Kayak Huasteca

Click on the link below for an awesome video of Jet Boating in TN!

Jet boating in TN. 360 degrees spins!

We have just launched our new 410hp jetboat here on the French Broad.  The boat was built  by Smoky Mountain Jetboats in Bryson City, NC.

This boat is all aluminum and is an amazing ride.  Come check us out!

Aaron

Last night the TVA decided to test the flume line.  While testing, Mother Nature dumped about an inch and a half of rain.   The end result is several mud slides and some amazing waterfalls.

Slice and Dice rapid has some new dirt on river left.  As you can see in the pic.

Tablesaw rapid used to have 2 lines.  Now the left line is blocked and we will be goin right.

This is one of the leaks coming out of the flume!

It reminds me of Veracruz Mexico after heavy rains.  Waterfalls everywhere.

It will be a couple days before they know if the flume is serviceable.  In the meantime we will be surfing some brown water.  Check us out at CASCADE OUTDOORS

Aaron

This past month we decided to hit the 3rd annual Alseseca Race in Veracruz (www.alseseca.com) and then grab our knee pads and do some SUP first descents.  Our board of choice right now is the Rapidfire by Imagine Eco.  Its a roto molded, tough as nails, extremely stable Stand Up Paddle Board. 
 
Veracruz has hundreds of rivers everything from steep basalt waterfalls to sandy bottom rivers that end in the ocean.  We chose the class 3+ Rio Filo-bobos to start with.

Filo-Bobos..long class 3, perfect for SUP

The Filo-Bobos is a 6 mile run down to la palmilla..there are three big class 3+ on the run.  La Union, Enfrijolada and La S.

All rapids are excellent for SUP.  With the Rapidfire/Traverse you can remove the skeg and run the shallows with out fear.

There are some manmade tunnels that can be paddled at certain water levels..Inside are bats, lizards and pitch black darkness.

The wall of tunnels.

I give this run a 5 star rating, easy to portage if necessary and you can run the rapids multiple times by walking back up shore. 

 Special thanks to  Aventurec www.aventurec.com   and Liquid Adventures http://liquidadventureskayakschool.org/   for the shuttles and hospitality. 

Next post will be about the class 3-4 Rio Pescados and 3+ Actopan.

Aaron

January 15th is the date for this seasons Annual Alseseca race.  There are close to 30 rapids in all.  The long race will contain the Class 5 “s-Turn” rapid and the short race ends just before it.

The Photo above is the last rapid of the short race.

The Infamous S-Turn…nice and steep with some good consequences.

This drop is called 8 Topes (speed bumps)

The last drop is at the finish line, its a 20 footer into a sticky hole called the Typewriter.

Its a fantastic race..if you want to participate let me know   aaron@kayakhuasteca.com

Also you can see last years video if you   CLICK HERE

See you all in Veracruz.

Aaron

If you haven’t been to Andre’s site..  www.supconnect.com  and you enjoy the sport, you are missing out.  It is the Facebook of SUP.  There are lots of groups and ways to connect with fellow Stand Up Paddlers.  We did a small article on the Inland possibilities for SUP here in the Huasteca.   CLICK HERE!  for the article and while you are at it, join SUP Connect and enjoy.

Aaron

The Gauley River has some amazing green waves.  These waves are perfect for Stand Up Paddling.  Below are some shots of the Swimmers rapid just below Masons branch take out.

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There was some raft traffic…

I had some 8 to 10 minute rides.  The wave is so glassy and smooth.

And the coffin made an appearance.  If you ever get the chance to surf here, I reccomend it.  We paddled to the wave and were able to attain back to the put in.

Thats it for now..I’ll have a new post from the New River Gorge In the next day or so.

See you on the river.

Aaron

Hurricane Earl was calling our names.   We left for Myrtle beach with hopes for some offshore breeze and some big ole swell.  Our good friend Chris from SUP Blue Ridge

  http://www.surfblueridge-sup.com/

grabbed us some boards and we were off to the sea.

Thursday morning we head to Holden beach with hurricane Earl just offshore.  the hurricane was sending a swell of about 10 and the winds were 15 miles an hour and offshore.   In other words….PERFECT.

It was an amazing day.

We had some great rides and some great beat downs too. 

The waves were powerful but very ridable.  The ride out was half the fun, we punched through foam piles 6 feet tall.

Soon we’ll be in Mexico and the SUP river exploration will begin.  Until next time.

Aaron

Here are some pics of the Cascade crew keeping the STOKE on the Ocoee.

Sweet Cheeks is a prime spot for SUP.

This wave is in at all river levels, from 900 to 3000 cfs.

Enjoy the pics!

It’s a very Merry Christmas here in Mexico.  We have been paddling a bunch and are looking forward to the Alseseca Race in January.  If you haven’t seen the best kayaking sunglasses made, yet?  Check out the pics below.

These hinge less glasses have no arms to break.  Mine have been flawless, they are extremely difficult to scratch too.

Here are Spokiz in Action on the waterfalls of the Rio Micos.

CLICK HERE!

Have a Great day.

Aaron