Tales from the Cripps

Darcy Gaechter generated a lot of talk when she became the first women to kayak the Amazon river from source to sea. That's why we're going to talk about none of that today, because Darcy has, for decades, been a core member of the whitewater kayaking scene in North and South America, with a massive resume of whitewater paddling accomplishments.Today we sample some of her experiences, from preparing to run the Stikine, to the state of women in whitewater, and running a whitewater guiding business.Here are links to the Ecuador conservation and outreach efforts Darcy discussed during the podcast:Ecuador River Institute FundraiserYaku Churis programFind out much more about Darcy:Darcy's book on her Amazon source to sea expedition: Amazon WomanDarcy on the Today ShowDarcy's guiding company Small World AdventuresAnd finally: https://www.lmgt.com/?q=Darcy+GaechterToday's episode's sponsors:4Corners Riversports4Corners Riversports is located in Durango, Colorado. They are a full service paddlesports retail and rental store! If you are looking to get on the water, look no further than 4Corners Riversports. Call them at 970-259-3893 or visit their website www.riversports.comTaylor Barker with The Group Real Estate SteamboatI have known and paddled with Taylor for years. If you're interested in purchasing a property in the Steamboat area, Taylor is happy to share his expertise and help you find the perfect property. You can reach him at 336-314-4353 or by email at taylor@brokerintheboat.com.This podcast is being featured in the podcast section of paddlinglife.com.  If you haven't already visited the site, check it out for news, stories, reviews, and just about anything related to the paddling life.For comments, questions, or if you have a story worth sharing, pitch it to me:talesfromthecripps@gmail.comSend me a text message with any comments, questions, or suggestions.Support the show

For some southeastern boys, the world is too big to stay in one place. Stan Prichard discovered a love for kayaking and the outdoors early in life and responded "hell yeah" to any offer that came his way. That attitude took him around the globe doing first descents, international class V classics, as well as pushing water levels on local classics. He did all this while still pursuing his love for skiing, climbing and outdoor fun.Come take a ride through the anthology of some Stan's greatest hits over the last 3 decades of paddling.Today's episode's sponsors:4Corners Riversports4Corners Riversports is located in Durango, Colorado. They are a full service paddlesports retail and rental store! If you are looking to get on the water, look no further than 4Corners Riversports. Call them at 970-259-3893 or visit their website www.riversports.comTaylor Barker with The Group Real Estate SteamboatI have known and paddled with Taylor for years. If you're interested in purchasing a property in the Steamboat area, Taylor is happy to share his expertise and help you find the perfect property. You can reach him at 336-314-4353 or by email at taylor@brokerintheboat.com.This podcast is being featured in the podcast section of paddlinglife.com.  If you haven't already visited the site, check it out for news, stories, reviews, and just about anything related to the paddling life.For comments, questions, or if you have a story worth sharing, pitch it to me:talesfromthecripps@gmail.comSend me a text message with any comments, questions, or suggestions.Support the show

Pedro Oliva had a dream when he was just a kid, that he was going to see the world and do something great. A good way to fulfill that dream? Be the guy that Ben Stookesberry can count on to always say "yes" to his next crazy mission.That attitude propelled Pedro around the world on countless kayaking expeditions, gave him a brief stint as the world waterfall descent record holder, and landed him as the star of a syndicated television program showcasing his adventures. Using his energy, passion, and recognition, he's now focused on passing on his experience to the next generation and raising awareness around the importance of protecting the natural environments that he's spent a lifetime exploring.Find Pedro on instagram at @pedroolivakaiakYou can find a multitude of media on Pedro on the internet.Check out the awesome Red Bull film Locked In documenting their first descent of the Beriman Gorge at: https://www.redbull.com/us-en/films/locked-inA super interesting video documenting the history of the highest waterfall record descents in a kayak compliments of kayakhistory on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tv/Cer_5T3AUER/?id=2858659403761008913_48729946411An article by Eugene Buchanan with a nice compilation of large waterfall descents: https://www.mensjournal.com/adventure/going-over-and-staying-inAn awesome account of running Anaconda Falls by Jesse Coombs: https://oregonkayaking.net/tales/anaconda/anaconda.htmlA clip of Rafa Ortiz's descent of Anaconda Falls: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1812859069146646Today's episode's sponsors:4Corners Riversports4Corners Riversports is located in Durango, Colorado. They are a full service paddlesports retail and rental store! If you are looking to get on the water, look no further than 4Corners Riversports. Call them at 970-259-3893 or visit their website www.riversports.comTaylor Barker with The Group Real Estate SteamboatI have known and paddled with Taylor for years. If you're interested in purchasing a property in the Steamboat area, Taylor is happy to share his expertise and help you find the perfect property. You can reach him at 336-314-4353 or by email at taylor@brokerintheboat.com.This podcast is being featured in the podcast section of paddlinglife.com.  If you haven't already visited the site, check it out for news, stories, reviews, and just about anything related to the paddling life.For comments, questions, or if you have a story worth sharing, pitch it to me:talesfromthecripps@gmail.comSend me a text message with any comments, questions, or suggestions.Support the show

From humble childhood float trips on the Colorado River to navigating some of the stoutest whitewater in Ecuador, Will Griffith has some stories to tell. In today's episode we might rattle a few cages discussing some controversial paddling behaviors, but there's no denying the paddling skills of Jamboy, and that he's made an imprint on the paddling scene. So open your ears, open your mind, open your heart, and let's go jammin'.Here are links to some of the videos we discussed:Climb - Yosemite 2013 (includes a clip of the Yosemite waterfall footage)Gore Canyon - Kayaking & Climbing - Griffith BrothersGore Canyon 8400-8600 cfsToday's episode's sponsors:4Corners Riversports4Corners Riversports is located in Durango, Colorado. They are a full service paddlesports retail and rental store! If you are looking to get on the water, look no further than 4Corners Riversports. Call them at 970-259-3893 or visit their website www.riversports.comTaylor Barker with The Group Real Estate SteamboatI have known and paddled with Taylor for years. If you're interested in purchasing a property in the Steamboat area, Taylor is happy to share his expertise and help you find the perfect property. You can reach him at 336-314-4353 or by email at taylor@brokerintheboat.com.This podcast is being featured in the podcast section of paddlinglife.com.  If you haven't already visited the site, check it out for news, stories, reviews, and just about anything related to the paddling life.For comments, questions, or if you have a story worth sharing, pitch it to me:talesfromthecripps@gmail.comSend me a text message with any comments, questions, or suggestions.Support the show

