Middle Fork Salmon

The following is a photo journal of a self support trip on Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon River. The Middle Fork was one of the original eight rivers in the Nation designated as Wild and Scenic on October 2, 1968. It originates 20 miles northwest of Stanley with the merging of Bear Valley and Marsh Creeks. The river flows 106 miles northeast through one of the deepest gorges in North America before joining the Main Salmon River. The 2.3 million-acre Frank Church – River of no Return Wilderness – through which the river runs – includes parts of the Bitterroot, Boise, Challis, Nezperce, Payette, and Salmon National Forests and is one of the largest roadless areas in the lower 48. For wilderness runs, the Middle Fork is surpassed only by the Grand Canyon in terms of popularity (and difficulty obtaining a permit). The class III – IV rapids keeps things exciting and the scenery is outstanding. Our group launched on July 31, 2008 and consisted of 5 kayakers and 2 SOAR boats.

Day 1:

Boundary Creek Launch

Pinned SOAR Boat

Camp Visitor

Day 2:

Fun Rapids

Black Bear

Two cubs

Dolly Lake Camp

View from Dolly Lake Camp

"Reflections on the groover"

Day 3:On the water

Sunflower Flat Camp

Natural hot springs - Sunflower Flat Camp

John enjoying the hot springs

Day 4:

Group shot - beach at Big Loon Camp

Natural hot spring

Camping at Cow Creek

Day 5:

Tappan Falls

Paul styling one of the Tappan rapids

Day 6:

Another typcial view from the water

Day 7:

Big Horned Sheep

Taking in the view

Looking forward to a shower, a bed, and non-freeze dryed food

Root River Days.

Every spring, during the ensuing snowmelt and April showers, a diamond in the rough shows up in Southeastern Wisconsin. Just an hour away from WaveDog’s hometown of Madison, The Root River runs through downtown Racine.

The Root is generally considered to be a park ‘n’ play spot, with a small carry up from the take out. When it reaches levels above 1200 cfs, it develops some wave and holes that rival many popular playspots in this country.


Check out the AW description here:

http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River_state-summary_state_WI_

This morning, Steve B. and I loaded up the truck and made the drive out, despite the frigid temps. There are three main playspots at this level (1400 cfs). The first one is “Upper Pipeline” which is a sweet “V” shaped wave. While too shallow to really do anything vertical, it’s a great wave to grind and spin for a good warm-up.

The next feature is “Lower Pipeline” which is a pretty cool feature, I’ve never really seen another wave like this one anywhere else. At this level and higher levels, it is a river-wide green, steep wave. There is a bit of a catcher’s mitt at the top, and is reminiscent of a mini-version of some Hawaiian off-shore breaks. This is a wave that makes you feel like you could set your paddle down next to you while you are surfing, and pick it up again in a minute or two. It’s that smooth.

Finally, the crowning feature of the Root River (especially at these levels), “All Evil”! This is a feature that is extremely unique to Midwest rivers. At levels around 1400 and up, this hole starts to develop some Rock Island characteristics. Big and meaty, it will deliver a beatdown, regardless if you are careful or not!

This is where Steve and I spent the majority of our time. This level was a little lower than ideal, which made the “slide-out” onto the surfer’s right shoulder a little tricky and flushy, but once you get on, watch out! The surfer’s right shoulder is great for delivering lefty blunts, and we discovered that there is a nice seam between the shoulder and the meat that allows you to plug in for loops and godzillas. Overall, most of us hang on for dear life!

Surfing a hole like this all day made me thankful that I was paddling a WaveDog! The natural, continous flex of the wood really saved my shoulders and wrists. I’ve used carbon paddles in big holes like this before and would have to hit the “Vitamin I” bottle afterwards. Not so with my WaveDog! As I write this I feel great and am ready for another session!

Thanks to Steve Bletsch for the Photos.

See you next time!

Demo Locations

WaveDog is pleased to announce that Colorado Kayak Supply will be stocking our 2008 lineup. Stop by the Buena Vista store and demo a Golden today!

WaveDog is also working to make demo paddles available across the US through our Agent program. Drop one of our agents an email to set up a demo and check back often for additional locations.

