Great Blue Heron Canoe & Kayak Club

06/08/2017

Finally free, the whale decided to say thanks to the brave diver who saved his life.

06/13/2014

Blue Herons ripping it up with Team Colorado Whitewater Racing

05/25/2014

Kids' Kayak Instruction offered again, just on the other side of the mountains

It saddens me to say that I've finally gone over to the Dark Side. By this, I mean I've moved to the Boulder Area to hopefully begin frying bigger fish. The river may not be as nice, the shuttle not as easy, but I have fallen into place as the New Talent Development Coach for Team Colorado Whitewater Racing and am apparently the missing piece to their puzzle.

Starting this year, Team Colorado Whitewater Racing is offering kayak classes to kids aged 8-18. It is a program that runs Monday-Friday 9am-1pm from June 16th-August 10th. The classes are set up for all levels of paddler, from never-evers to elite athletes or high level boaters who would like to hone their skills in a fun, group atmosphere. This program runs $80/week and includes rental of a boat, paddle, PFD, spray skirt, and helmet. Transportation is available to and from practice for an additional $50/week ($10/day, our team vehicle gets terrible gas mileage but can haul a lot of boats).

Team Colorado Whitewater Racing is a non-profit corporation set up with the aim of expanding the sport of kayaking in a safe, fun atmosphere. We have ACA instructors, former USA slalom national team members, USA Junior slalom team members, and world class racers for coaches. Our athletes have progressed from never having been in a kayak to racing for national teams across the world in a matter of years--something unheard of in a sport most people could spend a lifetime trying to master.

I would like to extend an invitation to all of my Durango paddlers to come up for a week to paddle. I can wrangle up a homestay for you if you choose to come for a week. This is a great opportunity to learn new rivers, new skills, and make new friends as you paddle with young athletes from across the state.

For more information, you can either visit us on the web at www.teamcoloradowhitewater.org or e-mail me directly at [email protected]. For the price, this is hands down the best kayak instruction program in the state. Don't miss your chance--space is limited!

Team Colorado Whitewater Racing Team (“TCWR”) is a Colorado non-profit corporation that was established in 2012 to foster and improve competitiveness of paddlers in the state of Colorado and neighboring states in national and international whitewater racing and freestyle competitions. TCWR will work…

04/24/2014

WAHOO!

Tomorrow kicks off the Wildwater Weekend Jubilee/Western Team Trials.

The water is UP and conditions look to be great for racing.

Here is an updated schedule of events:

Friday, April 25th
10am--Wildwater clinic/practice run. Meet at 33rd st put-in.
1pm---Wildwater clinic/practice run. Meet at 33rd st put-in.

Saturday, April 26th
8-9am--Registration at 33rd st put-in
9:30am--Race start!
The rest of today is open for practice of the sprint course through Smelter Rapid.
5:00pm--Presentation on the History of Whitewater Paddling by Kent Ford. Location tbd.

Sunday, April 27th
8-9am--Registration at Santa Rita Park
9:30am--Race start!
After every racer has done 1 run, we will take a break (45min-1 hour) and then take second runs. Awards will be ASAP to follow the last racer.

Smelter Rapid is well worth scouting. The holes are large at this level and the eddies are strong. We will have lots of safety in place but it is still a place where caution is strongly advised.

If you can’t make one of the clinics on Friday and still would like to paddle, please let me know and I will arrange a shuttle and paddle buddy for you.

If you need a place to camp, Nic Borst has generously offered to let people camp at his farm. Please contact me and I will put you in touch with him.

If you need anything else, please don’t hesitate to call me. My number is 970 216 9393 and I’ll be more than happy to help you out with whatever you need.

It looks to be shaping up into a great weekend for racing. I look forward to seeing everyone here!

Lisa Adams

02/20/2014

Hi Friends,Hi Friends,

FIBArk and Capricorn Sports are hosting a slalom race at Salida Whitewater Park on Saturday and Sunday, March 1 & 2. We'd love for you to join us at this fun race! Entry fee will be $10 per person with unlimited classes (these fees cover the permitting fees we have to pay through AHRA). We'll have snacks and bottled water for racers in the FIBArk boathouse. Bathroom facilities will be open in the boathouse and also can be found on the boat ramp and behind Absolute Bikes in the parking lot at the top of the course.Hi Friends,

FIBArk and Capricorn Sports are hosting a slalom race at Salida Whitewater Park on Saturday and Sunday, March 1 & 2. We'd love for you to join us at this fun race! Entry fee will be $10 per person with unlimited classes (these fees cover the permitting fees we have to pay through AHRA). We'll have snacks and bottled water for racers in the FIBArk boathouse. Bathroom facilities will be open in the boathouse and also can be found on the boat ramp and behind Absolute Bikes in the parking lot at the top of the course.

