-WANTS YOU!!-
The Locust Fork Invitational kicks off the Alabama Slalom series of races which consists of 3 race events culminating to make the "Alabama Cup." This year the original date scheduled was last weekend (feb 6-7) which was rescheduled due to high water (who would have thought a white water event there could be too much water?) to the weekend of Feb 13-14. And as the weekend rolls around it turns out we were predicted 1-4" of snow. Combine the two and you have a recipe for a low turn out, in both spectators and racers but we still had a HUGE low country shrimp boil friday night followed by a great time throughout the weekend.........
And to top it all off my division, Mens Championchip C1, was the first division to race on Saturday and i was lucky bib #1..... needless to say it was quite brisk, but beautiful and fun nonetheless.
Despite the abnormal weather conditions and the low numbers of spectators and even racers, i think its safe to say all in attendance had a great time myself included. And with a first place finish in my division im all smiles.
So getting more into Sup-ing or Stand Up Paddle boarding I have created the need for a GREAT PADDLE. Currently in the Stand Up Paddle Boarding market the paddles have a very vast range in both price range (anywhere from $40-$500) as well as paddle uses(from flat water, to touring, to racing, to whitewater) and even with such a huge market base it still hasn't been
Materials will be optional, the above shown blade is made of carbon fiber, and other possible options are fiber glass, and even kevlar and same for shaft options.
This blade was built well for white water use, testing GREAT on slides, surfs, holes, river running and even water falls. The strength alone seems virtually "unbreakable" and being based off an already popularly demanded canoe paddle blade, its sure to make a great name for itself amongst Stand Up Paddlers world wide!
Slideshow link:http://www.vimeo.com/6518090
Well the Alabama Slalom race season has begun, and it started with last weekends Locust Fork Invitational.
I competed in Mens C1, Mens K1, and Boatercross. The Boatercross race is a mass start, "free for all", type race. It was a blast! Although only making fourth place, the boatercross race brought the most smiles all round to both racers and spectators.
Mens K1 was good fun as well, and again although i only got 4th place, i was the first place plastic boat finish in the category. I was extremely exhausted when going into my kayak heats, because they were directly after my C1 heats, and each time i had plenty of energy for my C1 heat and then nothing for my k1 heat...... but thats how it goes sometimes.
Anyway, im really looking forward to rest of the Alabama cup series of races, and hope to see ya out there!
The Tallapoosa river, thurlow section, offers great whitewater at all levels possible! With big 
water releases offering up to 13,000 cfs, the Tallapoosa makes great playboating and wonderful BIG water lines all along the river and at especially at the falls. The falls alone offers up 5 standard lines, and as many more as you're willing to try.
But, as with any other dam released river, the Tallapoosa has a minimum low flow also, and only offers up anywhere from 400 to 2,000 cfs(depending on the drought.)
Photo Captions- 1. Me- Dagger Rival OC1- Horseshoe ledge 2. Zach sanders- sticky hole 3. Tallapoosa Falls 12,000cfs 4. Me- The falls 7000cfs 5. Me- Dagger Rival OC1- "The Stomp"line 6. Me- Dagger Rival- "The finger" on line. 7. Going back up for more 8. Me- Blown off the finger... but it was good too. 9. Me- Dagger Response C1- Horseshoe ledge 10-11. Me- Dagger Response C1- "The Finger".
Well, that's all for now but check back for more!
-charlie simmons-
SkirtworkS is great company right out of Friendsville, Md. and they have handsdown some of the best service I have ever delt with. Owners Charles and Karen put a great effort into assuring the best products they can manufacture, and have a handson effort on every product. SkirtworkS even offers custom made skirts to ensure the best fit for the right job.
Ophion paddles are made in small village in Slovenia. Made from the best materials, and using state of the art technique to precision manufacture some of the finest paddles made today in my opinion. 
