It`s been a
while since I visited Valsesia last time. In the past years curiosity drove
me far away from the place where I grew up creeking. While we were driving into
the valley, it was like a reflection of the past, it made me think of so many
good memories. This time I was armed with the latest Drago Rossi weapon - the
88. What a good start to do the first strokes in my new boat. Drago Rossi is an
Italian brand, located close to Milan, and Valsesia is a testing ground for
all the incoming models. I brought the
beast to where it was born and I couldn`t wait to do a decent test.
Actually the plan for me, Jernej Mlekuz and Denis Zerezghi was very simple, we were
looking just for a good water package. After rain Valsesia was a perfect goal,
also because our good friends Janez Cizman and Dejan Sedej were there!
Finally we
took on our first river Landwasser , we had a decent flow, except the weather
was a bit sour. While we did the first rapids I was getting used to the 88. I
had a good feeling already from the start, a good (boat) position and the new
outfit were really comfortable. Surprised by its easy and fast turns, I had real
pleasure carving in the eddies.
Even on transitions from eddie to eddie it had
enough grip in water and its small edges are not getting stuck on rocks.
Sometimes the tail it` s a bit sticky but like its older brother “Critical Mass”
it’s really big and safe. We got to the ”Landwasser waterfall” and just bombed it
over in a “Blue Angel” stile. I totally boofed it and I had a nice and soft
landing, one more time the 88 surprised me. Due to its rounded hull it totally
absorbed the impact. Once we got to the confluence with Mastallone, there were
no excuses to not continue to Varallo. After a long flat part we got some more
class 5 – Valsesia style. The next day we did Egua and Sermenzino, even if
the water was really juicy, the 88 had no problems.
It looks small but it is
259cm long and you can feel it, especially in high water, where the length matters.
It always keeps the forward momentum in combination with soft landings. On the
third morning, we finally got a taste of the mighty middle and lower Sermenza,
a true treasure, full of nice rapids hidden in a sweet gorge.
I was waiting for
this run because it is a bit similar to our Soča river, where you can really
paddle in the water. Perfect weather and good friends made it even better. I
finally got used to the boat and the whole run went smooth over all rapids.
After
lunch we got hungry for some more paddling and why not: “Gronda and Sorba in
one run?” Yes! The waterfall on Gronda
was a bit shallow but I couldn`t resist the temptation and I just dove in, it
went smooth like butter. All the way down to the exit of Sorba we had a perfect
run with lots of fun. To end the trip in a big style, the next day we paddled
the infamous lower Strona gorge. The 88
with its curving abilities, speed, softness, comfort and safety give you motivation
to paddle further and harder.
Text:
Andrej Bijuklic
Photographers: Jernej Mlekuz, Dejan Sedej
Photographers: Jernej Mlekuz, Dejan Sedej
Thanks to :
Alpin Action, PeakUk, Different, Drago Rossi, Ophion Paddles
