Hi All!
I had a holiday of two weeks in September so I flew from Gabon to Paris. The next morning I (of course) checked the levels and I saw the curve going up. I took all Parisian people for nice Hawaiian sessions in Lyon. Sorry to my parents and family but the wave couldn't wait for me :)
Check the video clip and enjoy the show..... more pictures to follow!
Léo
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Nathan Eades reports home from Ecuador
Yo Dan,
Having fun over here in Ecuador!! The waves are sweet and the weather is warm!! New deck works really well and although the breaks we're surfing are really heavy, it hasn't failed once!!
YB
Email to Dan from Team Rider Nathan "Yellow Boy" Eades
Having fun over here in Ecuador!! The waves are sweet and the weather is warm!! New deck works really well and although the breaks we're surfing are really heavy, it hasn't failed once!!
YB
Email to Dan from Team Rider Nathan "Yellow Boy" Eades
Monday, November 10, 2008
The Surf Kayaking British Open
The weekend of the 25th and 26th of October saw the some of the biggest swell i've ever seen!
The competition began on Saturday 9am. The swell forecast for the day before had been OFF the scale on Magic Seaweed (for those of you that don’t know, that means it was above 25ft!).
The venue was Portrush, Northern Ireland, and the competitors had travelled from Scotland, Wales and England to surf the break. This beach break is renowned within the Northern Irish surfing community for being hollow and heavy, even on nice days. This weekend was no exception.
Saturday morning, and the swell had dropped to about 23ft. The heavens had opened and the winds were high, all the necessities you need to make a good comp, lol. As the first heats of the day went out, competitors such as Gerry McGahey and Darren Basen really showed their talents as they took on the barrelling break.
Gerry McGahey who organised the event, and to whom i must say a big thank you to, (it was a great event) decided to postpone the Ladies heats until the Sunday due to the heavy conditions.
The first Ladies heat on Sunday was at 10.40, and consisted of myself (Robyn Pearcey), Elaine Alexader, Shalene Ward, and Jackie Ferguson. The winds had dropped, and dare I say it, we actually had some sunshine :)! Everyone paddled really hard as we battled against the 10ft faces on the way out. Elaine got one of the nicest waves of the whole heat.
Both Shalene and I made it through to the Final along with Tamsin Green and Tracy Sherrington from the other heat. The Final was held at 1.40 that afternoon, by which time the winds had really dropped and the surf was a lot cleaner.
The Hooter went! We all started paddling for waves, Shalene had an awesome first wave, shortly followed by Tamsin and then myself. Everyone in the Final surfed exceptionally well and made the most out of the waves that were to be had.
The Final Hooter went, and as we got off the water, I really didn’t know whether I had done enough to secure a place in the top three.
The announcements went as follows. Shalene Ward 4th Place, Tracy Sherrington 3rd Place, (and this was when the nerves kicked in) Tamsin Green 2nd Place, Robyn Pearcey 1st Place. I couldn’t believe it, I was over the moon!
I would just like to say that everyone in the Final paddled really well and I would like to say a special thank you to Nookie for sponsoring me. The kit you provided me with was awesome as always!
I would also like to thank friends and family too, who continue to support me in this crazy sport we call surf kayaking, WOOHOO!!
Robyn A.K.A SirfaChick!
The competition began on Saturday 9am. The swell forecast for the day before had been OFF the scale on Magic Seaweed (for those of you that don’t know, that means it was above 25ft!).
The venue was Portrush, Northern Ireland, and the competitors had travelled from Scotland, Wales and England to surf the break. This beach break is renowned within the Northern Irish surfing community for being hollow and heavy, even on nice days. This weekend was no exception.
Saturday morning, and the swell had dropped to about 23ft. The heavens had opened and the winds were high, all the necessities you need to make a good comp, lol. As the first heats of the day went out, competitors such as Gerry McGahey and Darren Basen really showed their talents as they took on the barrelling break.
Gerry McGahey who organised the event, and to whom i must say a big thank you to, (it was a great event) decided to postpone the Ladies heats until the Sunday due to the heavy conditions.
The first Ladies heat on Sunday was at 10.40, and consisted of myself (Robyn Pearcey), Elaine Alexader, Shalene Ward, and Jackie Ferguson. The winds had dropped, and dare I say it, we actually had some sunshine :)! Everyone paddled really hard as we battled against the 10ft faces on the way out. Elaine got one of the nicest waves of the whole heat.
Both Shalene and I made it through to the Final along with Tamsin Green and Tracy Sherrington from the other heat. The Final was held at 1.40 that afternoon, by which time the winds had really dropped and the surf was a lot cleaner.