Best interview with Emily Jackson of this year, or best interview with Emily Jackson ever? Take a listen, and you can be the judge.Emily is part of one of the most quintessential whitewater kayaking families in the world today. She's an accomplished athlete, businesswoman, parent, and explorer of the world. Emily is nothing if not thoughtful and entertaining as we explore some nefarious travel stories, growing up in the Jackson family, parenting, gender in kayaking, Jackson Kayak's acquisition of Werner paddles, and more.Today's episode's sponsors:4Corners Riversports4Corners Riversports is located in Durango, Colorado. They are a full service paddlesports retail and rental store! If you are looking to get on the water, look no further than 4Corners Riversports. Call them at 970-259-3893 or visit their website www.riversports.comTaylor Barker with The Group Real Estate SteamboatI have known and paddled with Taylor for years. If you're interested in purchasing a property in the Steamboat area, Taylor is happy to share his expertise and help you find the perfect property. You can reach him at 336-314-4353 or by email at taylor@brokerintheboat.com.This podcast is being featured in the podcast section of paddlinglife.com.  If you haven't already visited the site, check it out for news, stories, reviews, and just about anything related to the paddling life.For comments, questions, or if you have a story worth sharing, pitch it to me:talesfromthecripps@gmail.comSend me a text message with any comments, questions, or suggestions.Support the Show.

Do we become more humble with age? My guest Leif Anderson says he has, but humility did not come easily. Let's go back to a time where a young and cocky Leif set out with a crew from Ft. Collins, CO to conquer the Arizona kayaking scene, in one short weekend.This podcast was inspired by Leif and Evan's dueling blog entries from 2010, which you will not want to miss:Leif accountEvan's account: part 1Evan's account: part 2Just to prove how cocky Leif was in his early days, and because it's one of my good memories of running the Big South, here's my 2009 Big South video where Leif became the star of the show as the only paddler that day motivated to fire up the big ones.Big South 2009Today's episode's sponsors:4Corners Riversports4Corners Riversports is located in Durango, Colorado. They are a full service paddlesports retail and rental store! If you are looking to get on the water, look no further than 4Corners Riversports. Call them at 970-259-3893 or visit their website www.riversports.comTaylor Barker with The Group Real Estate SteamboatI have known and paddled with Taylor for years. If you're interested in purchasing a property in the Steamboat area, Taylor is happy to share his expertise and help you find the perfect property. You can reach him at 336-314-4353 or by email at taylor@brokerintheboat.com.This podcast is being featured in the podcast section of paddlinglife.com.  If you haven't already visited the site, check it out for news, stories, reviews, and just about anything related to the paddling life.For comments, questions, or if you have a story worth sharing, pitch it to me:talesfromthecripps@gmail.comSend me a text message with any comments, questions, or suggestions.Support the Show.

Serrasolses Brothers River Co    When people talk about the best whitewater kayaker in the world, the list is understandably short. But I doubt there's a list out there that doesn't include Aniol Serrasolses. He's made a name for himself pushing the limits of the sport in almost every aspect: inventing new downriver freestyle moves, first descents, styling huge vertical drops, and exploring the boundaries of big water rivers.I was lucky enough to catch up with Aniol as he was passing through Boulder, CO on his summer tour of North America. We talk about his relationship with the Stikine, dealing with fear, paddling with Scott Lingren, paddling some of the biggest rivers in Patagonia, as well as his latest transition - building a home on the Rio Futaleufu in Chile and starting a guiding and instructional business.Find out more about Aniol's guiding, instructional and accommodation offerings at: Serrasolses Brothers River Co (https://www.sbriverco.com/)You'll find no shortage of video footage of Aniol on the internet, but here a few of the videos mentioned during the interview:Stikine High Water SoloPatagonia Quad-crownThe HunzaHigh Water IndusToday's episode's sponsors:4Corners Riversports4Corners Riversports is located in Durango, Colorado. They are a full service paddlesports retail and rental store! If you are looking to get on the water, look no further than 4Corners Riversports. Call them at 970-259-3893 or visit their website www.riversports.comTaylor Barker with The Group Real Estate SteamboatI have known and paddled with Taylor for years. If you're interested in purchasing a property in the Steamboat area, Taylor is happy to share his expertise and help you find the perfect property. You can reach him at 336-314-4353 or by email at taylor@brokerintheboat.com.This podcast is being featured in the podcast section of paddlinglife.com.  If you haven't already visited the site, check it out for news, stories, reviews, and just about anything related to the paddling life.For comments, questions, or if you have a story worth sharing, pitch it to me:talesfromthecripps@gmail.comSend me a text message with any comments, questions, or suggestions.Support the Show.

