Author: Justine

  • “Sarah Outen” & Eric Boomer at Kendal Mountain Festival


    At the end of this week – 14th-17th November – is the Kendal Mountain Festival – the annual showcase for the best of this years outdoor and adventure films. I’m delighted that the 40 minute film I made about Sarah Outen kayaking from London to France and from Russia to Japan is showing as part of the ‘Wild Water’ film session. This can be seen on Friday from 1-4pm, on Saturday between 9-12am and 1-4pm, and 4.30-7.30pm on Sunday. There are of course, lots of other climbing, mountaineering, biking, skiing and adventure films showing, plus some great speakers. You can buy a film pass for 1 day or for the whole weekend.

    In addition, on Saturday from 3.30 – 6pm is the KEEN wildwater session, which is a mixture of films and talks held in the Town Hall. I’m excited that Eric Boomer is the main speaker – an adventurer who has done amazing whitewater trips and waterfall descents and also completed the first circumnavigation of Ellesmere island with Jon Turk on skis and by kayak. He’s talking about his recent gruelling 65-day expedition across Baffin Island, covering over a 1000km by kayak, ski and foot. He and his friends used traditional Inuit-style kayaks that they built themselves. One of the other team members Canadian polar adventurer Sarah McNair-Landry is also presenting with Boomer.

    Both Sarah and I will be at the festival. We’ll be at the KEEN session on Saturday where they are also showing a shorter version of the film about Sarah. We’ll be able to answer questions in the interval if there are any. Tickets for this session are £12.50 but if you are a member of the BCU then they are £10 – you need to find out the code to give at the box office.  We’ll try to get to the other sessions where the film is showing and introduce it.

    If you can’t make Kendal, then you can buy the film on “This is the Sea 5″ DVD, or as a download.

    Sarah_RhoscolynTalking of Sarah, she’s just been in Wales for almost a week doing some kayak training for our next big kayaking adventure. As part of her round the world loop, we’ll kayak about 1400 nautical miles along the Aleutian island chain from Adak  to Homer next Spring/ Summer. It will be really challenging 2-4 month trip so we are preparing mind, body, kit and logistics as much as possible. We are in touch with locals and people who have been to the area but any help/ information is welcome!

    Me&Sarah_Wales

  • Festivals galore

    Norway_festival

    It’s been a busy few weeks. I attended a sea kayaking festival in Southern Norway, Bølgefestivalen, organised by Kajakkentusiesten.

    As well as nice paddling amongst islands, we had a great outside BBQ.

    Norway_festival_trip

    I attended the Dijon Adventure Film Festival where “Tierra Del Fuego” was a finalist. I really enjoyed my first visit to Dijon, which is a charming little town. I was staying in a hotel right next to the train station, and across the road from the town’s 2 cinemas. Trams and stylish people cruised by. The organisers and other film makers were really friendly. The festival format was great. All the films were 52 minutes long and they invited the film makers and/ or stars onto the stage for 10 minutes afterwards to answer questions. Thanks to Paul Evrard for the photos.

    dijon festival

    “Tierra Del Fuego” is also a finalist at the 25th International Graz Mountain & Adventure Film Festival between November 12-16, in Austria. My “Sarah Outen” film is a finalist at the Kendal Mountain Film Festival the same weekend from 14-17 November. I think the film will play 4 times although the programme is still being finalised. Both Sarah and I will be there to introduce the film.

    Anglesey_festival

    I worked at the Anglesey sea kayaking festival which was great fun despite too much wind to be useful! This photo is from the “Open crossings” day! It was far too windy to go to the Skerries so we crossed to the island of Anglesey many times… across the Menai Straits

    Swellies-WaveThere’s been less time than normal for getting out paddling just for fun.. but we’ve managed to few outings. These photos were taken by John Willacy on the Swellies wave – thanks John

    Swellies-By_JW2

    And yesterday Barry and I went on a fun downwind run in a 35 knot blast down the Menai Straits.

    Swellies-Downwind On the same wave

  • Films in France & Paddling in Norway..


    Bande-Annonce Ecrans de l’Aventure de Dijon 2013 by guilde_e


    Today I fly to France to attend the 2013 Dijon International Adventure Film Festival. I’m excited that “Tierra Del Fuego” is a finalist and I’ll be introducing the film on Thursday morning. It’s nice that Yves & Gianfranco worked so hard to make French subtitles for the film as it means people will be able to enjoy it in their first language.

    Dijon FestivI’m only there until Friday as I head to southern Norway for the Bølgefestivalen arranged by Anita Henriksen from Kajakkentusiastene.  I’ll be on the water on Saturday and giving a presentation on Saturday evening.

    Time to pack!

     

  • Fundy Fun

    Shubie_funOops, it’s been a while since my last blog. I haven’t shared how much fun I had in Nova Scotia a few weeks back  which was amazing. I arrived early and spend a few days being shown around by Chris Lockyer, chief honcho at “Committed to the Core” sea kayaking. First stop was a great tidal race off the end of Brier Island at the entrance to the Bay of Fundy. There was a long line of juicy waves as the flood tide swept over a shallow reef, and dozens of seals kept popping their heads out of the water to look on.  Day 2 saw an ultimate whale watching trip. Chris’s parents-in-law took us out on their lobster fishing boat. Once we spotted 2 humbpack whales, we slid the kayaks into the water and waited for the whales to come to us. They were even curious enough to take a look at us above the water and roll on their bellies under the kayaks. It was an incredible experience.

    Fundy_humpbacksThe next 3 days saw us run the Shubie river – this muddy watercourse runs upstream when the flood tide sweeps up the drainage. As the water level rises over sand banks, it forms temporary delicious chocolately waves if you are in the right place at the right time. By day 3, I had either learnt something about the waves, or I was lucky, as I had some amazing rides.

    The final afternoon in that area, Chris took us to a ‘play spot’ that he’s only recently discovered – the Walton Whoppa. This works on the ebb as water rushes back out to sea under a narrow bridge. It starts off as a nice wave and ends up as a nasty hole. It was hard to maintain control on the fast flowing wave and by the time the hole formed, it was a like a rodeo ride which made for some exciting cartwheels and pirouettes for those brave enough to venture onto it. I’ll be making a film of all these events…. the film below is made by Chris and is the first of a series of films he’s making about the tidal races in the Bay of Fundy.


    My last stop was the first Bay of Fundy sea kayak symposium in the Argyle region of Nova Scotia. We stayed at the fantastic ‘Ye Olde Argyler Lodge‘ which was beautifully situated right on the water with dozens of tree-covered islands making up the view. Events ranged from surfing, tidal race paddling, rescues, paddling in style and guided trips. The 100+ participants seemed to enjoy it. If you missed it – or want some more – dates for next year are September 12-15th 2014.

    BOFSKS