquialisms: the squirt, the taillee, the pirouette, the whoopie, or even the whirly. Regardless of its name, the fundamentals of the move remain the same.
The stern squirt is a classic move that can be practiced on high-volume runs as well as low-volume, slow-moving water. To initiate the move, a kayaker will drop their upstream edge as they cross an eddyline, while simultaneously taking a backstroke on their downstream side to initiate the stern submersion. Once the stern is fully underwater, the kayaker will throw their weight backward to keep the boat’s stern submerged. The paddler will simultaneously take some bow draw strokes on the same side, to keep the boat moving in a pirouette motion.
In this video, professional kayaker Bren Orton walks us through the move in three easy-to-follow parts–-with some additional, not-so-common advice thrown in there. To try this trick for yourself, you’ll simply need a slow current and an eddyline with some aeration.
Like so many humanitarian disasters we see on television and social media, we struggle to grasp the full scope of the suffering until it’s distilled to a scale we can understand. For me, that moment came last week, when an image of a kayak in the sky blue and sunflower yellow of the Ukrainian flag stopped my scroll.
The boat was part of a fundraiser by Pyranha kayaks, a company founded and run by lifelong paddlers. The picture led to a blog post that started this way:
“We have ceased all shipments to Russia as of the week before last and have heard from both of our Ukrainian dealers that they are preparing to defend their homeland in any way they can,” it said.
“These are our dealers in Ukraine,” it continued, between a pair of photographs. “Mike, with his family… Anton, with his paddling crew.
Pyranha dealer Mike with his family. Photo Courtesy: Pyranha
“These are wonderful people.”
That is when the human impact of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine finally hit me in the gut. I’d been reading for weeks about families split by war, with mothers, children and even pets fleeing west, while men stayed behind, compelled to kill or die in a conflict they could hardly have comprehended a month ago.
Anton’s photo, all smiles and shakas from a snowy riverbank in Ukraine, could just as easily have been taken on any of a dozen rivers I’ve run in West Virginia, Colorado or British Columbia. And Mike’s family portrait looks much like my own, down to the way his daughter leans into his shoulder.
Pyranha dealer Anton with his paddling crew. Photo Courtesy: Pyranha
“We are lucky to live in a stable and peaceful democracy, whilst millions live with the harsh reality of the many dreadful wars around the world,” said Pyranha’s managing director, Graham Mackereth. “This war in Europe, in an area where some of our staff come from, where our customers are being bombed, brings that reality far too close to home.”
Photo Courtesy: P&H
The company’s staff will donate their labor, and several suppliers have donated materials to make 20 custom Pyranha Scorch river runners and 20 P&H Virgo touring kayaks in the colors of the Ukrainian flag. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to The Disasters Emergency Committee, a major charity doing humanitarian relief in Ukraine.
Support from Pyranha’s dealers across Europe and North America was so strong that the company committed to making an additional 20 Ukrainian flag kayaks at cost, with proceeds also going to DEC. Two of the kayaks will be raffled for the cause, one in Europe and the other in North America. Tickets can be purchased through Pyranha’s European and North American webstores.
Those not in the market for a kayak can show their support by purchasing limited edition t-shirts in the colors of the Ukrainian flag and bearing the slogans ‘Launch Kayaks, Not Missiles’ and ‘Drop Waterfalls, Not Bombs.’ Shirts and raffle tickets can be purchased through Pyranha’s European and North American webstores. Paddlers also can contribute directly to DEC or a relief charity of their choice.
Pyranha announced the program March 9 with the goal of raising £75,000 ($98,000) for Ukraine relief, and the response was so positive that the company increased the goal. “We’re on track to raise over £120,000 ($158,000), which is almost double what we were aiming for,” said marketing manager Mat Wilkinson. “It is a true showing of the far-reaching community spirit amongst paddlesports enthusiasts that Pyranha is already over halfway towards this goal.”
Other paddling companies and organizations are also helping. Level Six, which regularly raffles drytops to support its mandate of “life on the water for everyone,” this month is supporting Ukraine relief. A $10 virtual raffle ticket (unlimited entries per person) buys a chance to win one of three drytops (Duke, Nebula or Nova) with all proceeds going to the Ukrainian Red Cross. The raffle runs until March 27 at www.levelsix.com.
Photo Courtesy: LevelSix
The American Canoe Association (ACA) also has stepped up in the crisis. When the International Canoe Federation pulled a pair of elite paddling races from Russia in the days following the invasion, they were faced with a monumental problem—relocating on little notice two events that normally take years to plan.
