This last week I was able to drive down to my first Gauley fest. It took a just around 13 hours to get there and was worth it. While I was there I had the pleasure of showing my first prototype c1 saddle that I built and put in to my Scud. I got some great feedback and response to it. people were definitely exited that there soon will be an option to purchase a ready built c1 saddle that takes minutes to install.

Along with showing the new saddle I also got to take it down the Upper. I really wanted to take a Smoothy but my broken foot wouldn't fit in a playboat, so I took the next best thing, the Scud.

The Scud was a perfect boat for that run, large enough to be stable and on top of the water, small enough to throw around and a fast plaining hull to surf and spin, this boat was a dream on the upper Gauley. If you haven't gotten a chance to try out the Scud, you are definitely missing the bus. I was also really exited about the saddle that was in it, easy to get in and out of, it kept the hull of the boat stiff and didn't oil pan, was really comfortable, and real easy to atatch my hardwear.

After paddling the first proto and getting feedback from other c1'ers, i have already started making the second proto that will be going in to my new smoothy. it is going to be wider at the knees, and wider at the seat. My goal is to have it done by the time Moose Fest comes around, and possible have a couple extra if people are interested.

Check out the photos of the Scud. I will pop out some more photos when I get the second proto up.

Dan Burke

Team Bliss-Stick

Hey This is Stephen Forster I have been at the Ottawa river for the past 3 weeks and Garborator finally came in on my last day. Garborator is a six foot tall green wave that has shoulders on each side of the wave. This wave has not been in for two years, because the water has been so high. Here are some pictures of the day. These pictures are of myself and aspiring bliss stick boater Matt Hill who is an NRA student from Steamboat Springs, CO.

Meeting of the minds... (L to R) Greyson, Sam, Angie, Dan, Eileen, and Brian with Paul of PS Composites strutting his stuff in the background.

Dane Jackson checking out Dan Burke's new C-1 saddle in the SCUD. I had to take the picture.....

Ahh, it that time of year again. Time for the Gauley Festival!

Just wanted to let everyone know that Bliss-Stick USA will be attending the festival. We will have several team members there for a meet and greet. Brian Jennings, Dan Burke, Sam Fullbright and Jason LaSelva. Learn about their trips to Thun, Switzerland for Worlds and have any questions answered about whitewater kayaking in general from some of the best in the world!

We will also be showing three videos throughout the nights activities. Vital-Films Facing East, a film about the death of the Yangzte River in China. A Josh Neilson film, Ways of Life, which follows Kiwi kayakers through USA and Norway and documents seven Kiwi women and their story on the Nepali Womens Expedition. And a lifestyle film, produced by Bliss-Stick, Aotearoa II.

Make sure and stop by, grab a beer and check them out. Along with all this, we will have every Bliss-Stick model available to demo throughout the weekend and fresh batches of Bliss-Stick tees and hoodies available for purchase.

Hope to see you out there!

Good lines!

Little did we know that when we put these boats out 6 years ago, that it would still be the design to beat!

Team rider Tino Specht and enthusiast Stephen Forster showing what it does the best.

Thanks Tino!

Thanks Brian!

Throughout the day there was plenty of events, everything from some awesome freestyle kayaking to some rocking bands later that night! They hosted the event along side of World Kayaks Hometown Throwdown which is is a series of FUN freestyle kayak events aimed at friendly competition on the Nolichucky River, TN/NC. During Competition there was other stuff for entertainment on the shore too, so none boaters could enjoy the event as well! While this was all happening throughout the day, they were having a silent auction full of items from the supporters and friends. All proceeds went to First Descents, a kayaking cancer camp for kids. WakaWai was the featured sponsor, we donated $1000 worth of Nookie gear for the silent auction. When the sun went down, the live bands appeared on the stage for everyones entertainment. Good times by all!

Nolichucky Splash

First Descents

Bliss-Stick.us

Well, to quote one of my favorite lines of this trip, the flip-flop tricky-wikky circus is over. We have new World Freestyle Champions, and they are very deserving of those titles.

Men's -

1) Nick Troutman -CAN

2) EJ - USA

3) Stephen Wright - USA

Wow...what a great finals. No one seemed to have an answer for Nick's airscrews and huge back panams. He easily had the most consistant rides of the event, winning with a whopping 1500 point score.

