Etive Race 2010

On a rainy September day myself and Anton Lippek began the journey to Glen Etive for this years Etive river race. On the drive up we had rain pelting down all the way, both of us, excited for some high river levels.

We arrived at glen etive in the dark, we quickly put up our tent, eagerly anticipating the level of the river.

First light in Glen Etive

We woke up to the sight of two stags, this was cool, however they were walking in a ridiculously low river which did lower the excitement level somewhat. We had breakfast then made our way down to the river.

I got changed quickly in to my new NRS gear, immediately feeling warm and in a bubble away from the elements. After a few arm swings we both felt warmed up to start the river, paddling down styling the first few drops on the way down. As we went down, trying to remember the lines from the year before.

First run down right angle

On our second run down we met up with Pete Scutt and team Pyranha at right angle where Simon Tapely, the team photographer for the day, took some great shots of us on the fall. After this we went down the rest of the river chatting about the afternoons plans.

Second run down Right angle (Picture by Simon Tapley)

After chatting with the guys, we decided to join them to run the River Mheuran. After a long long walk up we reached the top of the run, finding a rock-slide had blocked part of the river. We tried to push rocks out of the way, and block areas to go over rocks. We just about made the pin ball type section passable with a push and a scrape so I walked up to the top. After running the first little slide and drop I was already buzzing for the main shoot.

Looking down from the top I begun to see how steep it was, I sped down the little drain pipe like run and shot off the end followed by a big woo from the other guys. It was the most fun I have had in a long long time, I ran back up to go again.

Flying down the shoot (picture by Simon Tapely)

On the second run I managed to time my strokes alternately tapping against the rock walls making more speed than I thought possible. I boofed off the end and tucked looking down at the insane amount of air I had achieved.

Off the end of the shoot trying to fly (picture by Simon Tapely)

We had one more run before making our way back down the mountain, I had a slightly sore back, even when I was tucking to the max.

Tucking off the drop (Picture by Simon Tapely)

On the walk back to the car I realized how light slalom boats really were...

That night we chilled out in the bar chatting about paddling and what the plans were for the next day, Anton and I ended up running the Etive a couple of times then just resting for the race the next day. . . .

The day of the race we got up early to go and take a look at crack or dawn, after a long debate we decided the line and were confident in running the drop in the race. On arrival to the ski centre we signed in, had a bacon bap and attended the safety briefing where we were told there was going to be a mandatory portage on crack of dawn.

Crack of dawn, night before the race

All the boats got thrown in the back of the van and all the racers were taken down to the river.

In the team race we set of to a flying start, both mine and Antons lines were clean and reasonably fast, just above ski jump Antons paddle got trapped in the rock and wouldn't budge, unfortunately he had to run back up the river bank to get it and it cost us more time than we had to spare.

All the pressure now was for the singles event.

Everyone waiting for the Resualts

I started on the single even sprinting from the start i clean lined all the drops on the way down, I had a few time losses where I got stuck sideways on the rocks on the way down, however most people found this as the river was so low. I boofed the final drop and sprinted at the finish line, other competitors cheering me on, I crossed the line and waited for my breath to recover and for Anton to come over the final drop.

Right angle in the singles race huck and tuck

I finished off 2nd behind Tom Wakling in the sponsored category with the second fastest time of the day.

All in all we had a great trip with some cool paddling with lots of cool people.

Thanks to everyone for a great few days I will look forward to racing again next year :D