Coto is back! It's been almost a year and a half since doing one of my favorite interviews with Andrey Coto in episode 9. When we last left him, he had dreams of starting a kayak school in his home town in Costa Rica, in order to pass along all the benefits he's received from kayaking to the next generation.Coto fills us in on how to go to the Little White race and come home with wad a cash, how to check 5 kayaks onto an airplane and get a discount at that. And to cap it off is an update on how the Jaguar Kayak School is progressing, as well as his latest vision for an exchange program.You can contact Coto at:https://jaguarkayak.com/andreycoto@jaguarkayak.com+506 7245 7762https://www.instagram.com/andrey.coto.robles/https://www.facebook.com/andrey.c.roblesAnd don't miss his great edit of running Escalante Creek in Colorado last year.Today's episode's sponsors:4Corners Riversports4Corners Riversports is located in Durango, Colorado. They are a full service paddlesports retail and rental store! If you are looking to get on the water, look no further than 4Corners Riversports. Call them at 970-259-3893 or visit their website www.riversports.comTaylor Barker with The Group Real Estate SteamboatI have known and paddled with Taylor for years. If you're interested in purchasing a property in the Steamboat area, Taylor is happy to share his expertise and help you find the perfect property. You can reach him at 336-314-4353 or by email at taylor@brokerintheboat.com.This podcast is being featured in the podcast section of paddlinglife.com.  If you haven't already visited the site, check it out for news, stories, reviews, and just about anything related to the paddling life.For comments, questions, or if you have a story worth sharing, pitch it to me:talesfromthecripps@gmail.comSend me a text message with any comments, questions, or suggestions.Support the Show.

In this episode I sit down with Cody Howard for a ride through the undulations of life. Join us as we discuss: learning to kayak in the backyard pool, living through a piece of history in Fallujah,  unlocking whitewater runs in the elusive canyons of Arizona,  witnessing the world record waterfall descent in a kayak, and that's just scratching the surface.0:00              Introduction6:00              Learning to kayak in the desert29:50           Abbreviated college life34:30           Marine Corps45:30           Returning to civilian life56:00           Huckin Huge1:00:30       Arizona Kayaking1:10:25        Exploring the West Coast1:34:00       Palouse Falls with Tyler Bradt1:42:55       The gorges of Japan1:51:00       Accidents and adaptationsThere's a ton of media out there around Cody's adventures. If you want to find out more, here are a few to get you started:Arizona mishaps:https://paddlinglife.com/paddling-life-exclusives/definition-of-an-epic/The account Cody referenced involving Jason Craig's very serious injury: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6vzcp5A random collection of clips from the Huckin Huge vimeo account:https://vimeo.com/huckinhugeFind additonal photos on Tales From the Cripps Facebook page or Instagram talesfromthecrippspodcastToday's episode's sponsors:4Corners Riversports4Corners Riversports is located in Durango, Colorado. They are a full service paddlesports retail and rental store! If you are looking to get on the water, look no further than 4Corners Riversports. Call them at 970-259-3893 or visit their website www.riversports.comTaylor Barker with The Group Real Estate SteamboatI have known and paddled with Taylor for years. If you're interested in purchasing a property in the Steamboat area, Taylor is happy to share his expertise and help you find the perfect property. You can reach him at 336-314-4353 or by email at taylor@brokerintheboat.com.This podcast is being featured in the podcast section of paddlinglife.com.  If you haven't already visited the site, check it out for news, stories, reviews, and just about anything related to the paddling life.For comments, questions, or if you have a story worth sharing, pitch it to me:talesfromthecripps@gmail.comSend me a text message with any comments, questions, or suggestions.Support the Show.

Whitewater kayaking doesn't get much more homegrown than the Demshitz. In this episode I sit down with one of the Demshitz founding fathers Dave Fusilli who proves that you can run the shit and not take yourself too seriously. Find out how Dave fulfilled his dream of living in a van down by the river and more. If you just crawled out from a hole and this is the first time you've heard of the Demshitz, the internet is teeming with great old school Demshitz videos. I didn't bring up most of these largely because the stories are already out there. Here are a few to get you started:Demshitz Yule Creek 2010... Fusilli's huge crashPerhaps the most epic save ever caught on video:Kayaker saved just before swimming over a 60 foot waterfall!!And of course, the origin of the Brown Claw.0:00              Introduction4:00              A brief Demshitz quiz9:16              My Jah Gorge story13:52           The origin story44:02           Busted in Missoula51:50           Green race in a sea kayak55:51           Good times on Upper Cherry1:01:20       Creating the Scorch X1:12:45       The new Pyranha ReactoR1:19:40       The relationship between boat design & paddling style1:26:46       Closing questionsToday's episode's sponsors:4Corners Riversports4Corners Riversports is located in Durango, Colorado. They are a full service paddlesports retail and rental store! If you are looking to get on the water, look no further than 4Corners Riversports. Call them at 970-259-3893 or visit their website www.riversports.comTaylor Barker with The Group Real Estate SteamboatI have known and paddled with Taylor for years. If you're interested in purchasing a property in the Steamboat area, Taylor is happy to share his expertise and help you find the perfect property. You can reach him at 336-314-4353 or by email at taylor@brokerintheboat.com.This podcast is being featured in the podcast section of paddlinglife.com.  If you haven't already visited the site, check it out for news, stories, reviews, and just about anything related to the paddling life.For comments, questions, or if you have a story worth sharing, pitch it to me:talesfromthecripps@gmail.comSupport the show

Jessie Stone, a kayaker with a doctoring problem, joins me to talk about some of the adventures that she's stumbled into by following her impulse to go kayaking wherever it may take her. From getting lost in the jungle following Eric Jackson, to founding Soft Power Health and finding a lifelong career in Uganda, this episode is bound to make you want to grab your kayak and see where it takes you. 0:00              Introduction6:30              Finding whitewater18:50           Learning to kayak 27:45           Competitive freestyle48:47           Misadventures and fitness training in Ecuador1:06:20       A crash course on paddling the Futaleufu1:12:55       Back to Africa1:35:20       Kayaking camps in the United States1:44:25       ConclusionFind out more about Soft Power Health at their webpage and ways you can help. Various other links:Lost in the Jungle of EcuadorSoft Power Health Overview VideoSoft Power HealthJessie Stone Brings Kayaking To Inner City Kids | DispatchesDoctor-turned-kayaker fights malaria in UgandaExtreme Kayak Athlete Works to Cure Malaria in AfricaFind numerous photos on Tales From the Cripps Facebook page or Instagram talesfromthecrippspodcast Today's episode's sponsors:4Corners Riversports4Corners Riversports is located in Durango, Colorado. They are a full service paddlesports retail and rental store! If you are looking to get on the water, look no further than 4Corners Riversports. Call them at 970-259-3893 or visit their website www.riversports.comTaylor Barker with The Group Real Estate SteamboatI have known and paddled with Taylor for years. If you're interested in purchasing a property in the Steamboat area, Taylor is happy to share his expertise and help you find the perfect property. You can reach him at 336-314-4353 or by email at taylor@brokerintheboat.com.This podcast is being featured in the podcast section of paddlinglife.com.  If you haven't already visited the site, check it out for news, stories, reviews, and just about anything related to the paddling life.For comments, questions, or if you have a story worth sharing, pitch it to me:talesfromthecripps@gmail.comSupport the show

