Aratiatia

Photos by Kenny Mutton from Kaituna Kayaks

Sam, Josh and Dylan at the bottom of the main section but still one more to go

Dylan clearing the weir - Sharn in front filming

Josh entering the rapid at the top.

Josh coming out of the melting drop feeling very small compared to the water

Josh at the weir

In December of last year I was lucky enough to join a film tour for the North Island part to paddle a number of cool rivers.  I just came across some photos that Kenny Mutton shot the day we ran Aratiatia Rapids for the second time. 

Sam at the top

We paddled it a few days before and this was our second attempt.  I think i was more nervous at the top this time than the first but all went well.  This would definatly be up there with one of the scariest things I have paddled.  It is not like a big waterfall that looks super impressive but is much harder.  This thing is committing from top to bottom. 

The crux comes in the middle at the weir but has many other parts that you need to be on your game for.  

Here are the SWEET shots from Kenny!

Thanks!

Mangawhio - Blue duck Stream

While a bunch of us have been overseas in the northern hemisphere summers kayaking, some of the crew has been sticking it out here in the winter of New Zealand! One tends to see winter as a good opportunity to roll under a pile of leaves and hibernate for the duration of the cold but not these guys!

Ben Jackson and Brendan Bayly at an early confluence slide - Photo Bernard Oliver

A few years ago while studying with Brendan Bayly he told me about this little creek next to his house that had some big drops on it! he had a little video of him and his bro Darryl scouting it out. I was hooked! This thing was the business! That summer we went and stayed at B's house to check it out. It was low but we still wanted it. We bush bashed in to the lower section and ran a few small drops into the gorge. With minimal water and lots of trees in the bottom of the first drop we portaged to right about the 15m clean drop. We all ran it and it was sweet but we wanted more!

A view from the Bottom - Bernard Oliver

The next summer B told me there was more upstream that we needed to check out. While on a weekend in Taupo i got a call from B stayin it was raging and we needed to put on. I met him at his house and we ran from the top to bottom of this sick creek.

Drop 1 about 30 seconds into the run - Photo Bernard Oliver

With the second to last 10m drop still unpaddled we were left wanting more! While I was sitting in Norway this year I was talking to Ben on skype and he mentioned there was water in the area and he wanted to get this creek. I told him to ring B and go to it! They got on in good flow and B finally took out the drop we had been waiting for!

The one that kept us coming back! (this 10m drop is only 10m from the lip of 15m!)- photo Bernard Oliver

This is a Super classic river if you can catch it with water in it! Watch for trees and enjoy!
These photos are courtesy of Bernard Oliver who was on the latest descent of the Mangawhio!



Ben Jackson at the lip of drop 1 - Photo Bernard Oliver

Shot 2 - Bernard Oliver

Ben on the Boogie water heading into the gorge - Photo Bernard Oliver

Brendan setting up film at the 10m - photo Bernard Oliver

Brendan at one of many cool looking drops - photo Bernard Oliver

B sitting below the second to last drop - photo Bernard Oliver

Ben Jackson Lining it up - photo Bernard Oliver

The Last but not least drop! Is there anybody in there? Photo Bernard Oliver

Keep an eye out on www.jacksonoutdoors.blogspot.com as i hear there might be a little film coming out from this trip!
Cheers for the photos boys!

Words from the Wounded

Tim Starr (Timmy-9 Lives) checking off one on project 2000 - Photo Josh Neilson


The ideal year for me is long summers in beautiful countries, new rivers, new friends, good food etc etc... well this was how the year was going but i left out one thing... health! So far I have got away with a few broken bones, a few colds and flu's and the odd hang over. But this time its different. I feel good, Im healthy i want to go kayaking but i cant! Somewhere wrapped up in my neck, shoulder or arm is a nerve or something that is not happy. When Ii kayak it feels like my arm is stuck in a vice and i have no strength! So that beings be back to where the year has turned not so ideal... I am 1- injured and 2- not in a summer! I flew home to New Zealand a few days ago and now on my quest to get better!
With the lack of kayaking adventures i have been on in the past weeks and the lack of until im back in shape i can share pictures of my year so far before the injury.
Here are some shots from Norway! Land of abundant whitewater and beautiful....scenery!

Josh Neilson - Homerun section of the Mar - Photo Sam Sutton

Josh drop 2 homerun - Photo Sam Sutton

Sam at the top of the big one - Austbygdai - Photo Josh Neilson

Chilling in the sun at the lake in Austbygda

One of Norways many huge waterfalls - photo Josh Neilson

After a good day on Nose Breaker - photo Sam Sutton

Driving into the sunset that never gets dark! Off to Voss - Photo Josh Neilson

Yan, Mr Wong, Chingy, The man styling his line on Skoogsa Falls - photo Sam Sutton

Sam Sutton wins Gorge Games

Tao Berman and Sam Sutton giving the low down on how the race went - Photo Kurt Jane (contact)


After a huge success at Voss Extreme Sports Week in norway by the Kiwi crew our focus soon turned to a trip on the middle kings in california. With the news that the river had dropped out we were soon informed by Evan that there was another extreme race up in Oregon. With the cars loaded up we set out on the 13hr drive north to the border of Oregon and Washington for the Gorge Games. A similar set up to Voss week where a set of sports compete for best in each sport. With my shoulder and arm still out of order I took to the bank and camera to document yet another kiwi victory. Day 1 was a qualifying time trial for the extreme race on the Green Truss section of the White Salmon River. 3rd place was Todd Anderson, 2nd Tao Berman and 1st by over a second Sam Sutton.

