NEWS " in the current "
1 July 2014
SJOA SUPER SUNDAYS 2nd EVENT - Sublime Slalom
Zeptrons Super Six (costume design by Avalancha & Paddlers First), caretakers to the realm of rivers and all sensible things managed to hold off the hordes of neo-kayak-dervish-river-zombies as they attempted to break through the inter-galactic shield of sensibility to lay claim to the creeker of all creekers, Fluid Bazooka. Another attempt to lay claim will be on the 27July(Event#3). be there if you dare.
A Sunny sunday evening down at Riksanlegget. aka The Sjoa Kayak Camp was host to the horde of 25 neo-kayak-dervish-river-zombies as they battled it out with 2 runs down the famous 420m of ex-slalom section of Åmot Fallene. 2 attempts were allowed with only the fastest counting. The first obstacle was an eddy turn and compulsory eskimo roll around the PLANET RIVER water mine 20 metres from the start. Several of the zombies proved what good paddlers they are by demonstrating that they normally & rarely have to roll due to their supreme balance and staying upright skills and found the eskimo roll a refreshing and new start to their perceptions of what is involved in WW kayaking. Talking about perception, 1 of the zombies even found a dusty Dancer to regain their perspectives on old-skool.
Out of the eddy, with snotty grins the neo-kayak-zombies.... splash paddled from river right down a long green wavy tongue to eddy#2 on river left. Another PLANET RIVER water mine was circled, with a few losing concentration and getting zapped some more sensibility witha 5 second penalty. On a side note, the organisers have decided next years event will have a real water mine, and then we´ll see who really wants to touch it.
A sneaky shallow left line or a weaving centre line or far-right flow line was next option for the competitors, i mean kayak-zombies. Most headed right to the quicker flow, but those who strayed from the shoulders of the rollercoaster breaking waves were treated to chestful and faceful treats of pure sjoa water. Tasty and refreshing, but definitely slower with bows submerged. There was even 1 super-crazy zombie who like did this bac-deck roll thingy trick as he went over the big emerald wave. A good philosophy to be learnt by all is that having fun on the river is also a requirement of WW kayaking.
Coming soon after the channeled wave train was a section of shallow, funny water & an exploding breaking wave-hole thingy centre left . Not in the sense of HA HA thats funny, but in the sense that the river makes wobbly lactic arms cry with pain as paddlers(zombies) attempt control through the exploding and boiling current. Rumours of a HURRICANE parting waters though this section were revealed true at the results announcement.
A final 100 meters of slowly pooling and winding flow held the neo-dervish plastic paddlers in a tiry-eyed trance to the finish line under the arched Bridge of Transcendance (transcends you from river right to river left, or if you prefer, from here to there). Under the banner of the coolest & closest kayak shop in the valley or Norway, and it was back up to the start to improve.
After the standard/routine diet of neo-kayak-dervish-river-zombies. Hotdogs. Semi-cult status was awarded to the 1st placed zombies in the form of getting to experience some more sensibility by getting to touch & hold the Golden Paddle. Ask Ben Jackson, Katja Stein and Anders Knutrud how they have been enlightened with this unique experience.
Get a life, learn to paddle and see u on the 27th July on the Sjoa River, Norway for the next event.
words by rob wilson
A big shout out to the following for contributing to make this all happen.
25 neo-kayak-dervish-river-zombies
Zeptrons Super Six - Neomie, Torgeir X2, Tormud, Camilla, Knut Mathias and Anna
Photography - Greig Mccolm
Fluid Kayaks - Sponsoring 1 x Bazooka Creekboat (Medium) - The Big Lucky Draw prize
Avalancha - 2 x Custom-made playvests for Superman & Superwoman
Strie Strømmer - 1000´s kroners prize table contribution
Paddlers First - Truckers caps for volunteers
Go Rafting - Event location/coffe & cake/cheaper beers
Heidal Rafting - Final event prize-giving & BBQ
Sjoa Rafting - Event location for Sjoa Super Charger event finish
Planet River - 1x HF Throwbag & 6 x Living the Best Day Ever by Hendri Coetzee
4 June 2014
SJOA SUPER SUNDAYS 1st EVENT - Fast & Furious of Faukstad
17HOO meet at Go Rafting - parking available
sign-up/collect bibs/change into river gear/walk to Sjoa Kajakksenter
17H30 Race Brief & Group Photo at Sjoa Kajakksenter
18H00 Race 2 timed laps between Faukstad Bru & Faukstad Surf Eddy
19H30 - Coffee & Cake at Go Rafting
A big shout out to the following for contributing to make this all happen.
Fluid Kayaks - Sponsoring 1 x Bazooka Creekboat (Medium) - The Big Lucky Draw prize
Avalancha - 2 x Custom-made playvests for Superman & Superwoman
Strie Strømmer - 1000´s kroners prize table contribution
Paddlers First - Truckers caps for volunteers
Go Rafting - Event location/coffe & cake/cheaper beers
Heidal Rafting - Final event prize-giving & BBQ
Sjoa Rafting - Event location for Sjoa Super Charger event finish
Planet River - 1x HF Throwbag & 6 x Living the Best Day Ever by Hendri Coetzee
7 APRIL 2014
Rob & Armando @ XCreek
4-5 April 2014
The kayak racing season carved a slice off the end of winter and took a bite into summer. First event of the Norwegian Whitewater Cup at the X2 Festivalen.
4th April.
A relaxed sunny afternoon drive from Sjoa over Strynfjellet, with stops at Lom Bakeri for tasty baked goodies and some retail therapy for Ine at two of the three, Moods of Norway shops in Stryn.
A dozen kayakers congregated on the shoreline of Geirangerfjord at Hellesylt Camping. Scrounged firewood was fed to the fire, after an unsuccessful 45 minute convoy into the mountains in search of free camping. Over a few cold ones winter stories were shared, and slowly the group dwindled into layers of sleeping bags, blankets and tents, under a cool, clean & starry spring sky.
5th April.
Rolling out sleeping bags into cups of coffee and hot sweet porridge got the group going for the 10 minute drive to the 450 metre race course on the lower Bygdaselva in Hellesylt. A few warm-up practice runs got the blood flowing and the smiles glowing. At the race brief Armando was given a sticker with #1 on it, to set off the field of about 14 men & 4 women paddlers for our 2 runs each. I drew lucky #13. The sun warmed up the river valley, which helped the many paddlers who were taking their first paddling stokes of the season. The low water conditions were well received, as this kept the level of intensity to happy, cruisy racing conditions.
After round 1, i was really surprised to find myself in 3rd position and requested that the event end right now. This was politely declined by all. Armando was fired up to improve on his 7th position.