In this episode we explore the world with Benny Clark. Benny kayaks to find peace and Benny kayaks to survive. We explore how Benny's mental health history and kayaking history have become intricately linked. And how Benny has found ways to give back both to the kayaking community and to a community struggling with their own mental health issues.0:00               Introduction7:05               Life in Ecuador12:30            Growing up in Canada26:50            Dealing with mental health33:20            Homeless and not in a van down by the river41:20            Learning to kayak1:05:20        Solo Boating1:16:40        Paddling with canines1:24:45        Navigating social media1:40:38        Managing physical pain1:58:28        Helping othersIf you want to see some photos and learn more about Benny, check out his instagram @theleagueofbeautifulminds . Today's episode's sponsors:4Corners Riversports4Corners Riversports is located in Durango, Colorado. They are a full service paddlesports retail and rental store! If you are looking to get on the water, look no further than 4Corners Riversports. Call them at 970-259-3893 or visit their website www.riversports.comTaylor Barker with The Group Real Estate SteamboatI have known and paddled with Taylor for years. If you're interested in purchasing a property in the Steamboat area, Taylor is happy to share his expertise and help you find the perfect property. You can reach him at 336-314-4353 or by email at taylor@brokerintheboat.com.This podcast is being featured in the podcast section of paddlinglife.com.  If you haven't already visited the site, check it out for news, stories, reviews, and just about anything related to the paddling life.For comments, questions, or if you have a story worth sharing, pitch it to me:talesfromthecripps@gmail.comSupport the show

Who is Brad Higginbotham: Stunt man? Mad man? Lover? Naturalist? Cover boy? Educator? Family man?Find out that and more in this episode of Tales from the Cripps with Whitewater of the Southern Rockies cover boy Brad Higginbotham. 0:00            Introduction9:00            If I could just get off of that L.A. freeway30:24         Rediscovering kayaking and more43:00         Living in Washington state1:03:33     Climbing back from rock bottom1:11:00     Training for the Stikine1:20:19     High water in Russia1:28:15     High water in Baker's Box1:31:50     Waste not want not with the pooper's society1:43:47     Q&A1:53:56     ConclusionToday's episode's sponsors:4Corners Riversports4Corners Riversports is located in Durango, Colorado. They are a full service paddlesports retail and rental store! If you are looking to get on the water, look no further than 4Corners Riversports. Call them at 970-259-3893 or visit their website www.riversports.comTaylor Barker with The Group Real Estate SteamboatI have known and paddled with Taylor for years. If you're interested in purchasing a property in the Steamboat area, Taylor is happy to share his expertise and help you find the perfect property. You can reach him at 336-314-4353 or by email at taylor@brokerintheboat.com.This podcast is being featured in the podcast section of paddlinglife.com.  If you haven't already visited the site, check it out for news, stories, reviews, and just about anything related to the paddling life.For comments, questions, or if you have a story worth sharing, pitch it to me:talesfromthecripps@gmail.comSupport the show

I had the good fortune to sit down with paddle maker, fitter and turner, kayaker, sailor, adventurer, and all around crazy Kiwi, Mike Nash. Listen as he shares some adventures: learning to kayak in New Zealand, sailing around the world, and his most dangerous adventure of all, learning to make kayak paddles. Hammer Factor, eat your heart out, because in the last half of this episode we'll explore some of the technicalities of paddle design and paddle making. For those looking lay treats, you'll learn the perfect feather angle, perfect paddle length, grip width, and more.0:00                        Introduction7:28                        Learning to paddle in New Zealand17:24                     How not to paddle solo21:01                     The pitfalls of wearing a PFD22:52                     Sailing the seven seas28:17                     How to roll a sailboa34:00                     Vetting passengers to Madagascar 42:08                     Discovering the Pacific Northwest             47:50                     Fear and loathing in Fear Canyon in British Columbia 51:20                     Finding the minivan of kayaks59:14                     Founding Hard Core Paddles1:41:21                Paddle Taxonomy2:23:38                ConclusionWant more?If you're into #vanlife conversions, you haven't seen a true conversion until you see Mike's rig.https://paddlinglife.com/travel/paddling-rigs-hard-core-paddles-owners-chevy-express-van-conversion-into-an-adventure-rig/Learn how Mike found the perfect watercraft to take his wife and 2 large dogs whitewater paddling with him.https://paddlinglife.com/canoeing/grabner-outside-inflatable-canoe-review/Check out Hard Core paddles at: https://hardcorepaddles.com/Today's episode's sponsors:4Corners Riversports4Corners Riversports is located in Durango, Colorado. They are a full service paddlesports retail and rental store! If you are looking to get on the water, look no further than 4Corners Riversports. Call them at 970-259-3893 or visit their website www.riversports.comTaylor Barker with The Group Real Estate SteamboatI have known and paddled with Taylor for years. If you're interested in purchasing a property in the Steamboat area, Taylor is happy to share his expertise and help you find the perfect property. You can reach him at 336-314-4353 or by email at taylor@brokerintheboat.com.This podcast is being featured in the podcast section of paddlinglife.com.  If you haven't already visited the site, check it out for news, stories, reviews, and just about anything related to the paddling life.For comments, questions, or if you have a story worth sharing, pitch it tSupport the show

