Team Z Blog
December Boating!
January 18, 2012 by Elaine Campbell (comments: 0)
Happy New Year!
It's been a slow start to winter here in VT with more rain than snow so we've been lucky enough to get some more days on the water. I've been working two jobs this winter to keep me busy and it's working. We finally have snow so I'll be skate and classic skiing and snowboarding a bunch. That's pretty much it for now.
Here's a video of some boating from December.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spNm3vpd3FU&list=UUwELn2hgIYbfJztcXu-ep-Q&index=1&feature=plcp
Till next time,
Elaine Campbell
Paddling School Reunion
October 5, 2011 by Janet Burnett Cowie (comments: 0)
Hey all, just wanted to share a video from the paddling school reunion this past weekend. It was great to see so many students from lessons earlier in the season. We had a blast. Thanks to all the students that joined us this summer. Have a great fall paddling season, the colors are starting to be great right now. - Jim
Check out how I stay in shape in the winter!
September 22, 2011 by Elaine Campbell (comments: 0)
Fall is here which means paddling season is coming close to being over in my neck of the woods. I usually try to paddle till the beginning of December and then I put the paddling gear away and break out the winter toys. Here's what I do to stay in shape: boxing, weight lifting, abs, xc/skate skiing, snow shoeing, and snowboarding. Now I'm no fitness expert but this all helps me and I really enjoy doing ALL of it especially the boxing! I think now I'm supposed say consult your physician before starting a new workout program.
Equipment I use (all in my basement):
Boxing equipment you need is a speed bag, heavy bag, and double end speed bag. Hand wraps and boxing gloves.
Free weights, kettle bell, home gym, exercise ball, ab roller, exercise band and Timer.
You choose how much weight you want to use. It's better to start light and then increase the weight. Look up how to properly do each exercise. Youtube has good video on each exercise I do. If you get the boxing equipment watch a bunch of videos that teach you how to punch properly and how to wrap your hands.
Day 1
Lower Body:
-Barbell Calf Raise 3 sets 12-15 reps
-Walking Lunge 3 sets 12-15 reps each leg
-Bench Step Up 3 sets 12-15 reps each leg
-Leg Extension 3 sets 12-15 reps each leg
Abs/core:
-Left/Right Torso Rotation with Band 3 sets 15-20 reps each side
-Overhead Torso Band pull 3 sets 15-20 reps
All body workout:
Double end Speed bag 7 sets 3 min each 30 second break in-between
Day 2
Upper Body-Back, chest, shoulders:
-Behind the Neck Pull Down 3 sets 12-15 reps
-Standing Cable Row 3 sets 12-15 reps
-Rope Straight Arm Pull Down 3 sets 12-15 reps
-Dumbell Incline Press 3 sets 12-15 reps
-SeatedPress 3 sets 12-15 reps
-Push ups 3 sets 12-15 reps
-Pec Deck Fly 3 sets 12-15 rep
Abs/core:
-Ab roller 3 sets 15-20 reps
-Side crunches on ball 3 sets 15-20 reps each side
-Seated Torso Twist with kettle bell 3 sets 15-20 reps
All body workout:
Heavy Bag 7 sets 3 min each 30 second break in-between.
Day 3
Lower Body:
-Barbel Squat 3 sets 12-15 reps
-Romanian Deadlift 3 sets 12-15 reps
-Leg Press 3 sets 12-15 reps
-Lying Leg Curl 3 sets 12-15 reps
Abs/core:
-Reverse Crunch 3 sets 15-20 reps
-Bicycle 3 sets 15-20 reps each side
-Ball scissors 3 sets 15-20 reps each side
All body workout:
-Speed Bag 7 sets 3 min each 30 second break in-between.
Day 4
Upper Body-Triceps, biceps, shoulders
-Reverse Grip Pushdown 3 sets 12-15 reps
-Overhead Dumbell Press 3 sets 12-15 reps
-Lat Pulldown 3 sets 12-15 reps
-Tricep Extension 3 sets 12-15 reps
-Barbell Curl 3 sets 12-15 reps
-Bicep Concentration Curl 3 sets 12-15 reps
Abs/core:
-Plank 5 sets hold 1 minute
-Ball crunch 3 sets 15-20 reps
-Knee Tucks on Ball 3 sets 15-20 reps
All body workout:
-Double end Speed bag 7 sets 3 min each 30 second break in-between.
