23-25th March in Prague
20-21st April in Brno
27-28th April in Olomouc
27.2.2007
Paddler´s second-hand
Paddling season is coming together with traditional
Vodák sport "WHITE WATER SECOND-HAND"
23-25th March in Prague
20-21st April in Brno
27-28th April in Olomouc
Jirka Šťastný
6.2.2007
Special edition of Pyranha kayaks!!!
MISSION
This spring Pyranha comes up with the special "Mission" edition of boats: Burn, 4-Twenty and Recoil. There will be only limited number of these boats and they will be really unique. You will never mistake your boat for someone else?s!! Be yourself!! Be...
6.2.2007
Special edition of Pyranha kayaks!!!
MISSION
This spring Pyranha comes up with the special "Mission" edition of boats: Burn, 4-Twenty and Recoil. There will be only limited number of these boats and they will be really unique. You will never mistake your boat for someone else?s!! Be yourself!! Be different!!!
What next?
First of all the kayaks must be ordered. First come, first served. Once the kayaks are sold out there won?t be any more. You can place your order at your nearest or the most favourite Vodák sport shop.
Order your kayak right now!!!!
Jirka Šťastný
9.1.2007
Cross-country skis, skis and skis?
The weather encourages to unpacking white water equipment and going to one of those beautiful flooded mountain streams. Some actually do so and we others envy them quietly, because this winter?s snow conditions are really terrible. At first sight it looks that it?s impossible to ski anywhere. But we...
9.1.2007
Cross-country skis, skis and skis?
The weather encourages to unpacking white water equipment and going to one of those beautiful flooded mountain streams. Some actually do so and we others envy them quietly, because this winter?s snow conditions are really terrible. At first sight it looks that it?s impossible to ski anywhere. But we spent last weekend on Praděd and it was quite good. There was a well groomed trail both for classic technique and skating between Ovčárna and Švýcárna. Moreover, the trail seemed to continue to Červenohorské sedlo. There was a bit of rain on Sunday, but about 30cm of a quite firm snow base remained. I took a few photos.
Saturday:
:
Sunday:
Furthermore, here are some news from our shop:
We have extended our range of goods with Coltex climbing skins. Coltex climbing skins are probably the most widely used climbing skins for alpine touring skis and newly for backcountry cross-country skis, too. With the skins we also provide impregnation and glues. Considering the number of skin sizes and types we provide them only per order, but very quickly.. in about three days.
This season we offer wonderful Windstoper gloves for cross-country skiers but, unfortunately, we forgot to inform you earlier. The gloves are very comfortable, not too warm, but windproof - simply ideal for performance cross-country skiing.
Another novelty of this season is that we equip race skiers, above all cross-country skiing and winter orienteering clubs. We offer: Sporten Bhemia RCX racing skis, racing cross-country skis Madshus Hypersonic and Madshus Megasonic and racing cross-country skis Fischer RCS, the boots we offer are Alpina, Madshus, Fischer and Salomon racing boots. We provide racing suits by Swix, Craft and NewLine. Racing waxes we mostly deliver are Cera System by Swix and Holmenkol speedblocks. Our offer also includes other equipment and accessories: waxers, waxing tables, brushes, scrapes, ski bags?
Sports clubs can have interesting quantity discounts!!
Jirka Šťastný
5.1.2007
Pyranha news
Pyranha news
Jirka Šťastný
22.12.2006
How and why to buy cross-country skis
Firstly, why should you buy cross-country skis? Simply because you don?t have them or you need a new and better pair instead of your old one. If you haven?t tried cross-country skiing yet, you probably don?t know how beautiful sport it is. It?s an outdoor activity in the fresh air. It doesn?t have to...
22.12.2006
How and why to buy cross-country skis
Firstly, why should you buy cross-country skis? Simply because you don?t have them or you need a new and better pair instead of your old one. If you haven?t tried cross-country skiing yet, you probably don?t know how beautiful sport it is. It?s an outdoor activity in the fresh air. It doesn?t have to be physically demanding unless you want to tone up your body. You can go for short trips through Vysočina or around your abode, but on the other hand you can become a fit sportsman. Cross-country skiing is healthier than walking. It doesn?t hurt your joints at every step, but your body ? arms, legs, abdominal and dorsal muscles ? is exerted evenly. In comparison with downhill skiing you don?t have to pay for a ski lift, wait in a queue, but you can go downhill just the same. Moreover, you can see lots of new places. There are many more reasons why you should try cross-country skiing, but I suppose I have already persuaded you that you can?t live without it any more.
If you have got cross-country skis, but they are old and damaged, or they simply don?t fit you, there?s no need to linger over buying a new pair. Skiing on skis with remnants of a base, round edges, old bindings, which hold drenched soft boots, cannot be pleasant. There is a whale of a difference between recent good-quality cross-country skis and the skis we were used to buy few years ago. Not only the skis improved, but the main differences are the bindings and the boots that go with.
So, it is clear now that you need cross-country skis, but how to buy them? How to choose a suitable pair?
Firstly you should decide how you are going to use the skis. Are you planning quiet family trips mostly in groomed trails? Are you going to ski away from trails and paths at all? Will you ski in steep slopes? Do you wish to improve your fitness but you aren?t interested in techniques? Do you prefer performance or racing skiing? Or do you want a bit of everything? You should even choose a style. Will you prefer classic style? Or are you going to have a pair of skis for classic and another one for skate skiing? Or do you want one pair of skis for both styles? Answer these questions before you continue reading this article.
Categories of cross-country according to their purpose
Touring skis
Children?s skis
Backcountry skis
Nordic crossing (fitness)
Performance skis ? skating, classic
Racing skis ? skating, classic
Touring skis
Touring skis are probably the best selling cross-country skis. The ski width is between 48-55mm. It allows skiing both in groomed trails and out of them, even in deep snow. These skis allow principally the classic style of cross-country skiing. We recommend buying skis 15-25cm longer than the stature of the skier. You can choose the shorter length, if you are slim, but if you are heavier or you prefer faster skiing, choose the longer skis. The skis are made with a soft camber for easier kick without slipping, so even a less experienced skier has no difficulty when waxing correctly. The soft skis are very pleasant and you don?t have to be afraid of them, unless you are a fit athlete. They are slightly slower than hard skis, but touring isn?t about speed. There are also touring skis made with wax less finish in a wax pocket. Such a finish has its advantages as well as disadvantages. The advantage is that you don?t have to apply any kick wax, but don?t forget about glide wax. (More about waxing in waxing courses - ?Kdo maže, ten jede?? organised by Vodák sport) The main disadvantage of the wax less (fish scale pattern) bases is that they cannot be waxed, because on some types of snow they don?t work and then you cannot do anything. The second, even though less important disadvantage is, that these skis are slightly slower. I rather recommend waxable skis with that you learn to wax them. Waxing really isn?t as complicated as it looks.
Children?s skis
Children who are starting with skiing can have ski shorter than their stature. We choose touring skis which are more suitable for children thanks to their width and better stability. We can start teaching children to glide when they are about 5-6 years old. Then they need longer skis, which should be about 15cm longer than the child?s stature. We better teach children the classic style of skiing which isn?t as physically demanding as skating. For total beginners you can also get the wax less skis, but if you wax your skis, it is sensible to get the waxable skis for your child too. The skis will glide better and the child can learn a bit about waxing. If you ski more sportingly with your children, you can buy them narrower performance skis after about two years of skiing. From the age of ten we buy children skis by the same rules as adult.
Backcountry skis
So called Backcountry skis are becoming fashionable again. They are suited for skiing in terrain - something like an off-road car or a mountain bike. In general they are as wide as the touring skis or wider ? up to 70mm (similar to downhill skis). They have one or both steel edges. Thanks to the edges you can ski on hard icy surfaces, which is very pleasant especially during downhilling. Yet the steel edges are more resistant, so the skis last longer. So, if you ski somewhere in mountains out of groomed trails, the backcountry skis are the right choice. There are also models up to 55mm wide that fit into groomed trails. Those are ideal multi-purpose skis for both terrain and a trail. Suitable length of these skis is 10-15cm longer than the skier?s stature.