As David Olson put it, when running the Jarbidge Bruneau section, a series of remote canyons in southern Idaho, "we always thought, ... what would happen out here, if we had an incident..." Well, David and his two companions decided to put that question to the test when they missed a critical portage eddy and dropped into the largest rapid on the run completely blind.Timeline0:00               A misadventure on the Jarbidge Bruneau1:55:44        Jon Hindman: bonus stories, joint replacements, and moreToday's episode's sponsors:4Corners Riversports4Corners Riversports is located in Durango, Colorado. They are a full service paddlesports retail and rental store! If you are looking to get on the water, look no further than 4Corners Riversports. Call them at 970-259-3893 or visit their website www.riversports.comTaylor Barker with The Group Real Estate SteamboatI have known and paddled with Taylor for years. If you're interested in purchasing a property in the Steamboat area, Taylor is happy to share his expertise and help you find the perfect property. You can reach him at 336-314-4353 or by email at taylor@brokerintheboat.com.This podcast is being featured in the podcast section of paddlinglife.com.  If you haven't already visited the site, check it out for news, stories, reviews, and just about anything related to the paddling life.For comments, questions, or if you have a story worth sharing, pitch it to me:talesfromthecripps@gmail.comSupport the show

In late June through early July Orin and Rowan Gartner made their first descent down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon in kayaks. At age 10, Rowan tied Bodie Hilleke's record for the youngest known kayaking descent down the Grand Canyon. Orwin, at age 14, also made an impressively young descent. The flow for the trip was around 20,000 cfs, considered a high flow for the run.Join me for a quick interview with the boys a week after they got off their trip to hear about the experience from their perspective.To read more about the trip, check out this article in the Durango Herald.Today's episode's sponsors:4Corners Riversports4Corners Riversports is located in Durango, Colorado. They are a full service paddlesports retail and rental store! If you are looking to get on the water, look no further than 4Corners Riversports. Call them at 970-259-3893 or visit their website www.riversports.comTaylor Barker with The Group Real Estate SteamboatI have known and paddled with Taylor for years. If you're interested in purchasing a property in the Steamboat area, Taylor is happy to share his expertise and help you find the perfect property. You can reach him at 336-314-4353 or by email at taylor@brokerintheboat.com.This podcast is being featured in the podcast section of paddlinglife.com.  If you haven't already visited the site, check it out for news, stories, reviews, and just about anything related to the paddling life.For comments, questions, or if you have a story worth sharing, pitch it to me:talesfromthecripps@gmail.comSupport the show

This bonus episode is a companion piece to episode 14 with Abe Herrera. When Abe described his experience with a rescue on the Foss River, he noted that a Canadian crew had a pin on the same log, but their river rescue took almost 2 hours. Well, I searched far and wide and tracked down a couple of the Canucks who were involved in the rescue, and they're here to tell their story.This story from 2014 was written up from two perspectives on my guest Adam's blog. It's an interesting read.Today's episode's sponsors:4Corners Riversports4Corners Riversports is located in Durango, Colorado. They are a full service paddlesports retail and rental store! If you are looking to get on the water, look no further than 4Corners Riversports. Call them at 970-259-3893 or visit their website www.riversports.comTaylor Barker with The Group Real Estate SteamboatI have known and paddled with Taylor for years. If you're interested in purchasing a property in the Steamboat area, Taylor is happy to share his expertise and help you find the perfect property. You can reach him at 336-314-4353 or by email at taylor@brokerintheboat.com.This podcast is being featured in the podcast section of paddlinglife.com.  If you haven't already visited the site, check it out for news, stories, reviews, and just about anything related to the paddling life.For comments, questions, or if you have a story worth sharing, pitch it to me:talesfromthecripps@gmail.comSupport the show

Kayak Session coverboy, HBO documentary logistics man, swiftwater safety instructor, Ecuadorian river guide, international exploratory kayaker - today's guest wears many hats. I was lucky enough to sit down with Abe today, hear some of his stories, and in particular discuss how his experiences have influenced his approach to river safety and river rescue. Find Abe at Boof Sessions where he can help you out with all aspects of your river trip to Ecuador.Check out Ecuadorian Rivers Institute  and learn about how you can help protect the rivers of Ecuador.Timeline0:00                        Introduction7:55                        Ecuador season10:25                     Jondachi Fest and river conservation27:20                     Interest in river safety32:00                     Foss river rescue41:00                     River safety basics43:05                     Cispus river rescue54:30                     Exploring the Rio Cofanes1:06:00                 The controversial tow teather             1:28:25                ** Green Truss accident1:39:30                Concluding thoughts** Warning, this story involves a fatality.Today's episode's sponsors:4Corners Riversports4Corners Riversports is located in Durango, Colorado. They are a full service paddlesports retail and rental store! If you are looking to get on the water, look no further than 4Corners Riversports. Call them at 970-259-3893 or visit their website www.riversports.comTaylor Barker with The Group Real Estate SteamboatI have known and paddled with Taylor for years. If you're interested in purchasing a property in the Steamboat area, Taylor is happy to share his expertise and help you find the perfect property. You can reach him at 336-314-4353 or by email at taylor@brokerintheboat.com.This podcast is being featured in the podcast section of paddlinglife.com.  If you haven't already visited the site, check it out for news, stories, reviews, and just about anything related to the paddling life.For comments, questions, or if you have a story worth sharing, pitch it to me:talesfromthecripps@gmail.comSupport the show

