A busy spring!
Posted By: Peak UK Published: 07/06/2016
Boof time on the Alpin Sprint. Photo: Simon Westgarth
Spring is here and that means one thing- Italy boating! Iʼve been here for about four weeks now and it's been an awesome trip so far...This year I have continued my internship education with Gene17 Kayaking, working with some great coaches and clients. Piemonte is a prime location for developing steep creeking skills, and these guys really know the area, so I have learnt a huge amount in a relatively short amount of time.
Nicky and the guys ready for their team race! Photo: James Linford
After a couple of weeks of coaching and guiding it was time for the Gene17 Kayakingʼs Valsesia River Festival. This is an annual event full of paddling, racing, coaching clinics, talks and (of course) parties. The festival attracts paddlers from all over the globe and this year there was a large focus on dam projects affecting local rivers Mastallone and Artonga
The Night Hawk in action during the team race. Photo: James Linford
The event is based in Campertogno at the paddler-friendly campsite situated on the river banks of the Sesia. The Sesia is a great river for all level paddlers, as it has several sections of varying difficulty. The lower Sesia is a great learning ground for those relatively new to whitewater, or anyone wanting to work on their fundamentals. The middle or ʻclassicʼ Sesia is an excellent section, with continuous whitewater and 4 or 5 bigger pool- drop style rapids interspersed throughout the section. Between the lower and middle sections, is the Sesia Gorge which is an excellent low-water option.
Heading for the finish line in the mass start Boater-X race. Photo: James Linford
Upstream of the campsite is the famous ʻAlpin Sprintʼ section, providing quality continuous whitewater. The Alpin Sprint section is the location for all the races, which included team racing (3 plus participants per a team), individual time trials and a super fun boater-x. The boater-x was mass-start Le Mans style, meaning that everyone starts stood on the bank, then when the whistle goes the race to get in your boat and on the water is on! Some competitors decided to save time by not putting on their spraydecks, which provided some entertaining carnage for the spectators!At this yearʼs event I was super happy to come first in the female individual race!
