For 2010 Gene17 has a host of new destinations and new adventures, check out the list below for your next trip.

Soča Slovenia
Nestled away in Slovenia’s Julian Alps, the Soča’s the perfect destination for getting to grips with whitewater paddling. Perfect blue waters, pool-drop bedrock rapids and a culture that’s totally different from anywhere else in Europe make the Soča a world-class destination.

Elemental Skills Class II/III
::27/3 March/April 2010
::3/10 April 2010

Fundamental Core Skills Class III/III+
Over the week we’ll introduce you to modern, dynamic paddling techniques that you can apply the world over. As well as teaching you the skills you need to find lines through tricky rapids, we’ll give you the skills you need to make those lines!
::27/3 March/April 2010
::3/10 April 2010
::14/21 August 2010
::21/28 August 2010

Montenegro
How about a kayaking road trip through the Balkans?

Montenegro Fun Multi Day Class II/III
The main event’s a three day descent of the Tara river gorge. A UNESCO site, the pristine and remote gorge is Europe’s deepest – over a kilometre deep in places. On the water, we’ll be staying at riverside rustic lodges in the gorge, carrying just our personal gear, lightweight, but with refinement. After that, we travel east to the Morača River for some classy grade III action
::23/30 May 2010

Morocco
The Atlas Mountains, stand as a gateway from the Sahara Desert to Europe beyond the Straits of Gibraltar and as is a land full of contrasts.

Morocco Fun Multi Day Class III
The arid climate gives a short runoff season in early Spring, with the red rocks open into tight gorges where will see the occasional goat herder. From beyond the mountains is the might Atlantic, home to barrleing surf and windswept beauty.
What sort of paddling do you enjoy? Big volume? Bedrock slides? Pool drop falls? Read and run? Big water playboating? Tight and technical? Whatever you want there’s a river within a couple of hours drive of Sjoa that’ll satisfy your craving
::20/27 March 2010

All these trips are on offer with Gene17 core staff, to long established destinations. For more information click through to the specific trip webpage. We also offer more Paddling Adventures to the Ticino in Swizterland, Norway, British Columbia, the Grand Canyon, Tsarap Zanskar in India and Nepal.

You can contact us, info below.

Best Regards

Simon Westgarth

Here is an extract from the EA’s forthcoming Press Release

The Environment Agency is holding an Open Forum event at the River Dart Country Park near Ashburton on January 16th starting at 6:00pm when it will explain its salmon conservation work on the River Dart and take questions from people with an interest in the river including canoeists. Mike Maslin from the Environment Agency has said “I would really like to see and meet as many paddlers as possible. The forum is a two way thing, and I want to hear what they would like to see in the future, and hear how we can work together for the benefit of the ecology of the river. I strongly believe that paddlers can play a large part in looking after what we all love, the River Dart.”

At the moment the Environment Agency is looking to win the support of canoeists and believes only a minority of paddlers are launching on the West Dart will little regard for any damage or harm they might be causing to spawning salmon.

The ‘King of Fish’ is legally protected under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975. Anyone caught deliberately disturbing these remarkable fish when spawning, can face prosecution. As the law stands that includes irresponsible canoeists.

‘We’re a long way from prosecuting anyone and, at the moment, much prefer the educational approach, but that option is available to us if we encounter irresponsible paddlers,’ said Mike Maslin.

As you can see, the EA understand that paddling is taking place upstream of Dartmeet, and are not wishing to judge whether this is authorised or not, but would like to ensure that conservation considerations are taken by those paddlers launching on the West Dart. The above Open Forum will take place at the RDCP next Saturday, hosted by Gene17 with Simon Westgarth chairing the proceedings. After introductions, Mike will deliver a short presentation on salmon in the River Dart and then will take questions from the floor. Please be clear that this meeting is intending to expand paddler’s understanding of spawning fish in the River Dart catchment and how we can ease the EA’s concerns.