Nordic crossing (fitness)
These are the skis for those who are keen on active fitness style, especially those who got hooked on summer ?nordic walking? style. The skis should be much shorter than the classic cross-country skis. We recommend the height of your stature. The skis are mostly delivered with a wax less base so that their user has to do very little to prepare them. The skis aren?t intended to get you from place to place, but they are made to improve your fitness regardless of your style or experience in cross-country skiing.
Performance skis for classic style
These skis are principally suitable for groomed trails, but thanks to their tough design they can also stand up to skiing on ungroomed snow. They are narrower than the touring skis (45-47mm), so you may sink into softer snow on them. Their camber is slightly stiffer, so they aren?t suitable for total beginners, who haven?t yet mastered their kick. If you have bought new skis and they keep slipping however you wax them, their camber is probably too stiff for your weight or technique of skiing. Then you need to buy a new softer pair of skis or improve your kicking technique. The length of the performance skis for classic cross-country skiing style is 20-30cm longer than the skier?s stature. If you are slim, choose softer, i.e. shorter skis, otherwise choose the longer.
Performance skis for skating
Skating cross-country skis have much stiffer camber than the classic skis. That?s why they aren?t suitable for classic style of skiing and if you try it, your kicking will be difficult and unsteady. The stiffer camber, the faster skis, but be careful. Too stiff ski doesn?t grip the snow well, it is unsteady and it slightly floats on the snow. So, choose the stiff skis when you are starting with skating but not the stiffest. The length of skating skis should be 5-15cm longer than the skier?s stature.
Performance skis ? combi
These skis are both excellent and no big deal :-). I will explain? Having one pair of skis for both classic skiing and skating is great but it?s got also some disadvantages. The combi cross-country skis have a stiffer camber than the classic skis. That?s the cause of your troubles when you aren?t heavy enough or your kick style isn?t perfect, because your skis keep slipping. On the other hand they are be very fast. Another disadvantage is skating with kick wax applied in the kick zone of the skis, because they are slower than skating skis waxed with glide wax. Moreover the combi skis should be longer than skating skis, which may cause troubles in narrow tracks. The length of the combi cross-country skis is 10-20cm longer than the skier?s stature. I would recommend them if you want to have only one pair of all-round cross-country skis. If you don?t mind carrying two pairs of skis it?s definitely better to have a pair for classic and a pair for skating. However heavier skiers can take advantage of the stiffer camber, so they don?t need to buy too long skis for classic style and the skis are still able to bear them.
Racing skis for classic style
Racing cross-country skis are simply great. Beautiful at sight. Costing about ten to fifteen thousand Czech crowns. With amazingly fast base the skis simply fly over the snow. But watch out, as the category suggests, racing skis are for competitors. If you haven?t mastered your kick and glide precisely, you will suffer on them. They are quite stiff but very light, so they aren?t as resistant as necessary. They are usable only in groomed trails. If you learn cross-country skiing well, you will have really great time on the racing skis. The skis are faster on firm groomed snow thanks to their width, which is only 43-46mm, but for softer trails it?s better to choose slightly wider skis. Some producers even make one type of racing skis with different width that are used on different types of snow. The length of the classic racing cross-country skis should be about 20-30cm longer than the skier?s stature.
Racing skis for skating
Previous sentences also apply to skating racing cross-country skis. They are simply racing skis. They are quite narrow hence unsteady. But they are pretty fast and if you are good at skating, you will really enjoy them. The length of these skis should be about 5-15cm longer than the skier?s stature.
I hope you have found at least some new and important information in this long text. Hopefully you know a bit more about buying cross-country skis now and you won?t believe those profit-mad salesmen every word :-) Though I recommend consulting your choice with shop assistants in specialised cross-country skiing shops and accept their well-meant advice. Also be careful when buying second-hand equipment. Cross-country skis that have been used in foreign ski rentals for a few years look like new but their condition is poor. Their camber has softened or it will go soft during your first few trips. That?s because there is enough snow in Austrian or Swiss ski areas and the base of the skis doesn?t suffer on stones or other inconveniences. But they are used very intensely and often and every ski goes soft after some X kilometres. In our winter conditions the skis soften when they are completely damaged, but there they are practically new? Yet beware of cross-country skis being sold in supermarkets. Although they bear renowned trademarks, they are useless for decent skiing. These cheap skis have bad base, to which waxes don?t adhere well. Their inner structure isn?t usually same in a pair, so their camber is different, too. Moreover, the used materials cause up to ten times quicker softening of the skis than the materials of quality skis.
You should also pay special attention to bindings and boots. Connection between a ski and a boot is quite an important thing. Very common N75 binding should be recommended only to those who want to walk in boots rather than ski. Then there are different types of more or less suitable bindings. I wouldn?t recommend trying to save money on it. You simply cannot save money on boots and bindings. If you buy them cheap, they are of poor quality. The only suitable bindings are Rottefella and Salomon. Sometimes they appear under another name, for example Rossignol, Fisher and so on, but they are still the same two types. As for their quality the two types of bindings are entirely equivalent. Recently it is probably better to buy Rottefella thanks to NIS system. But there could be other long articles written about boots, bindings, clothing, waxing etc. Maybe some other time.
Now, I can only recommend visiting one of Vodák sport shops, where we will help you willingly. To learn more about maintaining and waxing of your cross-country skis I suggest attending the ?Kdo maže ? ten jede? waxing course organised by Vodák sport company.
I wish you lots of great adventures on snow!!!!
If only it would snow.. :-) But it?s possible even without it, isn?t it?
Jirka Šťastný
22.12.2006
Pyranha AMMO
New AMMO by PYRANHA size M is already stocked. It will be tested in Olomouc swimming pool on 30th December 2006 at 11:45 ? 13:15 o?clock. So, don?t hesitate, if you want to try out the new boat. There?s only limited capacity of the swimming pool....
22.12.2006
Pyranha AMMO
New AMMO by PYRANHA size M is already stocked. It will be tested in Olomouc swimming pool on 30th December 2006 at 11:45 ? 13:15 o?clock. So, don?t hesitate, if you want to try out the new boat. There?s only limited capacity of the swimming pool.
Vilda
20.12.2006
...it?s Christmas...
We wish you beautiful Christmas holidays, sound health, good luck and lots of unforgettable adventures on both river and snow in year 2007.
Vodák sport team
Vodák sport team
7.12.2006
Láďa Vaňha
Yesterday, on his 56th birthday, Láďa Vaňha left for a better world.
He died after a short serious illness at about five o?clock in the afternoon. Mr. Noah was one of the chief boat designers in the world. He first became famous in America where he (thanks to his assignment and ingenious boat designs)...
7.12.2006
Láďa Vaňha
Yesterday, on his 56th birthday, Láďa Vaňha left for a better world.
He died after a short serious illness at about five o?clock in the afternoon. Mr. Noah was one of the chief boat designers in the world. He first became famous in America where he (thanks to his assignment and ingenious boat designs) started, as one of the first, large-scale production of polyethylene boats and became a businessman of the year there. After a fire disaster, when he lost hundreds of boats prepared for distribution, he returned to the Czech Republic and later helped to start production of first polyethylene kayaks there. In America he sold his designs to Dagger, who was very successful with them next few years. Láďa?s seats have produced up to the present with only slight changes.
He still wished to return to production of his own kayaks, so he set up on his own and started to produce Noah boats again. An excellent Inuendo, one of the best boats in the world at that time, came to light. After few years, when he was trying to solve a problem of quality, Láďa managed to build, practically purse less, a well running boat factory. Hardly anybody would stand the burden laid to Láďa. Finally, he couldn?t stand it either. Now, he is running down another river than he used to run here, though he remains with us. He bides in our hearts and memories...
Most of the paddlers in our country paddle or used to paddle the Noah boats. They are brilliant. Thank you, Láďa.
PS:
Some Láďa´s photo´s
Jirka Šťastný
5.12.2006
ReCoil and AMMO
Pyranha factory works as hard as it can and produces all the new models, such as Recoil M and L and AMMO..... If you wish to know more click
HERE, or
HERE. AMMO is...
5.12.2006
ReCoil and AMMO
Pyranha factory works as hard as it can and produces all the new models, such as Recoil M and L and AMMO..... If you wish to know more click
HERE, or
HERE. AMMO is a real creek boat for freestylers or paddlers accustomed to a flat bottom. Really MEGA!! A loop with a creek boat, do you think it?s impossible? So watch it
HERE An AMMO review is
HERE
Vilda
5.12.2006
Giftsgiving
The first gifts have their lucky owners.