Sam leading the pack in every heat - photo Kurt Jane

With the top 15 qualifying for the Extreme race and only split second seperating them it was anyones race. The course was over a series of big drops with the crux move over 'Big Brother', a 25foot drop with a cave on the exit which claimed 50% of the races. Tao's training programe paid off and took out 1st place followed by Sam in second and fellow Bliss-stick paddler Honza Lasko took out 3rd place on the podium.

One happy man - photo Kurt Jane

With a change in the programe the paddlers were now faced with the boatercross race the same day. With enough time for a feed and some water the paddlers were back on the water fighting for the boatercross title. Fierce competition took place on the river with one incident of debate of rules and disqualification when Honza was taken out half way down the course with a fend to the head with another competitors hand.

You be the judge, Honza getting a hug from Anderson - Evidence Photographer Kurt Jane

There was no disqualification but the heat was re-raced and Honza dominated. Slowly the competition was whittled down to the top 4 races. The banks were lined with film crews, photographers and spectators as the races took off.

Finals, only 1 winner - photo kurt jane

Once again Sam lead from the gate, Berman faught it out for second place with fellow kiwi Bradley Lauder with one wave slowing brad up to let Tao sneak into second. By a few boat lengths Sam Sutton took 1st, Tao Berman 2nd and Bradley Lauder 3rd place.

Left to right - 2nd Berman - 1st Sutton - 3rd Lauder - Photo Kurt Jane

Sam Sutton is making his mark on the Extreme Race scene winning his second magor boatercross this year. Watch out for him at the Sickline race in Austria later this year.
So the races are over and beers are all gone so we are sitting in a coffee shop watching the longboard downhill slalom on the main st in hood river and discussing a plan to head for the steep creeks in Washington then on to BC.
Well done Sam!

Berman and Lasko Fight for position in semis - Photo Kurt Jane

Kiwi's making bank! Photo Kurt Jane

Concert in town after the race - photo Kurt Jane

I have some more photos of the race and some video coming soon, Cheers to Kurt for getting these pics and well done to the boys for representing!

Voss Ekstrem Sports Veko

The week just been has been one of my best ever! It was the week of Voss Extreme week! an event for all different extreme sports!



The worlds best BASE jumpers, Skydivers, Skiers, Downhill MTBers, Paragliders Kayakers etc all arrived in Voss, a small town by the lake to compete for the title! The kayak races started on thursday with the time trial. A race set on the branseth river over an average 2minute course. The idea is to race to the bottom as fast as you can without gettin beaten on some sick class 4+ rapids and drops.

Mike Dawson on the first drom of the race! Photo Zac Shaw

Our car for the trip was filled with Kiwi's Sam Sutton, Brad Lauder, Mike Dawson and Myself. A car which would be see to dominate the podium. With much skill speed and precision, Mike Dawson took the fastest time on the day and took out first place.

Spectators



The next day the river had come up a bit and was now home to the teams race. This time it was a race with 3 people in each team and would start on the upper section of the river and would continue through the time trial course and on the the lower section.

Sam Sutton on the main drop - photo Mike Dawson

The upper holds the crux rapids and would surely see some carnage! The semi local team of Mike Abbott, Alan Ellard and Andy Phillips took out 1st place followed by all kiwi team, Sam Sutton, Mike Dawson and Brad Lauder only 2 seconds infront of my international team of an itallian and norwegian and myself. The next day was to tak place on the Strandelvi closer to town for the head to head race. I was injured in the team race so rested while Brad Lauder took out 3rd place, Sam Sutton in 2nd and Mike Dawson taking out the 1st again! After the boys dominating the podium they drew the top 3 films from the weeks film competition.

Sam sutton on the middle Falls on the race - photo Mike Dawson

I had compiled a film from our Norwegian huck fest over the week and took out second place. With a few thousand people packed into the festival tent all screaming as the kayaking was brought to life. The night then carried on to the biggest party i have ever been to and was one of the best yet! Now with the comp all over and people heading their own ways we are left with a messy car overflowing with our prizes from the week and a few empty bottles!

Mike Dawson with the finish line in sight - Photo Zac Shaw

That was probably the best week yet and i can not wait for next year! Ill be back for sure!
Also thanks to all the people who we met this week! you made our time so good! Look forward to hangin with ya next time!


Sam Sutton Training on the tunnel rapid - photo Brad Lauder

Josh Neilson on Jordalselvi - photo Mike Dawson


Mike Dawson on Jordelselvi - Photo sam sutton


Working with NRK tv for a show on Norwegian tv of extreme week - Sam and Josh


Josh Neilson on Kittlebreaker fossen - a sick drop that packed a punch, Unfortunatly it dammaged brads arm! photo Sam Sutton

Brad Hitting a big slide in Voss! Photo Mike Dawson

Photo just in from california! CHEERS JONO RAMSAY

While in Cali a few weeks ago i was out kayaking with a cool crew and an awesome photographer!
The south branch of the middle fork of the feather river is a spectacular run and very photogenic!
These couple of photos were shot by jono ramsay! cheers
bro

Josh Neilson on the sth Branch Fitty - Photo Jonathan Ramsay



Josh Neilson on Split Falls - Photo Jonathan Ramsay


After kayaking for many years and reading (well looking at pictures in magazines) i have seen many of the coolest pictures from the years kayaking! I have to say that thi picture above of Lizzy English melting off the South branch of the middle feather's fifty footer has to be the coolest shot ive seen! Super clear, awesome composition and a great model! hahaha nice style lizzy!
props to jono for getting this shot!
More updates from norway again soon just had to add this one!
cheers
josh