Doug Cooper releases teaser of new film!

After 5 years of intense country hopping we decided that it was probably time to start documenting some of it on film. Fortunatly good friend and film maker Rae set about teaching me how to use a camara. After two more years of foreign travel with the boys we finally sat down in January to compile a kayaking movie .

The film takes you through Europe, Canada, deepest darkest East Africa, good old England and the barren coast line of Morocco.

Introducing Dan Chamlet, Rob Harris, Pikey, Lachie Carracher (oz), Alan Ward, Piers Bucknell, James Bradly, Matt Kenna and many more, the film will be available from all good kayak stores hopefully in about a month. Until then enjoy the trailer...........



Doug Cooper
Nookie Team Rider

Spokane River Kickoff

It was back to my old stomping grounds last weekend for a locals, grass roots event.

Vendor tents lined the banks of the Spokane River, while spectators roamed the tents checking out the latest products in whitewater kayaking and rafting, but, no tent was busier than the Nookie Tent. Folks were amazed with the quality, style, and function of the gear. I had two extra Zone Shells for people to try on and test in the water, impressive. Latex Free is a Hit!

I donated a pair of Xtreme Dry Trousers to the raffle, with all the proceeds going to support the Friends of The Falls River Cleanup. The winner was later approached by several people who wanted to buy the Trousers from her, she wasn't selling these extremely versitile pants.

Several local Shops and Schools were on hand with free lessons and clinics. While the Spokane Canoe and Kayak Club members were slinging hot dogs and burgers to the crowd.

We experienced all four seasons with cold in the morning, sun mid morning, a little snow in the afternoon, more sun late afternoon, and a bit of rain that night. But people still came out and had a good time.

Thanks to Steve Bailey who put the event together. I look forward to warmer weather and better river flows for next year.

I have a one weekend lay over at home to re-pack, clean, and play with little Anthony, then off to the Vancouver Kayak Club Festival on the Chilliwack River in British Columbia Canada May 2-4.

http://www.vankayak.org/festival/

Tony Z

Nookie North America

Korsika and a few of my favourite things

I have recently returned from 10days of kit testing in Korsika and thought here and now was the time and the place to report the experience. Several paddlers we met could not help commenting on the fact that nearly everything in the bus was branded Nookie, even the bus itself. Nookie make nearly everything I need to keep warm and dry on the river and look good on the beach, thanks Nookie.

Things we like and think you will too.

The Assault Cag - The latest hardcore whitewater cag is in its final stages of testing and is looking good. The new motocross inspired mesh reinforcing on the elbows was of particular use for protecting my bones on the rocky creeks of Korsika.
Verdict; if you go creek boating or are prone to bumping your elbows pre order an Assault at your local dealer now.
























Thermal Core Top - Warm, well cut and stylish, I had mine on all the time. On its own in the morning and evening or under a cag in the daytime, strangely even after days of constant use it didn't smell, unlike me!
Verdict; throw out all your old smelly thermals and buy a thermal core.

















RV50 - A slightly smaller whitewater buoyancy aid, ideal for paddlers with shorter bodies. Lilli has been trying out the RV50 and found it to be a super comfy buoyancy aid that didn't ride up to her chin.
Verdict; if you have a short body or hate having a buoyancy aid that sits under your chin try a RV50 for size.

























Korsika - A French island in the Med, loads of quality whitewater rivers from grade cruisy to xtra sporty, nice wine, friendly people and generally speaking awesome (except for the refuse disposal infrastructure).
Verdict; if the idea of creeking in the day and hanging on the beach drinking red wine in the evening is your idea of fun then Korsika is for you.
























Thanks Nookie for all the lovely stuff you send us, when the going gets hard it's good to know we have kit that will keep us warm, dry and happy.


























Stay safe world,
James

Canyon Creek Race (Washington State, USA)

Last weekend I made the gruelling 11 mile journey out my back yard to the Canyon Creek Race. With a truck full of kayaks and a trailer packed with Nookie Kit, I arrived at the event site to find the parking lot already full at 7:15 in the morning, which is unheard of for boaters.

I squeezed next to the registration booth, dropped the awning, and began hanging Kit. Folks were already checking out the gear before I had most of it unpacked.

Looking around, I could tell the competition would be intense. To make the event a greater draw for a wide range of paddlers there were catagories for Kayaks, Rafts, and Inflatable Kayaks. Which in turn, also made the carnage great.

Spectators lined the banks and it was a site to see.

The Oregon Raft Team (ORT) was styling as usual and will be a group to watch throughout the season
http://www.oregonraftingteam.com/

Robby Virostek was sporting the Nookie gear and at 17 years old, showing up most of the competition. His dad Robert was on hand taking photos for http://www.kayakattack.com/ and should be given credit for some of these great shots.

After the day was through, everyone headed to Oly's place up On the East Fork Lewis for Food, Drinks, Music, and Awards.

The second day, after hang overs were managable, competitors and spectators assended on Sunset Falls on the East Fork Lewis for a Waterfall Huck Competition. After a few hours of beating themselves on the falls, everyone packed up their rigs and headed back to their jobs as mortals.

Here is a note from the Organiser:

Sponsor
This years 2008 Northwest Creek Competition exceeded everyones expectations! With the tempature reaching 80 degrees and almost 90 competitors including a huge showing in the IK and R2 classes this event was an absolute success!! With that said we couldn't have done it without our sponsors!! I appreciate everyone who took the time to out of their busy schedules to respond and support the NWCC! I look forward to working with everyone next year!

Thanks Again
Luke Spencer
NWCC Organiser

I brought my son out for the Sunset Falls Huck and amused ourselves for hours.

This was the start to my travel season and now I head off to Spokane Washington for the Corbin Kickoff April 19th

http://www.northwestwhitewater.org/spokanekickoff.htm

Tony Z

Nookie North America

Tough at the top.......

Unfortunately it is!
At Nookie we all like to get stuck in. Look closely, and at the back of the huge container is Nookie MD Bill. Fair play, he's still in there getting his hands dirty!

We have been getting ready for the Summer so are now FULLY STOCKED with loads of goodies, coz we know for a fact that this Summer is gonna ROCK!

NEW and NOW IN STOCK are the Nookie BOARDIES

Retailing at £34.99 they are a favourite amongst Nookie Staff and Team Riderz alike. Get yours here!

Sun to Snow - Thanks!

From 40 degree C, Sunshine, Big volume of the the Nile in Uganda to the Arctic, blizzard, low water conditions of Scotland!

First stop was the 6 day SRA Raft Guide qualification, run by a good friend Cam Allan off of Brookbank Scotland. 6 days of rubber bus driving & jumping in and out of rivers! Thankfully, whilst I've been away playing in the sun, The guy's at Nookie have been beavering away making lots of new cool stuff to keep you warm and dry in these very situations.

To test this new gear even further after 6 days of abuse I headed further north [and west] to find more snow and more rivers. No rubber bus this time just the trusty Pyranha Burn...

...Mission accomplished, 10 days in / on / off / trampling around a river in some of the harshest condition the UK can throw at you! All in the name of product development, its a hard life, well this time it was a cold one anyway ;-)

Staying warm and dry, Ben