4th Annual South Platte River Cleanup

​In the spirit of Earth Day, this Sunday, April 25, will be the fourth annual South Platte River Cleanup. Registration for the event begins at 9:00, and the actual cleanup goes from 11:00 to 3:00, followed by an after-party from 3:00 to 5:00, with a raffle for prizes donated by companies like Clif Bar and Confluence Kayaks starting at 4:00.
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While many resorts host a ski across the pond race on their closing weekend, Monarch ups with ante with a kayak race down the slopes that ends with a plunge into an icy pond. Check out the video from this year's event, shot by a local Salida TV station. I like the guy who does one bounce out of the pond and clears the protective barriers, but seeing people flip into the pond is pretty amusing too.

Candace Horgan

The author completes a roll as Alex looks on.

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After taking the first and second pool classes offered by Confluence Kayaks, I was back at the pool on Tuesday night for the third and final lesson in the three-session basic class, aimed at helping you gain a functional roll. Confluence's website states that many novices come back and practice their roll in the open pool session, available for $10 with gear or $25 with rentals, then retake the third pool session class to really fine-tune the roll.
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From www.downriverequip.com

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Down River Equipment Company is holding its annual spring boat swap and sales at its world HQ in Wheat Ridge starting Friday and running through Sunday. Head over to Down River at 12100 West 52nd Avenue, unit #101, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday or 10 a.m. to 3 p.m Sunday to trade in your used rubber for something fresher, or else get a new boat or accessory on discount.

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Candace Horgan

Dave demonstrates the T-rescue while resting his head on the bow of my kayak.

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A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the beginning kayak pool classes offered by Confluence Kayaks. The pool lessons are taught over three two-hour sessions, and are designed to get you comfortable with kayak basics like strokes and the all-important Eskimo roll. The first class taught the wet exit and basic kayak strokes. Tuesday night, I participated in the middle class, where we started working on the hip snap and the T-rescue.
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Who wants some?!

​If you fancy yourself a mountain hardman or hardwoman just waiting for your moment of athletic glory, get ready: Registration for the Teva Mountain Games in Vail is now open.

Both amateurs and pros can sign up to compete in kayaking, rafting, mountain biking, road cycling, amateur climbing, World Cup bouldering, fly-fishing, trail running, stand up paddling, or a half marathon. There's also a $100,000 prize pool, but your scrub ass probably shouldn't count on winning any of that. More >>

Candace Horgan

Instructor working with two people on the roll.

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A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about Confluence Kayaks in Denver and the various classes in kayaking the store offers. When I interviewed Jonathan Kahn, the owner and founder, I'd mentioned that I had tried kayaking several times, but could never really get comfortable with the roll and flipping upside down in the water. I'd even sold my boat a couple of years ago. Jonathan assured me that they could get my roll dialed in and probably get me more comfortable with the roll, so on Tuesday, I headed to the pool class that is taught at DU in the Ritchie Center.
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I thought I was a badass by kayaking once and considering skydiving -- but it turns out I wasn't thinking big enough. Idaho BASE jumper Miles Daisher took the peanut-butter-and-chocolate route, combining the two tastes into something he calls (of course) "skyaking."

Check out the ridiculous footy after the jump.

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Alex Kerney

Having fun on the river.

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While kayaking can be an exhilarating sport and a great way to stay cool in the summer while pursuing adrenalin rush thrills, getting into it can be intimidating to the novice. Since 1995, Confluence Kayaks, a small shop in the Platte Valley area of Denver, has been the place to go for expert advice on kayaks. Confluence also carries telemark and alpine touring ski equipment, and has ski tuning services. The shop recently moved to a new location, under the Vitamin Cottage at 15th and Platte.
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