The schedule for the weekend will look something like this:

Saturday March 1:
Practice all morning
11:30 am Course Analysis/Racer Meeting with Jordi
12:00 pm Race Start (Qualifying Runs-Everyone gets two race runs)
4:00 pm Lactic Endurance Group Practice (Everyone needs a watch. No watch = No practice)
Dinner/Socializing TBD

Sunday, March 2:
10:30 am Course Analysis/Racer Meeting with Jordi
11:00 am Race Start (Semi-Finals followed directly by Finals)
Free technique or fun paddling in the afternoon

Please forward this on to anyone who might be interested. Feel free to call or email Alli Gober at 719-221-3937 with questions or suggestions. Hope to see you on the river!

Alli Gober
FIBArk Board of Directors, Secretary

The schedule for the weekend will look something like this:

Saturday March 1:
Practice all morning
11:30 am Course Analysis/Racer Meeting with Jordi
12:00 pm Race Start (Qualifying Runs-Everyone gets two race runs)
4:00 pm Lactic Endurance Group Practice (Everyone needs a watch. No watch = No practice)
Dinner/Socializing TBD

Sunday, March 2:
10:30 am Course Analysis/Racer Meeting with Jordi
11:00 am Race Start (Semi-Finals followed directly by Finals)
Free technique or fun paddling in the afternoon

Please forward this on to anyone who might be interested. Feel free to call or email Alli Gober at 719-221-3937 with questions or suggestions. Hope to see you on the river!

Alli Gober
FIBArk Board of Directors, Secretary

FIBArk and Capricorn Sports are hosting a slalom race at Salida Whitewater Park on Saturday and Sunday, March 1 & 2. We'd love for you to join us at this fun race! Entry fee will be $10 per person with unlimited classes (these fees cover the permitting fees we have to pay through AHRA). We'll have snacks and bottled water for racers in the FIBArk boathouse. Bathroom facilities will be open in the boathouse and also can be found on the boat ramp and behind Absolute Bikes in the parking lot at the top of the course.

The schedule for the weekend will look something like this:

Saturday March 1:
Practice all morning
11:30 am Course Analysis/Racer Meeting with Jordi
12:00 pm Race Start (Qualifying Runs-Everyone gets two race runs)
4:00 pm Lactic Endurance Group Practice (Everyone needs a watch. No watch = No practice)
Dinner/Socializing TBD

Sunday, March 2:
10:30 am Course Analysis/Racer Meeting with Jordi
11:00 am Race Start (Semi-Finals followed directly by Finals)
Free technique or fun paddling in the afternoon

Please forward this on to anyone who might be interested. Feel free to call or email Alli Gober at 719-221-3937 with questions or suggestions. Hope to see you on the river!

Alli Gober
FIBArk Board of Directors, Secretary

01/25/2014

http://www.daveyhearn.com/Whitewater%20Racing/Events%20by%20Season/Pool%20Slalom/pool_course.htm web link.. Courtesy of Davey Hearn.


SNOWDOWN KAYAK POOL SLALOM

Thursday Jan 30th 2013
5:00 pm setup, practice 6-6:30, racing 6:30-8]
at Durango Rec Center

Kids can follow someone thru the course.

Now you are ready for the mirror image of Phase 1 by going through the middle gate 5 and then past and through 6 heading back past, then through 7 which is also the beginning of Phase 2.

01/25/2014

KAYAK POOL SLALOM,...Thursday Jan 30th 2013
5:00 pm setup, practice 6-6:30, racing 6:30-8

ALL AGES WELCOME.

01/11/2014

I'm not sure how many of you know this, but even while dams are coming down all over our country (as we now know better, right?) more dams are still trying to go up! Hard to believe, but it is true. This is an info page on the Gila River (a little known gem) that is under threat of damming. It is the last free flowing River in NM, lets keep it Free! Please sign the petition & spread the word! http://protectthegila.org/

its potential impact on the Gila River and its wildlife, and cost-effective solutions to meet southwest New Mexico's long-term water needs.

12/03/2013

http://www.levelsix.com/collections/whitewater/products/merlin-youth-long-sleeve-semi-dry-top

There’s no doubt that those younger paddlers out there deserve the same fit and style that their larger counterparts take for granted. Enter the Merlin, a long

09/04/2013

Grey showing off his "chicken wing" technique.

09/04/2013

Blue heron!

09/04/2013

Despite a bit of rain in the afternoon, the Great Blue Herons had a great day on the flatwater at 32nd.

Our next practice will be at Smelter on Thursday at 5:30. Hope to see you there!