CONGRATULATIONS to quickfeet!!! Although, somewhere it lasted till today, when the right winner with the right password arrived ;-) You can hear well. A chance to win was still here this morning... It will be probably harder next time, so don?t stop watching...
5.12.2006
Giftsgiving
The first gifts have their lucky owners.
CONGRATULATIONS to quickfeet!!! Although, somewhere it lasted till today, when the right winner with the right password arrived ;-) You can hear well. A chance to win was still here this morning... It will be probably harder next time, so don?t stop watching our site so that you are always in time here!!!
Jirka Šťastný
5.12.2006
Cross-country ski waxing courses in Olomouc
Cross-country ski waxing courses in Olomouc
On 9 December 2006 at Olomouc Vodak sport shop after the Saturday swimming pool. The course begins at 2 pm and lasts about 1-1.5 hour. Entry fee 50,-Kc should cover the cost of a lecturer?s journey from Brno. Everyone who has got hooked on this beautiful...
5.12.2006
Cross-country ski waxing courses in Olomouc
Cross-country ski waxing courses in Olomouc
On 9 December 2006 at Olomouc Vodak sport shop after the Saturday swimming pool. The course begins at 2 pm and lasts about 1-1.5 hour. Entry fee 50,-Kc should cover the cost of a lecturer?s journey from Brno. Everyone who has got hooked on this beautiful sport will be welcome by Olomouc Vodak sport team.
Information and reservation on telephone number 604 743 932. Address Kyselovska 57 Olomouc - Slavonin.
Vilda
4.12.2006
Školení
A "cross-country ski preparation, waxing and service" course
Certainly you know the feeling when your cross-country skis slip under your feet, drag, don?t slide... It?s necessary to wax. But how? What with? We will answer these questions at our waxing course, organised by Vodak sport. During 1.5 hour...
4.12.2006
Školení
A "cross-country ski preparation, waxing and service" course
Certainly you know the feeling when your cross-country skis slip under your feet, drag, don?t slide... It?s necessary to wax. But how? What with? We will answer these questions at our waxing course, organised by Vodak sport. During 1.5 hour you?ll get basic information about preparation, waxing and servicing of your cross-country skis. The course takes place on odd Thursdays (the next on 7 December 2006) at Vodak sport near Vankovka, Dornych 25a at 16:00 o?clock. More information and reservation on 543 216 179. Course price 50,-Kc, customers of Vodak sport free.
We are looking forward to seeing you.
Tomas
2.12.2006
First surprise
So, it?s here!!!!
The first gift goes to our loyal customers....
2.12.2006
First surprise
So, it?s here!!!!
The first gift goes to our loyal customers.
The first customer from now that comes to a Vodak sport shop and gives the right password:
Vodák sport ? speciálka na lodě a běžky,
gets an excellent, nearly unbreakable, waterproof camera case -
OUTDOORCASE worth 690,- Kc - for free!!! If you are smart and visit more Vodak sport shops (Brno, Olomouc, Ostrava, Praha), you will get more cases. But you must be the first customer everywhere :-) !!!
Don?t hesitate and come for the gift!!!
Jirka Šťastný
21.11.2006
Croscountry ski at Olomouc shop
...
21.11.2006
Croscountry ski at Olomouc shop
Vilda
13.11.2006
Test ReCoil
We are testing ReCoil size M - a brand new kayak by Pyranha - on November 15th in Olomouc swimming pool. Call 604 743 932 if you wish to try out this boiling new. Already in our catalogue!!!...
13.11.2006
Test ReCoil
We are testing ReCoil size M - a brand new kayak by Pyranha - on November 15th in Olomouc swimming pool. Call 604 743 932 if you wish to try out this boiling new. Already in our catalogue!!!
Vilda
10.11.2006
First remarks from the Sport Life Fair
The Sport Life Fair is in full swing. Here are some first photos of our stand only, because we weren?t able to take a look round the whole fair, yet....
10.11.2006
First remarks from the Sport Life Fair
The Sport Life Fair is in full swing. Here are some first photos of our stand only, because we weren?t able to take a look round the whole fair, yet.
The fair is excellent again this year. In six halls you will find: outdoor, bikes, fitness, caravans, boats, golf.... We are in the outdoor section of hall A1 this year, stand 42. A more comprehensive report is coming soon. You still have a chance to visit the fair in person up to the Sunday evening.
Jirka Šťastný
4.11.2006
SPORT LIFE
Don?t miss the biggest sport fair in our country!
At the Vodak sport stand...
4.11.2006
SPORT LIFE
Don?t miss the biggest sport fair in our country!
At the Vodak sport stand (hall A1) you will see and probably also be able to buy at favourable prices kayaks, canoes, inflatable boats, white water equipment, cross-country skiing equipment ? skis, poles, bindings, boots, clothes...
Jirka Šťastný
4.11.2006
Paddlers? film festival + The Folk Nut
Paddlers? film festival in Slovakia
It isn?t a long way to Trencin and it will certainly be worth your journey. Vodak sport supports nothing but interesting events and it is one of the sponsors of this festival. So, if you are free on Saturday, set out to Trencin. Here is an invitation from organisers:
Olaf...
4.11.2006
Paddlers? film festival + The Folk Nut
Paddlers? film festival in Slovakia
It isn?t a long way to Trencin and it will certainly be worth your journey. Vodak sport supports nothing but interesting events and it is one of the sponsors of this festival. So, if you are free on Saturday, set out to Trencin. Here is an invitation from organisers:
Olaf Obsommer, a film-maker and one of the eminent European kayakers, comes in person to present his new film Sick Line IV on 11 November at the international film festival mountains and city in Trencin. A Slovak and Czech premiere!
The fourth part of the cult kayaker film series shows a kayaker year of Olaf Obsommer and his friends, top paddlers, on their journeys down the European rivers. Going wildly down the white water isn?t only a sport; it?s a lifestyle, a never ending journey through the magnificent world of water. Great performances go hand in hand with accidents, but pain is temporary whereas fame lasts for ever.
Another white water film presented at the festival will be Dream by Peter Csonka, who peeps into lives of Slovak freestyle paddlers during competitions and their journeys to wild rivers.
During the three days the visitors of the event will see nine hours of quality films shot by an authentic camera of documentarists from all over the world and more amusing films of regional amateur authors. The best amateur film will be awarded in the end of the event. There will be school performances in mornings. The film festival also includes lectures and talks with prominent personalities of mountain sports completed with slide shows, exhibition of mountain photographs and an amateur photograph competition, a mini fair of producers and dealers of outdoor equipment. Among the activities there will be a drytooling competition on an artificial climbing wall and a downhill run on mountain bikes in forest park Brezina.
More info about the festival on site
href="http://www.horyamestotrencin.sk ">www.horyamestotrencin.sk
THE FOLK NUT is an event that has been supported by Vodak sport for a long time. If you are attracted by folk songs and everything around, make yourself free and come from Friday to Sunday.
Here is the programme:
THE FOLK NUT
9th year
Bezbarierove divadlo BARKA, Brno
www.oresak.cz/fo.html
Programme:
Friday 10.11.2006
Zakeri
Douda band
Mosny
Hluboke nedorozumeni
Saturday 11.11.2006
Pocity
Taurus
Oresak
Jauvajs
Sunday 12.11.2006
Neshody
Jen tak tak
Kamen urazu
Black Uganda Choir
Presenter: Jiri moravsky Brabec
Admission:
one-day 80 Kc in advance sale, 100 Kc at the event
permanent 160 Kc in advance sale, 200 Kc at the event
A programme about The Folk Nut: Tuesday 7.11.2006, 19.15 o?clock, Radio Proglas
There is an after-party in non-smoking wine bar ?U Sosona?, Dobrovskeho 30, after the official part of the programme on Friday and Saturday.
http://www.u-sosona.com
More information about the festival: http://www.oresak.cz/fo.html
partners:
Folktime http://www.folktime.cz/
Radio Proglas http://www.proglas.cz/
Radio Petrov http://www.radiopetrov.com/
Radio Folk http://www.radiofolk.cz/
Kult http://www.kult.cz/
You can combine both events with a visit of Sport Life Fair (9-12.11). There?s everything that?s new in most sports around us, so every sports-minded person should grasp the opportunity to visit the fair. Vodak sport stand will be newly in hall A - OUTDOOR section. We didn?t feel well among yachts last year and this year we are going to present lots of cross-country skiing equipment. Of course, we keep the white water equipment and you can look forward to new interesting developments in it. We are looking forward to your visit!!
www.horyamestotrencin.sk
Jirka Šťastný
31.10.2006
Eskimo roll
Eskimo
bay Olomouc: Wednesdy and Saturday - info: 604 743 932 or bazen@vodaksport.cz
bay Brno: Thursday - info: +420 604 694 561 or tomas@vodak-sport.cz
Vilda
27.10.2006
Photos from first day Olomouc
...