All are welcome to attend this presentation and open forum.

Regards

Simon Westgarth

For those paddlers at this Winter’s Gene17 APWE, you got to see some of Olaf’s fine film work. For the last 5 years or so, Olaf runs two a multi date film tours of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. These are often hosted by leading Kayak Store Dealers or Kayak Clubs looking to provide their clients or members an evening of entertainment. For dealers its a service and for some of the clubs a fund raiser. Within Olaf’s extensive production portfolio is a range of paddlesport films, from Open Boating, Sea Kayaking as well as White Water Kayaking expeditions.

For Winter 2010, Olaf would like to bring his Tour to the UK and perhaps Ireland, and as such is looking for event hosts for this proposed tour. Olaf will bring all the technical equipment for the big show, and will delivery an evening to inspire and excite.

For more info about Olaf see Olaf’s Webpage and for a taste of his productions see Sickline Movies.

If you and your club or kayak store as keen to host a Big O Production film event, please contact myself.

Simon Westgarth

For this coming Summer Gene17 present the following delicious menu of drops, slides and action for those wishing to have an Adventure

May in Piemonte, Italy- Gene17’s flagship destination

the pristine alpine valley of Valsesia hosts the Alps best best runoff paddling. Every run has numerous drops, slides and rapid a plenty to learn and enjoy steep creeking. Plus the fine wine and food found in Italy is sound to none. See Piemonte Steep Creekin’ for details

June in Sjoa, Norway- bigger drops, larger volume and more bang for your buck, a core destination for a core paddler

the paddler who wants it all, high energy white water, low volume drops, fast slides and clean moves, Sjoa is a Summer paradise for adventure paddlers. See Sjoa Steeper Creeker for details

August from Sjoa to Voss in Norway, a 2 week road trip across some of Norway’s finest paddling

for when a week is not enough in paradise, jump in the ride and ride even more, the further West you go the bigger the drops and the more action to be found. See Norway Road Trip for details

If you have any questions, please contact us, by email. And if the another looks a liitle hair ball for you, Gene17 also running white water kayaking courses, trips and adventures for all paddlers.

Regards

Simon@Gene17kayaking

Following a dip in confidence with my paddling on harder white water I recently decided having used Gene 17 previously to book in on some 5* training. My personal objective for the weekend was ideally to get a marker as to where my skills are at this moment, get feedback and regain some of my lost confidence.

Day 1
Starting with a kit muster and a chat with Simon Westgarth and Tom Parker with a theme of simplicity and usefulness particularly for gear carried in the boats and BA’s.

Due to a drop in levels we were limited to 2 days on the Upper Dart however this was hardly a handicap as best use was made of the features. Simon took our group paddling with the focus on technique and strategies. My bad habits were instantly picked up, too much bracing and use of the back stroke! An explanation was given and corrections advised. The difference in control was to me incredible. Full used of video was made with individual pointers. Boofing over a fall had as all keen to go round and round again with constant encouragement until we got it right. I never thought I would see myself trying to launch off a rock but none of us got quite as high as Simon (not too shabby this chap!). A constant watch was kept with the occasional scornful look as I was caught planting another back stroke! The day was completed at the RDCP with a warm bowl of soup and debrief.

The only down side to the day was a loss of concentration resulting in using my head as a rudder over Surprise Surprise. I’m sure I could hear everyone wince.

Day 2
Leadership was the order of the day with Dennis looking after us. I must confess that I had a few nerves at the start but was quickly calmed down. We were soon leading each other down the river with constant feedback and clear reasoned instruction from Dennis. Different techniques were added and combined with Simon’s previous days work we were looking, dare I say it “a little stylish”.

