WorldCup 2010 and Munich seek-and-hide wave session

Heyoo,
So the WC2010 is over. The second event (Plattling) was cancelled due to floods and the first (Augsburg) unfortunately didn't meet the expectations many people had after the WorldCup 2008.

Nevermind that, we had some fun after all.

In Augsburg I spent about a week trying to master the Waschmachine, the inglorious playspot.
It was a lot of fun like always. The Waschmachine is always a challange.

Like in 2008 the best event for me was the OC1 class which was again as much fun as ever. People like OC coz it looks the weirdest I would guess. We put on a decent show with those bathtubs. You can see the video from the finals at www.wildwater-tv.de with EJs commentary. It is pretty funny.
I won the OC with an airloop, split, spin and a busted lower back :) totally worth it though.

After my OC finals I decided to spice up the event a bit and volunteered to substitute the German Albert-Einstein-look guy at the judges tent and provide some commentary worth listening.

After the Augsburg event me and my french frog buddy Alex Jakkete got an offer from the renowned German OC boater Toby HUther to stay at his apartment in Munich for a day since there might be some nice waves in Munich.
So... we ended up staying for the whole week with the waves getting better every day, tons of spectators on the banks. I ended up playing hide-and-seek with Munich police, getting busted, having to present my credentials, having to change back from paddling gear and finally making a run for it and paddling to the island to get some rides on that LOVABLE wave. Photos by Otto Armando.

Outfitting the Jacksonkayak Superstar

Ok
Yesterday I finished outfitting the new Superstar I got from JK and Vodaksport.

This surely is the best outfitting I ve done so far and I dont think there is a better one to be done...

This is a system for freestyle and you shouldnt use it in creekboats or if you re not an experienced paddler.

Now i will explain its main features-
1. you dont have to drill any holes into the boat
2. you can shift the center of balance at any time if you want (one setup for holeriding, one for waves, one for playboating)
3. you dont have to use much glue

Ok and now how to do it: numbers in the picture correspond to the commentary below
 1. Dont remove anything else apart from the kayak seat. When you ve removed it cut a hole through the stern supporting foam pillar. Pull a cord or a belt through this hole so that when you re in the boat the cord/belt comes from behind the saddle into your lap from both sides.
     As for the saddle use whatever you like personally, the saddle sits on the hull, you have to cut some foam so that it sits nicely on the pole that is the backbone of JK boats. Then attach snowboard bindings(the soft ergonomic part with the ratchet) to the cord/belt on both sides. Adjust these so that they fit nicely around your hips.

2. This is a block of foam that is jammed between the saddle and the front supporting foam pillar. Before you put it in you have to pull a cord/belt under the pole. Attach the plastic ratchet belts from the snowboard bindings to the cord/belt. Cut two holes through the foam block and pull the plastic ratchet belts through. Finally, jam this foam block between the saddle and the front support foam block. Now you should be able to sit in the boat and bind yourself to the saddle with the snb bindings.

3. This is the usual foam 'tunnel'. Make it in such a way that it is jammed between the boat and the foam block no. 2. You should still be able to move the tunnel forward and backward.

4. A block of foam comes here. It should be jammed between the tunnel and the front support pillar. This is the essential part of this outfitting. While getting into the boat you can move the tunnel forward and when you re in you push the foam block no.4 between the front pillar and the tunnel. This moves the tunnel much closer to the torso and provides much better fit and power transmission. And you can still get in the boat pretty comfortably.

5. These are ankle pads. It is completely up to you if and where you put them.

Finally, nothing but the ankle pads and hip pads is glued. The whole thing is just jammed between the front and back foam support. So you should be able to move the whole outfitting forward/backward pretty easily. The main advantage is that the thigh belts come from behind you and the tunnel can fit very close to your torso providing superb power transmission

Article on demand

Hey,
I was thinking some of you might want another technique article. I ve posted a poll so it s up to you guys.
So long