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All Gene17's Latest Events, Reports & General News can be found on our Blog Spot & our Twitter Page |
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Jan 10:: Gene17's Paddling Adventures for 2010
For Spring and Summer 2010, Gene17 will host a number of Paddling Adventures, starting in Morocco in early Spring, Montenegro in late Spring, a Norway Road trip in late Summer, the Zanskar for early Autumn and Nepal for October. These are all core sport destinations, that is, its all about the paddling, river lifestlye and pure fun, so fun's sake.
All these trips will be staffed by Gene17's core paddlers, and with so much expertise in house, you can be sure of a time on and off the water. See G17K Adventures for details |
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Jan 10:: Gene17's Steep Creeking Trips for 2010
Valsesia in Piemonte every Spring and Sjoa in Norway every Summer you'll find Gene17, why becuase we love it. Runnning perfectly formed slides, drops and falls, clean lines, great action and fine times. If its your first Steep Creeking mission, come to Italy, if you like it a little steeper or more powerful, Sjoa is for you.
All these trips will be staffed by Gene17's core paddlers, and with so much expertise in house, you can be sure of a time on and off the water. See G17K Trips for details |
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Oct 09:: Gene17's Adventure Paddler's Weekend, 5/6th December at the River Dart Country Park
A weekend for the WW kayakers to gather in Devon to go paddling and enjoy an evening full of entertainment from paddling trip near and far.
CONFIRMED Olaf Obsommer, one of the most profilific white water kayak film makers around, we have the choice of over a dozen different adventures to watch, this is prime time viewing.
CONFIRMED Pete Catteral and the Below and Beyond Machu Picchu 09 Kayak Movie see Below and Beyond Machu Picchu
CONFIRMED, BUKE's KayakNam trip to Vietnam, see KayakNam
TBC, Westgarth TV's new movie, a short production from Switzerland, the long awaited "My Ticino"
Plus all the fun of the fair, the latest demo boats from AS Watersports, and Music from DJ Red Belly and a very exciting launch of a new product, 4 years in development from Palm Equipment, details to come at G17 APWE Facebook Event for accommodation see RDCP |
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Apr 09:: New Guiding & Coaching Service from Gene17; for Valsesia, the French Alps & the Sjoa Area
For this paddling session, Gene17 is very happy to annouce a new service for paddler's looking for a days coaching and guiding whilst on their paddling holidays.
Across Europe's kayaking hot spots of Valsesia in Italy, the French Alps and the Sjoa area in Norway, from May in Valsesia through June and July in the French Alps and July in Norway, Gene17 will have their team of cutting edge kayakers primned up ready to guide and coach for drop in days on the river. So whether you need a tune up before you head into the hills, or wish to have more action, or even like to have a break from looking after your club, Gene17 can provide a great day on the river for you.
For more info see,
Guiding & Coaching Details |
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Feb 09:: New DVD from Gene17, Genotype 2, the fundamental core
After quite literally years of development, Gene17 is about to complete its most ambitious DVD project to date. Genotype 2, the fundamental core, that deliveries all the very best of the modern dynamic style for white water paddling.
In this production, the features include, positive blade pressure and tactical comprehension that delivery concepts and then develops these ideas, rather than a prescribed approach for learning. The central driver of the modern style, “Dynamic Stability” is uncovered, and conceptualised for the learner to clearly comprehend. Key Stroke Concept is introduced and explored, along with ideas on how to retain the paddler’s lower torso body tension on white water.
Filmed on the Soča River in Slovenia, plus Valsesia in Italy, these two core destinations for Gene17’s teaching trips, provide an unparalleled learning environment. Gene17 leading coaches, Dave Carroll, Matt Tidy and Deb Pinniger, along with Simon Westgarth provide near endless examples, guidance and explanation to the very best of the modern paddling style.
This Winter, Simon Westgarth has completed the editing of the video footage, and whilst we await the final stages of the production to be completed, delivery of the retail DVD is due in late March or early April. So if you are starting your paddling season this Easter, forget the chocolate egg’s to improve your paddling and consider this cutting edge kayak instructional DVD. Too order, go to, Genotype 2, the fundamental core |
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Jan 09:: Steep Creeking on the Granite Runs of Italy
So you want to run drops, slides and falls? Need a location for learning to deal with the steeps? & Want someone to teach you how to charge off the drops with style? The answer to all these questions and a whole lot more can be found this Spring in Italy with Gene17 on their famed Steep Creeking Trips.
After years of experience from California to Nepal, New Zealand to Norway, Gene17 has near unparalelled expertise in coaching and guiding on Steep Creeks. With over 100+ years of combined experience in their five core staff members from across the world of white water paddling and years of paddling in Piemonte, its not surprising that paddlers come to Italy with Gene17. This year with lots of early snow already in the mountains, the Spring of 2009 is shaping up to be another excellent Creeking season. If you wish to join us for fun, wine and paddling, check out Piemonte Steep Creeking |
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Jan 09:: New African Adventure to Morocco in High Atlas for Multi Day Paddling fun
For this Spring, Gene17’s Deb Pinniger has put together our first African destination and a trip aimed at class III paddler’s looking for their first multi day river trip. In late March when Winter is still gripping hold of the Alps, the High Atlas mountains’ snow melt brings good flows to the mainly desert nation of Morocco in North Africa. Our adventure starts in the bustling hub of Marrakech, where we drive overland to a remote canyon for 5 days on the river. The river Hansel, flows through numerous canyons with many rapids to bring challenge and excitement along the way. Plus there is no need to concern ourselves with packing our kayaks, as we have raft support and a full kitchen along the way.
