Fraser Valley Whitewater » Misc

Jackson Zen Review: Tony Dyrsmid

Ryan Bayes — Fri, 04 May 2012 04:01:06 +0000

Long time WCK customer and paddler Tony Dyrsmid is still going strong on the river at the young age of 74. Having free range over the demo boats Tony has paddled a lot of different kayaks over the last couple years. These are his thoughts after a couple paddles in the JK Zen 75.

The Zen

My first impression of the Zen 75 is as follows; Although this is a large kayak it is easy to carry due to the grab strap on the centre pillar and lighter carrying weight (43 lbs I weighed it) . Right out of the box it is super comfortable. The only thing that I had to do was move the seat forward a notch and I was good to go. This is standard fare for me as I have short legs.

I was amazed at how well the boat carves and holds a line while surfing even the smallest waves. I was able to look around much more and be aware of where I was on the wave, That put a huge smile on my face.

Ferrying is so easy in this boat, one good hard stroke to cross the eddy line and then just rudder to hold your angle. It catches all the waves as you cross the river and you don’t seem to drift down as I have noticed in other boats. It is super stable while ferrying and inspires a ton of confidence. Hold that line. Just point this baby and minimal corrections are all you will need to get where you want to go. And, you will get there fast as it makes short work of those sometimes long paddles between drops and to the takeout. With great hull speed and excellent tracking, attainments are also a breeze.

Due to the stability of this boat, I did not flip it while paddling. The initial stability is surprisingly good and the secondary stability is absolutely bombproof. That being said, I did a roll in the eddy and I can’t say I have ever rolled a boat that that was so easy to roll. It was so easy that I had a big grin on my face as I came up. Unbelievable. What a confidence builder.

All in all I am very impressed with this boat and highly recommend it for any level of paddler. For beginners it is stable, tracks well, has great hull speed and most importantly is easy to roll. This is a great confidence builder allowing the new paddler to progress rapidly. This boat will take you up to the advanced level of paddling big water in a relatively short time. For the intermediate and advanced paddler, try it and you will find love at first sight.

About Me: I am 5′ 10, 190 lbs. I have been paddling for about 15 years but started late in life. I have just recently had 3 years of minimal paddling so my skills need to be brought back up. That being said, with just one hour in this boat I am already feeling a lot more confident and doing a lot more. I feel that my skills will leap ahead paddling the Zen 75 and I expect to be comfortable paddling Tamihi rapid (class IV) by early summer.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and have fun paddling. Look for the gray haired old fart with the big grin on the river.

Tony Dyrsmid

Eric Jackson showing us that this bigger boat can still play.

Green River Video: Jackson Dealer Summit

Ryan Bayes — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 02:33:55 +0000

In the fall of 2011 Jackson Kayaks threw an awesome Dealer Summit. With classic southern food and hospitality it made for a great weekend of paddling, learning and of course a little partying, which goes without saying though with a Jack Daniels sponsored event!

Before the Summit and what was supposed to be the work part of the weekend I met up with Marty Cronin, Dane Jackson and Nick Troutman. We paddled the Green River Narrows in NC a week before the infamous Green River Race with lots of racers out practicing. We also managed to squeeze in a run and surf on the always classic Ocoee and a quick surf session with Emily, Nick, Dane, EJ and a bunch of the other Jackson Dealers from around the world.

Huge thanks to everyone that made this a wicked weekend.

Jackson Kayaks Fun Runner Review

Ryan Bayes — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:12:53 +0000

Our first shipment of new 2012 model Jackson Kayaks at WCK arrived last week and just on time for my trip to Skookumchuck. I decided it was the perfect opportunity to test out the new Jackson Fun Runner. At first glance and maybe even 2nd glance the Fun Runner has an old school look to it. It’s long and somewhat slicey but has a modern planning hull. For the up and coming freestyle champion hopefuls the Fun Runner isn’t your boat. If you like to shred down river with good speed, surf the greasy waves and just plain kick it old school the Fun Runner is going to be a blast.

At 7’9″ and 8’2″ it’s no surprise that the Fun Runner series has a lot of speed, I was a little impressed though that even while towing my Rockstar out to the wave I seemed to still be faster than the paddlers not towing a 2nd boat, bonus! While Skooks isn’t a great place to test a boats river running capabilities I did get the chance to try it out in some big water action while chasing a swimmer down the tour at 12.5 knots, the extra speed was really nice for getting up and over the huge boil and sloppy eddy lines. I was also able to bust over the eddy line and get onto the wave while the short boats were being carried up and dropping in from above, less hiking and more surfing is always a good thing.

Myself sporting a huge Fun Runner fuelled Skooks smile! Photo by Rob Murphy.