The weather shifted to cloudier, cooler conditions adding to the mood of more aggressive paddling in the 2nd run by all. The consequences of mistakes were highlighted, but clean lines got you good times. This was reflected in the shifting in positions the the overall standings for many of the competitors, after the 2nd run. My slower second run after an eddy visit after the second drop dropped me 1 second off 3rd place down to a happy tied 4th, with Armando´s faster, aggressive 2nd run pushing him up the scoresheet into a respectable 6th overall.
words by Rob Wilson
photos by PLANET RIVER
Links :
NB. Boaters to make sure all river gear is clean from Gyro(salmon parasite) when paddling here.
http://www.etnelaks.no/Fiskereglar/Gyrodactylus_salaris%20eng.htm
Event Photos by Rob & Ine
17 MARCH 2014
SJOA SUPER SUNDAYS - White H20 Race Series 2014
Planet River is going to host a series of 5 races for whitewater kayakers this summer 2014. All will be on a Sunday evening. With an easy-going vibe, rad prizes, free entry on fun sections of the river on a day of the week when anything is possible. Easy WW2 & WW3 for most events, except for Åwesome Åmot, WW4.
Safe river levels will choose what order the events go. Sundays location will be announced the Wednesday and finalised the Saturday before race day. After each event, will be social but have a large prize-giving and BBQ after final event. The first event is on the 8 June.
We will attract a fair few of the local crew, HIL Padleklubb juniors, river instructors who work the summer here on the Sjoa. This base will support the event with the bonus sometimes of foreign kayakers and Oppland county paddlers and other Norwegian travelling paddlers in the area over an event.
Race program, poster, accident plan, racing bibs, volunteers from Heidal Idretts Lag have been secured. Sponsors are currently being approached for support too guarantee a loaded prizes table. Avalancha is making 2 custom pfd´s for winners. Strie Strømmer kayak shop up the road has committed to goodie bags of river toys. Paddlers First has trucker caps for division winners.
SEE U THERE
9 DECEMBER 2013
World Rafting Championships in New Zealand, November 2013.
Story by Ine Skjørten Wilson
Photos by Rob Wilson, Annie Nordli, Team Costa Rica, Ine Skjørten Wilson & Official WRC event photographers.
Norway was represented with a team in the Open Women category in the World Rafting Championship in New Zealand from the 18-24 November. 70 teams from 30 countries stayed in Rotorua and travelled to the rivers Okere (Kaituna), Tarawera and Rangitaiki for training and competitions.Three in the norwegian national team are Voss based, four are Sjoa river born and raised. The team consisted of Ragne Elise Berre, Gry Bystøl, Gunvor Wæhle, Ella-Camilla Dahle, Marit Gjelsvik, Anni Eide Nordli and Ine Skjørten Wilson.
Living 6 hours apart it was difficult for the team to practice several times a week together, like all the top teams do nowadays. However they were able to meet up for three weekends, and paddle and exercise regularly individually between these weekends. The team arrived a week ahead of the event to get familiar with the different discipline locations and New Zealand river landscapes.
Rafting competitions have four diciplines. First up is Sprint, which is a 2-3 minutes race on class 2-3. This competition was held on the Okere river, from below the falls to Bottom Hole. Teams start individually and race to the finish line as strong as they possibly can following the fastest possible lines.
Based on the results from Sprint, the heats in the next competition Head2Head are set up. H2H was run on the same river, from the dam to the Powerhouse / Weir rapid. This is a very exciting and spectator friendly competition often including close-to-fighting between rafts to get first to the best line in the first rapid. The Brazil and Chile fight in Open Men made the crowds scream and cheer. Many exciting scenes evolved at the last rapid where teams got stuck on a rock in the first drop allowing the other team to overtake. When not racing, a huge screen was set up in the lunch area for everyone to watch the action.
Slalom is the third event and was held on a class 2 section of the Tarawera river in Kawerau town. Yes, teams can practice there the days before the event, but the final slalom course is run on sight. Teams spend time walking up and down the riverbank to discuss in detail how to manage every gate. You get two run’s, with the best one counting. There is a 5 seconds penalty for hitting a gate, and 50 seconds if missing a gate.
Downriver on the Rangitaiki river was the last competition, and counted the most in the overall results. The river level was low from the morning so the Open Women and Masters did individual starts running to the raft, jumping in, then paddling. Water came up and allowed the Open Men to start in batches of four teams at the time. With all muscles hurting the Norwegians crossed the finish line to their best result with a 10th place at 53.57.67, which was 3 min and 57 seconds behind winning New Zealand.
Great weather, perfectly organized event, friendly hosts, strong teams and Maori blessings and Haka, gave a solid and exciting competition. Team Norway Open Women did their best, realizing that if they want to climb the result lists they have to train systematically 3 - 4 times a week at least the two coming years to the next World’s.
However, the Sweet / Kari Traa gear and clothes was commented on a lot due to very good quality and looks. Some of it is now in Brazil with the overall winning Brazilian men’s team. The team had three sets of Kari Traa sports,- and wool underwear to compete in.
Sweet Protection red Shambala shorts, green Strutter helmets, green Shadarach dry top for cold rainy days.
Avalancha competition pfd’s, custom made, all matching with the national colors of red, white and blue.
Our competition paddles we transported in a Douchebag, originally made as a ski bag, but is perfect for traveling with paddles as you can regulate the length of the bag and roll it with you whilst the paddles are well protected in the bag
and Finally a huge Norwegian HURRAH !!! to Keith at Kaituna Cascades for a loan of a raft and trailer for the training week and to awesome driver Bart.
see u in Indonesia 2015 ......
1 DECEMBER 2013
Summer Photo-Boaters
Words by Rob Wilson
Images by Ine Skjørten Wilson / Rob Wilson / PLANET RIVER
The Season:
1 May to 31 September is the season to photo-boat on the Sjoa & Otta Rivers, Norway. Ine and i contract our photography services to Heidal Rafting. May normally starts off nice and gently with a couple of trips on the weekends and the odd school group during the week. June has nearly a trip everyday. July and August goes nuts with up to 4 different trips in a day. The day trip, the afternoon trip, Otta family trips, river boarding and canyoning. The final month September, has busy weekends with corporate groups filling up weekdays.
The Scene:
Camera on … Lense cap off . Check lense. Check Settings ….. Click (practice shot) - Check Settings - Adjust Settings . OK here comes the first boat . Zoom …. focus, Clickety .. Clickety…..Clickety… Clickety…. Clickety…Clickety…………. Clickety . next boat . Zoom …. focus, Clickety .. Clickety…..Clickety… Clickety…. Clickety…Clickety…………. Clickety. and the next boat, and the next boat, and the next boat, and the next boat …. Camera off … Lense cap on. Camera back in Pelican box. Dance over rocks back to kayak, get in, box between legs, deck on, grab paddle, slide into river. Paddle, paddle, race paddle, paddle. Pull into eddy, deck off, pull camera box out between legs, get out boat, drag boat up onto rocks and get it ready for relaunch, find shooting spot, find level area for camera box, open box, dry hands on cloth, Camera on … Lense cap off . Check lens . Check Settings ….. Click (practice shot) - Check Settings - Adjust Settings . OK here comes the first boat . Zoom …. focus, Clickety .. Clickety…..Clickety… Clickety…. Clickety…Clickety ….. CLICK and repeat the scene up to 15/16 times a day if working 2 trips.
