After 7 years of delay, the trip is finally on !! The plan is to stay on location to scout and organize as well as possible. So Alex and I drove with the 5 boats on the roof and the rest of the crew meets us by plane in Marrakech later.

45h of driving and ferrying gets us to Tilouguite, further up Lake Bin El Ouidane. Amazing landscape all along the way. The village of TIolouguite was our base camp for the whole trip and it is a great starting point.

Bin El Ouidane LakeMorocco !!! Tilouguite Village Traveling around

One thing we learnt in Morocco : don’t try to stick to a plan or schedule !!! You’ll loose time, energy and money. Moving is slow and weather changes quickly. We’ve been super lucky and within one day of driving plus one day of donkey hiking, we’ve been able to spend 4 days on the water along 100km of class IV-V kayaking.

Classic Moroccan view

Awesome blue sky

From the top of Akka Tiflout, merging on the Assif Meloul, then on the Oued Ahensal. It’s easy to get food on your way, you find many villages on on the riverside. Though, it is always good to have water filter, food supplies for 1 day at least and a lighter.

Lunch !! Bread and tuna

Easy times

Later on, we got lucky with the rain and been able to first D a small steep canyon in Tilouguite.

Scouting the canyon

And dropping

2Km of awesome slides

Stephane Pion Charging

And as a last mission, we decided to run the famous drop section on Oued Ouzoud downstream the huge waterfalls. It took us 2 days to get the authorization after driving 200km between : The Hydro Agency to the local authorities to the regional authorities to end up at the governmental authorities… But it was worth it and we then spent two days hitting those amazing drops in this amazing (but REALLY touristic) place.

Ouzoud Falls put in

Myself on one of the first drop

Alex going for some freestyle move

The crew enjoying

This has been an awesome trip and we’ll come again since there is so much more to discover or rediscover !!!

Thanks to Beyo for accommodation, Moha and Lahoucine for guiding, Momo for the Ouzoud help !!!

Videos are coming soon !!!

Photos : Hugo Clouzeau, Stephane Pion, Louis Hetier, Mathieu Coldebella

Thanks guys for the trip

So when I woke up one day last month with the idea I was going to do whitewater, no one was more surprised than me. I’m way better at talking myself out of an idea than into one, so I had to act fast before I changed my mind. Fellow Level Six Athlete, Dan Gavere, had told me if I ever wanted to come check out Hood River and paddle some fun rivers to let him know so 2 days later I was on a plane heading west. I spent one afternoon in a safe zone on the Hood River learning eddy turns, river techniques, and ferrying across the river which gave me some more confidence especially since I hadn’t spent any time on moving water outside of my Ottawa river swimming session. I asked another L6 athlete Heather Hebeck if we could change our flat water plans for the next day to some whitewater fun, she picked a part of the Klicatat river in Washington that she’s taken many inexperienced paddlers down in kayaks for their first river experiences. With Heather leading in her Kayak and Dan behind on his board we we’re off from the “put in” to do a proper “river run” which was about 5 miles downstream to the “take out”. They both took turns reminding me what edge to lean on and making sure I was ok when I’d confuse left from right and land myself in the water, but I was having fun practicing my deep water mounts while in rapid moving water. It was so much fun, I couldn’t wait to do it again.

Two weeks later when the chance came at the US National Whitewater Center during Tuckfest I jumped at the challenge to go down the course there in Charlotte, NC. When I arrived I met up with Dan Gavere & Mike Tavares who are 2 of the best in whitewater bad asses in the industry so how could I turn down the opportunity. When would I ever get better instructors to take me down and considered myself in good hands even though they were romping around and surfing every possible wave on the course. It was rainy and cold, two of my least favorite conditions, so even after not even making it down the first part on my first try on day one I decided to watch and learn rather than swim and get frustrated. Better for me to get out when I’m still stoked on trying it than to deal with the weather conditions, not have a great time and not want to do it again. So the next day after the guys competed I got another chance to go down with them again. Thankfully Mikey T was there waiting in the eddy to catch my paddle and Dan to yell at me to get back on my board as quickly as possible- so many things to remember! I had a blast going down run after run on the class 2/3 channel known as the “Rodeo Channel”, and although I never made it to the bottom standing the entire time I did get halfway and swam the rest, behind, beside and in front of my board to the bottom where the river ends in a nice deep flat water lake. By the time we had to go I was exhausted, all that jumping back on to my board worked muscles in my arms, abs, and chest, I don’t normally feel with SUP flat water. Now I was hooked, and trying to figure out when the next time I could get on a river would be?

