After our inaugural and highly successful instructor training course, D4DR WW based in Slovenia and the Eastern Alps, we plan to run this 8 week intense white water skills course again in 2009. Numerous Blog reports of this year's D4DR WW can be found on G17K's Blog

In addition to the this Class III/IV course, we will offer next Spring in Norway a 4 week Class V intensive skills course. Called simply D4DR Class V, this will be all action and a highly original kayak learning programme. The aim of this course will be to take paddlers who occasionally run hard white water into the realm of consistently running Class V. This course can not be simply offered by anyone, that is why Gene17 has brought together some of the best of Europe in the form of Matt Tidy and Ed Cornfield, who are renowned paddlers, river guides and coaches. D4DR Class V will be an unparalleled experience, staring late May in Sjoa and road tripping through Telemark and Voss for the extreme festival week.

If one new intensive skills course is not enough, we plan to bring Gene17’s model of excellence to entry level paddling in the form of D4DR H2O, an 8 week programme of Sea Kayaking, River Guiding, Canoeing and White Water Kayaking, based in Slovenia, Croatia and Sardinia. Leo Hoare, Matt Tidy and Deb Pinniger will team up to provide an exciting and high added value programme for a first rate experience.

Details of both new D4DR programmes will be forthcoming at G17K Courses soon.

This coming Autumn and through the Winter, Gene17kayaking, will run a number of its acclaimed skills courses for whiter water kayaking in addition to both BCU qualification training and assessments.  These technique courses are aimed at both improving and establish paddlers who are looking to considerably improve their personal paddling.  Our range of BCU courses includes all the white water kayaking awards, including the new Advanced White Water Safety & Rescue, plus the UKCC Level 3 Coach Training.  Other new courses for Gene17 are the new UKCC Level 1 and Level 2 Training. All our courses are available in both Devon, and North Wales, plus the technique courses are almost offered in Wicklow and Kerry in Ireland.

In addition to courses for individuals to join, Gene17 also offers groups, be spoke solution in all aspects of white water kayaking, whether this is a “Boofs and Flares” course, White Water Safety & Rescue Training or River Guiding anywhere in the UK and Ireland. With our massively experienced staff, who include Deb Pinniger, Matt Tidy, Eddy Smith, Killian Kelly, Leo Hoare and Simon Westgarth, we are able to provide the highest quality added value kayaking experiences. Simply contact us for a solution.

If you wish to join us for a weekend this Autumn, check out G17K Courses

Recently 2 paddlers, due to new appointments are now unable to join us 13-20th July in Sjoa. Whilst we are very happy for people to get new jobs, this leaves our first week in Sjoa a little light on the water.

If you would like to join us in Sjoa for a week's prime river running and coaching with Gene17, plus have a chance to go to the famed Pimp and Hoo party at the Sjoa Kajak Fest and watch the Sweet BoaterX?

For the full trip info check out Sjoa Trip Info

Plus images from previous trips can be seen on Flickr Images for a taste of what is in store.

Please contact myself soon.

Best Regards

Simon Westgarth

Just before the mid Summer's of our busiest Trip programme to date, G17 has released this Autumn and Winter's forthcoming course dates. On offer at our three Autumn/Winter destinations of Wicklow in Ireland, Snowdonia in Wales and Devon in England are a wide range of white water kayaking courses.

These courses include our technique focused workshops aimed at introducing and developing the modern dynamic style of paddling. Such programmes as our Fundamental Core Skills have proved highly popular with developing Class II/III kayakers looking to step up and use the river's flow to push their kayaking onwards. In addition to the technique weekends, a wide range of BCU qualification Training and Assessments are available, these include both 4 and 5 Star Training and Assessments in WW kayak, plus both Basic and Advanced White Water Safety and Rescue courses. All our courses are lead by industry leading coaches and paddlers, with low instructor to paddler ratios proves you with unparalleled added value.

After a great Spring in Valsesia, Italy, Gene17 has uploaded over 2000 images of the action. The levels were great, and we managed to fire it up witht he great paddlers to hit the Classics like the Sorba, Gronda and Egua. Plus we had fine levels to run the Semenzino, including the cave drop and the long slide on the Sorba. Great stuff for one and all

Back in February this year, Gene17 started a blogspot. Regular updates on our activites, adventures and news from the field. It is often the case once that we shake off the Winter's cobwebs and head from the ski slopes to the river valleys, our online presence falls off the radar. So at Gene17 we have decided to have regular info online, with a mix on thoughts, comments and insights from our kayak teaching team, plus trip reports from the paddlers on the teams, whilst they are on their trips.