The day finished again with soup and individual feedback from Simon with an action plan giving clear objectives. Simon made an interesting but relevant analogy with me referring to my paddling as switching between digital and analogue. Indeed when the correct techniques were applied the clarity was undeniable.
An added bonus was when Dennis took me for an impromptu counselling session advising on a few stress management techniques.
If I’m honest the last couple of months have nearly seen me quit kayaking. This course has certainly rekindled my enthusiasm and for that I would like to thank Simon and team! I have been left with no doubt on the direction I need to take.

Paul Soanes Plymouth

After the luxury and tourism of our fly-in city, Dubrovnik in Croatia, crossing the border into Montenegro it appeared distinctly rugged and undeveloped. The impressive Tara Gorge runs down the backbone of Montenegro (which, despite its name, is vibrant green and very un-black). The heart of our trip was a 60km run, grade 2-3 medium volume, over three days at relaxing pace with time for fun and reflection in this highly impressive mountainous region. Accommodation was at manned hostels, basic but welcoming, thus keeping boat weight down.

Our Gene 17 guides Bob and Debs were dedicated and great. This even stretched to Debs giving up her blouse to the aid of communications! On the warm-up day we put on at 6pm(!), for a 14km check-out paddle. Halfway down the intended run, Debs’ shirt appeared on a beach, hoisted between two sticks, bearing a message smeared in mud. Doing the shuttle, the van and trailer had stuck on a slippery incline. The bemused but friendly locals were only too happy to assist this bra-chested foreigner wandering through their fields. We got off and helped with the vehicle recovery then accepted the locals’ insistence of homemade firewater, aka ‘slivovica’. Last in line, Lee had to take his swig only after the local four-legged mutt had joined in the celebration – nice! The slivovica became a regular feature of the week, though quality varied greatly.

Lots of play-spots on the river kept keener paddlers busy, in between beautiful sights around each corner. One tributary turned out to be Europe’s most voluminous natural spring, an awesome 200 yards of grade 6 chundering out of the mountainside: nice to look at. On the second afternoon a heavy storm flooded our camp shelter and fire, which were re-built in a flash by our hosts.

The trip ended with a visit to a 2000-metre modern ski resort town – it even snowed – a culture shock complete with trendy bars and an impromptu pool tournament before a final daytrip on the scenic grade 3 smaller volume river, the Moraca.

The week was great for intermediate or cautious paddlers and those wanting something a bit different from more civilised Alpine venues, while there was enough to keep keener boaters playing happily without it ever getting scary or serious. Thanks to Simon at Gene 17 for organizing, and to Bob & Debs for providing a great holiday with a sense of adventure.

Lastly, a word of thanks to the helpful BA check-in staff at Gatwick. Despite no longer being allowed kayak equipment free-of-charge, we’d packed our paddles in their paddle-bags clearly marked with ‘Kayak Paddles – Top Load Only’ (doh!), and proceeded to have the following conversation:
BA check-in assistant: “Is that ski equipment?”.
One of us: “Yes, it’s sporting equipment”.
BA check-in assistant: “It’s a bit late for snow in Dubrovnik isn’t it!?”
One of us: “Yes, it’s melting fast…” ☺

Words and Images Karen Wilson

Currently I am considering running a Moderate Water Endorsement & Assessment 6/7 February on Dartmoor. However, as there are only a few potential candidates with UKCC L2 and 4 Star WW Kayak, I am unsure as to whether there is sufficient interest in this course and assessment. If you feel you would wish to join us in Devon, please contact myself by email, see below.

The new MWE is an award to shape a developed coach with previous river experience into a white water coach for a Class II(III) environment. All details can be found on Canoe England’s MWE Webpage

>>BCU L3 Assessment Inland Kayak Training
::6/7 Feb 10 Devon 4 NEW PLACES LEFT

>>BCU Moderate Water Endorsement WW Kayak Training
::6 Feb 10 Devon 4 NEW PLACES LEFT

>>BCU Moderate Water Endorsement WW Kayak Assessment
::7 Feb 10 Devon 4 NEW PLACES LEFT

Best Regards

Simon Westgarth