Enter Oklahoma City, which in recent years has hosted paddling events of all stripes, from the Paddlesports Retailer trade show to elite international competitions like those the ICF snatched back from Russia. In fact, Oklahoma City hosted the 2021 ICF Canoe Sprint Super Cup downtown under the lights—the first such competition to be run at night.
The ACA, which doubles as the national governing body for U.S. Olympic paddling, will partner with Oklahoma City’s Riversport Foundation to host the 2022 Canoe Sprint Super Cup and the 2022 ICF Stand Up Paddling World Cup previously awarded to Moscow, Russia. The events will take place in August, with final dates to be announced in early April.
“Even before the ICF approached us, we were exploring options to help Ukrainian athletes. Reallocation of events from Russia to the USA is equally a challenge and an opportunity, and we look forward to welcoming our Ukrainian friends and other international athletes in Oklahoma City this summer,” said Rok Sribar, the ACA General Manager for High-Performance Programs.
Riversport Foundation Board Chairman Michael Ming echoed the sentiment. “When we were approached about stepping up to host the displaced events, it was a resounding yes from everyone involved,” he said.
With world-class competition under the stadium lights, they promise to be events to remember. If you go, may we suggest you wear sky blue and sunflower yellow.
Canoeists haven’t changed all that much over the years, but the guidelines for open boaters have evolved. Want the latest ways to be a happy camper on your next canoe trip? From gas guzzlers to gadgets, food to fashion it helps to learn from the hard-earned experiences of others. We present some new rules of thumb every canoeist should be acquainted with.
Things you should keep on your belt: flashlight, Leatherman multitool, compass, binoculars, survival kit. Things you shouldn’t: cellphone, batarangs.
This is the one-time zip-off pants win the function-versus-fashion trade-off, but only just.
Footwear in ascending order of versatility: flip-flops, clogs, sneakers, neoprene wellies, sport sandals, hiking boots. Closed-toe are better.
5 things your trip mate never wants to hear
“Did you tie the boat up?“
“Does this farmer John make me look sexy?”
“I thought you had the keys.”
“I thought you had the map.”
“I thought you had the whiskey.”
This article originally appeared in Canoeroots and in Paddling Magazine Issue 65. Subscribe to Paddling Magazine’s print and digital editions here, or download the Paddling Magazine app and browse the digital archives here.
In some quarters, tandem kayaking is synonymous with dull paddling and poor technique. But where is it written that tandems must be paddled conservatively? In any kayak, we should be safely pushing our limits to improve our skills. Double kayaks are no exception. We should be out there surfing in plastic doubles, doing huge seal launches, practicing lean turns and braces, sculling…and even nailing rolls. Try out these methods for a successful–and effortless–tandem kayak roll.
2 Techniques to Roll a Tandem Kayak
1 The tandem kayak roll
Tandem rolling is surprisingly easy. The mechanics are exactly the same as rolling a single kayak, except, of course, that you have to coordinate with a partner.
How to coordinate your roll
The key to success is to have both paddlers roll in unison. Before capsizing, agree which side you’re going to set up on. This seems obvious, but I’ve seen a very experienced team of a right-handed paddler and a leftie combine to almost lift a whole double free of the water—it sure didn’t roll!
Choose the strongest paddler as the lead. It then becomes the other partner’s job to set up for the roll and wait to feel the roll initiated. Some paddlers rely entirely on “feel” from the time of capsize. Or, the lead paddler can tap on the deck as a signal for setup, which will be followed by a predetermined count (a quick “one-chimpanzee, two-chimpanzee,” for instance) and then both paddlers start their rolls. When selecting a partner, high-grade toward musicians, dancers or synchronized swimmers. (The latter are used to holding their breath underwater and already come with their own nose plugs.)
Don’t get into double trouble! Follow these techniques for an effortless tandem kayak roll. | Feature photo: Josh McCulloch
How to execute the roll
No matter how you time it, the “following” paddler must feel for the progress of the lead roller, waiting for that little lift that signals the initial loading of the lead paddler’s blade. At that point, the following paddler jumps into their roll. It doesn’t matter what style of roll each paddler chooses, C-to-C or sweep, as long as at least one of the paddlers has a really strong roll. Try different rolls and see what works for your team.
Obviously all the usual rolling rules apply—reach for the surface, keep your heads down and drive the knees for a good hip snap. Without that hip snap you are never coming up. And if one paddler is pulling their head up too early, straining to get upright and leading with the noggin, it’s gonna be wet for both boaters.