Day 5
Kettle Bell workout
-Kettlebell Throw 3 sets 15-20 reps
-Body Circles 3 sets 15-20 reps each side
-Hip Hinge 3 sets 15-20 reps each side
-Lunge and Row 3 sets 15-20 reps each side
-Bowling Ball Lunge 3 sets 15-20 reps each side
-Angel Squat 3 sets 15-20 reps each side
-Heavy Bag 7 sets 3 min each 30 second break in-between.
Day 6 and 7 snowboarding or xc/ skate skiing all day affair.
Everyday after I workout we go for a long snowshoe with the dog.
So there you go. That's how I stay in shape. Maybe this winter I'll take some video of my boxing routine and post it up. If you have any questions let me know.
As for now I get in my Wildwater boat and paddle down the Fife Brook of the Deerfield River when nothing else in running.
Till next time,
Elaine Campbell
Irene, Beavering, and Gauley Fest
September 20, 2011 by Elaine Campbell (comments: 0)
The past few weeks have been crazy up here in the northeast. Irene came and caused massive destruction all over western MA and VT. The Deerfield River which is my home town river flooded to the highest it's been in over a hundred years. It wiped out downtown Wilmington, VT and most of the roads have turned into one lane because the other half fell into the river. Rt. 100 in Readsboro the town I live in is still closed where Tunnel Vision rapid is due to the bridge being unsafe to drive over. People in the area have lost business and homes. We lost one life in Wilmington during the floods. A young woman who was trying to get home from work and was swept away by the rising river. It's pretty crazy that a hurricane cause this much destruction in VT. If you are in the area next weekend please come to the Mt.Snow area for a music Festival called Floodstock to help raise money for the people in Wilmington who lost their homes and business and didn't have flood insurance. Check out the website www.floodstockvt.com to see the schedule and if you can't come please consider donating something. My husband's rock band will be playing Saturday afternoon as well as many other great bands from all over New England.
Here are some photos from my town.
Tunnel Vision
Tunnel Vision
Rt.100 in Readsboro Photos: Elaine Campbell
A happy photo after Irene in Henderson Harbor.
Photo: Mike Miller
The week after Irene was the Beaver release weekend. I headed to NY to paddle the Moshier Falls section which has one scheduled release a year. It's such a fun run! Pretty straight forward easy creek where you can scout everything and people can walk a drop that they don't want to run. After Moshier you head over to the Eagle which is a water park for kayakers. It's slide after slide and pretty short so you can hike back up and do it again. This year the Eagle had it's first race. This was the second race of the King of New York series. I raced it and was the only girl that raced. It's a tough race because a lot of people are running the section at the same time you are and I had a few interferences during the race. Another great weekend at the Beaver!
After that I headed back up to the Ottawa to paddle for a few days before going back to VT. I got to the border crossing and realized that I took Jeff's passport instead of mine! They let me into Canada and I was a little nervous about how it was going to be to come back into the states. It wasn't a problem getting back in they gave me a warning about being non compliant. Anyway Garb was still in so had some sweet times there with NO lines!
Then off to Gauley Fest but first up was the upper Yough with Team NRS for a photo shoot which lasted all week and was really fun. We did upper Yough two days, then Valley Falls, New River Gorge and then the upper Gauley during the fest. The Gauley is so much fun but not the walk out in crocs! Last year when I ran the upper G I got rides out so I never new of this hike out. I didn't bring my booties and had crocs in the back of my boat. Craig new I never done it before so he gave me a bunch of bull sh*t which was we are all most there. F no we aren't all most there! When I finally made it to the top I was so mad but got over it quickly and yes the joke was on me! Thanks Craig! I brought my NRS creek boots the next day for the walk out and made it no problem. For future reference don't wear crocs for the hike out! The fest this year was Friday and Saturday night. It was great times and got to practice more hula hooping (hoping no video was taken). Every booth had some type of tasty beverage and some fun activity. It's all ways a great time at the Gauley Fest!
