Rigging a Whitewater Raft - Building the Ultimate Canyon Rig 

Every Spring, the juices start flowing about where to go for this year's expedition. The Tat, the Nahanni, The Green, the Selway, the Middle Fork? The Grand? Well one thing's for sure, you will need to haul your gear if you expect to go on any of these trips, and it is easily accomplished if you get yourself a raft. 

Rafting, for the longest time in Canada has been really a commercial exploit, something to do with buddies on a weekend in the summer. However, with the advent of personal Catarafts, and high performance traditional rafts, people are starting to have these as their own form of river transportation. 

Rafting is something that can either be done on your own with an oar rig, or as a team, often seen in paddle and stern mount configurations. The versatility and the options are endless. Bring the family and pets, or haul the kitchen sink, it's really your choice.

Personally I have been rafting now for 24 years, and it is very addictive. Configuring your own raft is a super fun project, and one that a lot of people can do on their own. Here is a great little video done by Rapid Media on how to rig the Ultimate Canyon Rig. Check it out!   

World Kayak Alberta

 

World Kayak, a Jackson Kayak initiative has now moved into Alberta. World Kayak Alberta Ambassador, and Paddletravel.com's CEO Eric Albert, is working closely with counterpart and collegue World Kayak BC Ambassador Chris Ryman and World Kayak organizer Colin Kemp in expanding sponsorship, support, and structure to events being held in Alberta. Events like KanFest, PaddleFest, and the Three Rivers Rendezvous will still continue to be hosted and supported by local clubs, however Eric hopes to introduce a few freestyle events in Central Alberta and Calgary, as well as a Creekfest just in the Rockies. Here is a little write up from the World Kayak Website.

Let’s start in the South. Bordering the United States / BC / Alberta border is Waterton National Park. Home of creek runs like the ever popular Cameron Creek (IV-V) and the remote Boundary Creek (IV-V). These class V runs are infamous for epic rides and pure unadulterated adventure. Truly a place worth considering for the hearty creeker.
To the North of Waterton National Park, you will come onto the small farming community of Pincher Creek, which borders the Crowsnest Pass. Each May long weekend, the Pinch’O'Crow paddling club hosts the real kick off to the season at their annual PincherFest. With over 200-300 paddlers, it really is a great springboard to the paddling season for boaters within the region. The Alberta Whitewater Association president, and Canadian National Athlete Chuck Lee graciously hosts the event with hearty morning breakfasts, gut busting dinners, and plenty of great ‘aprez-paddle’ activities for all. During the fest, many paddlers will venture out on the local class II-III runs including the Carbondale River (III+), Castle River / Canyon (III), Crowsnest (I-II), Oldman (II-III+), Livingstone (II-III), Cameron Creek (IV-V) runs. Also, as a highlight, many hearty intermediate to expert boaters cut their teeth on the two juicy lines of the highly photographed Lundbreck Falls (V).

North of the Crowsnest Pass Area, along the Forestry Trunk Road, West of Longview, you will encounter the ever popular Highwood River (III-IV), Cataract Creek (IV-V), and Etherington Creek (IV+). In high water, these runs are some of the best in Alberta, seeing multiple runs a day by class IV-V boaters. Just next door in the drainage North of the Highwood, the Sheep River (IV-V) and Elbow River (II-V) also see a fair amount of traffic at optimal waterflows.
In 2013, the area will see its first World Kayak Hometown Throwdown event on the Elbow River. World Kayak Alberta Ambassador Eric Albert is working with the Alberta Freestyle Kayaking Association and the Alberta Whitewater Association in conducting a grass roots creek fest which will see contestants hucking over the picturesque Elbow Falls, and continuing down a gated race down through the “Slide” section. The race portion will be timed, and the huckfest will be judged. This is sure to be a fun event for the intermediate to advanced whitewater kayaker. For more information on the event, tune into the dedicated Elbow River Hometown Throwdown Creekfest Facebook Page.

Of course, now comes “the Kan”. Only 50 minutes West of Calgary, and only minutes away from Canmore, the Kananaskis River (II-III) is the tried and true river for the Alberta boater. The section from the Widowmaker to Canoe Meadows is easily the most used section of whitewater in Alberta. Host to the annual “Kanfest” this man-made, dam controlled section of whitewater is a perfect training ground for freestyle, and slalom boaters alike. It’s beautiful setting and crystal blue water attracts boaters from around the world.

