Madamax

A fun week end on the Ikopa river, south of Antananarivo.

Typical male dominant attitude and usual maried couple set-up!

Good flow, very average weather with a last gust of winter trade winds plus a light rain.

Saturday night camp under grey sky!!!

Ikopa actually flowing through Tana is a cool weekenders favorite spot.

A fun loving group celebrating a 40th birthday.

Typical Ikopa's riverside scene.

Being that close from city and that isolated is sheer luxury.

Super crew to handle the logistics and crates of beer, …

Heads feels heavy as lead.

Sunny sunday morning to heal hangovers from a very late lasting bonefire and Three Horses Beer (the local brew) carnage!

Crisis in the boat industry

2009 political troubles led to a change in Madamax boat renewal policy, …

We even took the time and the energy to do a bit of reforestation. With the beginning of rain season, it’s time to start planting.

Locals planting new trees

Fruit trees are our favorites for this kind of pico action.

And that’s what we do with our guests. Every day out during wet season is an occasion to put in a few more trees to develop agroforestry ideas and help locals (more info on our actions on woodenstock.org , In french only, sorry!)

Outsiders do their share!

Visitors always enjoy the chance to do their little bit of work towards a not so gloomy future.

I love those hours spent in peaceful Imerina countryside, away from city noises and troubles, 45′ away from downtown!!!

Boat's garage

Playful day on Ikopa's beach

Will be back on it with 100 paddlers in two weeks, stay posted, …

Great sunday out here in Madagascar

While Tananarive is on fire with riots and protests we decided to celebrate our planting season and invited my sponsors for a day out , not in the fields, but on the waters!!!

Asanaty, my wife carrying a young plant to its final destination.

The Katsaoka is a rather gentle river flowing west of the capital, a best of week end specials, …

As we do paddle and take a lot of people on this short descent (7-8 kms) I decided to replant the banks both for decorative and anti erosive reasons.

We planted mainly fruit trees along with some deco (jacaranda’s, flamboyants, …). A bit less than 300 plants were loaded on our inflatable canoes and we set off for a fun constructive day.

Badria, my daughter (one of them) with laetitia a sexy commercial director paddling for trees

Sun was out after a week of cyclonic turmoil and it was great to get out of the stinky Tana’s mess.

Executives from BEAL company (french rope maker), Camusat (telecommunications antenna riggers) and Club 41 (a worldwide social club) as well as kids, girl friends, wives and else boarded along.

Philippe (manager of BEAL factory) and Alain (Club 41 malagasy) learning river tricks!

The day was spent drifting not always smoothly as the levels were above normal (told you cyclonic weather) and paired with total unexperience from most apprentice boaters sent us on a really fun action packed ecological time.

The full planter’s gang on rest

This was definitely a symbolic day as the association has planted 180.000 trees this year and it was just an occasion tio accomplish a gest together and learn to know better each other.

Badria and Laetitia drifting sideways through the day

I and the rest of the crew, just loved it and we promised that next year we would all be back on the stream.

I want 100 paddlers on the river in 2010 and if you visit at the same season, make sure to send me a message.

Note the trees at the back of the canoe

Paddlers from other remote part of the world, living in countries having deforestation problems should consider organising this type of symbolic action. Fun and very gratifying.

A great group for a great day.

People on the banks just loved the idea of having nut cases planting avocados, mangos, apples and other very useful and profitable trees. That will hopefully make us more popular on riversides, …

Love you all,

Wood En Stock for ever!

Wishing for you all a year full of green, …

And sheer excitment, of course!!!