27.10.2006
Photos from first day Olomouc
Jirka Šťastný
21.10.2006
Few photos from the last Saturday morning in Brno
And what?s next?
The next second-hand market is from Monday to Saturday in Prague Vodak sport. Remaining boats and equipment from Brno will be taken on Thursday morning to Olomouc and added to things brought there by customers. The second-hand market in Brno went really well. The weather was...
21.10.2006
Few photos from the last Saturday morning in Brno
And what?s next?
The next second-hand market is from Monday to Saturday in Prague Vodak sport. Remaining boats and equipment from Brno will be taken on Thursday morning to Olomouc and added to things brought there by customers. The second-hand market in Brno went really well. The weather was nice, lots of people came and nearly fifty boats were sold :-).
There are still about fifty boats in Brno after the market, so you can come for them till Wednesday. Then they will be moved to Olomouc. It?s clear, that second-hand market there will also be a great event. As usually, there will be some interesting programme in the evening. More information is certainly on Vilda?s Vodak sport site
www.vodaksport.cz. If you weren?t in Brno or you aren?t in Prague this week, make sure you are able to come on Friday and Saturday to Olomouc. You are hearing well ? Friday and Saturday. The Olomouc market also lasts two days this year. I will be there, too. I?m teaching white water instructors at the university and I?m strongly attracted by the fun at the Olomouc market.
Moreover, we have already started delivery of cross-country skiing equipment and skis to both our shops in Brno and to Olomouc. So you can buy it together with cheaper white-water equipment (some new goods are also at great discount)... It is worthwhile to come!!!!
Jirka Šťastný
18.10.2006
Elvis lives
Elvis lives or Vavrinec creek was worthwhile of going again!!!
As usually, this year?s Vavrinec creek was a success. What shall I write, you all have been there anyway, or haven?t you? Raise your arm, if you weren?t there :-)
I was there and enjoyed myself... I?ll start with paddling, although...
18.10.2006
Elvis lives
Elvis lives or Vavrinec creek was worthwhile of going again!!!
As usually, this year?s Vavrinec creek was a success. What shall I write, you all have been there anyway, or haven?t you? Raise your arm, if you weren?t there :-)
I was there and enjoyed myself... I?ll start with paddling, although the most important events usually take place off the stream :-)
Saturday was a glorious day as cut out of a calendar page ?gorgeous Indian summer?. The Sun shone nicely and pulled out many paddlers to water. There was more then enough water in the creek this year. That made the first footbridge in Vavrinec very attractive for the audience, while many paddlers passing under it cooled pleasantly themselves down in the water. Following rapids were also interesting and provided a lot of fun. Not only customers of some travel agencies, sent to a ?slaughter? without necessary canoeing experience, were involuntarily swimming, but also some experienced matadors were just toys in waves. Anyway, the renowned cataract near Tousice was easy :-)) only for stuntmen... water ran through the more technical right part of the riverbed. Other brave paddlers finished their run in the first hole under an extremely high jump in the beginning of the cataract. Ideally, someone pulled them out, otherwise they bumped down the stoniest cataract in our country on their bottoms (I wouldn?t wish to see their bruises)... Those who survived or sensibly carried their boats along the bank could look forward to an unrepeatable (actually once a year repeated) gorgeous evening dance party.
As usually, the party was the best one in a year. There were at least five hundred exhilarated paddlers squeezed in a hall for about a hundred people. The band played really well, so nothing could keep you from dancing except the few neighbours standing on your feet, of course :-) The evening pleasantly passed in excellent atmosphere. The first team competition ? rolling the barrels - started at ten o?clock. Surprisingly, the barrels were great, plastic and competitors rolled in them. Difficulty of the competition was increased by a rum relay. (Actually, the paddlers? drink Rum isn?t Rum any more, simply the drink we used to call Rum before we entered the EU :-)) The first prize was a bottle of... what?... of the fluid once called Rum :-) So the winners had the time of their lives.. The following dance series were really intensive and soaked everyone?s T-shirts with sweat :-) The traditional cancan took place at eleven o?clock. I would say it?s always the same but the opposite is true. The dancers are even more beautiful from year to year, although in the beginning they were the most beautiful dancers I had ever seen :-) They danced with brilliance so the hall roared. It wouldn?t surprise me if the hall collapsed. About a fifty kilogram?s light had fallen among us during a dance few years ago, but that was nothing in comparison to what is usually going on here :-))
Ha! I?ve nearly forgotten!!! The most important person of the evening was Elvis!!! Space people paid their visit to ordinary paddlers last year, this year Elvis rose from the dead!!! Really!!! The real divine Elvis is alive!!! He was there with us and enjoyed the whole evening!!! He even touched my wife!!!! I don?t exist for her any more :-( she thinks only of him, the cool, divine Elvis....
And what happened next? We were dancing, a bit drinking ;-) and the party continued... Interrupted by results of the inserted race for Iron pot, which I at last left to another poor one :-) and a terribly long tombola... Sponsors don?t be silly!! Don?t put so many things to it!! The tombola took one and a half hour...:-)
On the other hand there was something nice (from Vodak sport for example ? hidden advertising :-)) for almost everyone (except us :-))
I cannot comment what followed the tombola... but if I made up something, there wouldn?t be anyone to squeak. Those who went to sleep weren?t there; those who stayed till the morning don?t remember anything :-))
And it?s Sunday...
A day as cut out of a calendar page ?ugly raw autumn?
Changing into cold wet rugs and going down the unpleasantly splashing ugly cold creek...
My goodness!!! That?s actually what we paddlers like most!!! That?s the essence of canoeing!!! Splendid!!! And the cascade in the end!!!
The Vavrinec creek was the last dot in this year?s season; at least for me. There?s a White water second-hand market this weekend and then I?m looking forward to skiing; but I?ll write about that another time :-)
A few links to conclude:
You can see Marek?s photos
here.
And the results of the competitions hopefully
here.
Jirka Šťastný
8.10.2006
Paddler in a forest ...
Paddler in a forest or: Orienteering ? is that a good idea? What kind of idea is that anyway?
When a friend told me that there is a regional orienteering race in Damborice near Brno, I didn?t even think about taking part in it. Actually, I used to do orienteering, but ten years ago I took part...
8.10.2006
Paddler in a forest ...
Paddler in a forest or: Orienteering ? is that a good idea? What kind of idea is that anyway?
When a friend told me that there is a regional orienteering race in Damborice near Brno, I didn?t even think about taking part in it. Actually, I used to do orienteering, but ten years ago I took part in my last race. Since then I have only paddled. When a friend told me: ?Let?s go for a run?, I thought of possible excuses... but there wasn?t any good paddling opportunity, so I at least promised to discuss the matter with my wife hoping she would reject it. But she didn?t... she decided to go to a family trip... so we went to Damborice. I rummaged out my old outfit, shoes, a chip, but not a compass. I borrowed two compasses at my mum?s, to choose the better one, and we set out. The wine area to the south of Brno didn?t frighten me. It should have been flat... but... it wasn?t. Steep valleys, high hills... and what?s more, I decided not to be a chicken and entered for the most difficult race. So I had to run 10.5 kilometres (as the crow flies) and 500 vertical metres.
Fearing the worst we arrived to Damborice. Surprisingly I knew many people there, who also remembered me... Evidently most of the people who used to run races ten years ago still run.
Filling in the application form I had asked to start early... seeing the starting list I was astounded. Starting time 120 minutes put me right to the third half :-) of the field. That meant I would remain alone in the forest and be late for finish.