Jackson has used their classic outfitting system, with a uni-shock bulkhead and easy to adjust hip pads which means getting a comfortable secure fit only took about 2 minutes. Even with the 40 minute flat water paddle in and out the boat was super comfortable, as is expected with the Jackson outfitting system. The comfort and easy outfitting should make this boat a favourite for livery and instructional groups.

On the wave the boat performed a lot like you would expect it to. Probably my favorite thing was being able to do massive cut backs and throw a wall of water off the rails much like a surf boat with fins. It was a really stable platform for surfing as well. While side surfing the edges seemed really forgiving but offered a lot of control when moving around the wave. With the right feature (and paddler) I’m sure this boat can cartwheel and more, however my limited play boating skills meant for me I would be getting my grins from long greasy soul searching front surfs, the front surf can be fun again, you just need the right boat.

Throwing some spray off the long rails, fast is good! Photo by Rob murphy

Fun Runner 60 – $1149

Length = 7’9” (236 cm)
Width = 25” (63.5 cm)
Height = 12-3/4” (32.4 cm)
Volume = 60 US Gallons (227 liters)

Recommended Weight Ranges:

Beginner- 90-160
Intermediate- 90-180
Advanced- 90-210

Fun Runner 70 – $1149

Length = 8’2” (249 cm)
Width = 26-3/8” (67 cm)
Height = 13-3/8” (34 cm)
Volume = 70 US Gallons (265 liters)

Recommended Weight Ranges:

Beginner- 140-210
Intermediate- 170-230
Advanced- 190-250

Call or email now to schedule a test drive in the new Fun Runner, or look for us on the Northwest Festival scene in 2012.

Greasy smooth front surfs really are good for the soul. Photo by Rob Murphy.

Preserving Recreational Navigation, Big Silver, Tretheway, and Shovel Creeks, British Columbia.

Ryan Bayes — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:03:48 +0000

The time has come again to make your voice heard and stand up to preserve recreational navigation on several streams in South West BC. The Private Power producer Inergex has submitted their application for the project to the Environmental Assessment Office for review. Included in this are navigation reports for Big Silver, Tretheway and Shovel Creeks located near Harrison Lake several hours east of Vancouver.

The Navigation reports put together for Inergex by a company called Typlan is full of inaccuracies and miss-leading data. After several meetings with Typlan and Inergex its disappointing to see so little input from the actual user groups make it into these reports. Outlined in these reports are the companies proposed mitigation, or more accurately their lack of mitigation. After bringing the miss-information and weak mitigation measures to the attention of Inergex employees at the latest open house meeting regarding these project I’m hopeful that there is still room and time for improvement. Inergex does seem eager and willing to fix the inaccuracies and possibly amend their weak mitigation offerings. Your voice can insure that this happens by writing into the EAO online comment forms.

Comments written to the EAO online form will be sent to Navigable Waters Protection office and be reviewed by their staff. Nav. Waters has to issue a permit to Inegrx before they can get final approval for the project. Nav. Waters will have the final say in whether or not the mitigation offered by Inergex is acceptable.

To some up the Navigation Reports Typlan basically says that since they saw no paddlers in the area it must not be a very well used resource. For mitigation this was their take: “The Project is expected to have a positive effect on recreational navigation on Big Silver Creek. No specific measures are required to mitigate any adverse effect on navigation. “ – Typlan

It doesn’t take a kayaker to know that dewatering a stream will NOT ”in fact have a net positive effect on recreational navigation” – Typlan

You can review the Navigational Assessment Reports here and also see the proposed mitigation for each projects:

Big Silver Creek

Shovel Creek

Tretheway Creek

It’s important to remember this is not the forum to appose these projects, comments written in apposing the project as a whole will do nothing to save navigation on these streams. Comments should pertain strictly to navigation and mitigation measures. Stating that these streams are known to have valuable recreation occurring in the form of navigation is key.

Suggestions to include in your comments:

- Recreational Navigation of these streams is valuable.

- Scheduled whitewater releases are the only way to preserve any form of navigation value. (Currently not offered by Inergex)

- The mitigation measures offered are not in line with previous projects, IE – Ashlu Creek, Rutherford Creek.

- These project WILL NOT improve recreational navigation.

For those unfamiliar with these creeks Big Silver Creek has several runs on it, one of witch will fall in the diversion reach of this project. It is a newer run only being explored in recent years and is seeing a large increase in use every year. This is one of the most scenic and divers streams I have ever paddled on, it has something to offer everyone and the scenery is second to none. Tretheway Creek is listed in the latest guide-book, “River Gypsies Guide to 294 of the Contents BEST Rivers”, its referred to as one of the most special places you can visit in a kayak. Shovel Creek is the lesser known creek and has yet to be fully explored by paddlers.