The Hooter went! We all started paddling for waves, Shalene had an awesome first wave, shortly followed by Tamsin and then myself. Everyone in the Final surfed exceptionally well and made the most out of the waves that were to be had.
The Final Hooter went, and as we got off the water, I really didn’t know whether I had done enough to secure a place in the top three.
The announcements went as follows. Shalene Ward 4th Place, Tracy Sherrington 3rd Place, (and this was when the nerves kicked in) Tamsin Green 2nd Place, Robyn Pearcey 1st Place. I couldn’t believe it, I was over the moon!
I would just like to say that everyone in the Final paddled really well and I would like to say a special thank you to Nookie for sponsoring me. The kit you provided me with was awesome as always!
I would also like to thank friends and family too, who continue to support me in this crazy sport we call surf kayaking, WOOHOO!!
Robyn A.K.A SirfaChick!
Monday, November 03, 2008
NEW Limited Edition Nookie Assault Tee
When we released the New Nookie Assault Whitewater Dry Shell we knew that people would be looking so cool & stealth on the water that something big would be missing from their lives off the water. Hence the limited edition Assault tee was born. Available here for just £20 plus postage
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
2008 British Surf Kayak Open Championship
Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th October saw surf kayakers from all over the UK travel to East Strand, Portrush for the annual British Surf Kayak Open Championships.
Conditions on Saturday have a good size surf with very strong off shore winds. The Nookie sponsored Open HP category ran through to the quarter final stages on the first day and saw some of the biggest names in UK surf kayaking compete in the tough conditions.
Sunday opened with lighter winds and slightly smaller surf, allowing the ladies, masters and junior categories to run without delay.
Conditions continued to improve during the day and the finals of the Open HP event ran in great conditions.
The final saw Northern Ireland’s Corin King, Chris Hobson and Jonny Bingham take on Steve Bowens from England.
Chris Hobson – Yellow Bib, Corin King – Red Bib
Jonny Bingham
Steve Bowens
Chris Hobson
Corin King
Jonny Bingham
In what was an energetic final, all competitors showed that the level of surf kayaking in the UK is definitely world class.
After a short wait while the results were tabulated, everyone gathered to see who the judges thought was the new British Open Champion.
The final results were:
1st – Jonny Bingham
2nd – Chris Hobson
3rd – Corin King
4th – Steve Bowens
L-R, Chris Hobson 2nd, Corin King 3rd, Jonny Bingham 1st, Steve Bowens 4th.
Many thanks to Nookie for sponsoring the Open HP category and supporting the sport of surf kayaking.
For more photos of the weekend and full details of all other categories, visit the NI Surf Kayaking website at www.nisurfkayak.com
NI Surf Kayak Committee
Conditions on Saturday have a good size surf with very strong off shore winds. The Nookie sponsored Open HP category ran through to the quarter final stages on the first day and saw some of the biggest names in UK surf kayaking compete in the tough conditions.
Sunday opened with lighter winds and slightly smaller surf, allowing the ladies, masters and junior categories to run without delay.
Conditions continued to improve during the day and the finals of the Open HP event ran in great conditions.
The final saw Northern Ireland’s Corin King, Chris Hobson and Jonny Bingham take on Steve Bowens from England.
Chris Hobson – Yellow Bib, Corin King – Red Bib
Jonny Bingham
Steve Bowens
Chris Hobson
Corin King
Jonny Bingham
In what was an energetic final, all competitors showed that the level of surf kayaking in the UK is definitely world class.
After a short wait while the results were tabulated, everyone gathered to see who the judges thought was the new British Open Champion.
The final results were:
1st – Jonny Bingham
2nd – Chris Hobson
3rd – Corin King
4th – Steve Bowens
L-R, Chris Hobson 2nd, Corin King 3rd, Jonny Bingham 1st, Steve Bowens 4th.Many thanks to Nookie for sponsoring the Open HP category and supporting the sport of surf kayaking.
For more photos of the weekend and full details of all other categories, visit the NI Surf Kayaking website at www.nisurfkayak.com
NI Surf Kayak Committee
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Just for fun
Life as a team rider is not all class 5 creeks and huge waves, today Alex and I spent a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon cruising our local run, the Vorderrhein. In autumn there is little water in the canyon but luckily just a enough to scrape down. Crisp light, clear air and blue skies make the perfect backdrop for a few photos with my new wide angle lens. There was of course a very serious work like reason to take to the water, Alex wanted to try his new Assault jacket and I am busy working out the perfect solution for a dry suit. You will all be pleased to hear we both arrived at the take out dry and warm, hooray for good clothing.