That's it for now. Pretty much back in VT full time for the fall and winter. Looking forward to the fall rain to see the changes to all the rivers and creeks that changed during the flood in our area. If you come up to VT and western MA make sure you scout first since most of the rapids have changed and lot's of debri and wood are now in the rivers and creeks.
Photo: Bryan Smith
I'll have a video put together soon of some boating.
Till next time,
Elaine Campbell
Summer Fun
August 23, 2011 by Elaine Campbell (comments: 0)
Summer has been going real well. Most of it has been spent at the cottage on Lake Ontario. We've been busy with friends and family visiting. There's been lot's of water skiing, sailing, golf, canoeing, fishing, eating, drinking and of course kayaking.
In between friends and family visiting I took two quick trips up to the Ottawa. The first trip the level was around 1 so Corner Wave was great. The second trip the level was -3/4 so Garb was in. It's been 4 years since I last surfed Garb. I forgot how fast, bouncy, and trashy it was. It's a super ab workout! I had two days on it and didn't want to leave but had to. I'm hoping to get one more trip up there before the season is over.
Crazy that summer is getting close to being over. I'm looking forward to the Fall it's by far the best paddling season in the North East. You get the best of both world's great creeking and great play.
If your near upstate NY Labor Day weekend plan on coming to Beaver Fest for some fun creek boating!
Here's a vid from some summer fun!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdfNaFraLk0
Till next time,
Elaine Campbell
How to Flip Turn
August 11, 2011 by Elaine Campbell (comments: 0)
Oh how I love to Helix but I also really love to Flip Turn. Here's some input on how to Flip Turn which is such a cool feeling when you get one!
Definition: Rotation of over 90° at a horizontal angle followed by a rotation with a vertical angle over 45° on the stern in one fluid motion. This is a green water, aerial maneuver. The boat must land in a front surf within 45° horizontal angle range
- Get on top of the foam pile and start carving down to get speed.
- As you start coming down the face of the wave use a left reverse stroke to get your boat sideways and engage a bounce by lifting your right knee up hard on your thigh braces pulling the boat up. The reverse stroke plus the bounce will happen at the same time and this starts the spin momentum.
- When you feel your boat bouncing out of the water your flipping it over your head with a loft forward stroke and catching your stern to slice through the water under you.
- You use a forward stroke on the opposite side to pull the boat back into the front surf and there you have it a Flip Turn.
I hope that makes sense for you. Here's a video of me doing a Flip Turn.
http://www.youtube.com/user/ecampbellVT?feature=mhee#p/a/u/0/tga-4M1bdSs
Till next time,
Elaine Campbell
Deerfield River Fest
August 2, 2011 by Elaine Campbell (comments: 0)
I've been going to the Deerfield River Fest for 9 years and have so many great experiences on this river. This is the river my brother Mark and I learned how to kayak on in the summer of 2002. I met my husband on the Deerfield River and now I live up the road from the West Branch of the Deerfield in VT. The Deerfield has 2 main sections that have scheduled releases all summer long. The Fife Brook which is a class II with one class III and the Dryway a class III with 2 IV's . Then there are a few other sections rain/snow dependent like the West Branch of the Deerfield a class IV/V creek.
This year's fest had a World Kayak Hometown Throwdown through Dragons Tooth rapid on the Dryway. I was the judge and had a great time judging. We had rafts, kayaks, shredders, OC1's and OC2's that entered. People were going for the death slot, hairy fairy, playing in the hole, and other fun moves in the rapid. There was some carnage but not much. After that we headed to the Fest site in Charlemont, MA. I heard that this Deerfield Fest compared to one's in the past for AW had a great turn out for memberships and entrance fee. That's pretty exciting! Lot's of beer was drank thank's to Watchusset Brewery. The silent auction was a huge success and the AW paper, rock, scissors contest is always a big hit. Zoar Outdoor had a contest going on in front of their booth with hula hoops. I'm glad no one took video of this because I was terrible. I've learned there are a few things I'm pretty good at and hula hooping is not one.
I'm back at our cottage in NY with family here for the next 2 weeks so there's lots of sailing and water skiing in my future. That's it for now and hopefully I don't get too broken from water skiing.
