We just got the third container on the water in New Zealand and is headed to Asheville as we speak. It will arrive in port around the 22nd of July and should be here in Asheville a day or two later. The container is full of Mystic's, Smoothy's, RAD's and Mini's. Some pretty sweet colors to choose from as well!

 

 

 

Hey Michael,

Just recently got back from a good trip of creek boating in California, Oregon, and Washington! Originally we were planning to go do upper cherry in California but while we were there, the flows were way to high to go in.. so we decided to run West Cherry, which flows into Upper Cherry. It was a super fun over nighter.. The first day we hiked in about 7 miles or so and then paddled a couple sweet gorges down to our first camp. The next morning we woke up and started off the day with a really fun rapids, consisting of fun slides and waterfalls.

After we got off West Cherry, we headed up to Oregon to run Salmon River Gorge. This a really fun run that makes for a long day.. We woke up early and started hikin about 9am for 6 miles and finally got to the put in. We started off the run with a sweet, clean 20 footer. We then came up to vanishing falls. A 25 footer that lands in a really bad cave. We all portaged that one with a throw and go. The next rapid was frustration falls, a really fun series of drops starting with a 20 footer, then a 15 foot boof, then a clean 40 footer. Super fun.. Right after that you have another nice 20 footer, then final falls. A really big 80 footer that no one fired up.. I has a really tricky lip that looks like it would be impossible to not be autoboofed. We repelled down on the right.

The day after that we crossed the Columbia River into Washington and ran the Green Truss and Little White. They were both super fun, the little white being my favorite. It is just non stop, steep, technical, boulder gardens with a couple sweet waterfalls. I love the town of Hood River!

-Seth

 

 

 

Weather turned bad Friday so we headed back that night from the beach. Some buddies talked me into going to Big Rock Saturday for the 2nd HTTD. Pretty good crowd this time. Somehow I actually won the B class division, go figure. My buddy Brandon was getting some good loops in the Specialist.

Wish you could have been there!

Anyhow here are some cool pictures....

Thanks for representing Jason and congratulations on first place in your division!

 

 

 

Northeast update:

The East-Branch of the Ausable is a great run that not many people know about. It's located in Keene, NY and is beautiful. The run starts off with a great rapid that leads into Hulls Falls. Only the right side was runable, but it is easy to walk up and run it a bunch of times. The drop looks much worse than what it is. After Hulls Falls the river travels through a very scenic valley for a couple of miles until Champagne Falls--the most difficult rapid on the river. Champagne Falls is also the entrance to the gorge. The gorge is short, but fun, and offers a great spot to go for a swim on hot days.

Enjoy the pics and another update is on its way...

Jason LaSelva

Thanks Jason!

 

 

 

The Specialist is so much fun! Had it on the New River Dries yesterday and it just makes ever move easier. At 175 pounds right now, it was maybe a touch on the small side running rapids, but it was almost as fast as the Smoothy on waves, and I never pearled the bow or stern, even on steep waves. The short stern comes thru so fast for loops, phonics monkeys and mcnastys, that I feel like I am cheating. The bow length and rocker shape make it very easy to ramp it up backwards for big mcnasty pop, or for big backstabs. Stability is great with the wider hull, but edge to edge is still very easy, and it really wants to get off the water. Gonna take it out again today for sure.

I had my friend, Little Dan paddle it too. He is 5'3" and about 135-140 pounds, and he loved it. The speed and pop for loops were his selling point. He is going to try it again next week and if he still likes it, he will be buying one. Wish there was more pictures, but everyone kept wanting to surf!

Bliss-Stick USA Team Member, Brian Jennings

 

 

 

 

We are proud to announce that Bliss-Stick Designs are now included in the instructional fleet at North American River Runners (NARR)! Located in Hico, West Virginia, NARR was started in 1975 and is one of the oldest and largest outfitters in West Virginia with the longest running kayak school in the state. So now you can learn from the best with the best!

And as a bonus, when the boats are not being used for instruction, they can be demoed on the New River Gorge or the world class Gauley River!

Check them out!

 

 

Yet another magic creation from the Bliss-Stick room that has been around for 4 years! We remind you of one of the most sporty concept playboats on the market. This is the next generation of big aerial moves. The wider hull makes the Specialist sit perfect in the foam pile and the short ends help you throw the boat in any direction you desire. More bow rocker, more bounce and generally more altitude on tricks thrown.

 

 

 

 

 

We just received these pictures this morning from the Reno River Festival and Teva Mtn Games and thought we would share them.

Steve Forster is an avid Bliss-Stick enthusiast, paddling the Super RAD 180, with representation at the Reno River Festival, Teva Mtn Games and the US Team Trials held recently in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Steve missed the junior team by just a few spots, but will no doubt return for redemption at the next team trials.

Check them out!

Reno...

 

 

Vail...

 

 

 

We were invited this past weekend to the bring Bliss-Stick demos down to the Charlotte HTTD and it was very successful! Participation was great and people enjoyed being able to get 'hands on' with all the models that we brought. At one point all 12 of the demos were out on the water at one time! That was cool to see.

A huge thanks goes out to Samantha Miller, Jason Miller and Andrew from World Kayak for inviting us. David Hepp, USNWC Paddle Sports Manager, for allowing the event to take place. Bliss-Stick Agent, Jason Bordwine for helping with the representation and bringing demos. Also, to all that ladies and gentleman that demoed the boats, including the instructors at the center that took the time to come out and check out the boats.

The event was held at a feature called 'Dave's Dilemma' on the freestyle channel @ the USNWC 

Results:
1.  Dave Hepp
2.  Kas
3.  Vaughn - paddling the Specialist for the first time
4.  Jason Bordwine
5 (tie) Michael Briere and Jason Miller
7.  Kevin
8.  Dan

Take a look!

 

 

 

This Saturday (June 13th, 2009) @ 5:00 P.M. is the kick off for the second 2009 Charlotte Hometown Thowdown and we want to make sure that everyone knows that there will be a fleet of Bliss-Stick Kayaks available to demo for FREE at the event site.

We will have at least one if not two of the Smoothy 6'1", Specialist 5'9", Super RAD 180, RAD 185, RAD 195, SCUD, Mini Mystic, and Mystic.

Come early and demo the boats through the course!