Rock Island Rope Swing by ericjackson | Apr 21, 2003 | JK Family PostsWater ran from 8am-9am- Paddled under the most beautiful morning light with both Emily and Dane. Jason Parr and Corey (a photographer from CA) flew in last night. They are producing a coffee table book on 17 athletes and their "home playground". So far today...
First Ever Red Bull Extreme Race and Huck Fest at Rock Island is Huge Success by ericjackson | Apr 20, 2003 | JK Family PostsRed Bull stepped up to the plate to help make an awesome extreme race right here at Rock Island. The main feature of the race is the 21 foot “spout” which is a clean waterfall just downstream of the spill gates. The setting is beautiful, the overlook...
Out of Africa – Part 4 by ericjackson | Apr 20, 2003 | JK Family PostsEvery child learns of the Nile River in school. What we don’t learn is about the incredible rapids on the Nile. The Nile flows right out of Lake Victoria which is about the size of Switzerland but so deep that it holds a record amount of fresh water. We took a...
Out of Africa – Part 3 by ericjackson | Apr 20, 2003 | JK Family PostsWe found great playspots at rapid 2, 3, 7, 8, 10, 18, and 19. We found many others along the way too. Believe it or not we found small holes, and small waves for the basics video as well as plenty of big holes and big waves. We did the flatwater section of the video...
Out of Africa – Part 2 by ericjackson | Apr 20, 2003 | JK Family PostsOur days were taken up by the river. We would wake at 6:30 and eat breakfast at the hotel, then get our gear ready and plan the shuttles. By 8am we would be at the top of the gorge where our porters would take our gear down to the river. By 8:30 we were dressed and on...
Out of Africa – Part 1 by ericjackson | Apr 20, 2003 | JK Family PostsI have been getting lots of requests for both a basics and an advanced playboating video since my book came out three years ago. I finally got a month freed up to go somewhere warm with great playboating water and got some great friends together to film the videos....
New York City Boys and Girls Harbor Kayak Camp by ericjackson | Apr 20, 2003 | JK Family PostsFor Harlem and East side Bronx kids there is a place that offers kids the support, education, and skills to be "upward bound". The program offered in the Children’s Center on 140th and 5th Avenue is called Upward Bound. Add to that program Dr. Jessie...
US National Championships 2003 Team Trials by ericjackson | Apr 20, 2003 | JK Family Posts120 of the top American Freestyle Boaters are going for a few precious spots on the US Team and the coveted title of National Champion. Here is the heat list for today’s competition. The USFKA put the list together in random order to assure everybody gets equal...
US National Championships/ US Freestyle Team Selection – Part 2 by ericjackson | Apr 20, 2003 | JK Family PostsToday is the last day before the big event. It happens to also be the only time to get on the extreme racing course before the big head to head event. Dane wants to race, but I has never been here to run the waterfall before, so today was his lucky day. Phil Boyer,...
US National Championships/ US Freestyle Team Selection – Part 1 by ericjackson | Apr 20, 2003 | JK Family PostsThe circus is in town. The sleepy town of Rock Island has been invaded by the top 100 freestyle kayakers hoping to earn their spot on the US Team. This is America and if you want to represent it, you have to prove your mettle in competition. There is only one way to...
Bill McKnight by ericjackson | Apr 20, 2003 | JK Family PostsHere’s a story about a guy you don’t know, but will, Bill McKnight. He is tall, super nice, kind of quiet, but a full force Hurricane on the water. He is on the dark side, yes, he is a C1er. Many years ago the battle cry of the C1ers in Wash., DC (Jon...
