Road Trippin'

I left Monkey Island with very little plan, but a van loaded with kayaks, coffee, Team Rider Tim Copplestone and Pete H. This was the beginning of Nookie Creek Dayz II. The sun was shining when we arrived in Versam to meet Team Riders James Weir and Lilli Winter. We cruised down the beautiful Vorderrhein before heading to Ticino.

Tim and Hazel

In Lavertezzo we paddled the classic Middle Verzasca following the effortless lines and cheeky wink of Team Rider Ron Fischer. The boys then continued to take on Lucifer on the Lower Versasca.

After a camp fire and some beers we woke up next to the stunning Rovarno River. The boys hiked in with boats and kit and I followed. We finally arrived at the get in and I had to walk back out on my own for 45 minutes. I felt a little like Hansel and Gretel. By all accounts the boys had a mission on a great river with a few crazy portages including abseiling with their kayaks on their shoulder.

Next day we hit the Ribo, and as always the Ribo Falls was sweet.

Tim hucking Ribo Falls

Our next mission was to drive to Elm for the Straight Down Striit. While the boys were being manly with chainsaws I went for my first paddle of the Striit.

Hazel and Tim getting to run the Striit for the first time

James checking the lines on the Striit

The competition was great with a few surprising upsets in the head to head. Ron Fischer came second to Jakobus Stänglein.

Ron racing one of his many competitors

Team Riderz Ron Fischer and James Weir sharing a little Nookie Love

The party was fantastic with music from The Clowns. In the morning to shake the hangovers and the rain we drove south. We arrived in the Valsesia region of Italy.

We went straight for a park and play on the Solba Slides.

Pete and Tim on Solba Slides

We then went for a quick huck on Landwasser Falls before paddling the Mastelleno.

Hazel on Landwasser Falls

The Valsesia region has so many beautiful rivers to paddle, so we spent a few days making our way round all of them. I think the Sesia has got to be one of my favourite sunshine runs.

During the week Ron and Pete ran the renowned Mollia Rapid. It was definitely a challenge worth watching.

Ron in the middle of the Mollia Rapid

Ron, Sesia.

It was a great road trip and of course, I'm now busy planning the next : )

StraightDownStriit and the Nookie FotoKontest

Hidden at the top of quiet valley in Switzerland there is a crazy little creek that is home to one of the best boater cross races and party's on the European kayaking calendar, its name is Straight Down Striit. SDS was born in 2007 when a small group of friends including Team Rider Ron Fischer got together and had a race, it was the start of something crazy. In 2008 Nookie was asked to sponsor the event, to relive the highlights of 2008 look here.

This year SDS was back bigger and badder than ever and so was the Nookie FotoKontest, congratulations to the winners who all took home 100CHF prize money for their winning fotos.

Winner of the lifestyle category Florian

Winner of the fun category David

Winner of the creek race category Sveta

And some more fotos of the Team Riders in action because they are easier than words on a Sunday morning!

Tim Copplestone boofing out on the second drop

James Weir charging in the timetrail

Event organiser Silvan taking it easy, good work fella.

Alex Keller being cheered on by Bobby

Tim Copplestone deep in the action

Nookie product designer Hazel Wilson checking out the race course

Ron Fischer, Team Rider, event organiser and Silver medal winner in the boater cross

Big props to Silvan, Ron, Luc and Lukas for organising an awesome event and to Nookie, Teva and Red Bull for putting their money where their mouth is, see you for the next one.

***Check out cool party photos from Daniel Bally here***

Paddle hard, stay safe

James