This is a winter update from Ottawa Paddle Shack team paddlers Marcos Gallegos and me (Adam Chappell). Last week we when on a little trip to the middle channel on the Ottawa River. No big deal, unless the road isn't a road and is more of a snowmobile trail. But with a few shovels and a 4x4 we managed to get there, buck up, and get on the water/ice and shoot some sweet video.
This was also the first time that i had my CARBON ALL STAR on a fair sized wave and WOW
just WOW!
The level was about 11 feet, the eddys were full of ice, and it was -4 degrees. Great paddling conditions , if i say so myself!
Big thanks to Jean-Nicolas Cyr for all the pictures and video!
The OPS Team is made up of paddlers that are true ambassadors of our store and the whitewater kayaking community.
These guys are going to be keeping us up to date on what the latest and greatest gear is, the best paddling events and competitions, and the best places to go paddle and more! Sweet! Expect to hear and see more of them as the season progresses!
Name: Marcos Antonion Gallegos Neira (Marcos Gallegos)
Place of Birth: Trelew, Argentina
Date of Birth : 08 of November 1986
Hometown: Chaiten, Chile (Currently in Perth, Ontario)
Favorite Places To Paddle: Futaleufu River, Chile; Ottawa River, Canada; Pucon, Chile; Maipo River, Chile; Palvitad, Chile; Gatineau River, Canada; Rouge River, Canada; Lachine, Canada; Mistassibi, Canada.
Why Do You Love Kayaking?
Kayaking is no doubt one of the most important things that ever happened in my life. It is the way i met many of my best friends and it is also the source of many of my accomplishments. Kayaking is definitely my biggest passion. I tis something that i will never stop doing just because of the importance is has in my life. The joy i feel every single second i am in my boat, sharing good times with friends, floating down the river is something i will never give up or forget.
Goals For The Upcoming Season: The goals I have for the 2011 kayaking season and in general is to push my limits as an all around paddler, by discovering the best whitewater in Canada and the US and wherever my kayaking takes me. I am very excited to compete in North America's most famous whitewater competitions and to participate in as many river festivals as i can. Another goal is to go on an expedition in Western Canada and get to know Skookumchuck the tidal rapids in British Columbia.
Name: Adam Chappell
DOB: Montreal on November 3, 1992
Hometown: Stittsville, Ontario
Favorite Places to Paddle: Big Joe in Lachine, Quebec and Sturgeon Falls, Manitoba.
Why Do You Love Kayaking: I love kayaking because of the endless possibilities and opportunities it has to offers. That is what keeps me motivated, pushes me to improve and keeps me focused on my goals. It’s also the most fun I have ever had!
Goals for the Upcoming Season: My goals for the upcoming season are to win the Level 6 cup on my home wave in Ottawa and to maintain my training for the World Championships, since I am an alternate on Team Canada.
I have been whitewater padding for three years now and it has been the best time of my life. I hope the sport will take me around the world; there are so many places around the world to paddle and explore.
Name: Mike McKay
DOB: Feb 17
Hometown: Ottawa ON
Favorite Places to Paddle: Quebec, Mexico, Ecuador, BC, Pacific Northwest, (hope to add to this list every year)
Why Mike Loves Kayaking: Paddling brings you to the most incredible spaces both mentally and physically. Not only have I seen some unbelievable places on earth while sitting in my kayak, but I have learned to look at the earth as an unbelievable place.
Name: “Phitty” Philip Kompass
Birthplace & DOB: Oakville, ON, 1978 08 25
Hometown: I’ve lived all over the country, but I currently reside in Petawawa here in the Ottawa Valley.
Favorite Places to Paddle: Running: Petawawa River Playboating: Habitat 67 Creekboating: Whistler BC, Hood River OR, Ste Adele QC or Chicoutimi, QC
Why Do You Love Kayaking: Kayaking combines the best aspects of life into a single activity. Travel, fresh air and exercise, friendship, the great outdoors, mental and physical challenge, adrenaline and relaxation. It is a sport that allows you to get as much out of it as you put into it, and, you can tailor the experience to meet your needs. If you feel like just chilling out and going for a soul surf – do it. If you want to challenge yourself and test your physical limits... those options are there. Feeling mentally strong? Step up a level in difficulty.
Goals For the Upcoming Season:
This year is shaping up to be a big one for me. I switched from a fast and edgy playboat (Orbitfish) to one of the spud boats the kids like so much these days, so I expect my playboating to suffer greatly. New challenges I guess. More so, this year has plans to push a bit more on the overnight expeditions with some tentative plans for the Gens De Terre, QC (local) Middle Kings, CA and the Homathko in September. If I can accomplish all of those, I’ll be pretty proud of myself. Couple that with some quality time spent on the classics in the ‘Daks, Laurentides and the hills north of Quebec City.
Increasingly I have become focused on some of the challenges facing our sport. Hydroelectric development, access issues and the need to introduce new paddlers will in the coming decades become obstacle to the growth of our sport. For a sport that has given so much to me, I’m starting to feel as though I should begin to return the favour. Maybe I’m getting old.
Favorite place to paddle: I really enjoy creeking in Quebec but, any river, any where, from flat water to class five suits me.
Why do you love to paddle: I love to paddle because it keeps my mind off everything else. When I’m kayaking I get to see some incredible places that most people will never get to see and enjoy. Whether it’s making new friends, setting myself new goals, going on new adventures or understanding how vital our water ways are, kayaking always has something to offer.
Goals for the upcoming season: My goals for this season are to get on the water every chance I get and to paddle some stouts in northern BC.
Want to join the team? We are looking for paddlers across Canada. Post a video on our Facebook page and let us know why you think you would be a great addition to our team!