After the High Atlas river living we head for coast and surfin’ on the Atlantic to the beautiful town of Essouera, the compete kayakers beach holiday. High Atlas Multi Day Morocco for details. |
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Oct 08:: G17 New Kayak Guiding Service in the French Alps and beyond for 2009
After considerable success with the teaching trips & paddling adventures to our core destinations of Slovenia, Italy and Norway, we are happy to full fill a popular request for guiding in the French Alps and beyond. The French Alps has long been a popular destination for white water kayakers, whether its paddlers looking for their first alpine experience or seasoned adventurers enjoying the fast paced paddling in the Summer sun.
Gene17 for both June and July will be in the Durance Valley and be able to offer both day guiding and coaching, 2 day tours to the Verdon and 4 day tours in the Ecrin, see G17K Guiding for details. |
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Oct 08:: G17 Adds Full Resources for New UKCC Level 1 & 2 Courses
After some noteable developments at G17K, we have developed a number of resources for new coaches to the UKCC scheme. In addition to information on the Course outlines there are additional content including pre-course information and the new CR BCU applicaiton form.
Plus further information regarding UKCC funding. Skills Active Bursaries are available for upto 60% of Courses fees being recovered, these Bursaries are available for all participants. G17K Coach Awards for details. |
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Oct 08:: G17 Complete Back Catalogue (almost) now online
With the help of those nice people at Vimeo, Gene17 has managed to upload almost all past productions online, including;
>>Neva Foreva
>>Genetic
>>Destination Nowhere
>>Genotype
>>Adventures in Loonerland
Check out the movies at G17K Videos. |
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Aug 08:: New Intensive Skills Instructor Training Programmes for Entry level & Class V Paddlers
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. |
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Aug 08:: Gene17kayaking Autumn & Winter Fun and New UKCC L1 and L2 courses
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 |
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May 08:: Gene17kayaking's New Blogspot is growing quite nicely
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.
Check out G17K's Blog |
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Apr 08:: Gene17 moves to Euro payments and a shift in insurance provision
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. |
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Apr 08:: Early Spring in Slovenia
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 |
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Mar 08:: New Paddling Adventure on the Tsarap Zanskar
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
For more info, click Tsarap Zanskar |
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Feb 08:: Montenegro River Guide
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. To download the guide, click Montenegro |
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Feb 08:: Snow, Soča and Canoexpo
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. |
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Nov 07:: D4DR WW; Intensive Instructor Training Programme
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 educator, 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 |
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Oct 07:: New Adventure Destinations: Montenegro, Ticino & Norway
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.
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
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.
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 |
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Oct 07:: Gene17's Adventure Paddler's Weekend 2007
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
Altai in Asia with the British Uni's Four Borders Expedition
Gabon in Africa with Deb Pinniger
Greenland in the Arctic with Simon Tapley of Fat Cat Productions
West Coast America with Andy McDoom
Open Forum Question & Answer Session, chaired by Dave Carroll
AS Watersports will have a full range of Test Boats for demo throughout the weekend from the RDCP
And the whole thing is FREE
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 |
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Sept 07:: New BCU White Water Kayak Performance Awards with G17
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 |
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Jul 07:: G17 moves to flickr to host its ever growing Photo Galley
Gene17 has moved its 2007 photogalley to the web's leading photo management host "flickr" in order to cope with the increase in web traffic and its ever growing photo galley
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 |
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March 07:: The USA's National Paddlesport Film Festival Awards G17 Double First
Gene17 with Westgarth TV are proud to win at in the recent National Paddling Film Festival. Both Genes 'Advanced White Water' and Neva Foreva won the Professional Instructional and Professional General Catergories respectively.
G17 MD Simon Westgarth said "he was very pleased by this result especially as it was in the US". He also added, "with so many projects on the boil, including 'Gene Pool', the last WW instructional in the Gene Series and 'Ticino' a granite adventure, past efforts seam so long ago, still its great news as we're about to go into filming again". Both projects' release dates are later on this Autumn.
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Feb 07:: Gene17 launches multi day paddling adventures to Babine, BC & Zanskar in India
With years of adventure's G17 heads off to the fable rivers of its youth, and this time you can come with us. In late Summer we head out to Northern British Columbia to a classic multi day trip on the Babine River with raft support. This remote run is famed for its prinstine wilderness and abundent wildlife as well as high adventure in its canyons.
In the early Autumn we move to the Himalaya in Northern India for a less travelled adventure, starting on the Tsarap and entering a remote canyon down to the classic Zanskar trips. This is an excellent challenge for an adventure paddler looking for sometihing extra ordinary. See the Adventures for details |
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