So I had plenty of time before the start, which was about one kilometre away. In the meanwhile I accompanied my children, who were getting off to the forest along ribbons. Having fifty more minutes to the start I was warming up my body and running around to kill time. I found a small meadow with ripe strawberries. Honestly! Now in October! Some were in bloom, some white and some red, so I pretty refreshed before the start. Oh Marouckla, strawberries are common in winter even without the Twelve Months :-)
Two minutes to the start I was looking at descriptions of checkpoints. Some pictograms (pictures describing position of the checkpoints in the forest) had slightly changed since I had done orienteering. I was looking... southwest corner of dense wood...which one was that in reality...ah, I missed my compass...I had left both compasses in my car. So after an hour of waiting, when I could have run for the compass dozen times, I would run without it. That was a good one! I hadn?t seen a map for ten years and I wouldn?t even know where the north was. Fortunately, it was noon and the Sun was exactly in the south. That calmed me down a bit.
I got off to the forest a bit confused, but running. The first checkpoint was right in a hillside, so I was at the end of my tether before I reached it. There were only twenty-seven more of them... :-)
Checkpoint three was at the bottom of a hole. Some runner overtook me while I was looking for it... The race went quite well. I had to watch the way carefully... without the compass :o), so not to get lost very often. I tripped over from time to time... I forgot to tread from height which is necessary for running in forests. From time to time I slogged my way through thick wood, which should have been passable, or crawled up a hill on all fours. Somewhere in the middle of the track I felt great, running quite fast and finding one checkpoint after another... I thought I had limbered up already and remembered how to read the map correctly... At that moment I got to a small plateau covered by tall open deciduous forest ? shedded. A maze of footpaths and forest aisles that should have stopped me and helped me to find the next checkpoint was covered by fallen leaves. So, I got lost at last. I roamed through the area where I had expected to find the checkpoint. I found only a small plastic bottle with some water. I was so thirsty that I opened it and examined its content... hopefully it was drinking water :-) It was mineral water... I didn?t know where it had come form, but it gave me strength... and I even found the checkpoint that was only few steps away. I got quite close to it without the compass, so I wasn?t much lost. I was hardly able to move... checkpoint fourteen... half of the track... great!!! time - forty minutes... I was quite satisfied. I had set out to run under one hundred... it could come out well... I continued. I followed a rule in hills... don?t stop or you never reach the finish :-)
At last, I was approaching the place I had been looking for during the whole race - the refreshing point. If only it had been there... I still couldn?t see it although I was nearly there. Perhaps I was last in the forest and the refreshing point had already been cleared away... how terrible...
But suddenly... I saw a table with cups behind a bush. I took two cups at once :-) Super. Running merrily down a hill to checkpoint nineteen... I wasn?t sure about its sign in the description. A cross in a circle could be either a fallen or distinctive tree. A green cross in the map... I knew only a brown cross meaning a fallen tree... perhaps it?s a distinctive tree... I ran through the forest hoping I would bump into the checkpoint... I couldn?t se it. I could see only a couple of thick trees, perhaps that was it... it wasn?t... and behold a fallen tree and the checkpoint at it... excellent... Other checkpoints were quite easy to find. At checkpoint twenty-five I met first runners since the third checkpoint... a group of three runners passed me quickly. It would have normally annoyed me, but I was pleased instead. I wasn?t the last in the forest, so there still would be the finish line... And there was :-)) Hooray!!! I survived with time 97 miin. My wife and children collected me there, if only they had already been stronger. They could have carried me to our car :-) I got a slip of paper with the result: 35th out of 48... very nice. I wasn?t last.
Now, it?s time to decide whether it was a good idea. My legs will certainly still hurt in a week?s time, also a five-crown- coin-sized blister on my heel is anything but pleasant, I awfully laboured in the hills... on the other hand I didn?t get lost too much and running through the forest was quite pleasant. So, I would tend to say it was a good idea. But once in ten years it?s enough :-) Paddling is simply better!!!!!
Jirka Šťastný
29.9.2006
Invitation to WHITE WATER SECOND-HAND SALE
?The Great White Water Second-hand Sale? at Vodak sport Brno is coming. It?s one of the biggest events of such kind in the Czech Republic!!! Lots of second-hand kayaks, canoes, rafts, inflatable boats, life jackets, paddles, wet suits, helmets... The autumn second-hand sale also includes some equipment...
29.9.2006
Invitation to WHITE WATER SECOND-HAND SALE
?The Great White Water Second-hand Sale? at Vodak sport Brno is coming. It?s one of the biggest events of such kind in the Czech Republic!!! Lots of second-hand kayaks, canoes, rafts, inflatable boats, life jackets, paddles, wet suits, helmets... The autumn second-hand sale also includes some equipment of the Vodak sport rental.
Do you wish to sell or buy some white water equipment quickly and at favourable price? Come on Friday 20th (10,00-18,00) or Saturday 21st October (9,00-13,00) to Vodak sport Brno, Bratislavska 31, tel.:+420 545 214 430. The journey will be certainly worthwhile!!! We are looking forward to seeing you.
Ahoy!!!
Jirka Šťastný
24.9.2006
Paddlers? triathlon - Brno
THIS THURSDAY ALREADY!!!
The traditional paddlers? triathlon is for the general paddling, tourist or sporting public rather than for top sportsmen, although they are also welcome. It?s for everyone who knows a bit how to paddle, ride a bike and run. It?s all about surpassing yourselves and running...
24.9.2006
Paddlers? triathlon - Brno
THIS THURSDAY ALREADY!!!
The traditional paddlers? triathlon is for the general paddling, tourist or sporting public rather than for top sportsmen, although they are also welcome. It?s for everyone who knows a bit how to paddle, ride a bike and run. It?s all about surpassing yourselves and running or dragging yourselves to the finish line. It?s all about trying again although it hurt last time and you weren?t able to move for a week! Come to reach your bottom!!! Come to try what you can stand up to. Nobody will help you; it?s your own fight!!!
So, what awaits you?
Here is the complete information in Word (in Czech).
And how did the competitors before you show up? The last year results are here:
results 2005.
To see how difficult and long the race is...
here are results of the first three competitors in men category for the last nine years.
Now you know everything. Massage your legs, arms or rather whole your body and let?s meet on Thursday, the holiday, early in the morning on starting line!!!!
Ahoooy!!!!
Jirka Šťastný
20.9.2006
Only in czech language
Ahoj ahoj
Po dlouhé době jsem se konečně dostal k internetu a tak Vám musím něco napsat ;-)
Jako první věc. pro Brňáky... Máme ještě volná místa v buse na Hamerák tento víkend !!! Hamerák byl posunut o týden dopředu a tak to třeba někdo ani neví že už je. Všeho tedy nechte a pojeďte s námi. Sraz -...
20.9.2006
Only in czech language
Ahoj ahoj
Po dlouhé době jsem se konečně dostal k internetu a tak Vám musím něco napsat ;-)
Jako první věc. pro Brňáky... Máme ještě volná místa v buse na Hamerák tento víkend !!! Hamerák byl posunut o týden dopředu a tak to třeba někdo ani neví že už je. Všeho tedy nechte a pojeďte s námi. Sraz - v pátek 22.9. v 16,00 na loděnici Racka. Více info ve Vodák sportu, nebo přímo u mě: 737 291 883
Hamerák je taková kultovní akce, že tam přeci nemůžete chybět. Navíc.. v sobotu večer zdarma doprava z Ratmírova a zpět na Pivní slavnosti v Jindřichově Hradci. Bude se tam prezentovat deset pivovarů ;-)
Ale hlavně, Hamerák je krásný potok s divokou i méně divokou vodou a krásnou přírodou....
Tolik pozvánka na víkend a teď, kde jsem tak dlouho byl. Všimli jste si, že jsem nebyl na letos opět úžasné Welké Wodácké Pouti, o které Vám co nevidět napíše Tomáš, nebo Vilda. Byl jsem jinde... taky na vodě, a hrozně jsem se tam nadřel :-) No jasně, byl jsem na Dolomitenmannovi v Rakouském Lienzu na řece Drávě a Iselu. Pořádný článek napíšu až budu mít víc času, ale aspoň něco málo.
