Werner Blog

Photo(s) of the Day-A little white water art from CO's Derrick Dreyer.

Thanks to Derrick Dreyer from Eagle CO for these great Werner Paddle Go Pro shots.

Send over your best Werner Paddles today so you can get up on the Photo of the Day.

Photo of the Day-Mountain Man Supply Company's, Will Crimmins, running the goods.

Thanks to Scott Martin for today's Photo of the Day.  This is our friend, and the manager of NY's dealer Mountain Man Outdoor Supply Co, on his first of multiple laps on New York's Miracle Mile, The Woodhull River.  Want to see your picture on the Photo of the Day?  Send it over.

Shon Bollock Highlight Footy From 2011

Here is some highlight footage from Shon Bollock's 2011 season including some amazing first decents and international exploration. Some of this footage was shown in the Slippery When Wet trailers but there is a lot of footage from Japan that hasn't been released anywhere else. About 80% of this footage is from the GoPro Hero shot in Japan and California.

Shon Bollock 2011 from Shon Bollock on Vimeo.

 

Mark the date, May 25th-27th. CKS Paddlefest bigger and better with paddler beer by Jenn!

Jenn Fisher, Colorado Kayak Supply "Paddlefest" organizer, mixing up some brew!

The Eddyine Brewery started a new beer today to raise funds and awareness for Buena Vista's long running and super successful special event, Paddle Fest, presented by Colorado Kayak Supply.

 

Eddyline Brewing Company had a beer in mind which was started today at the brewery by owner and operator of Eddyline , Mic Haynekap, and with volunteer help from Jenn Fisher the event organizer for Paddle Fest. They spent time together going over the recipe and how beer is made in a micro brew environment.  It is going to be a light and refreshing, and easy to enjoy pilsner style beer.  The name will be Boater Beer, to celebrate the character of the Arkansas River Valley,  which has been shaped by boaters ( or people who paddle) since the 1950's   It will be available at the Eddyline, and in several local and regional establishments and will be canned into 16 oz." to go" cans  in their new state of the art facility .   Boater Beer will also be private labeled as Paddle Fest Pilsner in the spring to help aid in the promotion of Paddle Fest in Buena Vista which occurs every Memorial Day Weekend.  

 "Paddle Fest is honored to have our local brewery making a specialty beer that will not only publicize this great event, but it will also promote the town of Buena Vista and our paddling resources that we have here to the many beer enthusiasts of the western US."  Earl Richmond, Owner of CKS and Paddle Fest planer.  

 Paddle Fest 2012 dates: May 25th, 26th, 27th 2012

Colorado Kayak Supply is hosting a huge kickoff party to celebrate the start of the summer paddling season. Join us for an action-packed weekend of fun and educational activities for paddlers of all ages and abilities.  Paddlers from beginners to aspiring competitors can rub elbows with paddling manufacturers, top athletes, and other industry pros during a weekend chock full of education, competitions, demo days, entertainment, gear shopping and camaraderie.

Be sure to look for Werner Paddles own Taylor Robertson and Danny Mongno hanging in BV at the shop, on the wave or on the running trail all weekend long.  See you there.

Kimberley Expedition Is Underway

Werner is proud to be a part of a great expedition... 9 brave females will embark on a world first expedition, facing Western Australia’s cyclone season to help SAVE the Kimberley.
Here is a quick note from team leader,Tanya Faux, as the team prepares to depart...
It is the morning we are to depart into the wilderness, 5:14am and all I am wear in a singlet and undies! For the first time I have the butterflies and the excitement. I can feel it. I have been waiting for these butterflies to arrive for some time now. These butterflies are like the ones you get when you are a little girl! Strangely enough I haven’t had them till now. I think it is because before and expedition as the leader there is so much to be done, so much to check and recheck that you don't really have any time for your own needs. So they are hear and YES I am excited!!! We are ready!
Last night we sat down as a team to talk about why we really wanted to be hear and our personal goals. We have all committed to pushing our physical barriers to be able to explore as much as possible, for some this is a new experience. We have all agreed that we must have one moment where we will be on the ground laughing, we have all agreed to come back alive! As the leader this has help me form how I will lead the ladies durning the next 30 days. When I push them, when I bering there focus back to why we are out hear. These ladies are all capable and strong, independently minded.
The next 30 days will be simple living with 7 other women, working together to explore the kimberley and it magical rivers. The bonds that will form between us will last for ever. This experience will last for ever. Check back here for more updates as they become available.