Within in the blog we'll happily take feedback, and ever instructional tips through the comments prompts. So if you wish to know about white water kayaking, where to go and when to go, or just like the trip images we place up on Flickr, feel free to contribute to G17K's growing blog spot.

In line with demand for our European based trips, adventures and courses, Gene17 now prices these programmes in Euros only. In a logical step, all trips and adventures to Soča, in Slovenia, Tara in Montenegro and Piemonte and Ticino in Italy are now charged in Euros. This move comes as rising demand to these destinations, means that we now need to hold reserves in Euros to avoid imputative UK bank charges.

In a further development for G17 successful growth, we have moved from an activities centre based insurance to that of a tour operator. As a tour operator we are better able to provide an improved service both on and off the water.

Snow, dust, snow, dust and warmer days is pretty much how I can sum up the last month. Numerous snowboarding days with Spring conditions, and afternoons on the river, have been an ideal start to the season.

Here in Slovenia, considerable progress has been made at 22 Trnovo, Gene17's Soča base. The other day, Dave Carroll and myself moved in, at least to the upstairs. The remaining exterior works and interior decorating are underway, and the property should be open to groups by the end of April. 22 Trnovo will be the location for our new instructor training courses, D4DR WW. This new and exciting course is currently half full, and thus will certainly go ahead this year, starting in June.

This year sees a lot of new programmes coming on stream with G17, paddling adventure road trips to the Ticino for Steep Creeking and Norway for Big Volume are now fully booked. Our multi day trip to the Grand Canyon will go ahead in late August, and has currently due to late cancellations 2 places left. So if you are keen to join us for a trip of a lifetime, please drop myself a line.

Today, Dave Carroll is on a one to one coaching session with rising water levels and a warm Spring day. Last night Matt Tidy has arrived in Slovenia after cruising on the snow in the Alps. Thus our team is now in place for Slovenia this April. New dates for qualification courses and assessments are available on our courses webpage, including the French Alps in June, Norway in July and the UK and Ireland from October onwards. And lastly, G17K has started its own Blog spot, this blog plans to have regular updates on what we have been up to, contributions from paddlers on our trips and tips from our coaches, check it out on G17K

Due to demand, Matt Tidy our in house Himalayan expert has set up a trip to the Tsarap Zanskar this year. We'll be heading out at the end of our busy Summer season in Europe to Ladakh in India for one of world's finest WW adventures.

This will be a demanding expedition style trip including a 7-day self-supported journey through the incredible Zanskar range on the high plateau in Ladakh. The trip is mentally and physically demanding and will require strong paddling skills, strength of character and a good sense of humour!!

A two week adventure with some warm up trips on local runs, will allow for acclimatisation and preparation for the Tsarap Zanskar. On the drive to the Tsarap putin, we'll head over a 5600m pass and start paddling at 4100m evalation. Once on the river we'll be completely self supported for 7 days, stay at a Buddish Monastery en route. This is a remote trip into a world less travelled and to paddle in the Tsarap gives a unique insight to the mighty Himalayas

Last year the Montenegrin Tourist Board commissioned Manuel Arnu to write a guide to the wonderful rivers of this small Balkin State. The free guide book is available in threee languages, Germen, English and of cause Montenegrin The guide covers the famed Tara River, plus the Lim and Morača, all prefect runs for the Class III Adventurer.

This small stable Balkin state won independence in 2006, adopted the Euro in 2003 and has slowly been opening its doors to sustanble tourism since. The landscape is near pristine, the food excellent and the people welcoming.

Last year Gene17's Deb Pinniger and Simon Westgarth visited Montenegro to discover the Tara River and its beautiful canyon. This UNESCO site, is one of the last true wildernesses in Europe where access by river is the only way to see the pristine nature. Gene17 has added Montenegro to its Adventure Paddling destinations, plus will take its new Instructor Training Programme, D4DR WW there as part of the final expedition for friends and family. Go to G17K's resources webpage, click Resources

As the Winter season in the UK and Ireland comes to a close, Dave Carroll has returned from Skiing for a month in the French Alps, Deb Pinniger is on a Presentation tour of the UK, Matt Tidy is refurbishing his new van and Simon Westgarth has dropped off a dozen new boats and our new trailer in Slovenia at 22 Trnovo.