All the little “cheats” apply too, and maybe even more so. If you find yourselves almost up, but not quite, keep those heads down and a quick scull will almost always get you the rest of the way upright. With two paddlers, you have a lot of lift on tap, but only if you can work together cooperatively. If you have the timing down, have strong solo rolls, and are both starting your rolls at the same time—and on the same side!—you are almost guaranteed success.
Using the tandem roll to teach a new paddler
The tandem roll is also a fun teaching tool. With a strong roller in the boat, the newer paddler can go through the rolling motions, getting the feel of the hip snap, over and over again without the usual hassle of a wet exit after every failed attempt. If the bow person is very inexperienced, it is far easier to have them simply hug the deck while the stern paddler rolls the tandem alone. If this sounds overly macho, try it. You’ll be surprised how easy it is.
If you do blow your roll, the “reenter and roll” is an alternative self-rescue that works really well with a double. Why? Because you have an extra set of hands and a great big talking paddle float! After a capsize and wet exit, have the stern paddler reenter and roll the boat as the bow paddler, still in the water, helps out by simply grabbing the bow cockpit rim and flipping the boat in sync with the roll, or by acting as a great big paddle float.
With the stern paddler ready in the overturned tandem, the bow paddler moves in behind their partner, guides the sweeping paddle onto their shoulder and holds it at the surface. The bow paddler wearing a PFD represents a lot of flotation—the stern paddler now has an almost guaranteed roll.
The stern paddler, now happily upright in the boat, stabilizes as the bow partner scrambles aboard. As inelegant as this tandem self-rescue may seem, it is fast and effective with a well-practiced team, and eliminates fumbling around with a standard paddle float.
Need some motivation to learn the roll?
At least once (if not always), practice pumping out the fully swamped double. In many rescue practices, people fail to actually fully empty their kayak with a pump. It is a daunting task, and enough to inspire you to start working on a tandem roll.
Once you get comfortable doing rescues and rolls in a tandem, you’ll also be putting the boat on edge for lean turns, sprinting to catch wind waves, seeking out currents to play in and generally having more fun than you ever thought possible in a double sea kayak. You’ll be paddling just as playfully as you would paddle solo and enjoying the double’s extra power and speed.
You may even be more daring, what with a partner in crime right there in the same boat to egg you on. Even if you do happen to wet exit, you have two people working together to get yourselves back in the boat and ready for more. After all, two heads are better than one!
This article originally appeared in Paddling Magazine Issue 65. Subscribe to Paddling Magazine’s print and digital editions here, or download the Paddling Magazine app and browse the digital archives here.
Don’t get into double trouble! Follow these techniques for an effortless tandem kayak roll. | Feature photo: Josh McCulloch
March 21, 2022 – A call for submissions begins today for Red Bull Rapids, the wildest whitewater race where showmanship and ingenuity take top prize. In its 11 year history, this marks the first time that Red Bull Rapids has ever taken place in the United States – providing a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience for participants and spectators alike.
Hundreds of rapid seekers from Oklahoma and beyond will compete in this light-hearted, group participation challenge where 50 teams are selected to create their very own man-made vessels to race down a 258-yard whitewater rapid course, located at Riversport OKC. Teams consisting of 2-5 people (18 years and older) are scored on the creativity of their vessel, the speed at which they descend and the distance traveled – some may cross the finish line, others may not. Teams that place in the top three will be awarded with exclusive Red Bull experiences.
The scoring will be conducted by a panel of judges, featuring Red Bull athletes, coaches and Oklahoma’s own Darci Lynne. Darci Lynne is a native Oklahoman and season 12 winner of America’s Got Talent. She garnered over 90 million views on AGT’s YouTube channel and received the most votes for a final performance in the history of the show. She’s now ready to use her skills to judge whether her fellow Oklahoma natives have what it takes to win it all.
“I’m so pumped to be judging this competition,” said Darci. “I have never done anything like this before, so this is most definitely new for me – I’m ready to see what everyone’s got. Bring your A game and good luck to everyone!”
Beginning March 21 to May 27, interested participants are invited to submit an application to include a team name, bio, and sketch of the proposed craft – a team gallery of photos is also encouraged to add a personal touch. Upon reviewing the applicants, 50 teams will be notified by July 1 to begin building their crafts, while also provided with a formal invitation to run the rapids on event day, August 27.
