Comparison Between the Small Gnarvana and the Medium Flow by Hilde Schweitzer | Dec 8, 2023 | Creeking, Featured Post, jacksonkayak.com, JAdventures Main Banner, Whitewater, Whitewater Feature, WW DisciplinesComparison between the Small Gnarvana and the Medium Flow I have been paddling for a long time, been in a lot of different boats of all shapes and sizes in those years, and it takes a lot to get me excited or impressed by any new boat. Last year I surprisingly bonded...
GnarVana Review From a Non Gnar Boater Perspective by Hilde Schweitzer | Feb 16, 2023 | Featured Post, jacksonkayak.com, JAdventures Main Banner, River Running, Whitewater, Whitewater Feature, WW DisciplinesI held off writing a review of the GnarVana for a few weeks to be sure my first impressions would hold up. I am sure we have all been there—instantly loving a boat that later starts to sour on you. First, some stats: Female, 5’8”, 137 lbs, 31 inseam, size 10-11...
The Art of Awesome by Hilde Schweitzer | Dec 23, 2021 | Blogroll, Featured Post, jacksonkayak.com, JAdventures Main Banner, Nick Troutman, rivers, Whitewater, Whitewater Feature, WW DisciplinesDecembers have always been a time of reflection. Looking back on what has been but also looking forward to what might be. I am not a podcast person. It is hard for me to set aside an hour plus or minus to pay attention to anything, let alone some self help or...
Jackson Bees Knees Thigh Hooks | Review by Hilde Schweitzer | Aug 24, 2021 | Antix, Featured Post, Instructional, jacksonkayak.com, JAdventures Main Banner, Nirvana, Playboating, Rockstar 4.0, Whitewater, Whitewater Feature, Whitewater Instruction, WW Disciplines, ZenBees Knees First Impressions—Two thumbs up! To be perfectly honest my absolute first impression taking them out of the box was disappointment. They are smaller bumps than I had imagined, were a bit denser foam cushioning than I would have thought would be comfortable,...
The Raven Stole My Roll by Hilde Schweitzer | Jun 13, 2021 | Featured Post, Instructional, jacksonkayak.com, JAdventures Main Banner, River Running, Whitewater, Whitewater Feature, Whitewater Instruction, WW DisciplinesI work as a guide on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon and the last several years I have mostly done kayak charter trips. One of my first kayak trips decades ago was with a group of friends and one of the guys didn’t have the most reliable roll. He swam at...
Choosing a Beginner Whitewater Paddling Kayak by Hilde Schweitzer | Feb 17, 2021 | Antix, Beginner Moves, Featured Post, Instructional, JAdventures Main Banner, JK University, Whitewater, Whitewater Feature, Whitewater InstructionChoosing a Beginner Whitewater Paddling Kayak Ask any kayaker what they think the best boat for you is and you will likely get a confusing jumble of answers that have little to do with what you really need to know. Today lets look at choosing a beginner whitewater...
The Hype Is Real: Antix 2 Delivers! by Hilde Schweitzer | Aug 22, 2020 | Antix, JAdventures Main Banner, Playboating, Whitewater Feature, WW DisciplinesThe Hype Is Real: Antix 2 Delivers! I don’t know about you, but I get a bit tired of all the rad boaters pushing boats with the implication that anyone, including me, a 69 year old female whose rad date has long expired could somehow come even close to unleashing the...
What’s Stopping You? by Hilde Schweitzer | Nov 25, 2019 | Whitewater FeatureI know I had it easy when I got started kayaking. The boats were fiberglass and home made. There was one model so the choice option was done for you upfront. The gear was pretty abysmal and it always leaked but that didn’t deter us in the least from having fun;...
New Zealand Travel Hacks by Hilde Schweitzer | Nov 13, 2019 | Exploration Feature, New Zealand, Outdoor Adventures, Trip ReportsTravel Hacks for New Zealand Winter in North America is prime time to travel to New Zealand. Whether boating, biking, fishing, hiking or just hanging out on some incredible beaches, November through April is the perfect time for New Zealand travel. Here are a few tips...
What’s in Your Kit #4: Sun Mitts by Hilde Schweitzer | Sep 17, 2019 | Creeking, Instructional, Playboating, River Running, Whitewater, WW DisciplinesWhat’s in Your Kit #4: SunMitts I almost forgot about one of my favorite things in my kit because they have become such a go-to basic item for me. I first started using SunPaws made (and created) by Hayden and Margie Glatte back in the early 90s. ...
What’s In Your Kit #3: SEALS Sprayskirts by Hilde Schweitzer | Jun 22, 2019 | Internationalisation, Reviews, United States, WhitewaterWhats a good boat without a good skirt? Wet at best, dangerous at worst. There are a lot of good skirts out there and everyone has a personal bias or preference towards one particular brand or another. My favorite sprayskirt for many decades now has...
What’s In Your Kit #2: Sunscreen by Hilde Schweitzer | Jun 5, 2019 | Internationalisation, United States, WhitewaterScrolling through the list of what I consider essentials in my kayak kit, this time I am reviewing my favorite sunscreen product, All Good. Just last week it was reported that certain ingredients and chemicals in sunscreens are entering the bloodstream...