Startovalo 20 profesionálních a 90 amatérských teamů. Počasí vyšlo parádně. Vody bylo dost... A závod to byl drsný, možná drsnější než kdy jindy. Češi se v něm neztratili... V profíkách druhé a čtvrté místo a v amatérech druhé místo... A my? Taky to šlo.. po běhu jsme byli druzí, po padáku první, po lodi taky první :-), ale nakonec po kole "až" sedmí. Výsledek je to super. Předloni devátí, loni bysme byli osmí a letos sedmí. Vždyť to ani jinak nešlo :-)
Víc napíšu v samostatném článku. Snad již brzy :-)
Připravte se na podzimní bazary ... už v říjnu !!!!
Taky příští čtvrtek, ve svátek 28.9. bude super akcička ;-)
Je totiž na tento sváteční den přesunut Brněnský Vodácký Triatlon!!! Už se těšíte, až si hrábnete na dno? Já vůbec, ale budu tam :-)))
Ahoooj!!!
Jirka Šťastný
30.8.2006
Dolomitenmann seen with competitor?s eyes
Dolomitenmann seen with competitor?s eyes.
I wrote this article immediately after I took part in this race for the first time. It seems to be out of date now, but as I have been reading it recently, I have to say that after those years it still has a lot of the spirit and the whole nature of the race....
30.8.2006
Dolomitenmann seen with competitor?s eyes
Dolomitenmann seen with competitor?s eyes.
I wrote this article immediately after I took part in this race for the first time. It seems to be out of date now, but as I have been reading it recently, I have to say that after those years it still has a lot of the spirit and the whole nature of the race. Recently I have to quite often explain why having the fastest boat is so important, why something a bit worse isn?t enough? The answer is ? because it?s impossible to survive with anything a bit worse. The race is built at power limits and any handicap is unthinkable. That?s why I ride Pyranha Master 2 kayak that is the fastest kayak for this course considering given conditions and restrictions. That?s why practically all pros ride it, that?s why the course builder Thomas Zimerman rides it...
So, here is the article:
Dolomitenmann seen with competitor?s eyes
When you say Dolomitenmann, I have an idea of a very hard relay race, which an ordinary man cannot survive. But on the other hand I was attracted to try it once, to reach the bottom of my strength.
When a friend of mine ?Bimbo?, who had gone this race few times, asked me some time in February whether I wanted to join the second Eurofoam team, because their kayaker dropped out, I didn?t hesitate a second and said I took it. I took it seriously and started training and loosing weight in April. I mostly rode a boat that I bought especially for this race, but I also rode a bike and ran. Finally I rode 800 km on the boat, which seemed good and I felt that I had done a lot for our success. This feeling lasted, but only up to the arrival to Lienz in Austrian Dolomite, a locale of the race. I went there on Monday, to be on the safe side, so I would have been able to explore the course properly and remember ideal passages. Para gliders Patrik and Dalibor, one of the runners Pepa and Bimbo arrived to Lienz already on Sunday. All these great fellows had already taken part in Dolomitenmann and they rather cooled my optimism. On Tuesday morning I went down the course in the rivers Drau and Isel for the first time. I started with practising a jump from the ramp. Its height 6m wasn?t a little, especially when the landing was into ?hard? water, but it was surmountable. The first two jumps were perfect, so I started to think how easy it was, but next two jumps were worse. My non-falling spray deck fell and I even bent the kayak in the middle. That was the first trouble. Luckily, there were paddlers yet coming from Brno on Thursday who brought me some foam from Otik as a reinforcement, which helped.
But the jump was just the beginning. The river Drau isn?t extremely wild ? grade II-III. It depends on how much water is released from the power station. Also difficulty of gates and especially of upstream ascents depends on it. The first eleven gates were a classic slalom (touches were allowed), nice, technical. I really liked it. But it started in the twelfth gate! The first upstream. About a hundred metres up the stream to number thirteen. I became soaked in sweat, especially during the first ascent from the twelfth gate. I always made it, but it was a near thing. I had known there had been going to be troubles here. Fortunately, I was able to find an ?easier? way through other longer upstreams. The twenty-second gate ? an Eskimo roll under a tree - was OK, but in the twenty-fourth there was quite a great hole. It wasn?t too bad in lower water level, but when they released more water the hole held back and you bounced in it as a table tennis ball. Then it was quiet up to the junction with the Isel. Those two hundred metres up the stream of the Isel were all right, too, then carry the boat around a rapid and then down into it. A very problematic upstream gate under an island in the middle of the river would also be a decider. Then crossing the strong stream there and back again... wow... such a riot in the finish, when you can hardly flap about with the paddle... We would see..
The rest of the party, cyclists Peter and Thomas and runner Peter, arrived on Wednesday. The atmosphere was becoming tense and nervousness was increasing... . Nights, in which I went through all the gates nearly a hundred times, but I knew nothing about sleep... . And Saturday morning is here. Am I ready? I went it down five times and checked it many times from the bank. Hopefully, it will come out well. A sight of rivals with a figure of Arnold Schwarzeneger didn?t calm me down. Runners are passing, Petr and Pepa are in hot pursuit of the leading group. That looks ?badly?, we will be too ahead. We are going to the field to wait for paragliders? passing on. The information that Petr passed on in the second place and Pepa in the thirty-first place is great but it doesn?t calm down at all. I?m discovering that I have forgotten the number. I?m winning a race against time... when I?m reaching the stadium, Patrik is flying over us to the stopover... I?ve got about twenty minutes. I?m changing calmly and getting ready for start. First parachutes are landing, but I can?t see Patrik. Nervousness is rising. I?m warming up, though I have already been warmed up as never. And he?s above the forest. He?s a bit out of control of his landing almost among the crowd, but he?s running with his parachute so fast, that I hardly managed to draw a breath, and I?m running, too. I?ve already tried out the ford without swimming it?s hardly waist-deep, but water is tripping me up in the speed, so I?m getting over the Drau in thrusts with my head under water every now and then. I?m sprinting to my boat and putting it on the ramp. I?m hardly breathing. Put on the spray deck properly, quickly - there?s another competitor, and I?m flying. Landing is good, the spray deck is holding tight. I cannot catch my breath after the run, paddling rhythm isn?t good enough. Luckily, the first gates are more than a kilometre away. I?m catching my breath, calming down and getting into the rhythm. An Austrian behind me is riding on my wave. What to do with him? I?m choosing another way before the gates, but it?s worse and he is getting ahead. I?m going through the gates absolutely fluently. Even what was impossible during the training is coming out well. Only the Austrian is in the way... And we are going further in reverse order, another competitor few seconds behind us... And me greatest fear is getting closer. Gate number twelve and the ascent. It went wrong... Another competitor is overtaking me. I?m clambering up close to the bank and I continue with about a half a minute loss. The following ascents came out quite well, but I can?t already feel my arms. The Eskimo roll and to the hole. A lot of water, the hole holds back, but summoning all my strength I?m getting out and through the gate. A bit of rest again up to the Isel.
Someone is speeding behind me again. I mustn?t let him get ahead. I?m getting out of the kayak and I?m sprinting on the stony bank. A blow, darkness and I?m lying on my back. What?s going on? A tree above me. I?m getting up and staggering further. I?m up the rapid earlier and I?m getting into my kayak first. The gates are coming off, even though I?m slightly delayed in the upstream one. I?ve got it and I?m setting about doing the crossing. The competitor behind me is missing the upstream gate and he?s already speeding to an alternate gate ? about two minutes loss. I?m calmly finishing the crossing, getting out of my kayak, pushing away a cameraman, who has thrust his camera into my face, and I?m running up to pass on. Thomas, go... I?m falling down and lying behind the finish with some water and Red Bull for about twenty minutes. Bimbo is coming and he?s in the same boat. We have survived!!! We?re slowly walking to the square to see the cyclists? finish. We are the ninth. Great! A party till the morning... A Sunday bicycle trip along the cycle course (height difference 1 500m) and let?s go home.
When you say Dolomitenmann, I have an idea of a very hard relay race, which an ordinary man cannot survive... ... .
Jirka Šťastný
29.8.2006
MIX ? or how I tested Burn and experienced ...
MIX ? or how I tested Burn and experienced The Czech Freestyle Championship
The article is a mixture and a long mixture. Read it to the end, please, you may find something interesting
Ahoy.
I spent the last weekend in Prague Troja on a slalom course with intensive paddling of all kinds....
