Liquidlogic-Stomper 90 test by andrej Bijuklic

Stomper 90

The doors have been opened and the evolution was realised. Stomper the new toy from Liquidlogic had spread around the globe and is now here in Slovenia. liqiudlogic is developing new ideas year after year and trying to connect kayakers with water in that way that paddling became easy and spontaneously.

The new wave of extreme kayakers, which are pushing the limits to the maximum, helped to design this boat.  The result is a boat that is prepared to go to the maximum. The youngest brother of Jefe is a blend between speed, stability and rolling ability a great combination for step creeks. Every shape have it function and reason.

I tested the stomper 90, for me it was the perfect combination, I like big boats and I paddle with me body lined forwards, write on the deck where is the most efficient on turnings. It turns smooth and fast, probably the redesigned tail offers enough safety to push you out from any problem and let you turn in any situation. Sometimes I had the feeling that the tail is going too much under water but it always keeps the forwards momentum. Rocker is a classical icebreaker and is going over anything. For me the highlight are the reshaped edges, they are the heart of this boat. Edges are soft on slides in the water they offer enough grip and forgiveness to go one step further.

Badass is the name that Liqidlogic is using for their outfit which is, comfortable, adjustable and simple also they did a small innovation on stomper,making easier access to the stern of the boat for things that you need on water.

Available at www.alpinaction.it or in the Alpin Action shop.

See you on the river!

Andrej Bijuklic

...more photos soon...

CHECK OUT THE KAYAK TRIP FROM SWISS by Fabian Alejandro

Last month we were kayaking for 5 days in Valsesia Italy and Swiszerland around the Versasca valley.

We were 3 days in Valsesia and 2 days in Swiss.

We were 4 kayakers and 2 cars, the first 3 days a friend of ours was our shuttle driver. we paddled Gronda, Sorba, Egua, Sermensina. then we drove towards Swiss. we arrive a bit late to paddle a small creek, so we decided to set up our camp. It was raining all night very hard.

Next morning we went to scout Verzasca river. In the guide book it said that the max level recommended was 20 m3. but that day had almost 50 m3. We went in any way and it was a great run. Next day we paddled the Ribo river which started with a 16m waterfall, fantastic!! Then continuous in a narrow gorge with 4 and 5 rapids for one more hour.text: Fabian Alejandro

Enjoy some photos from the trip below. 

Nepal trip with Paolo Maifre and Pyranha Shiva

Sono appena rientrato dal Nepal e ci sono stato con la mia nuova Shiva M.
Prima di partire, appena l'ho spacchettata nel garage di casa, sono rimasto abbastanza disorientato.....
Ero abituato alla mia ultima creek boat, una Pyranha Burn L, linee ultraclassiche, larghissima (e per questo con un eskimo non proprio facilissimo), con rails su tutta la lunghezza del kayak (e questo le permette una precisione allucinante nelle entrate in morta e uscite dalle morte nonchè nella conduzione in generale), una confidenza enorme data dalla punta larghissima.........

Mi ritrovo con un kayak completamente diverso: punta stretta, posizione delle ginocchia più raccolta, fondo tondo, rails che partono solo dalla zona del sedile e molto meno accentuati, un volume enorme in coda, posizione del sedile più avanzata rispetto alla lunghezza del kayak....
Faccio una prima prova a Boffetto (Adda, III grado) con il sedile in posizione centrale, subito mi manca la confidenza del megapuntone della mia ex Burn L e decido che nella prossima prova porterò il sedile indietro (ha tre posizioni, avanti, centro, indietro).... noto la minor precisione nelle entrate e uscite in morta rispetto alla Burn L (ma questo lo davo per scontato, davanti la Shiva non ha rails!!) e capisco che per utilizzarla al meglio va usata molto più sui fianchi rispetto alla Burn.
Mi colpisce invece la stabilità che pensavo minore.... dovuta probabilmente alla larghezza della coda nonostante la punta stretta, e decido che nella prossima prova alzerò di 1/2 cm. il sedile... Mi accorgo subito, e mi piace, della gran velocità che ha il kayak.
Faccio una seconda prova la settimana dopo con sedile tutto indietro e alzato di 1/2 cm e mi trovo subito meglio, anche nei pochi tentativi di Boof che il tratto offre (in quello ho paura che non potrà battere la Burn L).
Basta così... sono soddisfatto e la settimana dopo la impacchetto per il Nepal dove l'ho usata sul Tamur (gradi dal I al IV di volume ) e sul Bothe Khosi (III IV già a carattere più torrentizio, anche per il livello non abbondante).
Mi colpisce nel volume con una stabilità incredibile, mai una sbavatura, e una manovrabilità piacevolissima.

