Author: Justine

So no-one makes an open canoeing DVD for years and suddenly there are 2 produced within 4 months of each other!

If you are reading my blog then hopefully you are familiar with my DVD “This is Canoeing” which came out in March.  If not click here!

You may also be aware that the people who make “Lunch Video magazine” in the States have also made a canoeing film called “The Canoe Movie” which came out last month. I don’t think the DVD is very widely available outside of North America so I am selling a limited number in my UK/ Europe /Australisia store. The price is £19.99 with free shipping so if you don’t need any  more convincing then click here to buy it now!

If you want to know  more about the DVD then it’s plugged as a look into the passion and pride that is the whitewater canoeing community, paying homage to some of the original innovators in the sport, and giving recognition to the passionate ones who live for it today. Not to mention, some of the best imagery and largest rapids run in canoes, ever! From the “Ain’t Louie Fest” in March 2010 with the 100+ people from across North America, to the waterfalls of the Rio de Oro in Mexico, this film taps into the pulse of the whitewater open boat spirit and will undoubtedly leave you with a longing to pick up a t-grip and leave your skirt at home.

I’ve watched the 35 minute film and the 35 minutes of extras and enjoyed the insight into some of the pioneers of whitewater canoeing with engaging interviews with some of the key characters. My favourite bits were the whitewater action sections with some very impressive rapids being run, including class 5 rapids in a double canoe. There is also great footage of running beautiful and scary looking waterfalls in Mexico – there are some really jaw-dropping drops there. Eli Helbert, Dooley Tombras and friends have got some guts!

So if you want to check it out, watch the trailer and/or buy a copy of the DVD, while stocks last.

I enjoyed discovering ski touring ( back country skiing) last winter. My friend Mike Austin is half way through his training to become a ski guide and he kept me safe on a multi-day trip in the Ortler Alps. In return, I recently helped him to make a short film about his passion for skiing, which will hopefully help him to win an award towards his guide training. I didn’t film that much on my ski trips but there are some of my shots in the film.

On a separate note, it’s the last day of the special offer in the Cackle TV store – buy 1 DVD and get one half price. Any 2 DVDs for £30 or $45. Visit our webshop and scroll down to the offer.

Click here to go to the UK/ Europe/ Australasia store. Click here to go to the US/ Canada/ Japan store.

On  Sunday we paddled to & around Puffin island. The seals were as friendly as usual – this one spent about a minute howling at my stern toggle. I don’t know if she was frustrated by the toggle on the ‘Atlantic LV’ being on top of the kayak, rather than dangling down like on most kayaks. I enjoyed the attention, whatever the reason. Another seal ( or perhaps the same one) took a real interest in my paddle – maybe she liked the colour blue?

We also saw 5 puffins so hopefully they are making a comeback on the island since the rats were exterminated. And 2 black guillemots which we don’t see very often around this way.

Canoe & Kayak mag in the States recently published an article about “This is Canoeing” and another canoeing film which is coming out next month called “The Canoe Movie”. I guess open canoeing films are like busses – there isn’t one for ages and then 2 come along at the same time. The article interviewed me and the maker of “The Canoe movie” and says we couldn’t be more different! Will Lyon’s film is about whitewater canoeing and the people involved in whitewater canoeing, whereas “This is Canoeing” explores all different aspects of the sport from whitewater to canoe slalom to canoe ballet, and of course wilderness trips. You can read more about “The Canoe Movie” here.

If you haven’t seen the preview clip of “This is Canoeing” yet then here it is. The double DVD has won 3 awards and had rave reviews. If you buy “This is Canoeing” from Cackle TV during July then you get 50% off any other DVD from our store. Visit our shop here.