Whilst in Slovenia, Simon has confirmed the final stage of construction on our new base and group accommodation, with major exterior works being undertaken in March, ready for the start of G17's 08 season in April. Details for group bookings will be released when we open this prime location in the Spring.

On Simon's little jolly across the Northern Alps, he managed to ski with Olli Grau and Ingrid Schlott, checked out the excellent snow at attitude in both Austria, Italy and Slovenia. The good snow pack is an excellent early indicator for the forthcoming paddling season, which with over 100 paddlers booked on G17 trips this year means we are all in for a lot of fun on the river.

On this past weekend, G17 was at the UK's Canoexpo Show near Coventry. Both Deb and Simon gave presentations in the Rivers Lecture Hall, and were on hand on G17's stand. The Canoexpo was a new event, organised by Brookbank Canoes, and billed as the UK's largest Kayak & Canoe Show, and grand show it was. Modelled on the highly successful Canoecopia in the US, where a single retailer builds a mega shop for a weekend, staffed by the various manufacturers and suppliers. In addition to the mage canoe store, was a wide range of presentations by various notiable paddlers. For G17 it was a very successful event, especially as it gave us a chance to have a little staff meeting, before we all head out of the UK to relax during the present carm before the very busy storm of our coming season.

Based in Slovenia next Summer, you'll learn everything you need to live the whitewater life. We group the course into three core areas: river guiding, rescue technician and kayak coaching. And you'll pick up a slew of internationally recongised qualifications to prove your skills to future employers.

We base the course from our own chalet by Slovenia's Soca river, and we also travel throughout the Balkans (including Montenegro) and visit Austria to uncover the skills you need for real alpine river leading

The programme’s headed by Leo Hoare a leading coach eduscator, who’ll be assisted out by the likes of Dave Carroll, Deb Pinniger, Simon Westgarth and rafting specialist Rob Hind

For more info all the D4DR WW mini site, and if you have any questions please get back to us

After a special request, the River Dart Country Park is opening it's doors to White Water Paddler's for a single weekend this Winter to host Gene17's highly popular Adventure Paddler's Weekend, 8/9th December 07.

Gene17 is very pleased to confirm the line up for the forth coming Adventure Paddler's Weekend

Talks start 1900 at the River Dart Country Park, the doors open at 1500 and the bar will be serving food and drinks throughout the evening

Full Accommodation including B&B is available on site, please visit River Dart for full details

Whether there is rain or not, we are in for a great weekend, there is always the possibility of Surf plus both Exeter and Totnes boost excellent Christmas Shopping

Along more teaching trips we have introduced Paddling Adventures, aimed at paddler's wishing to have more river adventures than coaching sessions. New destinations are included such as Montenegro for Class II/III paddlers, Road Trips in the Ticino for Steep Creeker's and Norway for paddlers looking for an intro to Big Volume.

Ticino; Steep Creekin' Adventure
>>>Ticino – or Tessin – is a granite gem nestled in southern Switzerland with famed runs like the Rovana, the Vercazca or the Ribo with numerous drops, falls and slides to keep all creek boaters beaming with joy.

Montenegro; Fun Multi Day Class II/III
>>>Montenegro has a rugged wilderness that takes people by surprise, but the true star’s the plentiful class II-III paddling and the Tara River Gorge

Norway; Progressive Road Trip Class IV
>>>Norway, it’s a paddler’s paradise. Within a few hours drive from our base in Sjoa, you’ll find all the paddling you could want. Big water, waterfalls, playruns, steep creeks and steeper creeks.

All these destinatins are built on our extensive experience of paddling throughout Europe and beyond.

Now Gene17 has something to offer paddlers looking for an adventure as well as those wishing to learning from our dynamic paddling technique

After a special request, the River Dart Country Park is opening it's doors to White Water Paddler's for a single weekend this Winter to host Gene17's highly popular Adventure Paddler's Weekend, 8/9th December 07.

Gene17 is very pleased to confirm the line up for the forth coming Adventure Paddler's Weekend

Talks start 1900 at the River Dart Country Park, the doors open at 1500 and the bar will be serving food and drinks throughout the evening

Full Accommodation including B&B is available on site, please visit River Dart for full details

Whether there is rain or not, we are in for a great weekend, there is always the possibility of Surf plus both Exeter and Totnes boost excellent Christmas Shopping

Gene17 is very happy to be partnering UKRGB again to release their now annual Tee Short offer for all paddlers.