That didn’t take long as Washington DC was on my way up to Ottawa and the home to US Kayak Team Member turned SUP friend, Jason Beakes and the Potomac River was apparently a perfect spot. I met up with him to go play, we spent a few hours running a rapid and even SUP surfing! When I told Jason that I didn’t know how, and I had tried once before but with not much luck he showed me where to stand and where to enter at so that I could get feel for it. I even stayed standing for a bit and felt the sensation, but admit I still prefer moving downstream with the water and “river running” the rapids instead of being on a wave like a stationary bike not actually going anywhere.

It was a year ago this weekend that I had my first whitewater SUP/swimming experience on the Ottawa, but it’s been the last month that’s changed my mind about whitewater. I can’t wait to get back on the Ottawa now that I’m home again and I’m already working on re-doing my schedule for the summer to allow more time for my new found adventure in SUP. I love the challenge, the change of conditions and the new possibilities it brings. If you’re looking to start whitewater sup do your self a favor a take a lesson, there’s so many little things to know. Going out with a experienced whitewater stand up paddler makes a big difference and can save you a lot of time and frustration. Dan G., Jason B. and Mikey T. the invitations open to come up anytime and take me down the Ottawa. Thanks to all 3 of you for your help and especially to Level Six and Astral for being with me regardless if I’m paddling in pools, lakes, oceans or rivers!

http://www.frontenac-outfitters.com/courses/program-description.cfm?eventid=91

It is important to me, as a Level Six athlete, to represent the product in as extreme environments and variety of ways that I can.  I just recently got my brand spanking new drysuit . . . SICK!  Rarely will you see me in anything but my paddling gear.  Because of this reason, it is important to me to have quality gear, but also gear that make me look pretty darn cool!  The styles and the colors that Level Six develops get a 10 on my ‘cool factor’ scale. 

I also recently got the Women’s Hybrid Paddling Jacket, which is the perfect rain jacket for Pacific Northwest weather.  I love that Level Six has classy product for everyone, whether you are on the river or not!

So . . . what am I currently up too?  Well, the summer is just starting and this is my first summer in over 8 years that I get to focus on ME ~ my whitewater paddling, my slalom paddling and my Mt biking!  My goal this summer is PUSH myself ~ mentally and physically ~ in all of my sports!  I’ve stayed pretty much at the same level of paddling for the last few years . . . I need to ‘get excited’, ‘get scared’ and move towards continued growth!

I just recently started slalom boating and competed in my first slalom race in Bend, OR.  I managed to pull a first place finish in my division, which definitely helps ‘stoke the fire’ to train harder this summer for the PNW slalom race circuit in 2014.

I have also started a cool group consisting of women who push limits.  This group is called “FLUX” ~ www.fluxwater.com.  There are a few women’s groups out there today, but I feel we stand out in the fact that we are women in a variety of sports and a variety of ages who play hard.  We have families, jobs, kids, schooling . . . LIFE basically, yet we believe in the power of “outdoor living”.  Check us out.  Please “like” us on facebook (Flux) and share with the women in your life.  We hope to encourage and empower women through our adventures!

Cheers,

Heather

All the French kayak elite gathered for these preliminary selections. For two days, preliminary heats were followed by quarter finals were followed by semi-finals … Competition was tough and athletes got stronger as the level increased.  On Sunday, you could feel the pressure in the air ; 5 competitors in each category and limited places in Team France.

For the Junior Women and  Junior Men, there was just one Team France place each. Two WK places were available , 1 place for a Freestyle canoeist and 4 MK places were free.

Athletes fought it out through their McNasty, Tricky Wu and other elite moves.

For the Junior Women, Guénolé Bourgoin paddled to victory in this heat and Thomas Richard won the Junior Men! In the Women’s category, Marlène Devillez, current European Champion, took first place, followed by Pauline Sourrouille, both from the 2012 Team France.

In the MC category Sebastien Devred (current Freestyle MK vice-European champion) snatched victory and followed-up in his kayak where he also took the 1^st place with a 1800-point run. Mathieu Dumoulin came a close second.

Three weeks of intense training followed before the athletes met up again at the mythical Pau white-water center in the South of France for the final leg of the Team France 2013 selections. On the 27^th and 28^th April, the same competitors gave their best in order to move up the tables or defend their hard-won position from Tournon St Martin.

After fierce competition between super-hyped athletes, the much-awaited results …

JWK champion is Guénolé Bourgoin, followed closely by Céline Ressuge.

Thomas Richard, stood on the top step in JMK with an 865-point run.

For the women, Marlène Devillez kept her current title with a magnificent score of 1115 !

Jonathon Suc took first place for freestyle canoe.

Best score for MK was an impressive 1515 run from Sébastien Devred followed by Timothée Bernard and Mathieu Dumoulin.

