Long way from Tallangatta …

Climber, high access rigger and paraglider Brendan Kendall has turned his back on a life in the sleepy Australian town of Tallangata where on a busy morning you could empty a clip from an AK, to embrace a life as a leading access specialist from the Gulf rigs, to desert seismology, to managing the biggest building wrap in the world in Hong Kong.

In the Profiles area there’s a snapshot of his world.

 

 

 

 

 

Steve Crazy ..

We met Steve several years ago when he was living in an RV in the Whistler car park. Since then he has moved to Oz, married a local and is hoping for a good ski season soon! The guy can perform, have a look at his motivations in the Profiles area and he can ski anything you can and more but on teles ...... http://stevecrazy.com

Huckin’ Henebry.

You’d think that someone living in a place as wet as Ireland may have a holiday somewhere dry. But not Graeme, from Norway to the Nile, it’s whitewater all the way. He’s got a Profile and some good thoughts. (Like the caption below, his words, not ours!)

Graeme throws his balls over his shoulders and Hucks Big on the beautiful and remote Fora river Northern Norway.

Steep Creeks ..

Have a look at Ben Hey’s site www.steepcreeks.com and some pics of him in action in the South East of the US are in the Partners section. While you’re at his site, check out the TVF page, here’s what it’s about. Simple but steep …

“The guidelines are simple, drop the most Total Vertical Feet during the month. Competitors have the entire month of March to rack up earnings for their team. Competition begins sun-up March 1st and ends sun-down March 31st”.

Boater skipping like a stone down the waterfall: Andy Dodson Stairway to Heaven (third ledge),Bear Creek, GA. Photo by: Brent Meadows

Lounge Kayaker

FTR was pleased to be involved in Tim Semple’s show this year, so here’s the spiel on what happened on the weekend. Here are Tim's words on how it turned out ....

"The LoungeKayaker.com 2007 White Water Short Film Festival has been judged and screened and I'm extremely happy with the response. A late change of venue turned out to be a gift as we gained a large crowd of Saturday night pub patrons for an audience at the Westernport Hotel.  I estimate about 50 direct (paddlers) audience members (I printed 40 X "Peoples Choice Award "voting cards and it wasn't enough) plus many other curious patrons. The audience certainly made it known when they liked what they saw on the big screen!

Combining with the National Freestyle Selections turned out to be a great success. Prior to the screening the team was announced and the evening immediately took on the feeling of a celebration- future Screenings will look to combine with similar events Australia wide.

Two extra entries were received since the original date was postponed in November, so a total of 5 short films gave the screening some depth.  As a whole the standard of the films was very high and the paddling they had caught on camera was definitely world class.

RESULTS

Best Short Film - "PADDLEPORN.AVI" by Adrian Kiernan winning a Werner Paddle from Paddle Sports, $700 Voucher for a Tibetan Expedition with Windhorse Tibet plus Feed The Rat & LoungeKayaker.com T-shirts.

Peoples Choice Award - "Kayaking to Combat Climate Change" by Sean Boz & Erin Rayton winning LVM subscription from Kayak4play, FTR Merino Fleece and T-shirt, LoungeKayaker.com T-shirt.

Honorable Mention - "Granite Rush" by Scott Bewley scoring highly in the peoples choice award and judging winning a Shred Ready Helmet (Paddle Sports) & a LoungeKayaker.com T-shirt.

Best White Water Image - Erin Rayton's image of Pencil Pine Falls winning an AdventurePro online store voucher $50, Kite Surfing Lessons for two & a Merino Fleece from Feed The Rat, LoungeKayaker.com T-shirt.

Lucky Draw - Liam got lucky winning CUMEC magazine 1 year subscription and a LoungeKayaker.com T-shirt.

Gulmarg Skiing

If you've ever thought of skiing in the Himalayas, have a look at our Partners area for info on the Gulmarg region and if you're interested, give Richard a call for more material.