After last rapid . Race ahead to the bus. Throw kayak in bus. Run into the bus. Dry hands . Pull laptop out overhead locker. Open camera box. Retrieve memory card . Insert card . Click download. Strip off wet gear whilst images download. Quick 1st edit on bus. Keep, keep, delete, keep, keep,keep, keep,keep, keep, delete, keep. Bus pulls into camp, run out the bus to the photo hut trailing wet gear, kayak, computer, camera box. Open hut, plug into power source, separate all images into boats. Back up all images per raft on external hard drive. Coffee. Show slideshow boat per boat in `Lille Kino` - little cinema. `you folks like the shots`- Yes, cash, plastic visa, rupees, dollars, gold or beer and they´re yours. Copy images onto USb sticks, thanks for the day. Ching, Ching " Next boat ".
…. River manager walks in and says 10 people have just walked in for an afternoon trip ….. repeat the above.
The Tools:
Ine - Blue Bazooka(S), Orange Detox(M) - depends on what colour dry top and helmet, Ine is wearing that day.
Rob - Big Bang-low water, Bazooka (M)-high water.
Canon 7D´s with variety of lenses for close-up, action, group shots and scenery.
Pelican Box ( Camera / lenses / lense cloth / drying hands cloth / spare battery / extra memory cards)
NB. Old school umbrellas with U-shaped handle help prevent it falling over when jammed between PFD and body on windy rainy days and keep both hands free for shooting and camera dry.
Season 2013 Stats:
47 398 photos, 412.95 GB, 370 rafts
Rob approx. 65 trips @ 975 km´s
Ine approx. 63 trips @ 945 km´s
Thanks:
All the guests who purchased images.
Heidal Rafting for the sweet Gig.
Tora Heggem for working a few trips.
" Smile, it looks better "
30 JULY 2013
Sjoa River Raft Race Results 2013
1. HEIDAL RAFTING - 20min 48.5sec
2. GO RAFTING - 21min 00.4sec
3. SJOA RAFTING GENTLELADIES - 21min 22.8sec
4. SJOA RAFTING GENTLEMEN - 21min 27.7sec
5. BLACK PEARL - 21min 37.1sec
6. VOSS RAFTING - 21min 42.5sec
7. OPPLEV OPPDAL - 21min 50.0sec
8. HEIDAL IL LADIES - 22min 16.4sec
9. CZECH TEAM - 22min 25.5sec
10. HEIDAL RAFTING LADIES - 22min 41.4sec
11. OEK LADIES - 24min 17.9sec
19 JUNE 2013
EUROLAND
by Rob Wilson / PLANET RIVER
images by Ine Skjørten Wilson & Rob Wilson
Sweden, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland were only lands of passing through on my 7500km journey to and from France & Italy. 1st up was a day session in Lyon at the Hawaii-sur-Rhone wave with David and Mathieu. A Dope and Element were the play machines and the river provided a fine feature. River right provided a bouncy and thumpy diagonal leading into the big wide smooth middle section where the Element was literally in it´s element. The river left section of the wave hosts a small green shoulder to tow across into the steeper shoulder of the foaming, muncher section where the Dope felt more at home. David and Mathieu traded turns on the film camera and play boats whilst i shot stills and front surfed my Big Bang a couple of times.
Spent a couple of nights about 45 minutes east of Lyon at San Bresse Slalom course on the Rhone. Was a handy spot to stay at. I had not paddled for a few months, so was great to get the feel of boat handling again and catch some eddies. Although it was the first time in 20+ years of boating, that i had to pay to go for a paddle. Reasonable rates, but still could not quite grasp the fact.
Mathieu was headed to the Alps to catch up with his crew. Invited to join, i re-circled 423 roundabouts(Yeah, i know …. i will get a GPS thingy for next trip), picked up 3 cases of wine and champagne in Longeray, Chambery for my neighbour in Norway, toured a frosty mountain pass from Grenoble and i found myself in Briancon and the Durance valley at 2am. For the next week we paddled sections on the swollen waters of the Guil, Guisane and Durance. The 400 meter long tight-walled gorge below the 13th century Chateau Queyras on the Guil was definitely the highlight for me. Squaring up to the never-ending crashing diagonals and the freight train speed of the run is what gets me stoked. It was impossible not to have ´Game of Thrones` visuals of leather and iron-clad, screaming & writhing soldiers drenched with boiling oil and archers arrows embedded in their brains, being smashed into the frothing waters of the Guil by tossed rocks from the laughing lords and giddy soldiers in the safety of the well positioned Chateau above. During this week i camped at Stade de Vieu slalom campsite on the Durance. A great spot to get a few daily runs to hone the skills between river runs and burn off the copious varieties & amounts of cheese i was consuming.
Before leaving France, I managed to catch Day 1 of the inaugural Outdoor Mix Festival. I chose to rather shoot photos of the Giant Slalom on a sunny day on the steep shallow waters of the Malafosse section of the Fontenil. This event is going to be big next year. Moving the location daily provides an awesome platform to test the all round whitewater boater with the added attraction of a star-studded competitors list.
ITALY next via the Montegenvere pass and straight to Torino to pick Ine up from the airport. Headed up the Valle de Lanzo for 2 quiet days of fine dining, champagne, 4 star hotel, touristy drive to the end of the road to the Italy/France border ….. and that´s all you need to know!
Time to catch up with the FLUID EURO TEAM in Torre Pellice. Having lived in a tent the last 16 days, it was super to stay at Cascina del Forte hosted by Carla. Treat yourself if you are ever in the area. The weather forecast was somewhat bleak with what we wanted to achieve in terms of filming and photography. Nothing like 7 euro pizzas and cheap beer to lift the mood and get to know folks who have up until now, just been ccéd names on e-mail conversations. First up was a warm-up run on the roadside Germanesca River with Josh, Falke and David. A steepish technical Class 4 run turned into only David completing, after countless portages and scouting, near misses, and an untimely swim by me. Hats off to Josh for committing to the non-stop beating he was getting on the steep, low volume boulder garden. Sense of humours were regathered at a post mission pizza parlour washed down with biere grandes.
Sunday morning was like a big birthday party. Our new toys for the summer had arrived. Express delivered from the Tootega factory in the U.K. Bubble wrapped bundles of shiny colourful plastic burst forth from the depths of the delivery van. Several hours were spent comparing each others choices from Fluids´ varied range.