 

DeRiemer Notches First Decent In Bhutan

Phil DeRiemer, a true paddling legend, posts about a first decent and his adventures in Bhutan.  Read all about it here. Thanks, Phil, for sending along the link!

Christmas Time in New Zealand

Our good friend Benjamin Hjort sent a link to his video of some great paddling over the winter break. Check it out...

West Coast Christmas from Benjamin Hjort on Vimeo.

 

Looking back at 2011 and Looking forward to 2012

When you look back a year it is much more than just 52 weeks, 365 days...It holds so many memories and emotions.  As you look back on 2011 we hope both your triumphs and set backs serve as a spring board to start yet another New Year.  From the family at Werner Paddles we want to first thank our customers for all your support over the years and of course in 2011, we can't do it wihout you.  For all of our friends out there may the start of 2012 open new doors to a great future.  .

Werner Team Paddler Nicole Mansfield, surfing Uganda.

"Just looking over my Uganda photos and wanted to share with the Werner Paddles peeps.  These first 2 shots are of Bujagali falls, which we were fortunate to paddle only 2 days before they started being submerged by the Bujagali dam. 

I had known for years that the dam was in place and could begin flooding the upstream rapids anytime now.   There was no exact date, so I could just as easily arrived 2 days after they went under water.  It was bittersweet to experience such an emotional event.  When we returned to Bujagali Falls 2 days after paddling the rapids, half of the falls was underwater and trash was floating in an eddy recently formed above where dry rocks were.  Witnessing the drowning of a Ugandan tourist attraction was painful because not only will no one experience the natural beauty again, but also the community who benefited from tourism will not benefit from the power the dam will provide. 

Unlike most kayaking trips, which usually involve an overwhelming amount of logistics, traveling to Uganda to paddle the White Nile and surf the "Nile Special" was incredibly straightforward.  We had an amazing and relaxing time staying at the Hairy Lemon, which was a beautiful island with great food, friendly people, awesome wildlife, and a mere 15 minute paddle away from the Nile Special. 

I have been dreaming of visiting Uganda for years and now that I've been there, I can't wait to go back.  It's great to be able to surf the same incredible, eddy-accessible wave everyday.  I was able to learn some new tricks like the clean blunt and wished I could have stayed another month to learn some more."

Thanks Nicole for the great post, we all really appreciate it.

Werner Team paddler, Dave Fusilli's fun video and stories of white water past.

Post Uganda and 2011 Pyranha Van tour, Werner's own Dave Fusilli is hanging at home in Clarion Pa with travel companion, and our friend, Craig Kleckner for the Holidays.  Padling has been a way of life for Dave since he was grom and he always speaks highly of how he owes his Mom and Dad for his love for paddling.  Here is a great little story and video Dave put together while hanging at home.

Word and video by Dave Fusiili.

"I paddled Mill Creek for the 1st time around the age of 8.  Mill Creek is about 2 miles over the hill from my parents house in Clarion PA. It’s pretty much a class 2 with a few class 3 rapids. The real nice thing about this run is you can get off the river and be in the hot tub in like 5 minutes!  I always enjoy paddling with the family and local friends from my hometown here.  I have a funny story about it.  This must have been one of my first times down the creek and I was with my Mother.  It was high water in there, rain, lightning, just a real shit storm.  Myself, at the time being a very young timid paddler was quite scared, actually I think I was crying.  I didn’t want to continue down the creek.  At this point my Mother got out of her boat, took off her sock, and with the sock tied my boat to her’s and pulled me down there creek.  I’m not sure if she would remember this, but I will never forget it.  I guess that’s what family is for!!!  Thanks Mom!" 

Check out the real "Fusilli Mill Creek Experience" here with this great short video.  Thanks Dave!