While the sky may be the limit on creativity, there are still a few float regulations. First of all, crafts must be entirely human and gravity-powered (no external energy sources or stored power – forget about the turbo charged engines, boost buttons or anything besides your own burliness). Secondly, crafts must be less than 10 feet long and must weigh no more than 175 pounds (excluding the captain).
Red Bull Rapids is a free event and public spectators are encouraged to enjoy the live show. Gates open at 10am CST and the first competitive craft launches at 12pm CST. Submissions are currently being accepted at www.redbull.com/rapidsokc. For access to high res photography of previous international Red Bull Rapids events, please visit our Red Bull Content Pool.
About Red Bull
Red Bull® Energy Drink is available in over 172 countries worldwide and more than 9.8 billion cans of Red Bull were consumed last year, more than 3.7 billion of those in the U.S. alone. Red Bull Energy Drink’s signature 8.4 fl oz can contains 80 mg of caffeine, about the same amount as in a home-brewed cup of coffee. For more information, visit energydrink-us.redbull.com.
March 21, 2022, ORLANDO, Florida – The Water Sports Foundation (WSF) announced it has won the International Boating and Water Safety Summit (IBWSS) Communication Award presented by the National Safe Boating Council this week for its Spanish language recreational boating safety outreach radio campaign. The promotion included a series of three 60-second safe boating radio commercials launched immediately prior to the nation’s busiest boating holidays including Memorial Day and Independence Day in 2021.
For the past six years, the Water Sports Foundation has partnered with the industry-leading Hispanic Communications Network (HCN) of Washington, DC to facilitate a coordinated multifaceted outreach campaign targeting Spanish speakers via an integrated broadcast, digital and social media platforms.
“We’re delighted to have been recognized among top boating safety providers for our work.”
“We’re delighted to have been recognized among top boating safety providers for our work,” said WSF Executive Director Jim Emmons. “Our partners at HCN are great collaborators to work with as we developed targeted messaging that resonated with Spanish speakers.”
[ Discover the best safety and rescue accessories in the Paddling Buyer’s Guide ]
Alison Rodden, CEO of the Hispanic Communications Network added, “Latinos are one of the fastest growing groups of recreational boaters in the United States providing practical boating safety information via human interest stories that are relatable from personal, cultural and linguistic perspectives can help existing and new generations of boaters enjoy their time on the water while staying safe. Thanks to our Hispanic media affiliates and partners, digital and social media channels, the Water Sports Foundation-HCN bilingual boating safety campaign continues to see solid interest and pickup.”
In addition to the millions of impressions delivered through Spanish language radio, HCN scored media time for its campaign spokesperson, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliarist Henry Cespedes, who was featured on Univision’s Despierta América program, netting 10.9 million bonus media impressions.
Water Sports Foundation Content Director Jeff Moag accepts the IBWSS Communication Award for the non-profit’s Spanish language outreach campaign. | Photo: Courtesy of Water Sports Foundation
This most recent award-winning campaign represents a trifecta for the Water Sports Foundation’s marketing and outreach projects. Its national public relations outreach campaign launched in 2021 by media partner Kenton Smith Marketing won two major awards including top honors in the marketing outreach category for the Sea Tow Foundation’s National Boating Industry Safety Awards in December, followed by the top national Neptune Award for public relations presented by Marine Marketers of America in February.
For WSF’s public relations campaign, Kenton Smith Marketing produced a series of highly targeted press releases that generated more than 601 million media impressions – nine times its goal of 65 million – and 490 published stories over a five-month period. The team scored live interviews on the Weather Channel and dozens of TV stations, along with coverage in USA Today, Men’s Journal, Yahoo Finance and hundreds of national and regional media outlets.
The Water Sports Foundation has been a U.S. Coast Guard recreational boating safety outreach partner since 2011 and is currently managing 10 outreach projects each promoting safer boating and paddling to specific U.S. targeted audiences.
Water Sports Foundation
Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, the Water Sports Foundation is the non-profit educational arm of the Water Sports Industry Association. The WSF has successfully managed 41 projects worth $9.5 million as a U.S. Coast Guard non-profit grant recipient. The Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund administered through congressional action provides funding for the U.S. Coast Guard’s recreational boating safety initiatives.
Behold: The meaning of life. | Photo: Justin Bailie
At the age of 18 and now approaching 50, taking people on river trips has been what I do. It is all I really know. In some ways that sounds very simple, but ask anyone who really knows something and they will tell you that mastery is a long, long road. The more you know, the more questions you have.