SUN, time to go boating again and get the needed footage. The rest of the team had also arrived. Mathieu, Kees and Paul completed the group. Conveniently there is a great double drop 200m down the hill from the Villa we were staying at. Run after run in the sun was taken at a multitude of frames per second at every possible angle. Paul and Ine shooting stills. Mathieu and David rotated and captured the moving imagery. Josh, Kees, Mathieu, David and myself fired up many a run. With that many cameras, who does not want to be in the spotlight.
Taking our cameras and hoping for a few shots later in the afternoon Paul, Ine, Josh and myself went for a paddle. Somehow, we just ended up having a pleasant fun paddle, with a few shots for good times with good people.
Time to search for some variety and we convoyed out of town headed east of Torino with the Chuisella and Valsesia valleys as the chosen locations. I missed the Chiusella afternoon session after dropping Ine off at the airport and then getting hopelessly lost in Torino in my rush to catch up with the crew. Warning : if you drive the tolled Autostrada, do not miss your planned turnoff. You will drive another 20/30 clicks or more to the next offramp and then pay to go all the way back. (Yeah, i know …. i will get a GPS thingy for next trip). The rest of the team managed to gather some valuable imagery. A late night convoy and we found a campsite and ate another 8 euro pizza each.
We woke to the heavens pounding on our respective tents, vans and caravans. Sleepy heads slowly arrived in the communal patio and after a few coffee´s and croissants and laptops being scoured for weather reports(was not looking good). The call was made to cancel the rest of the shoot. Bummer. Not really. The shoot was cancelled, but the idea of boating was not. Most headed back to their Euroland hometowns. Mathieu, Kees and myself decided to hit up Valsesia for a park and huck at Gronda and catch up for an evening of strong beer and good times with some folks we all knew in the valley. I also needed to pick up 7 AVALANCHA pfd´s that had arrived from Argentina.
´El Capofamiglia` a.k.a Celliers was arriving and needed a pick up from Torino. The taxi drivers at Torino airport were starting to recognise me now, on my third visit in a week and visions of a turf war were imminent. A long wait for lost luggage and a quick departure had us undercover and lost again on the way to the hotel. (Yeah, i know …. i will get a GPS thingy for next trip). Hotel living for 2 days and some good chats with Celliers helped me get a bigger picture of Fluid Kayaks and his motivations and his dreams for Fluids future whilst the heavens poured down glorious rain to fill the rivers.
Saturday morning and it was back to the `consiglieres´ villa in uptown Torre Pellice. A chilled out day of talk, pizza, and video and photo editing with David, Mathieu & Celliers whilst the rain did its thing again. SUN=Sunday, and we spent the day filming much needed footage of the inside of a kayak for an outfitting demo video. Banter, shit-talk and humour filled the gaps of a day we would rather have spent on the water. But hey… when ´el capofamiglia` says we shoot the inside of a boat, we shoot the inside of a boat.
Homemade joke. ( getting this italian thing )
Q. What do you call a male pizza. A. Pizzo
I was now needing to get back on the road to Norway, summer work was kicking in back home and the rains were imminent again here, so filming and photoing was out the picture. Loaded the car with 4 new toys, was given `capo bastone` rights, took a last few pics of the boss, his advisor and underboss as they headed down the hill for a Sunday evening boating session. 11pm and i found myself back in Valsesia, with half of the population of British and Irish boaters gearing up for Gene17´s Valsesia festival.
Was going to leave early the next morning, but was convinced that a run on the Mastallone would ensure that i left Italy with at least a 3rd day of sunny boating. I joined Tom Parker and his crew after getting lost again (Yeah, i know …. i will get a GPS thingy for next trip). A super fun, SUNNY day on a classic run without the lights, camera, action getting in the way of a good time.
I had wanted to drive back through Switzerland as everybody said it is a must see. All i saw were my windscreen wipers, truck tail-lights and rain and wet road. Next time, maybe… It bucketed with rain every single minute of my 36 hours back to the Norwegian border. A good long sleep in Frederikstad at my father-in-law house, Eilif. The final 450 km home took 9 hours in the rain. Several landslides blocked the detoured route home, including 1 that was 2 km from my house forcing me to do a final 50km detour.
The beautiful thing about all this rain, was that the first day back home i was able to give my Element its 1st taste of big wave surfing on a flooding Sjoa River….. HAPPY DAYS .
Thank-you / Merci / Grazi / Takk
Mathieu Coldebella - good safe times on the river and making sure i was never too lost and forgotten.
David Arnaud - fine boating and seeing how a film pro works.
Carla - hospitality and open house feel at Cascina del Forte. http://www.cascinadelforte.it/en/
Paul Villecourt - inspiration.
Falke for keeping the smiles and entertaining banter at peak levels
Kees - Joviality & motivation.
Josh - showing us how it can actually be done.
Ine - 2 memorable days in Valle de Lanzo.
Celliers - new shiny toys and opportunities.
Pablo Rial - warm reception and bringing PFD´s from Argentina.
Jean, Raphael & Stephane´ - sharing lines on the Guil & Durance.
10 JUNE 2013
SJOA RIVER RAFT RACE RULES 2013
PLAN:
17H00 : COMPETITORS MEET AT ØYTUN (take-out) FOR LOADING BOATS & SHUTTLE.
17H15 : RACE RULES ON THE BUS RIDE.
17H30 : TEAM CAPTAIN MEETING & DRAWING OF START POSITIONS.
18H00 : MASS START
18H17 : FINISH AT FAUKSTAD SURF EDDY
18H30 : SURF SESSION
19H00 : PRIZEGIVING AY ØYTUN
RULES:
- Race is from Harlaug Bridge to Faukstad river right of surf.
- Teams consist of class three kayakers / raft guides. Maxi 7 persons per boat.
- Each team bring their own first aid, wrap kit and a kayaker for safety.
- The team who draws number one choose starting position first and so on.
- Boats can be on the water, both sides of the river and upstream of the bridge.
- Guide holds boat and stands on land, dry feet. -
- Paddlers can sit in the boat.
- No paddles in the water last 5 seconds.
- Group start.
- The "starter" stands on the bridge, visible for participants. -
- Starters arm go up 5 sec before start, goes down at GO!
- False start gives 15 sec penalty to total time.
- All participate at own risk.
- If anyone have swimmers / flip help each other first priority.
- Team captains are responsible for informing team paddlers the race rules.
After the finish: Have a play in the surfs if it is up. Announcement of winners at the soccer field right after that.
NB : No parking in the road at Harlaug.
CATEGORIES:
- 1st Overall
- 1st Raft company (must consist of employees from the company)
- 1st Womens team
Entry fee: 100,- Nok. pr team, pay before start to Ine.