La coda, nonostante il sedile arretrato, sostiene tantissimo , mentre la punta "buca " qualsiasi cosa.
Nel più torrentizio Bothe Khosi ho notato come sia possibile passare qualsiasi buco o ritorno quasi indenni e senza sbavature, la punta "buca" e la coda voluminosa ti "spara via".
Non ha la capacità di "booffare" della Burn e questo mi spiace un po' però la Shiva mi ha dato altrettanta confidenza se non di pìu grazie all'eskimo che è quasi ridicolo......

Insomma la Shiva mi è piaciuta molto e non vedo l'ora di riutilizzarla, e queste linee "strane" sono sicuramente stra-studiate e molto efficaci.
Queste sono le mie impressioni per l'uso che ne ho fatto fino ad ora... manca una vera prova "creeck"... datemi le vostre e ditemi come avete assettato il sedile. Ah ... dimenticavo.... rispetto alla Burn L l'assetto è moooolto meglio, nella Burn ho dovuto imbottire qualsiasi cosa per non nuotarci dento, la Shiva è più a misura per la mia stazza (181 cm per 80 kg.).
Ciao a tutti
Paolo Maifrè



Foto: Massimo Delledonne

INCREDIBLE BRAZIL by Fabian Alejandro Bonanno

New country, new river, new languish, new mates.... INCREDIBLE BRAZIL!!!

 Yes, i have arrive the firth week of December to Guarulhos airport in Sao Paulo once i was out the gate turn right and walk 200 Mt. to take a bus to Campinas. When i have arrive there my friend Tony pick me up and after few minutes we were heading to Brotas one of the biggest outdoors centre from Brazil.

Brazil is home to an amazing percentage of word´s freshwater, with much of that water flowing out of the mountains in the form of runnable whitewater. However, many challenges await those contemplating an adventure in Brazil.

Brazil culture, considered the melting pot of South America and a rich variety of beliefs and culture can be found within  its borders. While there is a great deal of mixing of cultures. Some towns are also designated by artistic symbols on the map, among  those, a few places have waterfalls symbols that indicate a high concentration of waterfalls. Always a plus!

The general vibe from the locals is open and warm. “They are amazingly friendly. When I was invited to Keke birthday of one the member of the Brazilian Rafting National Team 2 times word champions, I can guess most of them were there that night. Then I was invited to watch a football match with my new Brazilian river mates , truly felt at home.

Portuguese is the native language,  dialect differs from state to state. The further away you get from the big cities (Sao Paulo and Rio De Janeiro) the fewer people will speak English. Grammar and vocabulary books may help. A good understanding of Spanish and Italian it is very helpful to understanding the form and structure of Portuguese, Although the pronunciation and rhythm are completely  different from other Latin based languages.

Spending most of my time on the river it is what I do since then, working as a photographer  and safety kayaker on the Jacare River (next article topic)

I hope Peak UK reader found this useful. Thanks.

Fabian Alejandro Bonano

Liquidlogic-Versa, It was a great sunny week...

It was a great sunny week, bu Saturday morning didn’t look so promising. There were dark clouds above the sea, not making us believe that the paddling experience on the sea would be something nice that day. Long coffee and some modification on a paddle made us to forgot on watch and weather... and sun came. Car was looking quite different with long sea kayak and SUP on the roof, ready to try it for the first time. Without any problems on the road we came to the beach and unpacked.

We had LiquidLogic Versa Board which is pretty nice piece of gliding device - it’s an SUP and sit on top kayak in one device. Pretty mean, while the paddling style is so much different. And it has a great extra gizmo - a wheel attached to the back of the board, so you can drag it easily behind you right to the sea. No extra wheels or carrying - just grab it with one hand and voila - it goes like a puppy.

On the water - use it the way you want. As SUP with a fantastic view around the clock - you can spot a boat as far possible, and when you want to travel faster - just change the paddle, sit down and glide... Oh yes - there’s a great holder for the other paddle on the side, so you just change it quickly. A simple skeg system, controlled by a lever changes the board from easy turner to precise course holder in a second.

Nevertheless, it’s surely a perfect sea craft! We could imagine so many ways to use it, from training kayak, to children diving platform. But it goes even further, next challenges are the waves on the sea, to try it’s surfing ability and of course, whitewater...

by Dejan Kralj,

Photos Neja Flak, Matej Brecelj

The 4 series of New Zealand videos- by Andrej Bijuklic

New Zealand movie
PART -1 http://vimeo.com/21028702
PART -2  http://vimeo.com/21886142
PART -3  http://vimeo.com/23044510
PART -4  http://vimeo.com/24081429