King Edward River Mission Underway

Four thousand kilometres from home, Lachie Carracher, Anthony Yap, Jackie Hennessy and Sean Bozkewycz are in Kununurra to embark on their latest mission – to spend three weeks hunting big water in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia.

Packed into the van along with the team are two brand spanking Titan Prototypes, one Fluid Nemesis, one small whitewater raft, one large solar panel, and 11 H2O Paddles.

Over the next three weeks the Team will explore 300 kilometres of the King Edward River searching for the holy grail of Australian kayaking: a world class freestyle wave. Between dodging crocs, locating bush tucker, searching for rock art and a little paddling, daily reports will be phoned in and uploaded to the trip blog.

To follow the King Edward Freestyle Expedition's progress head across to KayakTheKimberley.com and through to the "Latest' page.

From the Kimberley,

Sean Bozkewycz

After a long dry summer here in australia, a dam release from Travallyn Dam allowed the Cataract Gorge Section of the South Esk to flow for a few hours. People scrambled from all over the state cancelling their commitments elswhere to get a run down this fantastic section.

NOTE: This is the section used in the Cataract Extreme Race, held every second year. It would have to be one of the top extreme races held anywhere on the planet... (next event- late 2009) check it out.

Cataract Gorge - Head Cam from Adrian Kiernan on Vimeo.

Footage was shot on headcam while paddling an expedition Solo. Dont forget to check out the new film JAUNT by skippy films when it is relaesed in spring 2009

enjoy!
Adrian Kiernan

The 2008 Lea Race Video - including the Leven Canyon

I just received confirmation from The Black Seeds and Keiran allowing me to borrow their music for this film. The Black Seeds' latest album 'Solid Ground' is amazing, highly recommended. You can purchase the tracks for download at amplifier.co.nz

All my vids are also available for you to download - you just need to log in to vimeo and head to my page at vimeo.com/seanboz


The 2008 Teva Lea River Extreme Race & The Leven Canyon from Sean Bozkewycz on Vimeo.

The Annual Teva Lea Extreme Race is run by Leigh at Kayak4Play, without whom it would not be possible.



Music by:


Keiran - Moon Sprawl

The Black Seeds - Afrophone

The Black Seeds - One Step At A Time

New Zealand Mission

As the heat in Melbourne soars to record temperatures it's the perfect time to venture across the Tasman for my first visit to Aotearoa.

For years the right elements to embark on a trans-Tasman mission have eluded me, but now finally the time is right. Still, there've been complications, from overnight deliveries loaded onto ships, to postponed meetings and paddles going walkabout. Six days after my originally planned departure, I'll be meeting Tasmanian James Thorp, Victorian Sam Treganza and a Kiwi contingent headed up by Jimmy Lohrey and Blake Reid.

As far as I can gather, the plan is to ravage the West Coast heli runs, but to be honest my knowledge of what I'm in for is limited to tall tales of epic day-long missions, caves, sieves, sketch portages and miserable weather. Maybe there was something about unbelieveably good whitewater too. Yeah, that sounds familiar.

Thanks to Kayak4Play, a rather generous box of Immersion Research goodies arrived at my door today that should keep me sufficiently warm in the wintry climes of Summer in NZ. It was a solid 30° today with a humidity that took me right back to Laos, yet still I wasted no time jumping in my sexy Union Suit and Dry Suit. So stoked. And a bit sweaty.

With any luck the Kiwi's will have figured out this whole internet thing and I may even be able to post up some mid-trip reports. At very least there's bound to be some great footage flowing soon after my return. Well maybe after the Kimberley trip.

We're in the final stages now meeting with sponsors, booking flights and seeking out all the loose ends that need attention. The website is online at KayaktheKimberley.com, check it out.

So it's goodbye beach, hello creeks. Can't wait.

Cheers
boz

Exploring the Whitewater of Laos

Returning home from 18 months in Canada, I met fellow Kayak4Play athlete Lachie Carracher in Pakse, Laos, in September 2008. Lachie had a well researched plan to scope waterfalls on the Bolaven Plateau and monsoonal Mekong rapids at Si Phan Don.

Here's a taste of what we discovered...



Read the full story on the trip blog at lifebywater.com/laos2008 or in the next issue of Cumec magazine, on shelves March 5.

You will also find another five minutes of fresh footage on the blog - or by following the links through to my Vimeo channel.

Thankyou Pitch Black for allowing me to use their track 'Lost in Translation'.

Fluid Release Small and Large Nemesis

Fluid have just released the Small and Large versions of their popular playboat, the Nemesis.

Small Nemesis

Large Nemesis

We will have these boats available in our next shipment. For more information or to pre-order drop us an email at info@kayak4play.com.au

Small, Medium and Large Nemesis

Full specs and more pictures are avaialable on the Fluid website. http://www.fluidkayaks.co.za/News_080612.htm

Adrian Takes Out Nationals

Kayak 4 Play Team Paddler Adrian Kiernan took out first place in Mens Kayak at Australian Freestyle Championships held at the Penrith Whitewater Stadium on the weekend (19th & 20th April).

Adrian wasn't originally going to paddle as he was between boats (planning on picking up his new ride when he hit California in a couple of week) but we managed to get a shiny yellow Fluid Nemesis to him for the event.

Good thing we did 'cause he stomped it.

Nice work Adrian.