2 APRIL 2013
PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICE AT HEIDAL RAFTING
PLANET RIVER returns for their 2nd season as Heidal Rafting´s photographers. The team of Ine & Rob will join you in their kayaks on your river journey. Leapfrogging the rafting trip we will catch those big smiles, the riverside scenery & happy action. Come view the stills images after the trip in the `Lille Kino´. An opportunity to purchase your rafts images in digital format is available, immediately after. - " Smile & dig your paddle deep" .
20 MARCH 2013
INSTRUCTOR AT SJOA KAJAKKSENTER 2013
Ine will be coaching beginner & intermediate whitewater kayaking with Anett and her crew at the Sjoa Kajakksenter this summer 2013. Courses are held on the Sjoa, Lågen and Otta rivers.
Additionally, Ine will also be involved with those folks wanting a little more than just kayaking and wanting to apply lifeskills. The following link goes into detail about a course in Mindfulness and Whitewater Kayaking; about being more present in the everyday and on the river using gestalt methods. The course is run by Annki Daudon in cooperation with Sjoa Kajakksenter.
http://www.annki-gestalt.no/html/mindfulness_og_elvekajakk.html
1 MARCH 2013
KAJAKK & SURF SAFARI 2013
We came home two weeks ago, after an 8 week, 8 and a half 1000 kilometre roadtrip. Roadtrippin’ as we like it with a tent, toys and one spoon each for all meals We enjoyed the family gathering for xmas in Cape Town, lunches with Brett, Tania & Isabel, best ever trip on the Orange Gorge with Ashley, Scott & friends, then lovely days with Hannah, PM & the girls. Traveling up the east coast we surfed at all the classic locations, kayaked a few new runs and witnessed wildlife & wide open spaces. Tsitsa Falls was heaven with Angela, Adrian, Nika and all the furry ones. After peaceful days next to the falls we ventured to Swaziland, kayaked the Usuthu and were 100% tourists at Swazi candles for a day before meeting Shane and changing destination to the Umzimkulu Thrombi Fest. Rob competed, i took photos and practised my skills of moving slowly in the heat. The last days were spent on a low Vaal @ Parys, meeting up with Celliers and with Jacques in Johannesburg. Precious time with Gran, little Jaimie, Jean & Simon and a last lunch in the sunshine with wine, with Elizabeth & Gavin. Frida is stoked to have us home, and so are we to see her, get to know the new house and greet the early spring!
We would like to express to each and everyone of you, a big thank you for being you and for the times we had together.
Words by Ine. Photos by Rob & Ine.
View the photo album from our trip
12 JULY 2012
SJOA RIVERGUIDE RAFT RACE 2012 RESULTS
Date: 11.07.12
Waterlevel: 351.77 moh / 101.64 m3/s
OVERALL RESULTS
1. GoRafting ! ! ! 17 min 21 sec
2. Sjoa Rafting ! ! ! 17 min 36 sec
3. Sjoa Rafting ladies ! ! 18 min 07 sec
4. Tally Ho ! ! ! ! 18 min 8 sec
5. Heidal Rafting ! ! ! 18 min 9 sec
6. Oslo Elvesportsklubb ! 18 min 22 sec
7. Aktiv Oppdal ! ! ! 18 min 36 sec
8. Heidal IL Padlegr ladies ! 18 min 43 sec
9. Kaitiaki ladies ! ! ! 19 min 21 sec
10. Chicks with Sticks ! ! 19 min 27 sec
11. Beito Aktiv ! ! ! 19 min 41 sec
1. KPK / OEK ladies ! ! 20 min 35 sec!
LADIES RESULTS
1. Sjoa Rafting Ladies ! ! 18 min 7 sec
2. Heidal IL Padlegruppe! ! 18 min 43 sec
3. Kaitiaki ! ! ! ! 19 min 21 sec
4. Chicks with Sticks ! ! 19 min 27 sec
1. KPK / OEK ! ! ! 20 min 35 sec
RAFT COMPANY RESULTS
1. GoRafting ! ! ! 17 min 21 sec
2. Sjoa Rafttng ! ! ! 17 min 36 sec
3. Heidal Rafting ! ! ! 18 min 9 sec
17 APRIL 2012
XCREEK
Text - Rob Wilson
Photography - Ine Skjørten Wilson
EVENT - The Norwegian kayak race scene kicked off this last weekend on the Bygdaelva (a.k.a by the locals as Korsbrekkelva) near the village of Hellesylt on the northern west coast of Norway. Part of the X2 outdoor/extreme Festivalen and the first leg of the Norwegian Whitewater Cup.
SCENE - My 10 fingers and in particular my right hand, right wrist and my right pointer finger were feeling up to the challenge of a kayak race after the last 4 months of moving a mouse and wearing out my keyboard whilst writing a River Travellers Guide to the Orange River in South Africa. My boat was also stoked to go after holding up the shed wall all winter, i think she actually loaded herself.
The weather report looked bleak, so we decided to forego the charges on the full festival ticket price and rather rent a cabin. The thought of slumming in chilly,slushy,snowy,wet,muddy conditions in the free camp with a few 100 others with 1 or 2 shitters as possibly the warmest, driest retreat, just did not cut into the `kiff my bru´ factor. Word earlier in the week on the interweb was that the original planned location on the Rossåa river in Ørsta was going to be possibly shelved and moved to the Bygdaelva, due to low water and freezing conditions. We took a chance and booked a cabin, in Hellesylt. Worst case, we would have to drive the 40 minutes to Ørsta if the river did pick up. A friday evening call to the organisers and we had realised we had lucked-in with booking that cabin which turned out to be 150m downriver of the race take-out. A braai and a beer and we was happy.
RACE - Woke up race day to find 2 inches of snow overnight on the kayaks. Faen! Is going to be a chilly 1 today. In good Norwegian spirit, competitors rallied for warm-up runs at 10am and the competition kicked off at midday. 4 women and 17 men found their lines down the roughly 250m low water bedrock run. Competitors kept themselves warm whilst waiting their turn with socks on hands, skipping, running up and down the road and some stiff looking yoga manoeuvres.
3,2,1, GO ….Down a short ramp with a waky-waky ice-cold splash into a pool and then 4 or 5 strokes got you into moving water, soon followed by the first snaking slide into a river narrowing with 2 bubbly constrictions. Horizon line at the next slide with a semi-submerged boulder mid-pool below to give a hiding to straying bows. The gradient mellowed for the next 30 metres at the go left or go right shallow bump and grind with 2 offset stoppers at the exit. Charge river right to the last slide and then back to the middle of the river for the last auto-boof drop with the intention of speed and landing mid-boil, left or right of the boil had you scrambling the walls of the bowled out exit pool for the last 20 metre dash to the time-stopping, numb hand on banner.