It is worth mentioning that the water temperature was under 6.5 degrees, easy white water it may be but make a mistake and you need good clothing to keep you alive, thanks Nookie for keeping me, my friends and other paddlers safe on the river.James
www.jamesweir.net
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Nookie to sponsor HP category in 2008 British Surf Kayak Open
Registration will close on Friday 17th October for the 2008 British Surf Kayak Open which will be held this year in Portrush, Northern Ireland.
The Nookie sponsored Open HP event will be the highlight of the 2008 competition calendar and the stage is set to see some of the UK’s best surf kayakers compete for the title of British Open HP Champion.
The Nookie team will be well represented at the event with Darren Bason, Chris Harvey and Robyn Pearcey set to make the journey to Northern Ireland.
For more details of the event and to keep updated with the results, visit www.nisurfkayak.com
The Nookie sponsored Open HP event will be the highlight of the 2008 competition calendar and the stage is set to see some of the UK’s best surf kayakers compete for the title of British Open HP Champion.
The Nookie team will be well represented at the event with Darren Bason, Chris Harvey and Robyn Pearcey set to make the journey to Northern Ireland.
For more details of the event and to keep updated with the results, visit www.nisurfkayak.com
Friday, October 10, 2008
Summer of big air and first times
The summer started when I got my new boat in Lyon and had the first session with it on Hawaii Sur Rhone at a low water level in the right channel. Check out the footage in the first clip. My second premiere I had later in the season at the German Big Air Championships over an artificial ramp. I even could achieve the third place and was more than happy because at the prize giving I was given my first ipod, so finally I got stylish too. But nonetheless I have to admit I rather prefer skis for ramps like that ;-) Check out a few jumps in the second clip.
Fluid premiere in Lyon at low water:
Big Air ramp premiere:
Markus Leppaenen
Nookie Team Rider
Fluid premiere in Lyon at low water:
Big Air ramp premiere:
Markus Leppaenen
Nookie Team Rider
Friday, October 03, 2008
No place like home - Leo's perfectly timed return from Gabon
After three months in Gabon, it seems I came back the right week end to France!!! As soon as I arrived I checked the cumecs curves on the internet and I saw it going vertical. I took the van, my kayak and three friends and drove down to Lyon. The water wasn't as warm as in Africa but waves were so incredible that we didn't have the choice to paddle all day long. I met up with all paddlers from Lyon and had good parties with everyone. I'll release a full clip soon with all paddlers and all levels, for now enjoy these two runs in the "Rampe" at 1600 cumecs :)
Leo Carpene
Nookie Team Rider
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Wet West Paddle Fest
Its that time of year again, Wet West Paddle Fest, a whole chunk of paddlers descend on Fort William for the annual Scottish Kayaker gathering. Although I should be taking some recovery time out, this is one event in the diary not to miss!
It's as much about the kayaking as it is the meeting of old and new friends, The SCA organise the rivers your friends do the rest!
More photos can be found at http://www.mysterymove.com/
Have Fun
Ben
Friday, September 05, 2008
The Brutal Reality Of Mortality
OK, I should be sat here telling you about all this awesome creek boating this summer's dishing out. Instead I'm sat rather uncomfortably off my face on pain killers! Why? because I did make the most of the summer creek boating...
4 weeks on and i'm still not 100%, paddling is painful, but bizarrely biking is fine! which is handy coz I'd booked up a week in the Alps for some crazy DH fun!
...One sunny day, we all went off to do the Meltte, it was running at a good medium level, sun in the sky, the warm air making the river appear to steam, Perfect day! All over enthusiastic, I accidentally over boofed the first 15fter landing ever so slightly tail first with my whole body weight directly over the seat. I felt the impact, but didn't think it was so bad, thought I'd got away with it, carried on & paddled the rest of the river, infact went home and carried on same as normal. A week later I couldn't move...
A quick call in to see the doctor and i get sent off for X-ray with suspected compression of the spine. I was lucky no major damage, I had 'just' smashed my vertebrae into each other causing some swelling. My new found mortality has taught me two valuable lessons, if you want to boat hard you need to train hard! and the most valuable complacency is painful!
A quick call in to see the doctor and i get sent off for X-ray with suspected compression of the spine. I was lucky no major damage, I had 'just' smashed my vertebrae into each other causing some swelling. My new found mortality has taught me two valuable lessons, if you want to boat hard you need to train hard! and the most valuable complacency is painful!
4 weeks on and i'm still not 100%, paddling is painful, but bizarrely biking is fine! which is handy coz I'd booked up a week in the Alps for some crazy DH fun!