29.8.2006
MIX ? or how I tested Burn and experienced ...
MIX ? or how I tested Burn and experienced The Czech Freestyle Championship
The article is a mixture and a long mixture. Read it to the end, please, you may find something interesting
Ahoy.
I spent the last weekend in Prague Troja on a slalom course with intensive paddling of all kinds. But let?s start from the beginning.
When I was arriving to Troja with five boats on a trailer nobody assumed I was going to use them all and maybe some others, brought by Kosatka. My beloved freestylie 4-Twenty was a logical choice. I was going to the Czech freestyle championship, so it would do. Well, an AllStar made as a single canoe is also logical at a freestyle competition, although a kayaker in a single canoe looks sometimes weirdly. But there were other boats. My favourite I4 that I use mostly for extreme rivers, Master 2 - a winning special for Dolomitenmann and a brand new Otik?s Burn.
On Friday I used only 4-Twenty, particularly because it was nearly getting dark and there was time for only few runs. I wanted to try out the newly built ?mouth? (a hole for the competition). The first approach finished with an uncontrollable grinding and a rinse under the bridge... Carrying the boat up caught me with my pants down... I put my foot on a crossbeam barrier at the ?iron? and before I did anything else, my knee was hurt and my boat in the river. A kind kayaker in the eddy brought it back to me. As I was trying to get it out I threw my paddle into the river. The kayaker was still there agile and watchful But when I threw my boat back right next to him as I was putting down the paddle, he suggested that I went home, for that wasn?t my good day... Well, that wasn?t. The second approach to the ?mouth?, one cartwheel, ten rolls and I couldn?t get out... back and forth.. nothing... few more rolls, then uncontrollable grinding and at last.. the rinse, but under the bridge again where there?s no return. If only it had been all. I didn?t finish the roll under the bridge and a hole there sent me back to water. Another try and I hit the ?iron?.. few bumps on the ?iron?.. another try.. a bump against another concrete barrier in the course... etc. etc. at last I managed to finish a roll further down in the course. Horrible. Lost self-confidence, firmly decided that it was my last freestyle competition, I was going to get out of my kayak. My guardian angel arrived in his kayak and said: ?You were really badly stuck on the ?iron?. Luckily you didn?t roll on the other side, otherwise you would probably stay there.. you?d better not sit into it tonight any more...
That didn?t really boost my confidence.. I dragged myself to the car and mulled over what I was going to do there on Saturday.. and then in the single, which I can?t leave under the water... Hopefully, my friends will pull me out..
I had a huge and delicious dinner in a new local restaurant (I recommend) and my spirits began to rise. Let?s sleep on it.
In the morning we went at it, because the whole holeriding competition ? Czech freestyle white water championship ? should have been brought off just in one day.
I rather didn?t warm up too much, but the approaches went quite well. Cartwheels on both sides, some splitwheels and a few attempts on a loop, perhaps some successful... surely that was a training. It was indeed worse in the competition, but not much, so I won some points in men?s category and placed around the half of the field. But my main category was Old Bastards (usually called ?veterans? in other sports ) I tried my hardest and actually, I did quite well. I completely bungled singles, but rather because I had extreme respect for the hole and was afraid to get into it properly. Ten points were nothing special
The competition ran pretty quickly and it seemed that it would be finished according to Kosatka?s schedule. The afternoon men?s semi-final was marvellous. Lads were getting better from run to run and it was worth seeing. They were probably getting to like this complicated and nasty hole.
I was through to the final in the last advancing - fifth - place. Great!! I can?t get worse The start was about half an hour delayed, which slowly shifted the end of the competition to early morning hours. The atmosphere was amazing, the crowd roared, music throbbed... I woke up at last and was getting on better. Surprisingly, the favourite Risa Hrcek who was through to the final in the first place dropped out in the first heat. When I saw the results, I guessed it had been narrow.. I was through in the fourth place.. I cheated death again. But I calmed down. There was one Polish here, so in fact I was already the third in the Czech championship. The next heat was a real success. I think I showed my best and I was through in the first place.. Mamka, who had given a fantastic Air loop but then he had been rinsed away, dropped out. What a bad luck.. I was starting from the first place together with Dusan Bubnik, whom I had regarded as invincible, accomplished - simply a paragon of a freestyle matador, and a very skilful Polish... That was obvious, but being the third wasn?t bad, too... Being right behind Dusan.. that was super. I didn?t bungle that run, so I carried my boat up once again. A least I could take a farewell approach. But no, I couldn?t grasp it. Dusan dropped out and I was through. Actually, I had already been the Czech champion. That?s the stuff... In euphoria I completely botched the last run and after few cartwheels I drifted away to the dark under the bridge. An easy way to victory for the Polish... anyway, he was better, so he deserved it. I was happy the whole evening.. Nevertheless, the competition continued. Juniors went after us, unfortunately I didn?t see them, because I rather went to change. After all it was dark and already cold at night
Juniors were followed by girls, and in the third place, after a very thrilling fight, finished Butcher competing in colours of Vodak sport team on her JacksonKayak Star. Narrowly in the second place was our world champion, a member of Vodak sport team and recently a new member of the World Pyranha team Kacenka Migdauova on her beautiful Pyranha 4-Twenty.
Butcher clearly dominated the single canoe category and a junior Jirka Langer narrowly won the men?s category before Tom Andrassi from Slovakia and brilliantly racing, but unfortunately with a bad luck in one heat, the third Honza Bubnik, who became the Czech white water freestyle champion in K1 men category!!! Honzik also went on AllStar from JacksonKayak. By the way Jacksons got on well. Simply they are probably very good boats. In OB category two of them reached the victory rostrum together with one 4-Twenty, in women?s category there was one and also one 4-Twenty and in juniors? category there was one more... So there would be something about it, when they are made by world freestyle champion ;-)
The finals dragged on to half past midnight, so it took more than four hours instead of scheduled two. That was partly caused by a police patrol, who tried to stop the whole thing, but after long discussions they were fortunately satisfied by lowering the music volume. Partially the delay was caused by worse communication between the commentator?s tower and the judges, but they should be forgiven for that, because there can always be found something wrong in such a pressure of work the organisers were under and the amount of good work is hidden. But back to the boats. It is always said: when a producer makes good racing boats for freestyle, he makes good boats for white water and touring. But is that true???
We tried to find out the other day during kayak cross. The aim of this competition lies in steering the boat down a part of a wild river as fast as possible. In our case it was steering down the Troja course where there were two downstream and two upstream gates. Pyranhas H3, JacksonKayak Rocker and at last Otik?s Burn, saddled by me, didn?t fail in competition and went really brilliantly. If we had been able to think during the run, the results would have probably been better. In all heats I was the first at the last gate, but I finished by the best the second or worse...
Honzik Bubnik won all heats, except the final, on a Rocker with such a lead that others were out of sight behind him. Peter Prause managed the same on an H3. Anyway, they didn?t pull the finals off tactically and they got enclosed by the others.. so they finished in the third and the fifth places. Macak borrowed my Burn for the finals in OB category and as he said later, thanks to it he overtook Dusan on his Rocker in the last gate and won.
So these white water boats proved their worth in the competition, but what do they actually behave like?
I?ll start with Burn, which I have used most. It?s actually a younger brother of H3, but there aren?t only cosmetic changes in it.
It is quite stable on calm water, it easily leans to sides and it carves and turns incredibly. It?s technically impossible to turn it over, but it rolls excellently. The turning over is a very interesting feature, so I?ll get back to it. It is funny that a lean is very easy, but only up to approximately 70-80 degrees. It suddenly can?t be done any further. And it is impossible, even if you lean more than 90 degrees. Who would then expect a sudden rail and a fall to water, he would be wrong. The turning over is becoming continuously easier from some 100 ? 120 degrees, till it?s done. Roll is then so easy, that you just have to think about it and you are up. That?s enough about the calm water. What did it behave like in the rapids of the Troja course? It turned excellently even in speed. Surfing on a wave was good. On higher short waves its bow goes more under water, compared with freestyle boats, however it could be reduced by leaning back or an angle of approach.