Till next time,
Elaine Campbell
Kelly's Whitewater Park
July 12, 2011 by Elaine Campbell (comments: 0)
What a great event to end the kayak tour! Kelly's Whitewater park in Cascade, ID is one of the nicest WW parks I've been to. They have a great feature called Big Nasty which was a meaty hole with an amazing surfers right shoulder that gave up massive blunts, pan-ams and other wave tricks! Two other features were down stream that are more friendly for the beginner paddler or intermediate paddler looking to improve their paddling skills. The park has a Welcome Center with wi-fi, has a concession stand and a lot more you just have to go and see for yourself. The town of Cascade was really excited to have the kayak event there and took really good care of us while we were all in town.
I decided not to fly with my boat and paddle and borrowed Bryan's Project X 48 and one of EJ's paddles (I missed my Mitchell Remedy)! Thanks guys a bunch for letting me borrow the boat and paddle I really appreciate it! We arrived on Wednesday late afternoon and got settled in but didn't paddle. I was having a wicked back issue which I think was from the day before when I cleaned the house in VT like a mad woman and the plane ride didn't help! Had two days to paddle before the event and had the best time surfing this feature! Personally this was the best feature we competed in all season! I was having the time of my life paddling here plus I loved the occasional working that the hole gave up. I was getting my pan-ams and flip turns dialed in on the wave which was great. The other woman were all paddling real well. Emily was getting really great back pan-ams and Erin was getting her mcnasty dialed in, and Devon her clean blunts, Jess working on her felix and Kat. The comp was looking real good on the womens side. The men were also killing it. Bryan was throwing massive clean blunts and helixes, EJ mcnasties and flip turns, Craig air screws and pan-ams and of course Dane was doing everything!
The comp was Saturday and Sunday. Jeff was the announcer and did a great job! He competed in OC1 and C1. He some how squeezed himself into Dane's OC1 and Courtney a jr. paddled in the classes. Jeff came in 2nd in OC1 and 3rd in C1 which he paddled in Dane's OC1 because he couldn't fit into Dane's C1. The women's class was great! Emily killed it with her back pan-am, helix, and clean blunt putting her in 1st. Erin came in second with an entry move, mcnasty, and blunt. I came in 3rd with a huge air blunt and a bunch of other little things. I struggled with getting my pan-am and flip turn off in time. I was pretty happy even with not getting my tricks that I wanted. This off season I'll focus on getting my tricks off faster which will help in competitions. I was judging the men's class and it was a fun event to judge being the only wave event this season. EJ came in 1st, Bryan 2nd, and Craig 3rd. They all threw down on the wave. Jr men put on a show especially Dane who came in 1st, Hunt 2nd, and Alec 3rd. The jr. woman paddled on the feature downstream which was hole. Taking 1st was Sage, Lauren 2nd and Courtney 3rd.
Thanks to Brett, Devon, Larry and all the other organizers for putting on such a great event! I'm excited about next year!
The tour is over and it was another great one! I judged and competed at pretty much every event and I got to go to Germany and judge at the World Championships. I couldn't of had a better year. I'll miss everyone from the tour but it's like summer camp and I'll see them all next year!
Back at home in VT will paddle the Dryway this weekend and then head to our cottage in NY for most of the summer to paddle the Black River and go sailing on Lake Ontario.
Till next time,
Elaine Campbell
Lyons Outdoor Games
June 16, 2011 by Elaine Campbell (comments: 0)
The last stop on the tour for us was Lyons. The Lyons Outdoor Games is probably the most mellow event you can attend. Unfortunately I got sick which sucked but I'm getting better now. Anyway, you camp right in the park where the playspot is and there is lots of grass (Brook was very happy)! There is never any rushing around at this event so it makes it a nice weekend. The weather was warm which was nice and the water level was medium on the St. Vrain. The South St. Vrain creek was crankin and I was a big baby and passed on it. Adriene killed it! She came in first out of the men and women. She was the only girl competing but she beat all the dirty little boys!