The weekend was full of exiting developments and a strong Team France 2013 was carved !

Thanks Mehdi Benounis and Nuria Fontané Maso for the pictures!

Thank you to everyone who showed up to the 2013 Level Six Capital Cup to watch and compete! This year’s Capital Cup provided us, once again, with heated competition and solid representation from the paddling world’s finest freestyle kayakers. Congratulations to Adam Chappell and Maria Stelzig for finishing first in the Men’s and Women’s Pro events. Also, congratulations to Zachary Zwanenburg for finishing first in the Pro Junior Boy’s event.

The highlight trick of the day was an amazing loop by Ryan Whetung which received a roaring cheer from the great crowd of spectators who showed up to the Capital Cup. A special thanks goes out to the sponsors of the event: Owl Rafting, Wilderness Tours, Madawaska Kanu Centre, Mountain Equipment Co-Op, and the Ottawa Kayak School.

“We were glad to see the high level of competition and the bar being raised at this years Capital Cup. We would also like to wish our Canadian freestyle team the best of luck at the upcoming World Championships.” –  Tyler Lawlor (Capital Cup MC and Co-owner of Level Six Inc).

Level Six Capital Cup Final Results:

Open Men’s
1st – Julian Tisato
2nd – Chris Lee
3rd – Jean-Nicolas Cyr

Pro Junior Boy’s
1st – Zachary Zwanenburg
2nd – Kalem Kennedy
3rd – Quinton Kennedy

Pro Women’s
1st – Maria Stelzig
2nd – Katie Kowalski
3rd – Cheryl MacGregor

Pro Men’s
1st – Adam Chappell
2nd – Tyler Fox
3rd – Joel Kowalski

Congratulations!

Download Registration Form Here

Download Waiver Form Here

Download, print and fill out the registration and waiver forms and bring them to the event.

Forms will also be available on-site Friday between 3 – 7pm and on-site Saturday morning between 7:30 – 9am.

(Pro women and Pr0 men registration will be open until 11am Saturday)

Cost:

$20 for first category and $10 for each extra category thereafter.

Paid to Level Six cash only on site or via Visa or Mastercard by Friday April 26, 12 noon. ( call 613-274-0144 to do so.)

 PLUS

$10 Whitewater Ontario single day insurance fee or $30 for season and Whitewater Ontario Membership.  On-site only.

Existing WO members no charge. Up to date proof of WO membership required no exceptions.

CATEGORIES AVAILABLE

K1 and C1 will be conglomerated all into one, no separation, head to head.

**Open class is amateur – not a pro dude, just for fun. Great Prizes! Spin to win! Smiles count!

Open Men’s

Open Women

Open Junior Boy

Open Junior Girl

Go pro go for the glory.

Pro Junior Boy

Pro Junior Girl

Pro Men

Pro Women

 NEW! - SUP Open

**Judging Rules TBD

Schedule of Events:

Download Schedule Here

Friday April 26th – Registration and practice.

3 pm to 7pm – Registration – payment will be accepted at site.  See registration for costs.

Senior Men and Women Pro – registration open until and closes at 11 am.

Saturday April 27th – Competition Day

6 – 9 am                   Wave is open for practice.

7:30 – 9 am             Final registration.

9:00 am                     Competitors meeting: Competition begins promptly.

9:30 am:                     Heat:   Open Men

                                                 *Finals right after heat is finished.

10:00 am:                   Heat:   Open – Women’s Junior and Senior

                                          *Finals right after heat is finished.

10:30 am:                   Heat:   Open – Junior Boys

                                                *Finals right after heat is finished.

11:00 am:                   Heat:   Pro – Junior Girls

11:30 am:                   Heat:    Pro – Junior Boys

12:00 pm:                   Heats: Pro Women    

12:30 pm:                   Heats: Pro Men

01:30 pm:                   SUP – Demo

02:00 pm:                   Finals: Pro junior Girls

02:30 pm:                   Finals: Pro junior Boys

03:00 pm:                   Finals: Pro Women’s

03:30 pm:                   Finals: Pro Men’s

04:00 pm:                   Closing Ceremonies on site.

The leading brands in paddle sports have teamed up to create a sweepstakes too big to miss! Simply like the Level Six, Werner Paddles, Astral and Shred Ready Facebook pages for your chance to win a prize! The more pages you like the better odds you have of winning!

Winners will be picked at random and announced in May, 2012. One prize per person. Prizes dependent on available stock.

Enter Here:  http://woobox.com/i87otc

**Legal Terms and Conditions **

Promotion valid until May 20th, 2012.