Catching an eddy was different according to extent of a lean. Without any lean or with just a small one Burn lightly slipped through thanks to a flat hull, but when the lean was at least middle or great it sweetly carved into the eddy and turned on the spot as a freestyle boat. I really enjoyed that, too. Macak said that he had won the kayakX thanks to this feature. Running through holes. When I boofed it the boat flew across a foam pile never noticing the hole. The interesting thing was that it didn?t notice the hole even when I had fallen into it as a dumpling. That?s thanks to a narrower slightly bent bow and a rooflike front deck. Shortly, Burn doesn?t notice the holes and simply runs through them. Playfulness was another pleasant feature. I nicely jumped in ?mouth? on it. As I don?t like creek and voluminous boats, I would get used to Burn very quickly. I?m not sure, whether it isn?t wasted on Otik
H3 compared with Burn is slightly faster, it was faster than Rocker, too. It?s stable, comfortable, holds the line, turns easily. Flat hull, a rail.. similar to Burn. But Burn is tuned for wilder rapids.. I guess it?s about half a grade kinder on WW. I would rather concentrate on new outfit of H3 Rapid +. This outfit is being ready for the next season 2007, yet you can order it already now in advance. It?s fitted into a classic for tourist and for WW ? H3, into a play/river universal Stretch and into an excellent freestyle 4-Twenty.
A seat liner is unusual for a cheap outfit, but it?s really pleasant. It looks also durable, a back band is made of the same material as the seat liner and moreover it has got strong a strong plastic reinforcement, which at sight outlasts the older types. It is adjustable at a tight grip. I was taken back when I saw the boat, because the back band is adjustable only on one side, but I was pretty surprised, when I had tried it up, how well it had worked. The strap in the back band is movable, so the back band remains in the middle of your back, even though you adjust it only on one side. The new buckle holds tight. Loosing it needs a bit of practice, but I managed to do it easily with one hand after two attempts. Hip pads are screwed to the seat. They fit me, but they can be removed or wedged, if necessary. A front footrest is designed as a full plate on two aluminium bands and screws ? classic. The hull is shorter of two stickers compared with Deluxe outfit. After all, price was obviously the main criterion in conception of this outfit. And it?s really low for such a comfortable outfit. People even asked, whether buying a boat, which hasn?t got the Rapid+ outfit, without the fitting and fitting the Rapid+ inside, wouldn?t be cheaper. Although it is possible, it wouldn?t be worthy, because the shells with better outfit are simply more expensive (they have more stickers, more luxurious metal grab handles, another way of multicolour manufacturing etc...)
The last boat that is worth of mentioning is a Rocker from JacksonKayak. It?s built much as a creek and WW boat. A tourist can use it, but he wouldn?t make most of its main potential, which is chiefly for the white water.
Its speed - comparable to Burn, slightly slower than H3. Turning on calm water is slightly worse, but it?s same on WW. Round hull. Very kind smoothly running boat. It forgives more than you can imagine. Very simple smooth shapes give the boat very simple and smooth riding properties. It leans and rolls well. It runs through holes well. The only disadvantage is that you will need some time to get used to the round hull of the creek boat, if you ride a freestyle boat with a flat hull. Very comfortable and strong inflatable sitting. Compared with JacksonKayak play boats, which are the lightest in the world, is Rocker somehow heavier. That?s thanks to its very thick hull that can?t be smashed through easily.. So, hooray to waterfalls!!!
You can test all these boats and many other at the weekend 9-10 September (this weekend!!!) at the White Water Fair on the Svratka river under Vir 1 dam.
You are heartily invited!!!
Who has read to this point gets a bonus. I have written this for three hours and I cannot read it any more.
AHOY!!!
I have forgotten to boast about using one more boat I brought, my Dolomitenmann Master 2. And as training I went up the Troja course twice. I missed just one meter... the wave under the bridge.. I defeated the ?iron? as well as the ?mouth?..
And that?s all.. tadydady da :-)))
Jirka Šťastný
21.8.2006
Invitation to the White Water Fair 2006
Ahoy Paddlers!
The second September weekend is yours! You will enjoy yourselves, educate, romp, learn or try new things on the Svratka river and her surroundings under the Vir dam. Who shouldn?t by chance come, he would miss a lot of adventure, so he would have an irreparable gap in his education,...
21.8.2006
Invitation to the White Water Fair 2006
Ahoy Paddlers!
The second September weekend is yours! You will enjoy yourselves, educate, romp, learn or try new things on the Svratka river and her surroundings under the Vir dam. Who shouldn?t by chance come, he would miss a lot of adventure, so he would have an irreparable gap in his education, and moreover he wouldn?t enjoy two days of fun.
Here is the programme:
Saturday 9.9.2006
10:00
? water runs, the riverbed is filling up (water from the dam is used as drinking water, so there is usually sanitary flow only)
? start of raft cruises for visitors: you can try a raft cruise with an experienced guide
? start of boat testing and stall trading: free testing of brand-new boats together with time-tested classics
? a fast-food opens
? start of a competition on a kayak simulator: on time or just for fun
? start of rope activities: slides, abseiling
? start of training: owners of inflatable boats practise their tricks for the AIR competition ? freestyle
10:30
? the 1st white water rescue show: Czech Red Cross Water Rescue Service
11:00
? start of inflatable freestyle: competition of the inflatable boats; points are for: creativity, spectator response, time spent (boat with its crew) in a hole
? kayak freestyle show in a break: old hands at freestyle competitions perform their skills
? a crocodile show in a break: sunny kayak and a freestyle hole, come to watch it
12:00
? green rolls: a rolling show in a meadow
? start of rescue bag throwing competitions: a rope wounded up in a small bag is used for rescue in white water; spectators throw it on a target
12:30
? 2nd white water rescue show: Czech Red Cross Water Rescue Service
13:30
? swimmers? slalom: the aim is to swim through gates without touches and gather as many bonuses as possible
14:00
? water stops, competitions and other activities on the riverbank continue
14:30
? results and presentation: the more competitions you attend the more tombola tickets you have in a raffle; winners of the events get prizes surely
18:00
? beginning of a video projection in the cultural hall of Vir village: commentated projection of traveller?s films and photographs from different parts of the world. Then dance till the morning.
Sunday 10.9.2006
10:00
? free riding in the water course? freestyle in the hole:
? start of raft cruises for visitors: you can try a raft cruise with an experienced guide
? start of boat testing and stall trading: free testing of brand-new boats together with time-tested classics
11:00
? and of testing and running around
11:00 ? 14:00
? going down the Svratka from Vir II: for both tourists and extreme paddlers. (If you wish to go down from Doubravnik, it takes water at least three hours to get there!)
? it is possible to rent a boat (raft or Palava) for the trip from Vir II. It is necessary to order it in advance at Vodak Sport rental!
Notes of safety and organisation:
? All attendants in the water course must be good swimmers and in good health condition.
? Children under 18 must be accompanied by their parents.
? Organisers assume the right to change the programme. They also warn, that the Sunday trip from Vir II is not organised (organisers only guarantee and pay the water release) and there isn?t any rescue service on the river. There isn?t any rescue service on the water course on Sunday, too.
? Necessary own equipment: a life jacket, a helmet, a wet suit, water shoes!! You won?t be allowed to go down the water course without the helmet and the life jacket!!
? Times of water release from Vir I and Vir II can be changed according to relevant water level in the dam.
? Capacity of the evening marathon of films, travelogues and slide-shows is limited!
Download and print a nice colourful invitation with photos. It is absolutely essential for those who have never been to a WWF, because the photos show the lots of fun that expect you!!
So, here it is!!!!
Last year videos !!!
HERE
Jirka Šťastný
10.8.2006
First descent?
river Fela - Italy
14.7.2006
Jirka
...
10.8.2006
First descent?
river Fela - Italy
14.7.2006
Jirka Šťastný
8.8.2006
Good water
In the Czech republic is the best wather now. Lot of riwer and creek is possible run, now. Come paddling!!!
Jirka Šťastný
2.8.2006
4-Twenty
Equipment Syncro 6 and Rapid +
Jirka Šťastný
1.8.2006
About new RAPID + Pyranha equipment
www.hydromagazin.cz
(only czech language)
Jirka Šťastný
31.7.2006
Cunovo - freestyle festival 2006
Short video from rodeo Cunovo 2006.
HERE.
Jirka Šťastný
26.7.2006
Repre v Nothinghamu
...
26.7.2006
Repre v Nothinghamu
Katka Migdauová