In this episode, Tales from the Cripps goes tubing with Rolf Kelly. But you're going to have to leave your foam cooler of beer at home for this tubing trip because when you're hanging out with Rolf, there's no such thing as taking it easy. If you've ever wondered how to prepare to tube a 100 ft waterfall in 10 years or less, you're going to want to tune into this one.  Check out Metlako Falls in a tube as well some other beauties on Rolf's vimeo channel.See Eric Boomer's report from Metlako Falls on the old The Range Life blog.Timeline0:00               Introduction5:20               It takes 10-20 years to become an overnight success7:30               Safety disclaimer7:45               Hold your breath11:20             NZ's Turnbull river, lessons in breath holding40:47             1st Descent Salmon River gorge42:18             Tubing your troubles away at the Golden, CO playpark (Rigor Mortis)1:00:50          Alaska1:05:20         Futaleufu, Chile1:18:20         Back in the kayak1:22:09         Ldub tubing1:23:15         Metlako with your tail between your legs1:30:31         Resume building1:35:25         Concluding thoughtsToday's episode's sponsors:4Corners Riversports4Corners Riversports is located in Durango, Colorado. They are a full service paddlesports retail and rental store! If you are looking to get on the water, look no further than 4Corners Riversports. Call them at 970-259-3893 or visit their website www.riversports.comTaylor Barker with The Group Real Estate SteamboatI have known and paddled with Taylor for years. If you're interested in purchasing a property in the Steamboat area, Taylor is happy to share his expertise and help you find the perfect property. You can reach him at 336-314-4353 or by email at taylor@brokerintheboat.com.This podcast is being featured in the podcast section of paddlinglife.com.  If you haven't already visited the site, check it out for news, stories, reviews, and just about anything related to the paddling life.For comments, questions, or if you have a story worth sharing, pitch it to me:talesfromthecripps@gmail.comSupport the show

Alex Nicks may be one of the best kayakers you never heard of. His self-induced kayak affliction has taken him around the globe finding some of the best whitewater on the planet. In this episode he shares some of those unique experiences ranging from his time on the Zambezi river during a transformative time in kayak history, to exploring the arid mountains in the Middle East.0:00     Introduction5:30     Sandals vs. flip flops9:40     Contracting the kayaking disease12:10   Zambezi days23:30   I tried24:10   Murchison Falls31:46   Iran41:55   Mekong River46:00   ReflectionsToday's episode's sponsors:4Corners Riversports4Corners Riversports is located in Durango, Colorado. They are a full service paddlesports retail and rental store! If you are looking to get on the water, look no further than 4Corners Riversports. Call them at 970-259-3893 or visit their website www.riversports.comTaylor Barker with The Group Real Estate Steamboat.I have known and paddled with Taylor for years. If you're interested in purchasing a property in the Steamboat area, Taylor is happy to share his expertise and help you find the perfect property. You can reach him at 336-314-4353 or by email at taylor@brokerintheboat.com.This podcast is being featured in the podcast section of paddlinglife.com.  If you haven't already visited the site, check it out for news, stories, reviews, and just about anything related to the paddling life.For comments, questions, or if you have a story worth sharing, pitch it to me:talesfromthecripps@gmail.comSupport the show

What do you do when you find yourself experiencing your 4th near death whitewater kayaking experience, before you've even reached your 20th birthday? For some, the answer is quit. But for Gareth Fryer, the answer is, get smarter. Gareth has spent much of his paddling career learning from hard lessons and close calls. He's done his best to perfect the art of being in the right place at the right time with the right gear and the right skills. That practice has paid off in form of saving multiple lives on the river. In this episode, Gareth shares some jaw dropping stories of paddling around New Zealand and shares lessons that whitewater paddlers at any level should mull over before their next river trip.At the end of the episode Gareth discussions some the gear he uses on the water. You can find some photos of the gear on the Tales from the Cripps Facebook page.0:00         Introduction3:18         Watercraft ethos10:51       Early days in whitewater16:09       Ashley Gorge19:50       Random river hazards21:27       Murchison falls25:45       Blackwater falls27:50       A hard earned rescue lesson31:50       Nose plugs?40:45       Complacency and practice57:20       Group roles on the river1:02:00    Developing river skills1:05:35    Putting yourself in the right place at the right time1:17:50    Hokitika river1:19:40    Upper Whitcombe1:30:00    Light bulb moments on the Perth River1:47:34    Return to the Perth River1:52:00    Listening to intuition2:00:40    Safety gear on the river2:13:45    Concluding thoughtsToday's episode's sponsors:4Corners Riversports4Corners Riversports is located in Durango, Colorado. They are a full service paddlesports retail and rental store! If you are looking to get on the water, look no further than 4Corners Riversports. Call them at 970-259-3893 or visit their website www.riversports.comTaylor Barker with The Group Real Estate Steamboat. I have known and paddled with Taylor for years. If you're interested in purchasing a property in the Steamboat area, Taylor is happy to share his expertise and help you find the perfect property. You can reach him at 336-314-4353 or by email at taylor@brokerintheboat.com.This podcast is being featured in the podcast section of paddlinglife.com.  If you haven't already visited the site, check it out for news, stories, reviews, and just about anything related to the paddling life.For comments, questions, or if you have a story worth sharing, pitch it to me:talesfromthecripps@gmail.comSupport the show

In today's episode I had the unique opportunity to sit down with Kiwi paddler Gareth Fryer from halfway across the world. My friend Rolf describes Gareth as an athletic freak of nature. Gareth and Rolf spent some of their formative paddling years together exploring New Zealand. In part 1 of this 2 part interview, Gareth shares some of the stories from their time together. Along the way, we'll find out why a heli ride to the put-in is potentially as dangerous as the run, and how to vet your future paddling team during a night at the brew pub.0:00         Introduction4:20         Paddling in Tasmania13:50       Meeting Rolf17:40       Helicopters gone wild in New Zealand26:00       Kakapotahi River38:59       The Mahinapua Hotel45:30       American arm wrestling53:40       Failed portage of Kokatahi Gorge1:02:00    Maruia Falls1:04:00    Abel Tasman1:05:00   Clark Fork of Yellowstone1:08:00   ConclusionToday's episode is sponsored by Taylor Barker with The Group Real Estate Steamboat. I have known and paddled with Taylor for years. If you're interested in purchasing a property in the Steamboat area, Taylor is happy to share his expertise and help you find the perfect property. You can reach him at 336-314-4353 or by email at taylor@brokerintheboat.com.This podcast is being featured in the podcast section of paddlinglife.com.  If you haven't already visited the site, check it out for news, stories, reviews, and just about anything related to the paddling life.For comments, questions, or if you have a story worth sharing, pitch it to me:talesfromthecripps@gmail.comSupport the show