This year's design reflects the forums wide appeal with both a Sea kayaker and WW paddler's featuring on the Tee. The Tee's are available in either Navy Blue and Olive Green colour and comes in both Mens and Ladies Cut Garments. Ordering of the Tee can be found on the G17K Products Webpage

Ordering deadline is the 25th November 2007. 50% funds from sales, are given to UKRGB to cover part of their server costs

After a special request, the River Dart Country Park is opening it's doors to White Water Paddler's for a single weekend this Winter to host Gene17's highly popular Adventure Paddler's Weekend, 8/9th December 07.

The full lineup is yet to be confirmed, but so far its the British Uni's Four Borders Expedition Presentation plus Deb Pinniger's Trip to the relatively unknown destination of Gabon in West Africa.

Full Accommodation, B&B and Bar is available on site, please visit River Dart for full details

Other matter's to be confirmed; A full range of Test Boats for demo from some of the UK's leading manufactures hosted by a local retailer, Open Forum Question & Answer Session, chaired by Dave Carroll plus previews of forthcoming new films. Visit G17K News for regular updates

After being significantly involved in the consultation of the new BCU performance awards for WW kayaking, Gene17 is pleased to offer all qualification training courses and assessments, including 3, 4 and 5 Star, plus both the basic and advanced WW Safety & Rescue courses. Full details of these courses can be found on BCU Source Page

Although the new system looks progressive and will certainly contribute towards technical paddling excellence, there needs to be some clarification from holders of the old awards and training, who wish to progress through the award scheme. Below are summaries of various pathways between the old awards and the new system:

A paddler with the old 3* Inland Kayak Assessment
>>>Take the new 3* WW Kayak Training, before the new 3* WW Kayak Assessment

A paddler with the old 4* Inland Kayak Training
>>>Take the new 3* WW Kayak Assessment

A paddler with the old 4* Inland Kayak Assessment
>>>Take the new 4* WW Kayak Training, plus Basic WWS&R course, before the 4* WW Kayak Assessment

A paddler with the old 4* Inland Kayak Assessment & is a BCU L3 Coach
>>>Undertake a Basic WWS&R course, before the new 4* WW Kayak Assessment

A paddler with the old 5* Inland Kayak Training
>>>Undertake a Basic WWS&R course, before the new 4* WW Kayak Assessment

A paddler with the old 5* Inland Kayak Training plus has wide & considerable experience on Class III/IV^§
>>>Undertake an Advanced WWS&R or WRT course, before the new 5* WW Kayak Assessment

A paddler with the old 5* Inland Kayak Assessment
>>>There is no obligation to undertake any additional training or assessments, however as part of your future coaching updates I would recommend 2 days Advanced WWS&R with an A5 Assessor. Furthermore if you wish to undertake the new UKCC L4T, it is highly likely that you will require the 5*A WW Kayak insteady of the 5*A Inland

(§ at the discretion of A5 Assessor)

Full details of qualification courses and assessments can be found here >>>G17K Courses

We only run trips to locations that offer you the trip of a lifetime. And because we’re even fussier about our staff than our destinations you’ll be learning from the best. Our dynamic, gravity-focused instruction style is bred from years and years of experience and it’s a guaranteed way to get the most from your hoilday.

We have selected a wide range of destinations for every level of paddler.

The small Balkin nation of Montenegro, with the Tara River is perfect for a Class III multi day adventure. The Ticino region in the Alps has numeorus hidden gorges for Steep Creeking action. A paddling road trip through Norway is the best way to discover the Land of the Trolls. Plus we offer a unique adventure on the Tsarap Zanskar high in the Indian Himalaya. All in all an adventure for everyone!

For every paddler on a Gene17 trip, a simple google search will find their holiday images, whether that be of Steep Creeking in Italy or pristine days on the Soca in Slovenia, plus they can comment on individual shots and add them to there Flickr fav's. Plus each image is mapped on the globe to locate the specific river's paddled.

In the coming weeks embedded slide shows will also feature on G17K in both the photo galley and on specific trip webpages

This is another step in the direction of Web 2.0 for G17K, expect to see some YouTube content soon, plus video podcasts from our instructional productions split into chapters before this Autumn.