Montreal Eau Vive 2019! by Maddie Kimmel | Sep 1, 2019 | Event Coverage, Events, Playboating, Rockstar 4.0, Whitewater, Wrap Ups, WW DisciplinesJetskis, world class whitewater, poutine, Montreal Eau Vive has it all! Montreal Eau Vive is a two day competition held on the Lachine rapids of the St. Lawrence. The event entails both a freestyle and boater cross event. This year was my second time attending...
Prepare for Liftoff in the Rockstar 4.0! by Maddie Kimmel | Apr 24, 2019 | Internationalisation, Playboating, Rockstar 4.0, Whitewater, WW DisciplinesThe Rockstar 4.0 is very different than Jackson’s past playboats. The Rockstar 4.0 features more volume, higher knee placement, more leg room, and a narrower haul, resulting in bigger tricks and infinite amounts of river play! When I first sat in the Small Rockstar...
Paddling with My Little Sister by Maddie Kimmel | Jan 23, 2019 | Family Zone, Kid's Kayaks, WhitewaterPhoto Credits: Brooke Hess Jackie has been paddling for 4 years now. I am amazed by how quickly she is improves every year. Jackie was always small, and we waited for her to be strong enough to pull her skirt and tall enough to reach the feet bags. She was seven when...
A Year in Review: 2018 by Maddie Kimmel | Jan 17, 2019 | Event Coverage, Events, Whitewater, Wrap UpsHard to believe it will soon be 2019! This year I competed in more competitions, ran new rivers, and learned some new tricks! This year I learned to blunt, flatwater loop, flatwater cartwheel, and am starting to get my Mcnasty. I have a total of 10 personal first...
My 3 Favorite Competitions by Maddie Kimmel | Jan 13, 2019 | Event Coverage, Events, Family Zone, Video, Whitewater, Wrap UpsI love competing because it gives me a chance apply my skills I have learned and I get to go paddle with my closest friends and have a good time. I have selected my top 3 favorite competitions from 3 different geographical locations. I enjoyed each competition for...
5 Strategies for Boatercross by Maddie Kimmel | Oct 1, 2018 | Event Coverage, Events, Instructional, Internationalisation, Whitewater, Whitewater InstructionBoatercross is one of the most intense races, where you and your friends go head to head in a downriver or gaint slam race. The smallest mistake can cost you everything here are some strategies to help you succeed in the boater cross- 1. Choose a Fast Line- When...
How to Blunt by Maddie Kimmel | Sep 28, 2018 | 2016 Rock Star Competition, Instructional, Playboating, Whitewater, Whitewater Instruction, WW DisciplinesThe blunt is an 180 degree turn where your bow leaves the foam and the stern is higher than 45 degrees. It is worth 50pts in a comp and is a great building block to other tricks. The blunt is also commonly linked to other tricks such as the blunt-mcnasty. It is...
Log Limbo by Maddie Kimmel | Sep 25, 2018 | Family Zone, WhitewaterToday we took the afternoon to do some safety drills with logs. When creeking logs can be a major safety hazard and it’s important to be able to be able to dodge them. Branches, leaves can create strainers and you could get caught on. Here’s what they look like:...
Challenges by Maddie Kimmel | Dec 22, 2017 | 2016 Rock Star Competition, Family Zone, Kid's Kayaks, Playboating, Whitewater, WW DisciplinesWhether I am in school or on the water, I am always thinking: How can I challenge myself? It could be as simple as catching an eddy or trying a new line. It could also be more complex like learning a new combo in a hole or running a rapid with consequences. Challenges...
My Year in Review by Maddie Kimmel | Nov 25, 2017 | 2016 Rock Star Competition, Family Zone, Playboating, Reviews, rivers, Whitewater, WW Disciplines2017 has been an awesome year and my kayaking has definitely improved. This year I competed in several events including Keeners, Noctoberfest, Paddlefest, Paddle South (USA National Championships), The Corner Wave Classic and Junior Olympics at Nantahala Outdoor...
Positivity and How it Affects your Athletic Performance by Maddie Kimmel | Sep 25, 2017 | 2016 Rock Star Competition, Family Zone, Kid's Kayaks, Playboating, Whitewater, WW DisciplinesWhen you focus on the positive sides to paddling, your performance improves because you focus on improving not your mistakes. You should still pay attention and learn from your mistakes. However, you shouldn’t focus on the fact that you missed your trick or that...
Failure by Maddie Kimmel | May 13, 2017 | 2016 Rock Star Competition, Event Coverage, Events, Family Zone, Kid's Kayaks, Playboating, Whitewater, WW DisciplinesFailure Merriam Webster definition- lacking success Maddie’s definition- not doing your best Failure is something that happens to us all (no matter how it might seem). Last weekend, I failed terribly at the NOC Freestyle Shootout and it was soul crushing. ...
