Boater X

That’s the Alps done and dusted for another year. Just a short trip for me this year, mainly to have a couple of events… These went off ok, more on them coming soon.

The recent ban on paddling the swollen rivers was lifted the day we arrived, the sun came out, and other than dodging an avalanche it was all good.

Cruising down the sunshine run in the sun.

Will Laws dropping in for his first big seal launch, on the second river he’s ever paddled!

Kicking back in the sun after some cracking Briancon Gorge speed descending.

The Gyronde, with a hangover. Splashy at best, mainly crap.

Dagger Beers. Cheers Cheese!!

The first back hammer where I didn’t land on my head. Woo!

All pics thanks to Lowri Davies

Woah. I made a dissertation. Exams are on their way. Crikey, time has zipped by, and before we know it I’ll be in France and it will be time for the student boater X and SlopeJam! (www.studentboater.x.com)

We’ve had the first shortie cag sessions of year, some BBQ action and I’m slowly getting filled up with minging jabs for India. Back to the Grindstone, my poor nose!

 

 Girls in the Fort, Tweed not pictured  — Tom P gets to grips with the meat.

Look closely and you will see I am topless. Phwoar.

It’s all over, France was a giggle as usual, and the Boater X was the jewel in the crown for me. A massive thanks to everyone who turned up, helped out, raced, gave us prizes, or got “Savaged”. I am already super keen to do the whole thing again next year, bigger, more prizes, more partying, and a return of Bar Savage. A few more photos, and some results can be found on the Boater X page here. All pics by Paul Wilkinson, thanks to him!

The next day, we were all a state.

Turns out the alps are a long way away, and take about 3kg of Haribo to get back from.

The boater X rocked, full report coming up when I am more alive, cheers to everyone who helped/raced/cheered/got naked.

It was the summer solstice on the way home, by total chance.

My academic work for the year is done and dusted, and now I have a whole pile of things to look forward to…

Dressing up smartly and getting mucked up drunk. (Sam Leach and Rat Boy featured)

Shortly after that I’m off to the French Alps for a couple of weeks of fun. (Me in the Lions Den, Ubaye last year)

While I’m out there I’ve organised a Boater X, click the banner for more info!

When I get home I have a few weeks of kicking about, doing odd jobs, then I’m going on a sea kayaking adventure, followed by some open boat coaching, liberal amounts of squirt boating, maybe some surfing, and maybe an Ardeche trip.

All too soon it’ll be freshers week, and the whole thing will start again.

 

Last year a few of got drunk in France, and decided it would be a great idea to have a boater X between all the Uni groups that were staying at L’argentiere. Run on a shoestring, and winged for the best part, it was hilarious, and great fun to organise. I decided I would like to run one again this year, and simply chose a date, and time, and put some details on the net. All of a sudden I am being inundated with offers of prizes and support. This totally rocks, cheers to everyone, we are set to have an awesome evening out there!

Currently sponsors include:

Palm Equipment who have given a whole pile of goodies

Level Six who have provided some banners and other race accesories

Tom Parker Coaching and Guiding who have provided some T shirts

Liquid Satisfaction who have provided a million pounds and a trip to the moon, as well as some T shirts!

Slime from Rivers Publishing has provided some books

Thanks to all of them. Its people like them that make paddling so awesome.

More details on the Boater X can be found Here

And for those on facebook…