( Donate to Jaguar Kayak School at https://gofund.me/27cccbee)=============================================Got $20 bucks in your pocket? Great, you've got enough to travel the world!Most people that consider themselves river people have stories about how the sport has changed their lives, but few have a life story like my guest's today.Andrey Coto Robles, a self proclaimed son of the river, grew up in a small town playing along the banks of the Rio Sarapiqui in northern Costa Rica. Little did he know at the time that venturing down the river on an innertube would lead to a decade-long transcontinental life changing adventure that would have never happened without the unique bonds of the whitewater community.From selling homemade jewelry in the streets of Brazil in order to eat, to finding himself in charge of a Red Bull expedition deep in the Peruvian Amazon, you're not going to want to miss this incredible story.0:00           Introduction3:40           Growing up by the river16:43        Mexico26:30       Italy33:10        Chile41:20        Switzerland42:50        Back to Mexico46:50        Back to Italy47:30        Brazil54:25        Back to the river, Rio Baker1:03:25    The long way homeThe Rio Marañón film Coto referenced:  SUP Mission Amazon Red Bull FilmFollow some of Coto's adventures:https://www.instagram.com/andrey.coto.robles/https://exokayak.com/team/andrey-coto-robles/https://www.kayaksession.com/exploring-new-land-ecuador-y-colombia/Last but not least, I'm not here to promote anything, but hearing Coto's story was a reminder to me of not only how special the community is and how life changing it can be, but also of how inaccessible it is to people that live on the banks of some of the most classic rivers in the world.  Whenever I travel to a less well off country, I'm reminded of how trivial my kayak gear concerns are compared to what most people deal with. If you have a few bucks to spare consider helping out Coto's mission by donating to Russ's go fund me page:  https://gofund.me/27cccbeeThis podcast is being featured in the podcast section of paddlinglife.com.  If you haven't already visited the site, check it out for news, stories, reviews, and just about anything related to the paddling life.For comments, questions, or if you have a story worth sharing, pitch it to me:talesfromthecripps@gmail.comSupport the show

Today I sit down with Gary Edgeworth who has been a prominent figure in the Western U.S. kayaking scene since the 90s, or as his friend Rolf gliby puts it, "Gary is a caricature of a human being." After sitting down with him for over 2 hours, I barely scratched the surface of the amazing adventures and stories he's generated in his life.This episode has a serious "inside baseball" vibe. I've included links to some of the rivers and people he talks about in this episode for those interested in diving in deeper.0:00                         Intro, Bear Creek story6:34                         Rolf Kelly preview (Crystal Mills Falls)12:30                       High water Eldorado Canyon  with Gordon Banks and Forrest Noble 20:15                       Cherry Bomb Gorge  (Upper Cherry Creek)35:25                       Always run the first big drop45:12                       North Fork of the Slate  (also see link below for better version) 53:40                       Rio Jarcones59:57                       Jungle dangers1:08:40                   Mill Creek with Gordon Banks1:19:05                   Plan D skills1:21:50                   Idaho Salmon River high water (South Fork of Salmon, Main Salmon)1:29:30                   Middle Kings with Ben Stookesberry and company1:47:23                   Paddling philosophizing1:56:03                   MMA fighting2:01:18                   Random Eric Boomer stories2:04:40                   Retrospection2:10:50                   Concluding thoughts2:12:30                   Bonus: OBJ at midnight and other memories of satirical master ChunderboyThis podcast is being featured in the podcast section of Support the show

In this episode, I'm sitting down with Paul Raymond, who has taken the helm of OBJ race director in recent years. OBJ, or Oh Be Joy is one of the ultra classic kayaking creek runs in Colorado, replete with steep slides and waterfalls. He shares the history of the iconic event and how he found himself taking an active role in the race. As a bonus story, he shares his tips and tricks for how you can combine your Wim Hof cold therapy practice with a casual day of kayaking - it's easier than you might think.0:00              Introduction2:11              Catching up with Paul10:58           Solo adventures in Gore Canyon36:55           OBJ race history: origin story52:40           OBJ race: reboot 1:11:38      OBJ race: safety 1:23:05      OBJ race: concluding thoughtsFor anyone that hasn't been over exposed to OBJ media, here's an old low water video from one of my visits there: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/10314089This podcast is being featured in the podcast section of paddlinglife.com.  If you haven't already visited the site, check it out for news, stories, reviews, and just about anything related to the paddling life.For comments, questions, or if you have a story worth sharing, pitch it to me:talesfromthecripps@gmail.comSupport the show

Adventures are good, but misadventures make great stories. From rolling instructor to safety class architect to paddling partner, Nick Wigston has been a pillar of the local paddling community for years. Come hear how his approach to paddling was shaped by ignoring the advice of Tao Berman and charting his own path because we all know, you learn best by doing.0:00 - 6:54          Introduction6:55 - 21:30     Showing Tao how to run Rogers Creek21:31 - 27:25   Reflections on misadventures and preparations27:26 - 50:35  Minimalist camping on Bridge Creek50:36 - 56:06  Concluding thoughtsSome relevant links from the show:Rogers Creek in B.C.Bridge Creek in CaliforniaHad you listened to my advice earlier and kept up with the latest news on paddlinglife.com you could have gotten your Tao Berman action doll before it was too late.Check out some truly unique bicycles at Nick's shop: online or in Louisville, CO at Zinn Cycles. Support the show

