The Big Earl!

The Big Earl is a great inflatable board!   It has everything you need in a portable SUP.
- Very stable design
- Removable skegs
- Extremely Rigid
- Bombproof pump and carrying bag
- Great price...$995

We took our SUPs to the Little TN river.  It was a medium flow with plenty of technical class 2 rapids.  Lake levels were down so we were able to paddle the narrows which added 3 more class 2+ rapids.
I removed the skegs knowing that the river was shallow.  The Big Earl handles just fine without the fins.  It turns well, grabs eddies and you don't have the fear of getting superman'ed off the board in the shallows.

I was able to strap my Watershed drybag to the front tiedowns and there were no problems.  This board was designed to haul your gear.  It is wide and stable allowing you to take gear and not lose stability.
I love the weight of inflatable SUP's!  At 29 lbs you can take this board anywhere. 
I filled the board to 15psi and it was perfect for warm water and a 60 degree day.  That was 2 weeks ago and the board is still inflated.  It hasn't lost any pressure. 

If you are looking for an economical and rugged inflatable SUP, look no further.  This board from NRS will do the trick.  

I haven't tried it on anything above class 3, but I'm looking forward to paddling it down some great rivers in Mexico this year.


You can find the NRS Big Earl at:
http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=1854&pdeptid=2363
and
http://www.coloradokayak.com/NRS-Big-Earl-Package.html?sc=26&category=37836

Photos from  www.adriftimages.com


Have a great winter everyone!


See you on the water!

Aaron

5 Reasons to Paddle in Mexico this winter!

Every photo below is a reason to get down and enjoy the beauty of Mexico.

Kayak Huasteca is operating for the 6th season this year.   We want to extend a huge Thanks and invitation to all our Friends and Sponsors.

Minas Viejas

Immersion Research, Shred Ready, Spokiz, CKS and Emotion Kayaks are all helping us explore and paddle the Turquoise waters of Mexico.

Banana rapid. Rafting first D

The season in Mexico is November through March.  Perfect for those wishing to escape the cold.

Dan D running the left line

Great food and incredible weather await you, south of the border.

350 foot falls on the Gallinas River, falling into the Santa Maria.

SUP or stand up paddling has become an incredible way to enjoy class 2 once again.

One of the many drops on MInas Viejas

Hope everyone had a great summer and when the snow starts to fall you know where to go!   We'll keep the enchiladas hot and the beer cold!
See you on the River.
Aaron

Waterfalls on a Stand up Paddle Board.

You have to choose your waterfalls very carefully when paddling a SUP.  You want the falls to be near vertical and not too tall.  The drop in these pictures is about 14 feet tall.
With these sliding drops it is very important to not use the skegs.  Either turn the board around backwards or choose a board with removable skegs.
Foot placement should be in the Kung Fu stance so you have maximum stability.  I ahve also tried surfer stance and it worked fairly well.
Your wieght has to stay moving with the board.  If you are too far back the board will kick up and leave you in the landing.  Too far forward and it will sub out and become very unstable.
If you can get in a big stroke for the landing it will help to keep you connected to the board.  A change in velocity is what causes falls, whether it be the board or rider.
The downtime was pretty heavy on this drop.  I actually fell after the board resurfaced.  A board with a little more rocker will keep me from going so deep the next time.
At Kayak Huasteca we use Imagine Rapidfire boards and Werner paddles.  All can be Purchased at CKS.
See you on the river...
Aaron

French broad river is the first river with our high speed jet boat in TN. Our boat was built by Smoky Mtn Jetboats in Bryson City, NC.

Untitled from Aaron Koch on Vimeo.

Enjoy the Video Aaron

Tennessee Stand up Paddling!

The Middle Ocoee river is a summer time staple for the southeast.  Consistent flows and great class 3-4 whitewater make it a great proving ground for whitewater SUP.
There are many lines through all the big rapids.  Since we started SUP here 2 years ago we have graduated to many of the meatier raft lines.  Jon Shannon (above) is running the guts of Double Trouble!


Lines can be technical or stout, you choose!  Left line at Broken Nose (above)


Tablesaw is one of those rapids that flips kayakers, sends rafts crashing against the rocks and is very intimidating on a SUP.  This year we have been running main line.  250 feet of continuous waves 3 feet high or more.  (above)

If you are confident in class 2-3 on your SUP board, come out and see us on the Ocoee in Southeast TN.  Water temps are in the high seventies and we have releases from thursday to monday.  We have quiver of EmotionTraverse and some C4 inflatables.

See you all on the river
Aaron

Badfish Stand up Paddle Boards!

Mariela and I went to Colorado for a few weeks in May and June.  If you've never been to the rivers out west, you are missing out.  We stayed in Buena Vista, CO and surfed/paddled:  Numbers, fractions and the BV and Salida Playparks.

Carving it up

We were able to surf Some of the Badfish Boards, both down river and surf.  Mike and Zach are at the forefront of river surf design.  It was awesome to surf some completely original designs.River surf is a new very new medium.  Kayaks have been surfing river waves for years but SUP boards are relatively new.

Ollie

Badfish stand up Boards are available in a variety of sizes.  5' 11" to the 9' river runner. They are all hand crafted in Salida,CO.

Matt getting low!

If you are in the state of Colorado and you like to SURF?  get over and check out the boys at Badfish.See ya on the river

Aaron

Emotion Traverse is an amazing SUP!

I've been paddling the Emotion Traverse for over a year now.   Let me just say " I LOVE THIS BOARD!" 

Some class 3 below 300 foot Tamul Falls!

 I have had the pleasure of paddling up to Class 4 whitewater, flat water, ocean surf, fishing, and even some waterfalls with the Traverse.  It has surpassed all my expectations.

Emotion Traverse boards ready for action

The Traverse is made form High density plastic so it is tough.  This board can take a lot of abuse.  I have seen mine fly from the roof rack more than once, with no visible damage.  TOUGH!

Another day at the office!

Take a milk crate and some rod holders, strap them to the back, and you have a perfect fishing platform.  4 Traverse and 1 kayak on the river together and we caught over 20 fish.  Large mouth bass, sunfish and even a trout.

Nice bass on the Lower Ocoee.

If you are looking to run whitewater on an SUP?  This is the perfect place to start.  The Emotion Traverse will enable you to run class 2, ferry and surf your first day on the river!

Running the ledge on the Hiwassee. 5000cfs

With a bit of experience the Traverse can even run some of the harder whitewater.

Nice drop on a SUP.

SUP is one of the fastest growing sports in the world.  If your looking to get involved the Traverse is agreat way to go.  Retail prices of $399 is hard to beat.  Get a helmet, PFD and paddle and you are ready to go.  
Be sure to check out http://www.emotionkayaks.com/  and don't forget about Mexico in the winter with  http://www.kayakhuasteca.com/
See you on the river.

Aaron

Ocoee is running!

Another season is here. Time to get your SUP's, Kayaks and Rafts ready for the mighty Ocoee. If you are in the south east US this summer come on down and check us out. Cascade Outdoors we have the best raft trips on the river.

See you this summer.

iSUP stand up paddling in the beautiful country of Mexico!

This is a great surf break just north of Puerto Vallarta. Plenty of good food and sweet waves.

Aaron