In the heart of Calgary, after years of lobbying, and work from local user groups, the infamous “Calgary Weir” has since been transformed into potentially one of the best man-made freestyle venues in Western Canada. Dubbed “Harvie’s Passage”, this section of whitewater spans through two distinct channels of whitewater, and will play host to the Harvie’s Passage Hometown Throwdown & River Safety Day. Eric Albert and a very strong team of politically minded locals will be hosting its inaugural debut in late June of 2013. Check out the dedicated Facebook Page to keep current to the events leading to the event!
Back to the hills. Heading up the Canmore / Banff / Lake Louise corridor throught he Rockies, many advanced boaters will have their palates cleansed after taking in runs like Pipestone Creek (IV), Johnston Canyon (V-V+), Red Earth Creek (V-V+) and the Upper Bow (III-IV). Just over the Border in BC from Lake Louise, the Yoho (IV-V) and the Kicking Horse (III-IV+) also entice Alberta double bladers. Heading North From Lake Louise, the Upper and Lower Mistaya River (III-III+) are incredible favorites for the intermediate / advanced boater. East from the Jasper / Banff Highway near Nordegg, the Ram River (III-V+) and the Upper Red Deer River (III) are beautiful adventure runs for Intermediates to advanced boaters.

Going North from the Saskatchewan Crossing enroute to Jasper, paddlers will encounter the glacial fed rivers like the Sunwapta River (III), Beauty Creek (V), Upper North Saskatchewan River (II-V), Athabasca River (II-III), the Astoria River(IV-V), the Whirlpool (III-IV), and many other natural classics.

North Of Jasper heading to Grand Cache, paddlers will get a great sense of true Canadian wilderness when they venture to paddle rivers like Snake Indian River (III-IV), Fiddle River (IV-V), the Lower Maligne River (III-IV), Muskeg River (III-IV), Sulphur River (III), Sheep Creek (IV-V), and the Smoky / Kakwa River Combo (III).

Needless to say, there are a lot of options for all levels of boating here in Alberta. One of the most renounced natural playspots in Alberta is the “Brierley’s” on the North Saskatchewan River near Rocky Mountain House. Eric Albert along with World Kayak British Columbia Ambassador Chris Ryman played hosts for the inaugural Brierley’s Hometown Throwdown & River Fest . This weekend event held during high water is a fun all-family event on arguably the best natural play feature in Alberta. Check out the dedicated Facebook Page for event details.
Oh, and did I mention…we are neighbours with British Columbia, Canada’s whitewater mecca!!
Come to Alberta and enjoy! We’d love to see ya!

Your Alberta Ambassador : Eric Albert

I have been active in whitewater sports ever since I left home in Southern British Columbia in order to live by the glacial fed rivers of Jasper! Whitewater has been in my blood for the past 25 years, and it has made me who I am today…a whitewater junkie! I have an undying passion for expeditionary rafting, creeking, and of course freestyle kayaking.
I was one of the first to complete the Outdoor Pursuits / Physical Education Program at Mount Royal College University in Calgary, and one of the first to complete the rigorous Adventure Travel Guide Program held at the Thompsons River University in Kamloops back in the early 90′s…yes I’m that old.
My passion for the rivers lead me to work down at the Pacific Crest Outward Bound School as an instructor and River Specialist for a few summers, and then brought me to the Bow Valley corridor to run a rafting company in the Kananaskis River for a number of years. Thankfully, I have had the opportunity to lead trips down the Grand and the Selway Rivers, along with being a member on a Middle Fork of the Salmon as well. Paddling is my passion!
Wanting more of a challenge, I took on the task of becoming a Director at Large for the Alberta Freestyle Kayaking Association, which subsequently coincided with me taking on the Alberta Ambassadorship for World Kayak. I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead, and I look forward to fostering great relationships and developing World Kayak in Alberta.
However my biggest role, is being a positive role model for my kids and forging a positive fun filled competitive environment for them to paddle into. With World Kayak supporting Alberta, that will be an easy task to achieve. I look forward to meeting you on the river! Eric

Alberta Associations

Alberta Whitewater Association 
Alberta Freestyle Kayaking Association 
Alberta Slalom Canoe Kayak Association
Paddle Alberta 

Alberta Clubs

Calgary
Calgary Kayak Club 
Waterwerks Kayak Club
Paddle Junkies
  
Edmonton
Ceyana Canoe Club 
Mistaya Paddling Club 
University of Alberta Paddling Society
Northwest Voyageurs Canoe Kayak Club

Grande Prairie
Wapiti Whitewater Kayakers

Jasper
Kayak Jasper

Canmore / Banff
Bow Valley Kayak Club

Lethbridge
Waterlogged Paddling Club

Pincher Creek
Pinch-O-Crow Creekers

Rocky Mountain House
Rocky Canoe Club

Alberta Schools

Undercurrents
6531 Bowness Road NW
Calgary, Alberta
T3B 0E8
(403) 262-GEAR (4327)
(866) 262-GEAR (4327)
www.undercurrents.ca

Aquabatics Calgary
(877) 440-9283
#300 – 8435 Bowfort Road NW
Calgary, Alberta
T3B 2V2, Canada
www.aquabatics.com

High Level Canoe & Kayaks
1805 – 2 ave South
Lethbridge Alberta
T1J 0E8
403 327 4506
www.highlevelcanoesandkayaks.com

Calgary
University of Calgary Outdoor Centre
Aquabatics Calgary
Undercurrents