Time to Flee from Winter!
I love canoeing in the Southeast in the winter, but we have been continually shocked with uncommon cold this season. Check out the 
blog of ages for the story of our first paddle in 2010.
We have had fantastic winter adventures this year, but I am currently counting down the days before I fly to Jalcomulco, Mexico for Esprit's week of rivers and a good dose of sunshine. Esprit has been leading paddling trips in Mexico for many years and has the logistics dialed.
It's not too late to join us. Jump start your paddling season with a week of canoeing on the Rio Antigua, Rio Actopan, Rio Barranca Grande, and Rio Tomata from February 13th to 20th, 2010. Check out http://www.whitewater.ca/week_of_rivers_mexico.html for more info or contact eli@thecanoeguru.com!
“The best compilation of canoe films of all time. This really is canoeing”
Scott MacGregor, publisher, Canoeroots and Rapid magazines. www.rapidmedia.com
“
THIS IS CANOEING” is a 2-disc celebration of canoeing, showcasing top single-blade paddlers in their pursuit of remote wilderness journeys or challenging white water. Multi-award winning film maker, Justine Curgenven captures the essence of canoeing in 12 short films. From open canoe slalom races to 1,000 mile birchbark expeditions, Justine provides insights into the diversity of the sport and the influential people who tell it’s story. Immerse yourself in this globe-trotting 3 hours of adventure to world class canoeing destinations in Canada, the United States, Scotland & Wales.FEATURING; KEVIN CALLAN – BECKY MASON – PAUL MASON – MARK SCRIVER - ANDREW WESTWOOD - KAREN KNIGHT – BOB FOOTE – RAY GOODWIN - WENDY GRATER - CHRIS COOPER – DAVE ROSSETTER – ELI HELBERT - JOHN ‘KAZ’ KAZIMIERCZYK – HAILEY THOMPSON – CAROLYN PETERSON
The DVD will retail for US $29.95 ($32.12 after tax) and will be available with free shipping from The Canoe Guru in mid-March. Order your copy today from The Canoe Guru and also receive a free one-year subscription to Canoe Roots Magazine and Rapid Magazine for no additional charge!
“This is Canoeing is everything that I love about paddling open canoes, it’s the beauty of the outdoors, the thrill of the adventure, the joy of gliding gracefully along on the water and the fun of doing all of those things in the company of good friends. As soon as I’d finished watching it I wanted to load up my canoe, grab my paddle and head out to the nearest water. Everyone who paddles, owns or has even thought about getting in a canoe should watch it.”
Jason Smith – Editor Canoe & Kayak UK Magazine www.canoekayak.co.uk
To order your copy of "This is Canoeing", please click here:
The Canoe Guru is thankful for the rain (but ready for more)!
Eli Helbert, aka The Canoe Guru, is psyched about the precipitation! Is there canoeing in your weekend forecast?
Contact me now to improve your skills before your next adventure. click here
press play to view a short video from GauleyFest '09
February 2010!
After a snowy beginning to the season in the Southeast we must now choose our paddling days wisely. The days are lengthening and the water has mostly thawed, but the temperature swing is still extreme! Stay warm out there!
In February, the Canoe Guru can be found instructing a Wilderness First Responder Recertification course at Camp Woodson in Swannanoa, NC from the 8th to 10th. On the 11th, Eli flies to Veracruz, Mexico to join the Esprit canoeing week of rivers. February ends by instructing another WFR Recert from the 26th to 28th at Landmark Learning's Basecamp in Cullowhee, NC.
US Rodeo Canoers Compete at World Championship in Thun, Switzerland
Congratulations are in order for the USA's, Jeremy Laucks. Jeremy, in his own design, the "Black Fly" overcame stiff competition to become the 2009 World Champion Open Canoe Rodeo Paddler. Jeremy was able to hold off two-time defending world champion, Stephan Paetsch from Germany. Jeremy's victory gives the US continued bragging rights for the sport of open canoe rodeo. The USA now leads the world by holding 4 world championship titles to Germany's 3. Way to go, Jeremy!
For more info on the 2009 world canoeing champion, or to purchase a Black Fly to surf yourself, check out Jeremy's website: www.chasingrain.com.
L'Edge
For many canoers, the OC National Slalom Race was our first opportunity to try out Esquif's new canoe, the L'edge.
The L'edge was designed by local Wausau cheesehead and former US national open canoe team member, Craig Smerda. Craig and I share a love for Frankie Hubbards "edgy" canoe designs and I was eager to try this boat out. My first impression of the prototype was that it is fast for its length and very responsive. I enjoyed making effortless attainments and I felt that you could really carve the hard rails. These rails weren't quite as friendly while sidesurfing, although it rolled up easily! The prototype I paddled had the full decking option which kept the majority of the splash away. I am interested in trying the L'edge again soon with traditional gunnels after Craig finishes his modifications to appeal to the playboater in me.
For more info, check out: http://www.cboats.net/cforum/viewtopic.php?t=7960272 