Womens-

1) Emily Jackson -USA

2) Ruth Gordon -CAN

3) Tanya Faux -AUS

This class, more than any other, was a toss up. All 5 finalists were capable of winning, and the scores were close. Hard to root for one more than the other, as all 5 ladies are incredibly great people as well as paddlers. EmJ stuck some big backwards tricks and it was just too much to catch. Pretty neat that our Mens and Womens World Champs are married...

JR Men-

1) Jason Craig- USA

2) Dane Jackson -USA

3) Sebastian Devred- FRA

This is the one I'm the most stoked about. If you don't know Jason Craig, I hope you get to meet him someday. He'll be the guy in the eddy with the biggest smile on his face, and the one killing it on the wave. Such a cool kid, and mature beyond his years. Thank God he's a junior for a few more years....I need to start training more.

Jr Women-

1) Nouria Neuman- FRA

2) Sandrina Hornhardt- GER

3) Leoni Haberling- SUI

I honestly missed Jr. Womens Finals except for Nouria's last ride, but this girl is awesome. She had rides that would have put her in the senior women's finals.

OC1

1) Jeremy Laucks - USA

2) Stephan Patsch - GER

3) Odei Areta- GER

YEAH Jeremy! For those who are down on OC1, watch Jeremy paddle. Legit airblunts in his custom Blackfly. Solid!

I went for a walk after the event by myself, and just took another look around Thun. After constant crowds and hostel living, I needed some serious quiet time. I'm so happy to have had this experience, and am stoked on the whole event. Team USA was a great and supportive crew, and we had a great team manager in Annie Ament. Thanks so much girl! Also, thanks to the families and friends of myself and all the other athletes. Believe me, we were all checking emails and facebook to hear what you are were saying stateside, and it was appreciated. Events like this are why I love competition...great friends, lots of photos, beautiful location, and yeah, even a little bit of kayaking. What a fun experience rooting for your teammates because of nationality instead of sponsor affiliation. Now, gotta get back and get things ready for Gauley Season. Training for the 2011 Worlds in Plattling, Germany begins tomorrow....game on!

Signing off from Thun, Switzerland.

Wow! Quarterfinals for K1 Men and Women are now over. What a busy week!

My computer died last week, about 3 days after arrival, so so sorry for the lack of updates. Here's a quick rundown on what you've missed.

1) We did squirt prelims and semis yesterday, and finals this morning. I finished 7th, which I'm OK with, considering squirt boating is my 4th discipline (behind freestyle, creeking and raft guiding) The entire squirt comp was great...lots of positive energy, and the competitors were even coaching eachother between rides. I met some great people, and watched some incredible paddling. Congrats to Claire O'Hara and James Reeves, our new Squirt World Champions, and special congrats to my good friend Jeremy Laucks for pulling his best ride of the comp to win a hard earned Bronze!

1a) C1-OC1- Reigining World Champ, and Bliss-Stick team member Dan Burke couldn't get his rhythm going, and missed the cut to 10, despite some great practice rides.

2) The juniors: All 3 US men advanced, but our ladies just missed the cut. Jason Craig is still the man to beat!! (and would have placed 2nd in Senior Men's with his prelim score!)

3) The top ladies are stepping it up big time! Some sick helixes and big air blunts/backstabs are quickly erasing the memories of the days of "spin to win" Nice job ladies!!

4) Senior mens: WOW!!! What a crazy day. Lots of FANTASTIC rides full of legit airscrews, pan ams, helixes, flipturns and McNasties. Lots of places changed hands...stoked that some great friends are in the Semis (top 10) but very bummed that some good friends missed the cut after some unfortunate rides.

Don't let the results fool you...this wave is SUPER tough, and it's gonna be full on from here on out. More to come when I can steal a computer again!!!

Live from Thun,

Brian Jennings

Team Bliss-Stick

Hey this is Stephen Forster and I have currently been paddling a super rad 180 on the Ottawa River this summer. Water levels have been very unusual. At the beginning of the summer levels were high and bus eater was in, but then water levels plummeted down to 4 feet and corner wave was in for around 4 weeks until it rained up north and the level went up to 14 for a day. Then the level went down around to 2 feet, and it was 12. The wave upper no name was prime. This wave is a small foam pile that is perfect for competitions and throwing tricks fast. Overall, the Ottawa was great this summer. Right now I am back up on the Ottawa River with New River Academy. The level is 2 ¼ and corner wave is prime. Here are some pictures from my stay with New River Academy