A little prize-giving and podium ceremony on the road-side with the boys and girls tucking into the steaming hot `balls-in-a-bucket´ rounded off the occasion.
RESULT - The mens and women winners were light years ahead of the rest of their competitors. A sub 1min 50 time for a run down the river course was good, but the sub 1min 45 was where the podium places were. We were given 2 runs with the times added for a final result. My computer arms were pretty stoked with 7th place. A 1.49 on the first run and a 1.53 on the second. Nothing like kicking off the Norwegian `summer´ with a race, and a fun 1 at that.
Shout out to organiser, Joar Wæhle and volunteers and to rescue ranger dudes for keeping an eye on safety.
TRANSLATIONS
aå - creek
elva - river
faen! - s#!t
kiff, my bru - cool, my brother
braai - barbecue
X2 Festivalen 2012 Event website
Event results
http://www.friflyt.no/Padling/Padlesesongen-er-i-gang
Event video
Stadheimfossen Camping and Hytter
Fluid Big Bang
http://www.fluidkayaks.com/fluidkayaks.com/w_bigbang.htm
Norwegian Whitewater Cup 2012
https://www.facebook.com/NorwegianWhitewaterCup
27 MARCH 2012
PADDLE THE SENQU !!!
Have you ever considered paddling the Senqu River in Lesotho. Start planning your trip now, because other folks are planning to build dams on it. see the following links for news on DAM building on the SENQU river.
http://www.info.gov.za/speech/DynamicAction?pageid=461&sid=20699&tid=39393
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/SA-facing-a-water-crisis-Molewa-20120228
If you are wanting help with planning your SENQU/ORANGE/GARIEP river journey we will have a 500+ page River Travellers Guide to this beautiful river by November 2015. Maps, driving routes, paddling information plus illustrations of wildlife & nature and photos of all regions from source to sea. We will keep you updated.
25 OCTOBER 2011
JENTELAG 2011
The Norwegian Womens Raft Team 2011 have returned from a successful World Rafting Championships on the Pacuare River in Costa Rica. Their 4 events produced an overal result of 13th position.
Sprint Race = 15th
Head to Head Race = 13th
Slalom Race = 10th
Down River Race = 14th
14 JULY 2011
the Aussies WIN, again. There is a rumour they will retire after 3 successive titles. We hope not. Congrats Boys !
RESULTS SJOA RAFT RACE 13.07.11 1. TEAM AUSSIE 20.56 min 2. TEAM EXO ITALIA 21.27 min 3. TEAM GO RAFTING 21.39 min 4. TEAM HEIDAL RAFTING 22.09 min 5. TEAM KONGSBERG (ladies) 22.29 min 6. TEAM SJOA RAFTING 22.34 min 7. TEAM OSLO ELVESPORTSKLUBB 22.55 min 8. TEAM OPPLEV OPPDAL 23.39 min 9. TEAM JENTERØKLA (ladies) 23.55 min
8 JULY 2011
SJOA RIVER PLAY-RUN CLEAN-UP
River clean-up successful on the Sjoa Normal/Play run ! The total amount of junk FILLED up the back
of Ine´s van.
Wire, cellphone, car parts, carabiner, lots of plastic and 3 paddle blades was just some of the inventory. About 10 garbage bags and other pieces were collected.
Clean up crew - Mike, Anke, Brett, Tank, Mariann, Gaus, Estaban, Jildre, 2 swedish tourists(disguised as river guides), Ine, Nina, Will & Rob.
Appreciate the rafting companies for loaning river equipment. takk til Kristin for kjempe god wafle og gjestfrihet. a simple good effort, enjoy the river my friends.
takk, gracias, shot ekse´.
25 JUNE 2011
SJOA RIVER RAFT RACE 2011
Annual Sjoa Raft Race from Harlaug Bridge is on!!! Wednesday 13th of july..loading of rafts at Øytun @ 5 pm. Info, safety briefing & drawing of positions @ 5.30 pm @ Harlaug Bridge. Start @ 6pm!!!!!!! Anyone to beat the Aussies? Sign up by email, facebook or sms to Ine :)
11 APRIL 2011
ORANGE RIVER TRAVELLERS GUIDE BOOK
Our first publishing project is currently in progress.
ORANGE . Senqu Oranje Gariep . A River Travellers Guide to a Southern African River.
Published by: PLANET RIVER ®
Printing & Binding: aitotta
Text: Robert Wilson
Illustrations: Ine Skjørten Wilson
Photography: Rob Wilson & Ine Skjørten Wilson, Scott Martin & Elizabeth Wilson
Layout & Design: Theresa Wigley
Editor: Elizabeth Wilson
Maps & Cartography: Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, South Africa
“Reproduced under Government Printer’s Copyright Authority No. 11526 dated 21 February 2011"
GUIDE COLLAGE
Have you ever worked as a guide on the Orange River. If the answer is yes, we would like to invite you to contribute to the Orange River Travellers Guide.
We are requiring images & photos to build a huge collage of past and present Orange River Guides.
The image or photo you send has to be taken on the Orange River of Southern Africa. Anywhere between the source and the sea.
The image can show you washing pots, slow cooking the 3rd nights lamb, surfing a wave, loading the bakkie, catching a fish, peeling potatoes, starting a fire, sipping on a brew, cruising the flats, blasting crystals in the fire, nappy running the rapids, falling out your boat at Sjambok, kayaking off a drop, anything, as long as it is on the Orange River.
Would preferably like to see your face in the photo.
There will be space for all images, old and new guides are all welcome.
Operators spread the word, this includes the bosses, ´cos you once were guides(still are).
Send a full quality image to info@planetriver.com
with the guides name and photographers name for end credits.
Regards, Rob & Ine
28 FEBRUARY 2011
1 WEEK - 4000KM - 2 NEW KAYAKS - FIRST DESCENT
Monday 28 February : Depart Cape Town at 1pm in a 1000cc motor car, fortunately only 2 of us in the car. The car is the kind of size where you have to take off your shoes to drive, sounds like another activity you have to take your shoes off for. Kayaking. We drive over the 1500 cumec strong Orange River near Colesburg at about 11pm, it is dark and we can see in our minds eye what the river should look like. We share the drive until about 1a.m. and take a side road off the N1 and bush camp for the evening, a cool breeze blows away the heat of the African day as we look up at the Southern skies and wait for shooting stars boosting through the Milky Way.
Tuesday 1 March : A milky gas station coffee is our wake up in Bloemfontein before heading to the foothills of Lesotho. The entire landlocked kingdom has an elevation above 1000 metres. Enter lesotho at 10am. Passport stamped, drive across the murky Caledon River. We negotiated our way for high quality digital maps of the country at a highly bribed price. To think we knocked a third of what he wanted, and he was still going to score. However we now have quality maps to use. A quick walk around the capital, Maseru to get some photographs and kill some time whilst the files are burned. Depart Lesotho by 1pm and we are on our way to Golden Gate National Park.