No purchase is necessary. Winners will be contacted via email using the e-mail addresses provided in the submission emails.  Any person who attempts to “cheat” in this promotion will be disqualified.  By entering this promotion, you are allowing Level Six, Inc., to contact you directly with future deals, information, and promotions.  By entering this promotion you release Level Six, Inc., from liability and responsibility, and you agree that Level Six, Inc., shall have the nonexclusive, perpetual right to use, distribute, copy, reproduce, alter, modify, and publicly disseminate all or a portion of the materials that you submit as part of the promotion with no compensation to be paid to you.  Information entered in this contest will be provided to Level Six, Inc., and Level Six, Inc. will use your information for its own internal marketing purposes only, and it will not sell or otherwise transfer your information to outside third parties.

See the video:   https://vimeo.com/63953596

A gathering of 23 ultra-keen gals, aged from 12 years old to 49 years young, bridging, all levels, all horizons.

At  8pm on Friday, the first ones drifted into the converted riverside mill on the Creuse, two freestylers from Pau in the South of France, followed by 5 members of the Voray club. At 9pm, May (13yrs) and her mum took their place around the table,  having set off  from Brittany in the snow. Much later in the evening, paddlers from clubs at Saint Sauraint, Bezon and Paris swelled the group, weary from their week and a five-hour drive.

Saturday morning after breakfast : first stop Wonderland Shop to for a freestyle kayak fitting session. Accessorizing our freestyle kayaks  with  helmets, freestyle paddles, balaclavas (yep, it was cold!), nose clips, we were all equipped from head to toe. Cheers, Jay ! So, the paddling can begin.  We all slip onto the river, some for the first time in such small boats. Bravo to Lucie from a Paris club (FPK) ; for her, it’s the first time in a freestyle boat and the first time in white water.

The gaggle of 23 paddlers is let loose onto the artificial river, and miracle, nobody gets to swim !

After an hour of boating, we all go for it. Some are in the wave with guidance from Marlène, others work on their roll under Jay’s expert eye.

On the first afternoon, the participants are divided into two new groups.

At the end of the day, first impressions :

“That wave is hot!”

“That wave is cold!”

“That wave is awesome”

“Got awful wet!”

And in the evening, we watched the video of our achievements ! Position in the wave, side surf, edging,  cartwheel, loop, Space Godzilla  –  all the moves or attempts are observed and analyzed by Jerome. The review leaves the girls totally psyched-up for the next day’s sessions “tomorrow I’m gonna rip it up in that wave” . Next day however, our luck is down ;  the river has swelled and drowned out our wave. No problem, we move up to another feature at the beginning of the white water course. New sensations for some of the girls and a chance to improve their 360 spin for some, while others work on their blunt.

Wave review :

“That wave is the business”

“what a wave”

“doing hole moves in a wave is quite a challenge”

“that wave is like going the wrong way down a fast-moving conveyor belt”

“we’re all washed out !”

Jay’s good-night joke “ tomorrow, wake up and work out”.

But, it’s no joke, what he has in mind is a frisky morning run.

At 8.30, the young’uns are ready (and the mums) but we’re missing five thirty-somethings…….. where are they ? Marlène goes up to the bedrooms and shakes them out of their beds. OK, so we just put the clocks forward an hour …. GET UP ! “I forgot my trainers” my pajamas don’t match my trainers”. Too bad, we’re off for a jog around the French countryside.

The third and final day starts off   …. neither in a hole nor in a wave …….. but with a match of kayak polo, while Jay and Marlene make changes to the shape of the bed of the artificial river.

The sluice gate is opened and – miracle !  a beautiful hole forms. The girls are giving their best for this final day ; some surf the wave at the top of the course, others rinse their sinuses with roll practice in calm or fast water.

Review on these three crazy freestyle days :

-        After their first few strokes, girls who had never been inI a freestyle boat run the white water course smoothly, ferryboat the froth and roll.

-        The youngest ones, 12 and 13 years old, roll and surf the froth.

-        The more experienced, from 14 years old to thirty-somethings, manage a neat 360, cartwheels, and some even a loop.

I had never  been on a camp with such a wide ‘variety’ of paddlers : the girls came from many kayaking backgrounds (freestyle, slalom, sea kayaking, play boating) levels were very different and the ages spanned generations.

In and out of the water, we enjoyed each other’s company and helped out. The more advanced young’uns advised ‘mums’ in the fast water. When one girl swam, four paddled to help.

It was this diversity that made the camp so special : discussions were rich and emotions intense. I’m thrilled with the results and I’m definitely up for organizing the next camp; 2014, here we come !

https://vimeo.com/63953596

The end of the world. Torres Del Paine… Full of waterfalls and yet surprisingly unkayaked. I’ve seen tons of amazing little creeks here that flow into the bright blue lakes. Maybe its time to take another trip…:)