[ Plan your next whitewater rafting adventure with the Paddling Trip Guide ]
Why River Trips Give Our Life Meaning
In my three decades of guiding clients down rivers, I have come to view trips as something more than a vacation for my clients. Trips are more than a collection of selfies, waterways traveled from A to B, and landmarks checked off a bucket list. Trips, I believe, are existential.
Behold, the meaning of life can be found on river trips. | Feature photo: Justin Bailie
I can assure you I am no philosopher. The few attempts I’ve made to wade through philosophical tomes were like chewing on sawdust. I failed to find the nutritional value in it and would not volunteer for another mouthful.
However, either by virtue of getting older (inevitable), smarter (unlikely), or just finally stumbling upon a philosophical argument I can swallow, I’ll propose some paddling philosophy for you.
Let’s get existential
Formed by famous philosophers Søren Kierkegaard and Jean-Paul Sartre more than a hundred years ago, existentialism supports the belief that humans are thinking beings. More importantly, humans are living beings capable of emotive action.
Kierkegaard and Sartre believed every individual is responsible for imbuing their own lives with meaning and living authentically. In contrast to other philosophies, existentialists believe there are limits to our rational capabilities. Each of us is ultimately defined by our subjectivity and action. Sartre famously wrote, “Man first of all exists, encounters himself, surges up in the world—and defines himself afterwards.”
I’m mindful of the sawdust.
We never step in the same river twice
As far as I’m concerned, every time we paddle we go on a trip. Whether a 120-minute sunset float, a two-day weekend how-to course or three-week epic in a desert canyon, there is a going out and a returning home. We never return the same person that left.
Every time we paddle we go on a trip, and we never return the same person that left. | Photo: Greg Harris/Pexels
It is Sartre’s “encounters himself” and “surges up in the world” that speaks to me. I am confident that every single client I’ve had the privilege to take on a trip has been altered. Usually invisibly but often radically, and by little doing on my part.
Whitewater trips are intensely personal, full sensory experiences. There are powerful visual auditory and physical sensations when pulled into a rapid by a strong current. There are emotions of joy and fear. There is camaraderie and there is the reflection. As a first trip or the hundredth, these encounters with one’s self and experiencing the river become defining moments in life. It is what makes whitewater paddlers whitewater paddlers. It is existential.
I’m not a philosopher. I am a river guide. I’m way past the novelty of getting paid to take people down rivers. What never gets old are the defining moments that river trips provide in peoples’ lives. Sawdust never tasted so good.
This article originally appeared in Paddling Magazine Issue 65. Subscribe to Paddling Magazine’s print and digital editions here, or download the Paddling Magazine app and browse the digital archives here.
Behold, the meaning of life can be found on river trips. | Feature photo: Justin Bailie
Perfect just one fundamental stroke. | Photo: Michel Terrien
In the wake of paddleboarding’s growing popularity, hundreds of paddleboard races have sprung up across the nation. There are fun runs for charity, easy two-milers, raging river challenges and heart-pounding marathons, just to name a few. Whatever your style, there’s enough diversity so that every paddler can find their niche and discover that paddleboard racing is fun, social and great for fitness.
What every successful racer shares in common is a bombproof forward stroke. The very first SUP race I did, I came in second…to last. Don’t make my mistake. Practice your technique until you have well-earned callouses on your palms. Here’s a four-stage progression to mastering this fundamental go-fast stroke.
Perfecting just one fundamental stroke will help to win your first paddleboard race. | Feature photo: Michel Terrien
1 Reach
Your reach happens in three ways. First, long, lever arms will get your paddle blade farther out towards the nose of your board. As you reach, hinge at the hips to dig the paddle into the water. Keep the shaft vertical. Rotate your core and stack your shoulders to open up those last winning few inches, enabling you to reach even farther.
2 Catch
The catch happens the moment your blade enters the water. The farther out you can reach and catch the water, the further forward you can pull yourself past your competition. Plant the full length of your blade in the water before the power stage to avoid slapping and splashing the surface.
3 Power
Right after the catch, imagine pulling your body to the paddle rather than pulling the paddle towards you. Use the rotation of your core, hips and shoulders to make this movement, instead of your arms, which don’t have as much power. An effective reach and catch will put you in proper position to recruit the most power from the core. Stop your stroke at your feet.
[ Paddling Buyer’s Guide: View all racing & training paddleboards ]
4 Recovery
In order to kick butt, make the most of your recovery phase. As you set up for the next reach and catch, use the strength of the shaft hand to push the paddle up into the top hand, giving the top shoulder a rest.
5 ways to prepare for race day
Train with a metronome app to develop your stroke rate per minute.