Wednesday 2 March : Take a great drive in the peaceful, cool and breezy heights through 2 game drive loops in the morning. A rainy summer has provided well for the Grassland Savannah with a rich harvest for the Mountain Zebra, Wildebeest and Blesbok we spotted. We moved from a zone of absolute tranquility following the Wilge river from the border with Lesotho and within 5 hours we were in industrial Johannesburg, one of the busiest metropolitans in Africa. A meeting with Kim Scott at Navistar in Benoni. Good timing with the traffic and we arrive at our Granny Wilson´s house at sundown. 90+ Grandpa Ernie tackles the chicken as it hits the table minus his dentures which gets Granny in hysterics and combined with a with a shared bottle of wine we have a great evening with laughter our unseen companion .
Thursday 3 March : Up early with a teary goodbye from Granny Wilson and first up is a lesson in getting lost in a big city, but, we still make it on time for a meeting up with Jacques at Sandown Motors. We had a tour of the new Vito with Blue Efficiency technology to help reduce emissions. A successful lunch meeting with Stefan Botha of Staffataclick to agree on a deal and we bust out of the big smoke and head towards Parys on the Vaal River. Celliers and Jan @ FLUID kayaks were there to greet and spend time discussing what they are up to with new designs and kayak production and our plans for the ORANGE RIVER guidebook. New WRSI helmets with funky colours and FLUID branding were fitted, both of us taking the small size(nothing to do with our brain capacities). The DETOX and the BIG BANG were loaded and floated above the miniature ´road-rocket-ship´ on inflatable racks. Into the night we drove and car camped just off the N14 outside Kuruman at 2 in the morning.
Friday 4th March : Up early with dewy sleeping bags and into Kuruman for a shower in the church garden sprinklers. Part 5 of the week, and at the 2500 km mark we were 12 hours ahead of schedule. We decided to slow down and took our time getting to Augrabies town and coasted in at sunset. Catch up beers with Mr. & Mrs. Agent Orange and we all planned our boating mission for the week-end. We wanted an easier day for Saturday as Ine and I had not paddled since September, we agreed on checking out the Miggie Falls channels near Kakamas. Sunday was going to be big, a descent on an unknown run. An ancient gorge of the Orange which we are sure nobody has descended.
Saturday 5th March : Boats loaded on the bakkie and Jerry Can joining us, the 5 of us headed upriver to the 700m contour line of the Orange River, also known as Miggie Falls. Stopping on the hill on final approach the scale of the falls is realised. At 2km wide, the river had the flood flow of a silt laden African river. A quick discussion with local, Agent Orange and we ferry and portage to get us to one of the main side channels. A scout and um and aah, and i decided to give my new Big Bang its first tour on big volume action. An expected typewriter move at the kicker hole midway down pushed me left out the main flow, spinning around in the eddy line forcing me to ride the remainder of the roller-coasters backwards, at least i was still upright. The 310 litre/82 gallon volume of the Big Bang floated me high and dry through the entire run. 2 of us headed out to run the shuttle down to Neusberg Weir while Mrs.Agent Orange, Ine and Jerry Can had a sunset float down to Neusberg Weir. I was attacked and stung by hornets while filming the sunset on the weir wall, which was Africa leaving a little mark.
Sunday 6th March : Up at sunrise and the 4 of us lined up in Fluids fleet of a Detox, Spice, Solo and Big Bang at the put in at the muddy banks of a river that was running at 5 and half thousand cumecs 3 weeks ago. An early morning paddle through washed out features of the main river was our warm up. We then entered a narrow winding channel through the acacia thickets following a resident Fish Eagle. The expected horizon line came into view. A 30 min portage around a multiple syphon packed drop of about 70 metres in combined height brought us above a waterfall we had sat at the base of 14 months ago. This time water was flowing over Big Bang Falls (temporary name). The volume was bigger than expected with a technical entrance down the 25/30m slide before plunging another 25+ metres to the pool. It was humbling to take the 2 hour descent around the falls in the 42 degree desert heat. This waterfall has someones name on it, and would be one of the stoutest attempts ever on the Orange River. Good luck. We then were treated to about 4 km of class 3 pool/drop boogie water, before rejoining the main river. We were all now pretty beat from the heat, portage and mind numbing visuals we had just experienced, but the mood was buoyant and talkative. We had planned, executed and succeeded in descending this channel.
Monday 7th March : With just a 2 hour stop and sleep en-route we had driven through the stormy Karoo night to cover the final 850km back to Cape Town. To describe the drive as `trippy´, would be an understatement. Ine and i were still buzzing from the previous days adrenaline HIGH. 4000km´s later we offloaded gear at family and friends. Ine and i then grabbed surfboards and washed off a weeks worth of living in a Blik met Wiele (Can with Wheels), in the cleansing ocean, stretching our bodies on the waves of the Atlantic.
PS. Unlike the little hired car where i had to take my shoes off so my big toe could operate the accelerator pedal, i now have a kayak where i can wear my size 47 shoes whilst boating……It´s called the Big Bang.
Thanks/Takk
Ine Skjørten Wilson - Photography
Mr. & Mrs. Agent Orange
Celliers and Jan @ Fluid Kayaks
Jacques Strydom - Sandown Mercedes-Benz
Bob Jones and Kim Scott - Navistar
Stefan Botha - from Dankbaar @ Staffataclick
Mr. November @ Lesotho Land Survey
Granny Wilson in Joburg
Boaters :
Rob Wilson
Ine Skjørten Wilson
Agent Orange
Mrs. Agent Orange
Jerry Can
16 NOVEMBER 2010
PLANET RIVER ®
PLANET RIVER ®, the name and our logo have been approved as a registered trademark. Original concept by Rob Wilson. Ine Skjørten expressed the idea with illustrations. Final image and font illustrations were fine tuned by Lillian Korstad Design in Oslo, Norway. THANK-YOU to Eilif Skjørten for encouraging and contributing to get our name and logo protected.
30 AUGUST 2010
BRANCHES
Scott, Ine and Rob successfully descended the full length of the Sjoa and Driva Rivers, this is our first insight to continue documenting these rivers for published guide books.
The branches of folk who combined their support. Some enthusiastically, some by funding, others helped with logistics, the many who followed our progress , The journey was supported in various ways and a warm thank-you to all who contibuted to grow this tree.
Tree fertilizers, waterers and planters.
