Kim Becker (Russell)'s Blog (84)

Day 2 of the Northwest Creeking Competition came as racers woke misty eyed from the nearby Macklemore dance-off. Breakfast was cooked for the Hood River Gorge-ians by The Kayak Shed (Special thanks to John Hart and the crew!), and we were off to an early…

The Sea Otter Classic is to mountain biking what the Northwest Creeking Competition is to whitewater paddling. This event draws hundreds of paddlers and spectators alike as folks have the opportunity to compete in three downriver races in two days. It is also the second event of the Western Whitewater Championship Series, the NW's premiere whitewater racing series. This was my fifth year attending the event, and one that will always…

Paddlers gather just below the Finish Line (Photo: Zach Collier)

The day was Saturday, March 13, 2013. The Wind River was at 5.9ft, a perfect medium flow with just enough juice to cover the F’U rocks. The last Pedialyte had been drank, and the…

The Columbia River Gorge is a paddler’s paradise with over 20 runs in a half hour radius of Hood River, Oregon. This number swells with the wintertime rain, as paddlers giggle at the thought of what to paddle the next day.

Recently a group of us chose to rally Canyon Creek, a Washington classic. Canyon Creek is a class IV/V waterfall playground, with a handful of boulder gardens, and fun boofs. With names such as Swizzle Sticks,Terminator, Prelude, Thrasher, Kahuna, Champagne…

Mark your Calendars! The 2013 Wind River Festival is on for March 16! 

Racer's during the mass start of 2012's downriver…

As a whitewater kayaker, it’s just as important to choose the right paddle as it is the right kayak. The paddle becomes an extension of your body, so it’s only logical to choose one that is comfortable in your hands, and feels good! If only it were that simple: what about all the different blades designs? Should you choose carbon fiber or fiberglass? How long should it be? Should you paddle a straight or bent shaft?…

Since it's December first, we might as well start talking about Christimas. It's only three weeks away, and it's time to start thinking about gifts for your paddling partner(s)!

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The 2012 Whitewater Symposium was held at Wet Planet Whitewater in Husum, Washington on the weekend of October 12-14, 2012.

It was a gathering of whitewater's most inspirational and influential individuals from all parts of the industry: instructors, professionals,…

 Anyone remember the time you could barely get in your playboat because your hamstrings were so tight, or the time you were able to cram yourself in, but your hips and low back were sore for days on end afterward? Chances are you’ve got an unhappy pelvis from sitting for hours on end in a retroverted position.…

The merging of two rivers is always an auspicious place for rafters and kayakers, and one of my favorite confluences is that of the East and West Forks of the Hood River. Not only is this a beautiful place to go for a swim on a hot day, but it also serves as the put-in and take-out for several great whitewater runs.…

 (Photo Copyright: Dave Hoffman)

Ladies and Gentlemen, meet Wave Sport's Recon. Soon to be released, the Recon comes in 70, 83, and 93 gallons. I have had the opportunity to play with the Recon 70…

What happens when four lady paddlers are getting married in the same year? You have a Bachelorette Party on the River! Earlier this month, 9 ladies from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California and Montana, rallied for a 4-day wilderness self-support on the South Fork of the Salmon River, near McCall, Idaho.…

Photo: Ranch Exit Media

A few weeks ago, I was fortunate to take part in the making of a commercial for Otter Box's new Armor Series Case for the iPhone. Let's just say it's a pretty rad case, and will allow us paddlers to use our phones…

This year was the 29th annual Clackamas River Festival, a two day festival on the Upper Clackamas River outside Portland, Oregon. The two day event features various drift boat, cataraft, raft and kayak races, such as: R4 and Kayak Downriver races, an oar boat…

Myself boofing on Upper Trout Creek (Photo: Bryon Dorr)

We are lucky as paddlers to live in the Columbia River Gorge. During the rainy season, within a half hour drive it is possible to be at over a dozen different rivers. Each and every one, unique, and…

Your "core" encompasses your abdominal and back muscles, specifically the rectus abdominus, obliques, lower back, and the glutes. 

It is important to strengthen the core muscles, because these muscles provide stability to both the upper and lower body in all…

The Northwest Creeking Competition is to paddlers what Sea Otter is to mountain bikers. The creeking comp. is in it's 7th year, and as organizer Luke Spencer, puts it, "...the…

Get ready because on April 21 and 22, the 2012 Northwest Creeking Competition in ON! 

If you're a paddler in the Northwest, and looking for something to do this weekend, come on out to the Northwest Creeking Competition! Whether you decide to race, or decide to paddle down with a group of friends, the event is always a BLAST!

Saturday: East Fork of the Lewis River, WA - Kayak and Raft Races

Individual Timed runs, and a mass start from…

2012 will be a year to remember for the Wind River Festival and the Western Whitewater Championship Series!

March 17, 2012 was the original date for the fIfth annual Upper Wind River Festival. With faint memories of last year's high water, rain/snow, cold temperatures, and very few racers, organizers moved the race back one week with the hope of more competitors this year. And more competitors there were!

With sunny, clear blue skies, and a…

Myself in the first rapid on the run, Initiation Photo by Tim Brink)

Are you ready for the Upper Wind River Festival in less than two weeks? On March 17, Northwest paddlers will flock to the Upper Wind River near Carson, WA for a day of whitewater racing. 

This will be my third year racing the event and I am stoked! Should be even bigger…