Colorado Kayak Supply
Buena Vista, CO
joe@coloradokayak.com

Johnson City, TN
Chris Clark
chris.clark1836@gmail.com

Asheville, NC
Justin Benton
GBRmedic@hotmail.com
OR
Michael Briere
michael@wakawai.com

Hood River, OR
Jarred Jackman
jarredjackman@gmail.com

Sagle, ID
Terry Miller
talachescum@msn.com

Bozeman, MT
Ben Kinsella
montanaboaters@yahoo.com

Ontario, Canada
Gary George
ggeorge@nexicom.net


To contact WaveDog directly with questions or comments:
sales@wavedogpaddles.com

National Paddling Film Festival

WaveDog Paddles will be at the National Paddling Film Festival 2008, in Frankfort, Kentucky!

Stop by and check out the paddles that have been creating buzz everywhere! If there is paddling to be had (pray to the rain gods!), we’ll have a handful of demos to try out on the water.

A WaveDog Paddle will also be auctioned off to raise funds for American Whitewater and other organizations. The winner of the auction gets to choose a WaveDog Paddle of their choice!

Be sure to check out the website, www.surfbwa.org/npff, for more information on the event. A great time is sure to be had!

Safe Paddling and see you there!

- The WaveDog Crew

"Top Shelf" Review in Paddler Magazine By: Christian Knight

2007 has been a breakthrough year for WaveDog Paddles ~A boaters best friend~. We have started an underground movement of paddlers seeking the best/strongest paddle on the market......WaveDog Paddles! To top it all off Christian Knight, a paddling and publishing icon, wrote the "Top Shelf" review of WaveDog's Golden Paddle in Paddler Magazine's Nov/Dec issue! The "Top Shelf" is reserved for the best of the best and most innovative products to the paddling community. WaveDog Paddles are the first paddle to ever grace the "Top Shelf" review in Paddler!!! They are truly built to last. We have patents pending and are the only company to incorporate: front spine blades, one piece wood construction with ergonomics, ultralight stainless steel edge protection, coated polymer blades, and the merger of uni-directional carbon fiber strips with wood creating unsurpassed strength. All this with the warmth, flex and beauty only wood can bring to the palm of your hand.

We plan to keep things rolling in 2008 with the announcement of Team WaveDog. There is also going to be an Agent program which is in the process of being started now! There will be Agents who have paddles to demo and sell all throughout the country! Our goal is to have a paddle accessible for people to demo or talk to someone close by before they buy!!! Our paddles have already started going international as well! Bliss-Stick Kayaks out of New Zealand have been taking in some of our paddles and we look to expand our relationship with them this coming year. Among some of the other countries are: Switzerland, Thailand, Norway, Canada, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Chile, Mexico, many areas in Africa and beyond are seeing the power, beauty and durability these paddles bring to the water. We are taking a route that no paddle company has ever taken before. So if you think you have what it takes to be an Agent or a Team Paddler feel free to drop me a line: brock@wavedogpaddles.com (Serious inquiries only please). We are only going to have one Agent located in each region of the country so spots are tight but we are excited at the chance to reach so many paddlers on such a personal level. This.....along with the best warranty in the business, the WaveDog revolution is here......ARE YOU IN?

Check out a copy of the review in the latest Paddler Magazine by clicking below:



If you have any questions or would like to know more please feel free to contact me:

Brock Royer
WaveDog Paddle Sales
brock@wavedogpaddles.com
815-540-5060

Phil Boyer hits the South Fork Silver Creek with his WaveDog!

Phil Boyer, team Jackson Kayak member, sends in these pictures of him running the steeps with his WaveDog Golden.







Do any of you web surfers have a picture of your WaveDog in action? Email it to Brock or Jon with a caption and we'll post it to our blog or photo gallery.

WaveDog Update

First off, I want to apologize for the lack of updates on the blog! Many of you have been bugging me to fill you in on the latest news and do a better job of keeping this going.

Things are super busy here at the shop, as word is quickly spreading about the sweet new paddles that everyone wants to check out. I have been busy traveling to rivers to get these paddles into people's hands and feedback has been incredible! Super comfy ergonomics, all-out power, and a weight that can't be beat for wood all contribute to the excitement that is spreading!

Keep your eyes open for more updates coming soon as some of our team members start checking in and giving you real-time feedback on what's going on in the WaveDog world. Also, keep your eyes peeled as we start getting some reviews from big-name magazines in the upcoming months, and get a better idea of what those outside our organization think about our paddles.

In a later update, I will be posting dates and events that we will be attending with WaveDogs in hand. We may not have a booth at all of them, but we will be there to tell you why you need one.

Again, sorry for the lack of updates, and hopefully see you on the river!



Jon Staats