Whitewater

Whitewater Kayaking Guide to Slovenia’s Soca River

‘The emerald green whitewater kayaking paradise that is Slovenia’s Soca River offers a relaxed whitewater kayaking experience with something for all levels of kayaker, and a trip there is much more attainable than some might think… ‘ The Soca has been a favourite of whitewater kayakers from all over Europe for years now. It’s reliable feed of water allows provides access to stress-free grade 3 whitewater. Set in the north-west corner of Slovenia, The Soca sits at the base of the Julian Alps. With emerald water, rolling mountains and easy access most grade 2/3, paddlers are sure to return to […]

Whitewater Kayaking Guide to the Rivers of the French Alps

River running in the UK is often a cold wet affair and after a hard winter’s river running our thoughts often stray to warmer climes. With the advent of cheaper air travel, UK paddlers have been searching far and wide for warm sun and great whitewater, but with the current economic climate and the price of air travel rocketing paddlers are starting to look a little closer to home. If we told you that there was a place only a day’s drive away, that boasts a generally warm and sunny climate, beautiful mountains, great food and drink, and, most importantly, […]

Whitewater River Kayak Group Test

Here at Paddler we have a love-hate thing going on with a doing a river running kayak test. Every few years when new models have hit the water and it’s time to run a test again we get really excited, as it is always one of the most fun group tests that we do. The reason for that is that river runners come in all shapes and sizes and most of them are a real hoot to paddle. But that’s also where the hate comes in. Once the paddling is over we have to write the damned thing up and […]

Adidas Sickline Extreme Kayak World Championships 2015

This last weekend was the Adidas Sickline Extreme Kayak World Championships 2015. The event is held in Austria’s Oetztal on the Wellerbrücke rapids. They use a 200m section for this timed race which has a 10% gradient. Each athlete must make there way down the course which involves: 1) “Seal Launch”, 6m gradient 2) “Mandatory Line”, 3m gradient, entry cataract to the core section 3) “TNT Rapid”, 5m gradient, core section with a S turn 4) “Champions Killer -1”, the hole above the real Champions Killer 5) “Champions Killer”, 3m exit drop Top 3 Men 1. Gerd Serrasolses (ESP) 2. David Bain (GBR) […]