Thank you for taking the time to write into the EAO and do your part to preserve these special places for future generations to enjoy. – Comments are only accepted up until February 9. 2012.

The site of the proposed intake and head pond. this and everything roughly one kilometer upstream will be flooded. The geology of this section is unique to the area and adds to the quality of the run. This is one of the possible put in for the current Middle Section. - Photo: Ryan Bayes

Looking down stream from the FSR bridge over the section of creek that will be dewatered. - Photo: Ryan Bayes

The main event on Tretheway Creek. - Photo: River gypsies Guide Book.

“The Navigable Waters Protection Program (NWPP) ensures the public’s right to navigate Canada’s waters without obstruction.” – Transport Canada Web Site.

FVWW Goes to Ecuador

Sandra Ramsey — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 07:17:14 +0000

At the 2011 VKC Chilliwack River Festival Endless Adventures raffled off a trip for 9 days of what they claimed to be a trip of boating paradise in Ecuador. By the end of the night Ryan Bayes had his name on a ticket to South America, weather he remembered that the next morning or not he may never admit.

By the end of summer we had a solid group of 8 boaters from the Fraser Valley and Vancouver area committed to exploring the waters of Ecuador. We signed up for the High Roller Trip, tacking on an extra week of paddling.

In total, most of us had 11 days on the water with over 10 different rivers. There was one big water chunderfest, a surprise mandatory hike out, endless boof competitions and what would kayaking be without a few good beat downs.

With skillful tactics and undoubtedly witty charm, Western Canoe and Kayaking staff members managed to transport a medium burn “surf ski” from the Bellingham Airport to Quito, Ecuador. We had been told repeatedly from multiple sources there was strictly no Kayaks allowed to be transported via air so seeing the boat at our final destination started the trip with much satisfaction and relief!

After diving right into the culture in Quito, we soon found ourselves greatly welcomed in Borja lodging in the kayakers shack “The Ponderosa”. Chris Ryman’s wife Andrea outdid herself by preparing spectacular meals on and off the river, all while being 5 months pregnant and still clearly able to out run any of us paddlers!

Our main river guides Chris, Abe and Dave showed us down different runs such as the Quijos from Cheese house to Bombon, Cosanga, Oyocachi, Piatua, Upper and Lower Mis, Hollin over nighter, an attempt at the Jondachi and a few more!

This summer I was pulled out of my comfort zone of nervously boating the chilliwack canyon’s low water class III to the new and exciting world of Class IV with a dash of IV+. I found this trip to be excellent for working on creeking technique having coming quite close to some of my best days on any river. Knowing I could test my abilities with such strong support, this may have been some of the most consistent white water that I have paddled day after day! Ecuador’s creeks are filled with non stop bolder gardens allowing you to nail that boof, just in case you missed the last one.

Some Tips for when you too find yourself Kayaking in Ecuador:

Meet Dave Gore “Goremania” (Pretty sure Ryan would have exchanged my return ticket for Dave had the airport let him)
Try some of Bently’s (Dos Bentos) new found drink V220 to keep you wired for every boof stroke and hole punch required.
Watch out for near back breaking/elbow chipping slippery stares. They are everywhere and they’ll getcha.
Eat street meat. Its fine. As long as you don’t talk to Hamish about it.
Paddle the Lower Misahualli at High water. It had almost all of us on the edge of our pants the whole day. Just make sure you take Dukoral before getting close to this water source. Look into it, we all should have.

Here’s a video filled with some Ecuador culture, fiesta and non stop white water . GoPro footage by Ryan Bayes with the SLR passed between Ryan, Myself and Chris.

Pamela Creek Video (Vancouver Island, BC)

Ryan Bayes — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:04:43 +0000

This video is from my first run down Vancouver Island’s Pamela Creek. It was a medium to low water level but still lots of fun, 4 waterfalls, lots of bedrock canyons, some boulders and a pinch of beat down all made for a great day. I somehow managed to turn down the quality on my GoPro before the run so the footage isn’t great but I figured this creek is worth showing. Within a 20 minute drive of Pamela there are at least 15 other high quality runs ranging from class 2 to 5. The Gold River zone is packed full of good whitewater and runs late into the season after most BC zones are shut down and frozen.

Ecuador Video: Dos Bento’s Edit

Ryan Bayes — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:04:49 +0000

The first Ecuador video from the FVWW trip to Ecuador with Endless Adventures International. Dan Bentley’s first FVWW Video Edit.