Take a ride on the pain train with a founding member of Durango's Narrow Escape Crew, Russ Gartner. Russ gives us a harrowing account of their attempt to open back up the Rio Patria in Costa Rica, along with some warmer, if not drier thoughts on fun in the jungle.0:00 - 1:30                     Guest Introduction1:31 - 4:59                     What I did last summer5:00 - 14:52                  The Costa Rican appeal14:53 - 52:36.               Rio Patria52:37 - 59:15.               Rio Patria retrospective59:16 - 1:07:40             Rio Volcán1:07:41 - 1:13:24           ConclusionHere's a link to the account of Todd Wells and Brian Burger's 1st D of the Telire River that Russ references.Check out the classic story of Melissa Newel, Nick Hinds, and Ben Stookesberry  attempting a run down the Rio Patria.Photos from Russ's story at:https://www.facebook.com/talesfromthecrippsSupport the show

Pack your shiny emergency space blanket and let's do some traveling with Scott Young. Today you'll learn how many power bars to pack for your paddling trip, why urinating on yourself isn't always a bad option, the quickest way to create an intimate bond with your paddling friends, and how to become a movie star in Mexico.0:00 - 1:57       Intro1:58 - 4:50       Spring and summer fun4:51 - 22:25    Aloha whitewater22:26 - 52:49  Paddling the Peruvian desert52:50 - 56:37  How to become a movie star in Mexico56:38 - 57:30  ConclusionSome classic videos of the 1st descent of Kawaikoi Stream in Kauai:Aerial ScoutKauai First DescentKauai First D Part DeuxIn his introduction to his Rio Cotahuasi trip, Scott was referencing the Vellutino family. There was a write-up on their paddling legacy in Kayak Session Issue 49 (https://www.munaycha.com/publicaciones/kayak-session-vellutino.pdf)Support the show

Today, let's travel through time and space to Central America in the 1990s. My guest spent several years exploring whitewater paddling in Honduras at the behest of Dick Eustis, who helped sponsor his crew's travels in hopes of opening up commercial opportunities in the region.We take a deep dive into the Mame River and Rio Yaguala, a couple of highlights from his travels. Hear how his crew rolls the dice in the name of exploration when they encounter one of the most unique features you'll ever find on a river. In this episode, Dave references numerous California classics such as The Middle Kings, Devil's Postpile and 49 to Bridgeport, in comparison to the runs encountered in Honduras. Those California runs are considered some of the best and in some cases some of the more difficult runs in California, if not the entire United States.0:00  - 3:14                Guest Intro3:14  - 9:21.               Inception of paddling in Honduras9:21  - 16:17             Road Trippin16:05 - 22:01           Living in Honduras22:10 - 31:24           Mame River 31:30 -  52:54.         Rio Yaguala 52:54 - 57:44.          Touring the coastline with Dan Dixon 57:44 - 1:03:40       Honduras today1:03:40 - 1:04:15   Concluding commentsHere are some Google maps pointers to some of the locations discussed:Home base: La CeibaRough location of the Rio Mame and the Rio Yaguala This podcast is being featured in the podcast section of paddlinglife.com.  If you haven't already visited the site, check it out for news, stories, reviews, and just about anything related to the paddling life.Support the show

Fun doesn't come easy. Today we hear the story of the inception of Bailey Fest and how a once tenuous relationship with a landowner at a critical rapid on the run became a forgotten issue.0:00 - 3:00        Introduction3:01 - 5:18         Who cares about Bailey Canyon?5:19 - 8:16         Where's the Gauley Fest of Colorado?8:17 - 19:38      Acquiring water for recreational use19:39 - 27:10   Putting together Bailey Fest27:11 - 35:32   Foamy Race35:33 - 37:47   Not all unicorns and rainbows37:48 - 56:21   Liberation of First Falls56:22 - 59:33   ConclusionThe Foamie Race Intro VideoBailey Fest 2010 VideoThis podcast is being featured in the podcast section of paddlinglife.com.  If you haven't already visited the site, check it out for news, stories, reviews, and just about anything related to the paddling life.For comments, questions, or if you have a story worth sharing, pitch it to me:talesfromthecripps@gmail.comSupport the show

In this episode we take a trip with my guest Forrest Noble through kayaking history, from epic equipment failures to a legendary story of paddling down the Potomac river at one the highest flood levels in recent history.0:00 - 4:23        Introduction4:24 - 14:35      North Fork Payette swim story14:36 - 17:04    Equipment chat interlude17:05 - 18:20    Potomac Flood Story Introduction19:05 - 53:30    Potomac flood story53:31 - 54:23    ConclusionCheck out a few photos from the story at:https://www.facebook.com/talesfromthecrippsFor some background on the rivers in the story visit American Whitewater for descriptions of Potomac river and North Fork of Payette river:Potomac River Class III runPotomac River Great Falls (VA Lines)Potomac River Great Falls (MD Lines)North Fork of the Payette RiverThis podcast is being featured in the podcast section of paddlinglife.com.  If you haven't already visited the site, check it out for news, stories, reviews, and just about anything related to the paddling life.For comments, questions, or if you have a story worth sharing, pitch it to me:talesfromthecripps@gmail.comSupport the show

Welcome to Tales from the Cripps, a place for entertaining whitewater stories to call home. I'm a long time whitewater kayaker whose only real claim to fame is having a hole that bears my namesake on our local creek.I've heard so many great stories over the years that I wanted to create a forum to compile and share those stories with a wider audience. This podcast is being featured in the podcast section of paddlinglife.com.  If you haven't already visited the site, check it out for news, stories, reviews, and just about anything related to the paddling life.For comments, questions, or if you have a story worth sharing, pitch it to me:talesfromthecripps@gmail.comSupport the show