Project X 56 at work: NOC hole on the Pigeon River

 What an awesome boat! Its a great all around boat, amazing at down river, and especially at what its made for: FREESTYLE. Ive made few recent trips over to the Peigeon river in western North Carolina, and while the river isn't exactly known for quality playspots, there is a "somewhat" new feture down at the NOC outpost that is pretty good. 

 Depending on the level of course its a pretty active hole, with "wavey" characteristics.  Ive been on days when it was nice a retentive, but ive also seen days where it wasn't quite so proactive.  Nonetheless a nice place to get wet in a great boat.

 This playspot has park a huck potential but, you can always run the river just the same to get to it. 

 It also harnesses the ability to go huge on traditional areial moves like loops, godzillas, etc..

Video highlights to come soon, thanks for stoppin by!

-Charlie Simmons-

Team WS

TWO new Whitewater Kayaking Videos to View!

Check out "killing time"- a whitewater kayaking short with footage from the southeast united states. Featuring a little obligatory Green River Narrows footage, Big Scirum Creek, Rock Creek, Tallapoosa River, and The Locust Fork of the Warrior River. See it all here creek boating, freestyle boating, and even some head cam action.

Music:Pretty Lights

Paddling:

Charlie Simmons, Ray Morton, Zach Sanders, Sam Casuey, Collin Hunt and other riders.

enjoy!

Dropping H20 - Whitewater Kayaking in Gorges State Park, NC from charlie simmons on Vimeo.

Check out some class V kayaking in western North Carolina's Jocassee Watershed (Gorges State Park Area).  Including Horse Pasture River, Upper and Lower WhiteWater River, plus a little freestyle footage to glue it all together!

Music: Pretty Lights

Paddling:

Charlie Simmons, Charlie Mix, Sam England, Sam Causey, Zach Sanders, Andy Hobson, Collin Hunt, Jordan Sherman, Tyler Phillips, Will Dowling, King Charles, Ben Bernhard, and other chargers.

-enjoy

2010 Photo Slideshow Review

2010 Photo Slideshow Review from charlie simmons on Vimeo.

This slideshow displays whitwater kayaking, canoeing, and Stand Up Paddleboarding photos taken (with a few exceptions) over the course of the year 2010.

Music: Umphrey's McGee

Photography:

Brittany Nelson, Casey Jones, Mike Nail (creeking.info), and Christine Boush

Enjoy the show

2010 Green River Narrows Race 11/6/10

(above)A Great shot from Creeking.info of me on Gorilla during this years race. Thanks guys!

The 2010 Green River Race went off without a hitch!  An amazing event, one that everyone can enjoy; paddlers and spectators alike. ( If you aren't aware of what it is check my previous posts which describe the event in greater detail  http://www.charliesimmonsboating.blogspot.com/).

Here is a link to the RACE RESULTS

http://greenrace.amongstit.com/2010/11/07/2010-green-race-results/

I got a 5min and 24 second time,  (thats close to 350 vertical feet descended in just under a mile!) and though it didn't go as well as i had planned worked out pretty clean and definately fun! 1st place Finish goes out to Mike Dawson. cheers!

Close up of me on Gorilla, photo by Brittany Nelson

"Sunshine" Right- photo by Brittany Nelson

"Go Left and Die"

Here is a link to a great video from this years race, put together by Get Wet Productions; Featuring many different view points as well as rapids and paddlers.

And yet another video from "Mindless Conception" showcasing an entirely different perspective, and a very cool one at that.

Big Thanks to all of you whom help organize, promote, and follow through with such an AMAZING EVENT!  As well as everyone that hiked in just to watch, cheer, and yes even enjoy the carnage.....it wouldn't be the same without all of you.

See you on the River

-charlie simmons-

Team Wavesport, Shred Ready, Ophion Paddles, Bomber Gear, Skirtworks

12 days to go.....GREEN RACE BABY!! Photo Update

(Gorilla/long boat 10/23/10, charlie simmons)

Big thanks to my fiance Brittany whom hiked in to take such wonderful shots (10/24/10) as well as to Chris' friend Melody.

With only two weeks to go until the race, the chargers are starting to turn out....and not just the locals.  Even with less than ideal river flow the monkey got spanked quite hard this passed weekend; though it did bite back on a few just to show its teeth. Here are some photos from the past few days.

 Charlie Simmons- Gorilla

 Ray Morton/ Scream Machine

 Ray Morton- Niece's Pieces

 Ray Morton- same

 Bryan Kirk- Sunshine Right

 Charlie Simmons- Groove Tube

 Charlie Simmons- Sunshine Right Sequence

 same

 same

 Landing Zone

 David Ledford- Gorilla

 Adriene Levknencht - Gorilla

 Mike Dawson- Gorilla

 Isaac Levinson -Gorilla

 Sonders -gorilla

Tad Dennis - Gorilla

Casey Eichfeld- Gorilla

 hand paddler- gorilla

 Sonders- Powerslide

 Brad McMillan- Powerslide

Chris Wing- Powerslide

 -til next time-

Charlie Simmons

Team Wave Sport Kayaks, Shred Ready Helmets, Ophion Paddles, Bomber Gear, SkirtworkS



19 days and counting...........Green River Narrows Race

 Saturday November 6th 2010; marks the day.  The Green River Narrows Race is one of the worlds most extreme kayak races, and this year is the 15th annual race.  There are several categories in which racers will sign up; Kayak (long boat and short boat classes), C1, Handpaddling, and Iron Man (short + long boat): and of these categories there will be mens and womens. Racers will have timed intervals bewtween there starting point and will paddles as fast as they can (or at least willing to through class 5 rapids) down what is known as the "Monster Mile" this is a stretch of river in the Green river gorge that drops almost 400 feet in one mile!  The majority of the mile is class 4+ and 5 but there are two grade 5+ rapids; "Go left and die" and "Gorilla".

-Below is a short film put together by Five2Nine showcaseing the Green Race and the Green River in particular.  "Currents is a river stewardship focused WebTV program (online video documentary) which uses white water kayaking as a means to educate a broader audience about the risks threatening the world’s rivers and to help highlight the intrinsic value of preserving rivers in their natural state.

More info at five2nine.ca."

Currents - Episode 3 - Asheville, North Carolina from Five 2 Nine Productions on Vimeo.

On race day there will be spectators exceeding 500 whom hike into the remote gorge just to see the action......some of which will be stylish and inspiring; but some of the action will be pure carnage!

Race training has stepped into full effect here in the mountains of western North Carolina, and it has bee a great time on the river.  Days packed with lots of great paddlers, and even more great rapids.  While i have been getting some great video footage, i am saving it for another day however here are some photos all shot over the month of october on the Green River Narrows. Some racers, some not but all good times.

Til Next Time, see you on the river!
-Charlie Simmons-
Team Wave Sport Kayaks, Ophion Paddles, Shred Ready Helmets, Bomber Gear, Skirtworks