Stein River Fly In: Video & Pictures

Ryan Bayes — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:27:58 +0000

The Stein River is one of two classic fly in multi day trips in Southwest BC. Ever since I first paddled the lower stretches in my first year of kayaking I knew I had to paddle the entire river. However, there have been many groups in years past that reported huge log jams and many of the rapids to be plugged with wood. Somehow though I was still able to find a crew willing to go in search of a Stein adventure.

The rumors about lots of wood and long strenuous portages over logjams held true. In total I would guess there were around 5 hours of portaging, a majority of it on day two around the logjam that is visible from space . . . well at least google earth. This monster log jam is almost 1.5 kilometers thick, I will never complain about portaging wood again.

Portages aside this is a really good run. Some of the better rapids were unrunable because of wood but there were still hundreds of great rapids. The bottom 16 kilometers or so is some of the best non stop read and run class 4 I’ve ever seen, with a couple of 5ish rapids thrown into the mix. The flight in from Whistler is worth the money itself as you fly over turquoise lakes and glacial capped peaks. The landscape is a dry desert set in a remarkable canyon and almost always guaranteed good weather.

Not a trip to do every year but I think it’s well worth doing at least once.

Stunning views on the flight in. Photo by Ryan Bayes

The always classic fly by picture. Photo by Steve Arns - Liquidlore.com

Sandra on one of the first slides early on in day 1. Photo by Ryan Bayes

Toni in part of the canyon on day 1. Photo by Steve Arns - Liquidlore.com

There are a couple hours of flat water on this trip but it is usually very scenic. Photo by Steve Arns - Liquidlore.com

Camp on day two. Photo by Ryan Bayes

James infatuated with the fish. Photo by Ryan Bayes

Jen Eddy on "Devils Escalator". Photo by Ryan Bayes

Sandra chillin on day 3 lunch break. Photo by Ryan Bayes

Jen Eddy on some more great read and run boogie water, day three. Photo by Ryan Bayes

The crew at the confluence with the Fraser River near Lytton. Photo by Steve Arns - Liquidlore.com

2011, what a year!

Ryan Bayes — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 07:25:33 +0000

2011 was an amazing year for me. I got on lots of new classics and always had great people to paddle with. That and the ginormous snow pack that fed all the local runs well into fall made for good boating both on weekends and the after work front.

Here are a few of my favortie shots from the season, and the season isnt over yet.

Super Slide on St.Leon Creek in the Kootenays might be my favorite drop of the year. Photo by Steve Arns - Liquidlore.com

Probably my favorite picture, Sandra on her 2nd ever water fall. She rallied for the Whistler Triple Crown on her first day of boating in Whistler! Photo By Bill Sheppell

Great scenery out of Tatlow Creek, likely the highlight of my season. Photo by Steve Arns - Liquidlore.com

Enjoying the last of the Tatlow boogie before the take out. Photo by Steve Arns - Liquidlore.com

Lining up for the 35 footer on St.Leon Creek. Photo by Mikkel St.Jean-Duncan

Creeking on Tennessee#039;s Green River Narrows with Dane Jackson, Nick Troutman and Marty Cronin. Paddler Dane Jackson, Photo by Ryan Bayes

Post card shot from the Stien River Fly in multi day trip. Photo by Steve Arns- Liquidlore.com

Surfing at Bromley and Low Water Spius Creek.

Ryan Bayes — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 05:58:35 +0000

After getting shut down at the Ashnola River with Sandra due to high water (again) we ended up catching the Bromley Rock Wave on the Similkameen River at an almost perfect flow. A little lower and the eddy service starts to form and the wave gets a little stickier. The next day we drove over towards Spius Creek just west of Merrit. Even though we were pretty sure Spius Creek would be low we were still able to recruit the always keen Adam Frey into driving 3 hrs and providing the much needed 3rd man and shuttle.

Spius Creek has some great scenery but a little too much flat water to be a real classic.. The road to the put in was also in much worse shape than expected. The borrowed work truck with the new BC pin striping is proof enough of that. Aside from a short canyon section there is almost no whitewater on this long day trip. The low water I’m sure only worsened things. The canyon though is very unique both in whitewater and scenery for the area. You could paddle this section into the Nicola and possibly make a multi-day trip out of it.

Here are some pics form the mid July weekend of boating.

Adam and Sandra early on in the Spius Trip. Photo: Ryan Bayes

Lots of wildlife on this trip. Photo: Ryan Bayes

Sandra on the Entrance to Turbine, the only class 3 rapid on the run. Photo: Ryan Bayes

Sandra trying a new line through Turbine. Photo: Ryan Bayes

As you can see it doesn't take much to get us South West BC'ers excited about a wave. Photo: Sandra Ramsey

Sandra shredding in her new Project X 48. Photo: Ryan Bayes

Trying to squeeze out a Blunt on the small wave. Photo: Sandra Ramsey