DURANCE WHITEWATER SESSIONS, JULY 8TH-9TH, 2017
FRANCE
The second edition of the Durance Whitewater Sessions went down the first weekend of July, in the Durance
Valley in the southern French Alps. Two hundred whitewater paddlers of all kinds (kayaks, sup, open canoeists
and rafters) gathered for two days of paddling, exchange and celebration. The final part of the weekend was
the Grand Descent, which gathered 200 paddlers on the water for a descent from Saint Clement through
Embrun. Saturday evening was filled with Open Air Films. Whitewater legend Dave Manby showed his 1976
re-mastered DudhKosi Expedition film, and French filmmakers Hugo Clouzeau and Stephane Pion showed
their film “Whitewater,” from
their recent Iceland mission.In
between, Steph Pion shared a
teaser of his latest production-
film from a recent self support
via SUP of the Tara River Canyon
in Montenegro. The true goal of
the festival is to put as many
people on the river as possible
during the two-day event. The
long-term goal is to make this
event a European Gauley Fest,
filled with gear testing, clinics,
competitions of all sorts, and
an open film festival. See you all
next year!
Words: Kayak Session Photo:
Kevin SaussurePRESENTS1st 2000 usd
2st 1000 usd
3RD 500 usd
SUBMISSION ACCEPTED
THROUGH DECEMBER
1ST 2017
PADDLE IN PINK CONFIDENCE SERIES, PIGEON RIVER,
NORTH CAROLINA, USA
On June 24th, 18 women gathered at the Pigeon River to get their play on. This year marked three
years of Paddle in Pink organizing this event and every year things seem to get better. Groups this
year were split into smaller numbers so there was more one-on-one instruction. Nikki Malatin (Team
Pyranha) and Katie Dean (Team Dagger) guided the group looking to get vertical, Crystal Gustin
(Team Jackson) lead the short playboat group and Katie Jackson (Team Jackson) ran sweep to
keep things safe. The Pigeon was releasing higher than normal, which only increased the downriver
play fun factor. Girls were working on anything from stern squirts, to splats, rock spins, double pumps,
wave wheels, surfing and cartwheels. There is something to be said about a larger group of women
all together on the river, learning and laughing together. The event is put on in memory of Jennifer
Watson, who lost her life to the Little White Salmon River, to raise money for a local animal shelter.
The raffle consisted of Pyranha schwag (hats and t-shirts), Astral discount cards, a very generous
Kokatat gift card and the grand prize, a hot pink and black Orion cooler stocked full of SweetWater
Brewing Company beer. This year’s Grand Prize winner was Kristin House. Small or big, everyone
walked away with something, and most importantly, these ladies helped raise more money than
before. I’m pretty sure Jen was looking down on all 18 badass women smiling and cheering them on!
A huge thank you to Jackson Kayak, Pyranha Kayaks, Kokatat, Astral, NOC, Jackson Action Wagon
and SweetWater Brewing Company.Words and Photo: Crystal Guskin