Drago Rossi 88 in Valsesia by Andrej Bijuklic (EN)

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

Thanks to : Alpin Action, PeakUk, Different, Drago Rossi, Ophion Paddles