Just Norway

Norway - just this one word causes sequences of images in every ambitious paddler’s head. So it wasn’t very surprising that we (Philip Baues, Thilo Schmitt, Thilo Wietzke) couldn’t expect to get on the plane after overloading our kayaks after the weight control. Thanks for the little hint by the nice check-in lady: “I can’t see what happens behind the next corner, before you drop off the kayaks.” Sweet!

“Everything is pretty full on!” This was our welcoming with a big smile by Benjamin Hjort. And a local “full on” is a scary “full on”. Just to mention that it was absurd to see, that, if there was the idea to run the tunnel-drop, you should keep your head down, not to smash it against the tunnel! Really not runnable!

Numedaslagen, enough water...

Guided by Benj we went to the region around Voss and checked most of the classics and even some rare ones like the Hemsil. Like Benji told us, we were the lucky fellows. It isn't running often!

It's better to melt this one on the Jordal, even if the boil pretends to be soft - it isn't!

Lake to lake. Nothing more to say... (count 1 of the boats)

Days of rain brought us a running Teigdalen – my own little mission: First try - we hiked out directly after the confluence after Philip lost his boat and paddle during scouting. Second try on a good flow – I hiked out at the same spot, after I had recognize that I really felt uncomfortable with my too small creek-boat. The group went further and found the lost gear nearly without any scratches and got rewarded on top with a perfect flow on the double drop. Third try – I cracked my second big rental boat directly before the entrance fall. Sh...!

This beautiful slide was the end of my runs for three times! Argh!

the confluence

Absolutely pissed off, knowing I can’t run the whole river again, I boofed the entrance fall and ran the next two slides with a sinking boat. And then? Yes, I hiked out again at the confluence… Picked up by Philip, who ruined his back with a hard boof of a 10m waterfall a few days before, we drove down. After a quick provisional repair I headed up and joined my buddies at the top of the double drop.

Bring your balls...

...don't fuck up the boof...

...and be ready for melting!

Finally I stouted the “DD” on a perfect line. So there is no way around coming back to Voss running the complete section. Nothing more to say than thanks to Benji for his great hospitality!

Searching for the next destination...

Our little résumé: a scary upside down slide at local flow on the Brandset + one clinched back after boofing a 10m waterfall + one burst knee during scouting + two smashed boats + two lost paddles + a few swims + a lot of fun!

Alex Rodegro
Nookie Team Rider

Great Weekend @ Tryweryn Festival 2011

Nookie had a great time at the Tryweryn Festival 2011. There were some great events, lots of paddling, a preview of Simon Tapley's latest film, some beers and of course, the Nookie Photo Competition.

Here are the winning photos:

(Each winner received a £50 voucher to spend on Nookie Gear)

WINNER: Nookie Lifestyle

Simon Adams

WINNER : Carnage!

Alex McGregor

WINNER: Event

Evie Walker

Sunday was great fun with the 8 Ball Race, and King of the Wave...

8 Ball

King of the Wave

And we met a dog called Hazel (no, not our designer), but we'd quite like to add her to Team Nookie : )

Hazel - with her new Nookie adornment

Thanks to all the organisers and paddlers that made it such a great weekend... see you next year!

Come and enter the Nookie Photo Competition @ Tryweryn Festival 18-19 June

The weekend is fast approaching, and with it comes the Tryweryn Festival 2011. http://www.ukrafting.co.uk/eventsfestivals.htm

This year Nookie are hosting a photo competition on the Saturday.

Open to anybody with a camera... why not come and join in?

TO ENTER:

Bring your photos from the day's events on Saturday to the Nookie team before 6pm, we will be located in the RECEPTION at the Canolfan Tryweryn White Water Centre. (We can accept most formats of digital card/format.)

We will ask for your details and clarify which category you are entering your particular photos for.

CATEGORIES:

• EVENT •

This category covers photos submitted for any of the events during the day, including the TopoDuo Rolling Battle, Big Dog River Jam, Wild Water Racing Classic and the Robson Relay Race.

• NOOKIE LIFESTYLE •

Bring us some photos from the day that you think sum up the lifestyle of the event.

• CARNAGE! •

Pretty self-explanatory. If you get a great picture of a race tussle, or a Topo battle or anything else that makes you go 'oooh'... enter it in this category!

WINNERS:

The winners for each category will be announced and the photos displayed at the Saturday Evening Event at the Old School House, Bala.

The winner of each category will receive a £50 voucher to spend on Nookie Paddle Sports Equipment.

GREEN, ANYONE?

Nookie Assassin Suit 10/11

I have to say I wasn't sure about the lurid green, but to everyone there comes (at least once) a time to admit that @hazelwilson was right. Not only has our Assassin suit been a massive hit, but furthermore, rather similarly green stuff has been popping up all over the place, and the dayglo is-it-green-or-yellow-really appears to be the latest trend in the high street as well :)

Here's the new Animal Assassin. We like...

It's probably not a predictable surfing destination for kayakers, but we immensely enjoyed this article in Nylon Mag this week, largely because it made us feel even better, if that was possible, about choosing that green.

Our completely-swamped-by-demand UK production facility (we think that sounds swankier than "factory") has been a sea of green for a while now. Everywhere I look, there's bright green fabric. It's shattered the myth that kayakers will only buy conservative colours, as sales and customer feedback continue to indicate that boaters want a highly visible colour but not necessarily the traditional safety yellow or orange. We are also super-happy that the green doesn't seem to fade or get stained badly, which has been a worry in the past.

Nookie Assassin Shell 2011

Since we try to be the other sort of green and minimise waste, we are now using up the leftover green fabric in the construction of an all-new limited edition Assassin drytop, and I really want one, because it is cooo-ooool... It has an all new easy-on/off inner waist tunnel, power-uppable outer cuffs and a bomber glued and blindstitched neck cover with extra-comfy edge technology. And as if it wasn't already hi-viz enough, or bling enough, the logos are retro-reflective silver :)

Nookie Assassin Shell - Back View

Please note this is a full-latex drytop, unlike the Zone shell which features neoprene glideskin seals for extra comfort and for those with latex sensitivity.

Btw we're having a giggle at the moment at the companies who advertise their neoprene necks as "for those with latex allergies" and then go on in the next sentence to say "Natural latex gaskets at wrists". Duh... 

So, just to clarify, if you have a latex allergy or just hate latex, buy a Zone... if you don't have, perhaps you will like this new Assassin or the Assault or Airscrew at nookie.co.uk

 Enjoy... all of the above    >>>>>>>>>