GO RAFTING , Dombås Bygg , Johan Fægri , SJOA KAJAKKSENTER , Steingrim Viken , Gaus & Kristin , AVALANCHA , Tor Åmot , Tom Andre og Ella , KONGSVOLL INN , Brett Pomario , DNT , Marie Vollan , Gudbrandsdalen Dagningen , Vigga , Kay Arne , Opdalingen , SWEET PROTECTION , Magnar Aasheim , OPPLEV OPPDAL , Leon Bedford , SYSTEM X , Celliers Kruger , Tom Griggs , Shaun & Anna , Ane , Gyda & Flemming , Jan & Anett , RESCUE 3 NORGE , SJOA RAFTING , HEIDAL RAFTING , Kersti Skjørten , FRIG , Nerviken Eiendom , Anne & Bror , Torgeir Strander , Maja Lokken , Eilif Skjørten , Marie Vollan , STRIE STRØMMER , DEVOLD , KINETIC COFFEE , FLUID KAYAKS , Silvio , Gøran , Jim Cummings , Jon Kristian
Thank-you.
26 AUGUST 2010
FRIENDSHIP, LOVE, RESPECT & HUMOUR
I have been asked how we did as a group the three of us, are we still friends? I have been asked how Rob and I deal with being boyfriend / girlfriend on a trip like this?
I believe the topic at stage is how we deal with ourselves under stress. We had some stress full days during the expeditions. New place every day, long portages, getting tired, wet camp gear, setting up for a photo shoot at a major rapid and then miss it because the lens is fogged up, paddling new rapids continuously with some pushing you to your limit.
Safety is always first. A close attention was held on safety in every rapid every day. The stress we experienced was more on a personal level. When stressed i believe each of us did what we needed to do so not to act it out. Sometimes it would be to go sit somewhere by the river, write in the diary, go for a walk, other times to consciously redirect your thoughts or your focus or reflect on your own reactions and ‘land’ them. Maybe at some point later one would address the issue as a topic, and most likely all of us had experienced it., and we could share different perspectives.We had no disagreement or issues surfacing. I think one reason was that we contained ourselves well and kept the focus on our common goal; to be safe and successfully travel the whole length of the rivers to document them and to stay friends.
Thank you.
Ine Skjørten
9 AUGUST 2010
DRIVA RIVER - SOURCE TO FJORD
The Driva River has also successfully been descended, returned a few days back and have been working on getting photos, video and stories out to you all. We are happy, tired and have slowly been cleaning up our gear, surf sessions at Jølgens wave and back to our other jobs. Our website will be brimming in the next week or so with all the scenes, action and life on expedition. Hang in there for a few more days and we will update when, who, what, how it all happened.
18 JULY 2010
SJOA RIVER EXPEDITION - SUCCESS
Greetings from the Planet River team !
We have successfully negotiated the Sjoa River, Norway from source in Jotunheimen to the Lågen confluence.
We are currently packing to depart for the Driva River, Norway tomorrow morning (Monday the 19th) for 16/17 days source to sea expedition.
Our website will be exploding with stories and images on our return from both expeditions.
25 JANUARY 2010
APPRECIATIONS
The SENQU.ORANGE.GARIEP expedition, has ended with a descent of the 1st 100km´s of the river in a 9 day mini-expedition. We are currently in Maseru, Lesotho in the search for maps and returning to Norway on the 11th February 2010 via Johannesburg, Cape Town, a wedding and a surf session.
We would like to thank you for following this journey and look forward to offering the finished product in the near future. An extensive guide to travelling the Orange River by boat.
To the river, rain and sun - Enkaliborwa
Appreciate,
Rob and Ine
3 DECEMBER 2009
THE SENQU.ORANGE.GARIEP EXPEDITION !
Cape Town, South Africa, 3 December 2009. `The SENQU.ORANGE.GARIEP Expedition´ is an eight-week fact-finding expedition from the 4th December 2009 till the 25th January 2010 crewed by Rob Wilson(ZA) and Ine Skjørten(NOR). They will travel the full length of the Senqu,Orange and Gariep river system in Southern Africa. Documenting by photo, video and pen the accessibility, accommodation facilities, infrastructure, river features, transport routes, distances and logistics. This will contribute to determine viability, useful information, and the rights of future river users by identifying sections of the river suitable to their skill level and preference. The end result, will be a published travelogue, the first in a new series.
"This will be the first in a series of publications documenting our planets´ rivers, a source to sea documentation is essential for overall reference," says Rob Wilson. The Pure Orange Expedition earlier this year saw Rob traversing solo, the distance of the 2000 km + river in 96 days. This personal goal was realised at Alexander Bay on the 17th March 2009.
Ine Skjørten, from Norway, believes "the trip is an opportunity to express through words and images the river and the relationship between the river and us as people. We are closely connected", she says. The book will share the beauty and importance of this relationship.
With the success of the initial expedition, the current plan was conceived. To travel the river by road, and paddle designated sections to complement documentation from the original expedition. Ine and Rob believe the itinerary on the trip has hundreds of options, their goal is to narrow down the essentials for future river users with the resultant publication.
Official sponsors include,
Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles Centurion www.sandown.co.za . CEO of Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles in Centurion, Mr. Frank van Heerden made a promise a few months back after the initial expedition to provide a reliable vehicle for this new expedition. Jacques Strydom(Brand Center Manager) and Brenden Duthie(Brand Sales Manager) put this delivered promise into action. The result is an out-the-box customised Mercedes-Benz Vito 115CDI. Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles in Centurion will be recognised as the chief sponsor.
Fluid Kayaks www.fluidkayaks.co.za Celliers Kruger, owner of Fluid Kayaks in Parys has also joined the team with the contribution of 2 Solo Expedition white-water kayaks.
Opplev Oppdal AS www.opplevoppdal.no An adventure, team-building and river-rafting company based in Oppdal in Oppland, Norway on the Driva River.
Morgan Bay Hotel www.southafricanbedandbreakfast.org/accommodation/Eastern-Cape/Morgan-Bay-Hotel-/index.php Family hotel, north of East London, South Africa.
International www.navistar.com/Navistar/ Mr. Bob Jones of Navistar has committed to top up the tank to keep the van on schedule.
Fast ´n Fresh www.fastfresh.co.za Mr. Gavin Wilson of Fast ´n Fresh has contributed to the payment of insurance for the vehicle.
Sweet Protection www.sweetprotection.com Producer of protective headwear for the kayaking and skiing industry based in Trysil, Norway.
Namibia, Lesotho and South Africa are linked by the path of this river. With the help and co-operation of land-owners, river operators, residents and officials of government and privately controlled national parks and reserves, Rob Wilson and Ine Skjørten will be able to access deep canyons, little known white water gems, fishing paradises and calm stretches for multi-day touring.
A journey by road and water. `The SENQU.ORANGE.GARIEP Expedition´ departs for Alexander Bay on Friday, 4th December to begin the documentation of the river system. A collection of data will result in a comprehensive guide/travelogue to the Orange River System for future river users.
The website will be updated regularly with fresh images and new text, to keep interested parties in the know.