Aim to get on the water to train four days out of seven.
Once a week, train at 50 percent effort, focusing on perfecting your stroke at a slower pace.
Practice your starts, including standing, sitting and from the beach.
Paddle with the right blade shape and size.
This article originally appeared in the 2016 Paddling Buyer’s Guide and Paddling Magazine Issue 65. Subscribe to Paddling Magazine’s print and digital editions here, or download the Paddling Magazine app and browse the digital archives here.
Perfecting just one fundamental stroke will help to win your first paddleboard race. | Feature photo: Michel Terrien
Photo Courtesy of The International Canoe Federation
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK United States (March 17, 2022) – The International Canoe Federation (ICF) today announced that the 2022 Canoe Sprint Super Cup and the 2022 ICF Stand Up Paddling World Cup previously awarded to Moscow, Russia, will be relocated to Oklahoma City, OK, USA. The events will occur in August, and the final dates will be announced in early April.
The move comes in response to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) directive to move international competition out of Russia in the wake of the Russian invasion and the war in Ukraine.
[ Discover the best canoes of the year in the Paddling Buyer’s Guide ]
“The ICF and paddlesports family are fortunate and immensely grateful to our friends at the ACA and RIVERSPORT in Oklahoma City, USA, who offered to organize a high-level competition on short notice in these difficult times for the sports in the wake of the war in Ukraine. RIVERSPORT hosted the 2021 ICF Super Cup event and has the infrastructure and community support to host the 2022 event successfully,” said Thomas Konietzko, ICF President.
Photo Courtesy of The International Canoe Federation
The ICF reached out to the American Canoe Association (ACA) late last week to explore the possibility of moving both events to Oklahoma City.
“Even before the ICF approached us, we were exploring options to help Ukrainian athletes. Reallocation of events from Russia to the USA is equally a challenge and an opportunity, and we look forward to welcoming our Ukrainian friends and other international athletes in Oklahoma City this summer,” said Rok Sribar, ACA General Manager High-Performance Programs.
“When we were approached about stepping up to host the displaced events, it was a resounding yes from everyone involved,” said RIVERSPORT Foundation Board Chairman Michael Ming. “Everyone from the governor of the State of Oklahoma to David Holt, the mayor of Oklahoma City to our board members and staff wants to exemplify the Olympic ideal of using sport to build a better world.”
In 2021 following the Olympic Games in Tokyo, athletes from more than a dozen countries traveled to Oklahoma for the internationally televised Canoe Sprint Super Cup event held on the Oklahoma River. It was the first time for the event to be held at night under the stadium lights on the river.
“The Oklahoma River is the only sanctioned racecourse in the world to have permanent lighting for night racing,” explained RIVERSPORT Executive Director Mike Knopp. “The athletes and spectators worldwide were enthusiastic about the unique racing experience. It just adds another level of excitement to an already adrenaline-fueled event.”
Photo Courtesy of The International Canoe Federation
Previous ICF Canoe Sprint Super Cups have been held in Barnaul, Russia, Linyi, China, and Oklahoma City, USA. The events offer sprint and distance racing for top canoe sprint paddlers worldwide.
The ICF organized two world-class SUP competitions in 2020 and 2021, including impressively staged world championships in Balatonfured, Hungary. The ICF is reinforcing its commitment to SUP with three World Cup races in addition to its world championships in 2022. In early May, the world cups will be held in Thun, Switzerland, in Budapest, Hungary, in mid-June, and Oklahoma City in August.
“We’re fortunate that both our racecourse and our racing facilities are large enough to accommodate both events throughout one weekend,” said Knopp. “We’re still working to establish the exact date, but it will be sometime in late August.”
[ Plan your next adventure with the Paddling Trip Guide ]
RIVERSPORT’s board of directors will be working with state and city officials and the business community to provide funding and hospitality for the event.
“We look forward to hosting athletes and international federations for both events. I know the people of Oklahoma will show them the kind of hospitality we’re known for around the world,” Knopp said.
This whitewater course went from Gatorade to Mountain Dew in just 24 hours. Photo: Evy Leibfarth
No one celebrates St Patrick’s Day harder than the US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC. Every year, a “leprechaun” transforms their whitewater course from blue to green. The event is known as the Green River Revival and is accompanied by many other festivities on and off the water.
The organizers use a special non-staining, non-toxic, biodegradable dye that breaks down via sunlight and their built-in filtration system. While the water will be bright green starting at 1 pm on March 14, it will be clear again by the next day.