Unfortunately I took a bit of a tumble and cracked a rib! sometimes you never learn!
Stay Safe, and if you cant do that at least have some fun...
Ben
Monday, September 01, 2008
The life of a Ti Vest
Me and my Ti Vest on the podium WorldCup2 Augsburg 2008, photo Timmy RaaWhilst preparing for the 2003 Worlds in Graz I called Nookie HQ and asked for a shorty cag as I was expecting the weather to be good, "No more shorties, why not try a Ti Vest they are much better" was the reply I got. Like most people I am quite sceptical when other people try to change my mind, I wanted a shorty cag not a neoprene vest, but I bit the bullet and said I'd try it. That was one of the best kit decisions I have ever made, Ti Vests rock, quick drying, warm, easy on and off and nearly bombproof, mine lasted 5years and I have been boating a hell of a lot in the last 5years.
Plattling 2003, photo Dave Lambley
Penrith 2004 training for rodeo Worlds, photo Sarah Bell/Fishibusiness
I have worn my Ti vest in 2 World Championships, 2 World Cups, 1 European Championship, countless Eurocups, on 3 continents, for open canoeing, C1 paddling, surfing, wakeboarding and rafting. I guesstimate I paddle over 1000hours a year and most of that in warm, sunny places, Ti Vest places. My Ti Vest has lasted me 5years and maybe 3000hours on the water and now it is shagged, pretty good for £39.99 I would say. So my tip for the day is buy one here and now.
Paddle safe and enjoy life,
James
www.jamesweir.net
Thursday, August 14, 2008
What’s it all about…..
A few weeks ago I wrote on my Facebook page ‘Rob is off to Norge to live a Nookie Life…’
Now this to me seemed quite self explanatory and obvious as to what I meant, but soon messages were arriving saying ‘Nookie Life what do you mean?’ So as opposed to explaining individually to everyone what this means, I thought I would just write once for every one to read what it means to me.
I suppose to me living a Nookie Life means hat you take every opportunity that is presented to you, squeeze the most in to life, do good things for other people, travel any where and every where for the perfect paddle and work damn hard at having a great life.
So my Nookie Life this summer has taken me all over the place but two places that are sticking in my mind so far are two weeks coaching creeking to a group of young people in Norway
and todays Hurley early session in the sun
A massive thanks to young boater Finn Burrows who has put together these videos and is starting to live a Nookie Life…. He is a paddler to watch out for in the future, 16 yrs old and styling it.
Any way I’d love to stop and chat but have a ferry to catch to France. Another mission, another load of smiles and new friends to be made.
Enjoy
Rob Yates
Now this to me seemed quite self explanatory and obvious as to what I meant, but soon messages were arriving saying ‘Nookie Life what do you mean?’ So as opposed to explaining individually to everyone what this means, I thought I would just write once for every one to read what it means to me.
I suppose to me living a Nookie Life means hat you take every opportunity that is presented to you, squeeze the most in to life, do good things for other people, travel any where and every where for the perfect paddle and work damn hard at having a great life.
So my Nookie Life this summer has taken me all over the place but two places that are sticking in my mind so far are two weeks coaching creeking to a group of young people in Norway
and todays Hurley early session in the sun
A massive thanks to young boater Finn Burrows who has put together these videos and is starting to live a Nookie Life…. He is a paddler to watch out for in the future, 16 yrs old and styling it.
Any way I’d love to stop and chat but have a ferry to catch to France. Another mission, another load of smiles and new friends to be made.
Enjoy
Rob Yates
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Nookie at OR Show, Salt Lake City - U.S.
The Nookie Team have worked hard this year to develop some exciting new products. The OR Show in Salt Lake City saw the first unveiling of a few of them.
The NEW Nookie Assault Shell is a full latex whitewater shell made from Xtetra4 ply fabric and brand new Enduro Mesh.
The NEW Nookie Guide Strides are perfect legwear for open boating, rafting, instructing and playing hard. Made from SomaTX3ply fabric with Enduro Mesh reinforced panels and removable padding in the knees.
The NEW Delta Cirrus Jacket and Trousers are super lightweight protective layers ideal for touring, sea kayaking, recreational paddling and every day protection from the elements. The Jacket packs away neatly into its own pocket and they're both a great choice when the weather is unpredictable - so that means they're always a great choice.
Check out the pics at playak...
Or download our new catalogue....
The NEW Nookie Assault Shell is a full latex whitewater shell made from Xtetra4 ply fabric and brand new Enduro Mesh.
The NEW Nookie Guide Strides are perfect legwear for open boating, rafting, instructing and playing hard. Made from SomaTX3ply fabric with Enduro Mesh reinforced panels and removable padding in the knees.
