It's been a pretty crazy 5 weeks leading up to this event... I've been touring all over Quebec/Ontario with the boys searching for the biggest river waves we could find... We've been getting awesome footage/photos from the trip, and the only days i've had off have been driving... The waves were so epic out in Quebec that I debated not even coming to USA TEAM TRIALS here in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. To be honest, I haven't really been that fired up to compete on small features and i've only been training on big waves for the past few years... The small spots are not that progressive and not that fun to paddle (for me). However, I have been on the USA Team for the past 3 World Championships and I always enjoy going to the World Championships. I came into this competition determined to make the team, but also ok with the idea that I might not. In the past i've been so stressed out about making the team but this time around I was just relaxed and confident... In the end, I manged to place 5th in the U.S.A. securing a spot on the Mens Freestyle Team. I'm fired up to represent the U.S.A. in Thun, Switzerland this August. Before I get to that, i've still got Mountain Games coming up, Iceland, California Creekin and eastern Canada again. It was a tough event and I am super happy to have made it... 

-Rush 

I cant believe how quickly the last 4 weeks have gone. It has been a very intense training period for me. I have averaged 110 miles a week and have been successful with the mountain , trail and speedwork sessions I planned  during the month of May.  After a month like this, my  "Bones are Rattling " and it is difficult to decide ..........just how much  fitter can one get by continuing to train hard, or is it time to back off a bit and go with where Im at now ?  It is an age old question for a distance runner..The pursuit of better performance versus taking the chance and pushing too hard ?  Year's of training have taught me one thing, when your at your fittest you are edge of injury as well. June is one of the most important months of racing for me and it kicks off with TEVA mountain games this weekend.  Mt Washington Road Race, 2 weeks later and the following week  is our qualifier for the USA TEVA / World  Mountain  team.

The last 2 weeks have been very good to me, regarding training and positive feedback.  This is what I have done to prepare for the month of June.

May 16  Saturday    Black Canyon Ascent..... a solo effort of 6 miles .elevation gain 1900 ft.  Paved Road . felt strong but a bit weary from the mileage and recent  barrage of hill training.

May 17th......Training at 11000 ft elevation..Rock Creek..two hours of running downhill to 9500ft and back up again...

After last nights party with No Comment rocking with the whole campground until midnight we had an early to start to set up for todays races. Most of us felt a little hung over but all of us were pretty keen to paddle hard in the head to head and slalom race. 

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Hi all,  

Well after 3 weeks of 12 hour days straight in the factory the newest proto-type is close to completion.

Most days have been filled by being covered from head to toe by a mixture of plasters, resins and fiberglass. Being subjected to a series of chemical burns and temporary blindness I can’t really say making boats isn’t without sacrifice. But this afternoon as the final coats of paint are setting on the model I know it’s all worth it. Now the hardest part… having to wait through the next few days as we produce the mold and pull out the first boat. 

The first photos from the factory will be posted through the Titan Kayaks Newsletter (subscriptions@titankayaks.com) followed shortly by the first on river action shots posted right here thanks to Teva.

Keep an eye out!

Willamette Kayak and Canoe Club will be hosting Whitewater Safety Weekend from June 13-14.   Teva strongly supports this cause, as safety is our #1 priority.  We are donating apparel and Mush sandals to the event's raffle.  Please visit http://thisriverlife.blogspot.com/2008/06/wkcc-safety-weekend-2008.html for more information.  Below, Melissa Burns of Wend Magazine gives an example to why this weekend is so important.

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This 2-day weekend has saved lives. Last spring I was on a Class 2, super mellow WKCC float on the Mill City to Mehama section of the Santiam River in Oregon.  It was a warm, sunny day and we had a big, fun group of about 15 participants. Many of us knew each other, either from paddling together or from participating in past safety weekend events.The run has one rapid of significance, a drop into a small hole on the far left side of the river. It’s easily avoided but most of our group ran it that day. One of the new kayakers swam and ended up pinned, underwater on what had to be the only tree in the entire river. Watching the group spring into action was amazing. His head was out of water in less than a minute and they quickly got him unpinned and off the log. I am convinced that were it not for the whitewater safety training they received during the WKCC’s Safety Weekend and continued practice of the skills and techniques they learned, that our friend would have drowned.

Here is a note from Ellen Miller who is the women's coach for the Teva US Mountain Running Team.  Note her shout out to Russell Brice who was featured in the Discovery Channel's "Everest: Beyond the Limit".

Namaste from the Nepal Himalayas,
 
One does not reach the summit of one of the world's highest mountains without much encouragement and support from friends. I thank each one of you for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers, for the rituals, and for sending me your precious energy.
It was joyous for me to once again be climbing on Everest (up to Camp 3), and even more wonderful for me to have had the honor of climbing with Nima Tshering Sherpa for 5 days.
I dedicated my climb to the memory of two of my climbing friends, Pemba Doma Sherpani and Christine Boskoff. Christine was the only other American female to have climbed Lhotse.
Thank you all very much for your messages. To answer your questions about the details:
 
Lhotse  (world's 4th highest mountain)
Summit reached, May 22 8:05 AM
climbed w/ Nima Tshering Sherpa
Lhotse is 1000 ft. lower than Everest, but the summit day couloir climbing is more technical
I am indebted to Russell Brice for his superb logisitcs, and to Nima Tshering for leading the climb. Many thanks to George, Blondie and Larry for the communications and for the support, when I really needed it!
 
High Mountains of Gratitude to all of you!
Peace and Love,
Ellen
Namche Bazaar
5/28/09

Now for 5 years in a row, the French Alps are the place for the Teva Dutch National Rafting Championships. Lacking the White Water in their own country, the “Netherland Rafting Bond” together with Wildwaterschool.nl and Teva Benelux put together a great event again on the Durance River with 29 DutchTeams attending. 

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Teva-sponsored kayaker Tanya Faux highlights her trip to the Colorado Kayak Festival in her preparation for the Games in Vail, and the fun times she had while not competing:

CO Kayak Festivals Kicking Off!

I just finished up an intense 4 days; two competitions, instruction, and celebrations!

Had some great mental and physical preparation for the Teva Mountain Games in Vail with both creek racing and freestyle kayaking events.

Had some great results with a 2nd in the BV PRO RODEO/FRESSTYLE event, a 1st in the Fish Creek race, and a 1st in the Yampa Freestyle at the Paddling LIFE Steamboat River Festival--www.paddlinglife.com.

This is a great indication of where I stand in the ranks. Confidence boosting results!

These events have also been great for acclimating to the altitude, working the body to its maximum heart rate.

But it is also important to celebrate and let the hair down, so to speak. Recognize all the hard work and enjoy! 

Steamboat Springs, coffee shop, catching up on office work i look outside and its still raining-Colorado in the spring!  I have competed in two more freestyle events, one in Beuna Vista and the other in Steamboat.  I feel like im being tortured, still not penatrating into the top three - always possible just not happening for me yet.  A little disheartning buts its all preperation for the big prize - TMG, and you learn alot from your mistakes.  I have tens days to rest, train and prepare.  As Stevie says to me, "we have the best prize, that'sSam".