Freestyle was on Friday there was only 5 of us so we paddled to get re-seated. I was in second at that point going into finals on Sunday. Finals went well I had a huge air loop (finally), godzilla, a cartwheel so I was at 250 points then the phonics monkey that landed sideways damn you phonics monkey! That would of put me at 420 and in first place but noooo I shanked my big trick again and came in 3rd! Devon was first 300, Kat 270, and me the big trick shanker in 3rd with 250. I swear that next year the big tricks in holes will no longer shank or flush! Hopefully I'll get some practice in before the competition season starts next year.
I also competed in the team boater cross. Our name was Team Indecision it took a little while to figure out who was going to be first because we couldn't decide. You start by doing 20 push ups (real ones), then running around cones while carrying your boat to the put in, paddling down dodging the 8 balls and then slapping the next team mates hand to go. Billy went first, then Quintan, me, and Sam. We did well and were in second place until Craig passed me on the running trail and now we are in 3rd. I make it down feeling like I'm going die and slap Sam's hand to go. He keeps us in 3rd until Greg an 8 baller swamps his boat because his skirt isn't on. He makes it to the finish line but can't paddle his boat to shore because it's completely under water at this point and he swims out of it swims to shore but Justin gets to shore while Sam is swimming and he jumps out of his boat and they take 3rd and us 4th. We didn't come in last! Team Indecision will prepare for next year! The slalom boaters came in first with their light little boats damn those racer heads! Second was Demshitz (I should of tripped Craig when he ran by me) and the Frenchies in 3rd.
We then hit the road on Sunday so I could get home to VT and have a few days to chill out before I leave for Germany which is tomorrow to go judge at the World Championships! Thanks to NRS for donating money to USACK for the US judges to fly over there. Justin Owen and I are the 2 US judges.
It was another great tour and sad that's it's over because it is a lot of fun. I have learned that competing is the last thing that I care about while I'm there. It's really about the friends I see every year, the new friends I meet and the rivers I get to paddle. When I get home from Germany I'll spend about a week in NY at our cottage paddling the Black and then we'll fly to Kelly's Whitewater Park in ID. Jeff's announcing and I'll Judge and compete. Then It's the King of NY series and the Lozer Cup races back home. I'll let you know how those go.
Here's alink to the event:
http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_18251225
Till Next time,
Elaine Campbell
Teva Mountain Games and Glenwood Video
June 7, 2011 by Elaine Campbell (comments: 0)
The Teva Mountain Games has come and gone again. It was a great time of competing and hanging out. Maui Jim was a sponsor of the event so I got to meet a bunch of people from the Maui Jim family. They have been a great sponsor for me so it was cool to see them there.
The freestyle comp was on Friday and I made it to semi- finals on Saturday but didn't make it into finals and tied for 6th place. Emily took first, Ruth, and Haley. Saturday morning I entered the downriver race which was a 4 mile race on Gore Creek. I paddled a new boat that was a whitewater/rec boat which was super easy to paddle but not as fast as the other boats in the race and I came in 11th. I'll make sure to have a proper boat for the race next year.
Then Eight Ball Boater cross on Sunday. Crazy super fun race and I'm bummed I should of worn my GoPro but forgot. I made it to finals as well as Nicole, Emily, Adrienne, Anne, and Louis. The 6 of us listen to Clay's directions of starting backwards and then you turn around and beat feet downstream while the 8 balls come out and try to stop you from going downstream. There was like 10 people in kayaks, a raft and a shredder adding to the chaos, pretty freakin awesome! I started pretty well then got destroyed by Hobie who pushed me in an eddy and he did a great job keeping me in the eddy until I finally broke free and came in last. Results were Nicole, Anne, Emily. Then they had all the competitors in men and women's finals do it again for a HD GoPro so the 12 of us set up and charge downstream. What a mess I was laughing the entire time. I dodged a few 8 baller's and then Hobie found me again and put the hurt on again. Damn you Hobie! It was so much fun and there will probably be video floating around from the eight ball event that will be a good watch for sure. It was also our 6th year wedding anniversary on Sunday. What a way to spend it 8 balling! Anyway that's all I got from the Teva Games looking forward to it again next year.
Here's a video form Glenwood Springs and the freestyle pre-lims with Bryan and me.
http://www.youtube.com/embed/GY9xkwcHpJE
Till next time,
Elaine Campbell