The NEW Delta Cirrus Jacket and Trousers are super lightweight protective layers ideal for touring, sea kayaking, recreational paddling and every day protection from the elements. The Jacket packs away neatly into its own pocket and they're both a great choice when the weather is unpredictable - so that means they're always a great choice.
Check out the pics at playak...
Or download our new catalogue....
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Upper Glenner River, a side creek of the Vorderrhein
(the gorge, pic by Alex)
On the Upper Glenner river, a side creek of the Vorderrhein, there's a
sweet run between two classical sections. Not too often people run this,
because some breathtaking portages make you work. When the snowmelting
time is over, there's still enough water in this section and thats why
it counts as one of just a few cool whitewater runs in summertime in its
area.
(Team nookie-look, pic by Alex)This day Ron Fischer and Alex Keller found some perfect conditions to
run it. The section "Lumbrein" offers all you need for a long
afternoon-creek: A thin deep gorge that's hard and only at a few spots
to leave makes every step more serious, some really cool class 5 rapids,
and a horrorable portage if you don't want to run the keyrapid -
that's probably even more dangerous then just running it...(ask Alex
why) And after all that, there waits a nice paddle-out with some class 4
rapids that you just can paddle all on sight and enjoy.
(entry drop, pic by Ron)
(portage stuff, pic by Ron)
(key drops, pic by Alex)
(key drops, pic by Alex)
(key drops, pic by Alex)
(exit drop, pic by Ron)
(exit drop, pic by Ron)
(exit drop, pic by Alex)Alex Keller & Ron Fischer
Nookie Team Riderz
Nookie Team Riderz
Monday, July 14, 2008
R+D
We love hanging out with our Team Riderz on the water in awesome locations, but we also love it when they pop in for a cup of tea.
Last week saw Team Rider Doug Cooper mission his way to head office to meet all the peeps and share some product design ideas. All our Team Riderz play a critical part in Nookie R+D from giving feedback on the kit they wear every day and offering up ideas on new designs.
Doug has been bending my ear about buoyancy aid designs for months, so this visit was a perfect opportunity for him and I to pool our ideas together...
The day was a success and we sent Doug away with a prototype that included nearly all of his ideas with the addition of some practicalities to put it all together : )
Here it is:
Sorry, that's all we can show you for now : )
Last week saw Team Rider Doug Cooper mission his way to head office to meet all the peeps and share some product design ideas. All our Team Riderz play a critical part in Nookie R+D from giving feedback on the kit they wear every day and offering up ideas on new designs.
Doug has been bending my ear about buoyancy aid designs for months, so this visit was a perfect opportunity for him and I to pool our ideas together...
The day was a success and we sent Doug away with a prototype that included nearly all of his ideas with the addition of some practicalities to put it all together : )
Here it is:
Sorry, that's all we can show you for now : )
Friday, July 04, 2008
The Swiss Alps & Don Ron
A few weeks ago, i had another weekend full of water here in the Swiss Alps. Because of lot's of snow in the late winter, we have had the best spring season since i started kayaking.
With my good friend Luke Wielatt we went to the upper parts of the famous river Reuss. This river has a lot of beautiful sections like the "Schöllenengorge" or the "Gurtnellen", but they're only runnable in spring or after rain because of the many f..... dam's we have.
This weekend the flow was perfect for that runs, but we wanted to check out some new creeks which are coming down from the Gotthard- and Furka- Pass. The road on the riversides are steep and make one 180degree-turn to the next. Normally, rivers beside roads like those have too much gradient, but not these ones. What we found, was much better than i could believe! Un-countable drops and slides and all of them good to go!
The "Gusbisreuss" and "Wittenwasserenreuss" showed us a perfect playground for steep creeking. Thank's! The pictures above show you why i like these rivers.
Don Ron
With my good friend Luke Wielatt we went to the upper parts of the famous river Reuss. This river has a lot of beautiful sections like the "Schöllenengorge" or the "Gurtnellen", but they're only runnable in spring or after rain because of the many f..... dam's we have.
This weekend the flow was perfect for that runs, but we wanted to check out some new creeks which are coming down from the Gotthard- and Furka- Pass. The road on the riversides are steep and make one 180degree-turn to the next. Normally, rivers beside roads like those have too much gradient, but not these ones. What we found, was much better than i could believe! Un-countable drops and slides and all of them good to go!
The "Gusbisreuss" and "Wittenwasserenreuss" showed us a perfect playground for steep creeking. Thank's! The pictures above show you why i like these rivers.
Don Ron
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