Summit has picked up kayaking FAST!

He basically started boating this Summer, and had only been out about 5 times before today. A couple times on the Upper C, 2 more on the Blue, and a pinball event down the Snake. His skills have developed rapidly, (no pun intended) and I knew he'd be ready for Shoshone for his first time today. He boated everything cleanly, with no swims. Later on, nailed his roll. Guys a natural!! Here he is getting after it. I'm more than stoked for him! (thanks for the picture(s) SheRa)

http://www.soulskier.com/mispics/kayakw1.jpg

Nice photo! Looking solid there Summit. I hear the Shoshone is a fun, nonstop ride.
How are the rivers running in CO this summer?

I need to get back in the water sometime... let that hobby slip after one solid summer. The WA boat scene is a little to rad for me but maybe i'll sneak in a lower Sky in the next few weeks.

Nice, now make him get a helmet that will actually protect his head if he hits a rock.

Sweet! Way to get after it Summit!

Blurred- sorry I didn't get back to you yesterday. I was partying down at Copper all weekend for the Trancegression Festival.

Let's get wet this weekend- it's been about 3 weeks since I've been in my boat. Maybe hit up Foxton down on the Middle Fork of the South Platte? It's really cool class III- somewhat technical but still only class III I'll give you a call this week.

Thank you to Blurred for teaching me.
Thank you to Pow4Brains for selling me the boat/paddle. This thing is sweet!

To add, one of the Upper C days also included a run on 10-Mile (III) on the way home... I think that was day 2. Snake (III+) was on day 4. Those two rocky runs I found technically challenging... Shoshone was different. It wasn't so technical, but big and powerful. Intense! Hope I don't eat shit...

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Originally Posted by RootSkier

Nice, now make him get a helmet that will actually protect his head if he hits a rock.

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Protec /w ABS shell EPS foam liner certed for skateboarding and biking (IE not from their water helmet line) ... why won't it work? (honest question)

I also have an old one of these that I do not use
http://www.pro-tec.net/water/product..._fullcut/3.jpg
It honestly seemed to offer even less protection against a hard impact.

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Originally Posted by Summit

Protec /w ABS shell EPS foam liner certed for skateboarding and biking... why won't it work? (honest question)

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Well, I guess I haven't ever seen a Pro-Tec with EPS liner, but Pro-Tecs have a really, really, really bad reputation amongst whitewater boaters.

The deal was that the shell was (is?) so flimsy that hitting it on a sharp rock or similar can cause major injury because the shell wasn't rigid enough to spread out the force of the blow.

This is why you will see most boaters in helmets with glass/kevlar shells, with a few notable exceptions (WRSI helmets, for one, which were developed by the family/friends of a guy who was killed wearing a pro-tec.)

I'm sure most beginners are fully aware of it already, but when boating in the Rockies (or other places with predominately shallow, manky riverbeds) you WILL hit your head when going upside down on many of the rapids. This is not just class IV/V stuff.

It's the only sport I've participated in where your helmet get used a lot and regularly saves your life. Sometimes it's just a little bam.....and sometimes it's a big F'IN BAMMM! After some of those, you're happy to be conscious and remembering your name.

So don't skimp on the helmets and remember to make sure you have room for layers of cushioning even if you have glass/kevlar.

Up here in the PNW, it's still and issue, but not nearly as much. Deeper creek/river beds and smoother rock make it a little friendlier.

From the other head injury thread:

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Originally Posted by Summit

So I'm still really new to kayaking but it really seems to me that there is every reason to wear a full face helmet even in low-gnar conditions. I think people don't because of cost and comfort, but mostly because of appearances and style.

Especially with the rivers low right now, it seems that I could be grinding my face on rocks on a flip before I even have a chance to start my roll, much less if I miss one or swim. It seems a high potential withh flips even in Class II+. Someone here mentioned getting worked in flat water! It doesn't have to be gnar for that one rock to get your face. I'm tempted to say I want to buy a FF because looking goofy for an hour hour isn't as bad as looking goofy for life. Reconstructive surgery is a bitch right?

We wear full faces for DH, many of us wear them skiing. Why don't more people wear them kayaking? What say you all?

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Lots of us DO wear full face helmets for kayaking. I wear an FNA Xstream (think Yonder River might too?), but only when I am in my creekboat.

fnaheadgear.com

Yup, full-face in the creekboat. I just can't bring myself to wear it in my playboat (especially up here). I know the odds are there, but I rarely get flipped unintentionally and I'm usually tucked before I go over.

Overall though, Summit, it's probably not a bad idea to start off with one.

way to get er done.
helmet is important, WRSI, Vox and FNA seem to be well tested. Some of the carbon helmets sell because they look cool and not because they are the best protection.

my best advice for someone learning to paddle is three fold

safety first-know who you're boating with and take classes
playboat- play, play, play, play and play. its fun and it helps you develop immensely
and finally- hit every eddie and ferry on every run around in a certain class before moving on.

Nice, Aaron. Damn, you did progress quickly. I was thinking I might get to boat with you this summer as you were picking it up and I'm trying to get back into it after losing my mojo 3 years ago...but you're already out of my league.

Been thinking about the helmet...just picked up a WRSI to replace the protec...but now, I'm thinking maybe I should just go for the fullface. I don't have one for skiing yet...so, maybe check out the Sweet Trooper? Could double (and triple perhaps, if I ever get into biking gnar) for multiple uses...

I can't see a beacon and shovel either.

Ditch the fucking ProTec! I have 12 stitches on my forehead to prove that they suck. I think it split due to the blunt force that didn't get absorbed by the helmet.

true you gotta watch out for mining\railroad debris and stuff in rivers up here?

ie big metal parts, re-bar, etc

suppose its highly river\location dependant.
just heard some "myths" or urban legends of people getting impaled on that stuff, like down in royal gorge etc

road blast, rebar, railroad ties, newspaper boxes, old trucks, coleman aluminum canoes....they is soooo much garbage in the rios.

be safe gets a real helmet and roll quick.

and is anyone looking for an IR comp drytop, size XL burgandy and grey.

PM if interested

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Originally Posted by pechelman

true you gotta watch out for mining\railroad debris and stuff in rivers up here?

ie big metal parts, re-bar, etc

suppose its highly river\location dependant.
just heard some "myths" or urban legends of people getting impaled on that stuff, like down in royal gorge etc

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Yes, there is ugly rebar down in the Royal Gorge leftover from the railroad. Plus, the rock that they blasted away in order to put the railroad in is just more angular and sharper overall.

nice one. hope you keep having fun. holler if you come down to the Ark. Another vote for the WRSI. It is the best combination of price and safety on the market...no doubt.

Nice dude-it's addicting!

As for a Protec...bad rep in ww is right. I know a guy who died because of one of the older models like the red one in your pic. Avoid those. What you've got on your head isn't bad. Just make sure it fits and DOESN'T move. Most head injuries result from the helmet sliding out of the way.

There are better options out there. Maybe look around but the new liners are better but I would typically stay away from plastic. I might get flamed for that statement but it's your head and you will hit it on rocks kayaking.

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Originally Posted by Conundrum

Just make sure it fits and DOESN'T move.

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Good point. I think it's hard for beginners to truly understand the forces going on when you're getting worked in a violent hole. It's gotta be tighter and a better fit than ski and bike helmets for sure.

Just stated boating and I'm using a Petzl climbing helmet (at least for the time being). Fits snug and seems pretty solid. Is there any reason a climbing helmet would not work?

i would absolutely not use a suspension climbing helmet

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Originally Posted by Summit

i would absolutely not use a suspension climbing helmet

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Neither would I.