Here is an update from the NOOKIE Team Blog on the 2008 British Surf Kayak Open Championships. The waves look sick!

Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th October saw surf kayakers from all over the UK travel to East Strand, Portrush for the annual British Surf Kayak Open Championships.

Conditions on Saturday have a good size surf with very strong off shore winds. The NOOKIE sponsored Open HP category ran through to the quarter final stages on the first day and saw some of the biggest names in UK surf kayaking compete in the tough conditions.

Sunday opened with lighter winds and slightly smaller surf, allowing the ladies, masters and junior categories to run without delay.

Conditions continued to improve during the day and the finals of the Open HP event ran in great conditions.

The final saw Northern Ireland’s Corin King, Chris Hobson and Jonny Bingham take on Steve Bowens from England.

Chris Hobson – Yellow Bib, Corin King – Red Bib Jonny Bingham Steve Bowens Chris Hobson Corin King Jonny Bingham In what was an energetic final, all competitors showed that the level of surf kayaking in the UK is definitely world class.

The final results were:

1st – Jonny Bingham

2nd – Chris Hobson

3rd – Corin King

4th – Steve Bowens

L-R, Chris Hobson 2nd, Corin King 3rd, Jonny Bingham 1st, Steve Bowens 4th.

Taken from American Whitewater....

North Georgia Hydro Project

FERC Project No. 2354

Aesthetic and Whitewater Flow Releases

Lake Burton Winter Drawdown

Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Mail Code PJ12.3

888 First Street, NE

Washington, D.C. 20426

Dear Ms. Bose:

As required by the “Order Approving Plan to Minimize Reservoir Fluctuations,” dated June 23, 1997, we are writing to notify you of a temporary change in the water use allocations from that established in the aforementioned plan.

In our letter of August 22, 2008 (copy attached) we notified you of the possible need to cancel the November whitewater releases in accordance with provisions of the license. The August 22, 2008 letter provides details of the license provisions that would allow whitewater releases to be canceled. We are now notifying you that the whitewater flow releases scheduled for November 1-2, 8-9, and 15-16, 2008, are being cancelled. As seen on the attached chart for USGS gage no. 021784000 on the Tallulah River, flows from early September until today have been well below 95 cfs with the exception of brief rainfall events in September and October. We believe that, unless significant, sustained rainfall occurs on the Tallulah River basin above Lake Burton, the average weekly flow will not approach the 95 cubic feet per second specified for the whitewater flow releases. Current weather forecasts call for dry conditions over the intervening weeks.

Article 406 of the “Order Issuing New License,” requires that Lake Burton be at elevation 1860 msl by March 1 and be filled to elevation 1865 by April 30 of each year. As seen on the attached U.S. Drought Monitor for Georgia, the northeast corner of Georgia remains in an extreme to exceptional drought condition. Also, the attached USGS map shows the 7-day average streamflow compared to historical streamflow for Monday, October 20, 2008, being much below normal. We are concerned that drawing Lake Burton down this fall and winter will result in water supply problems by next spring. This could affect the refilling of the reservoir in spring 2009 and make it difficult to meet the other demands placed on this water resource. Therefore, we are cancelling the drawdown for Lake Burton.

We will continue to monitor the river flows and weather conditions for indications that the scheduled whitewater flow releases and Lake Burton drawdown could be reinstated. Should you have any questions or comments, please contact me at 404-506-7033.

Sincerely

Joel Galt

Hydro Services Supervisor

Finally enough rain came down in Western North Carolina to make some gauges read something other than red.

Anne Connoly was kind enough to share some of her pictures with us of the Watauga Gorge trip taken Sunday. Still some signs of fall in these pictures, but I just got word from Boone, NC, that they are getting dumped on right now.. with snow.

Here are some pictures of Mike Nail, styling Hydro, Stateline and some of the boogy water in between. It appears that the large Fluid Solo is treating him well. Thanks for sharing!

(All photos are property of Anne Connoly and you must have permission before using any of them. She can be contacted through her website.)

There is a relatively new removable fin system on the market and they claim to be the most advanced fin system on the market. These are also the fins that are used with the Fluid Element surf kayak. So what does 4WayFinSystem have to offer the Fluid Element?

Sure, 4 way fin system allows you to remove your fins for travelling but that's not it. You can fine tune your fins by changing toe-in and out angle, splay angle and horizontal adjustment. Playing with all these angles may be too much for an average kayak surfer, but the beauty of the Element is that the fins are not required. It surfs great without them, however, if you use the fins, it is fun to change them up and experiment with speed, turns and drive.

Here are some examples and tips of just what you can experiment with...

HORIZONTAL REALIGNMENT- Push your side fins forward and your centre fin back to accelerate your boards drive and down the line speed, or the opposite to heighten your boards turning ability and manoeuvrability.

OUTWARD AND INWARD SPLAY- Increase the outward splay of your side fins to power up your boards manoeuvrability and rail to rail transition or reduce outward splay to pump up down the line speed.

TOE-IN AND OUT- Toe-in your side fins to improve manoeuvrability, or toe-out to inject extra drive and speed. A highly robust box system that stays in your board, with special additions for kite boards and tow-in boards

A WORLD-1ST PATENTED IMPACT ZONE- Ensuring that, under severe frontal impact, fins snap out of the disc interface without damage to either the box or board

ENHANCED FIN BASE STABILITY- Generated from precision manufactured fin tabs that fit precisely into the interdisc - providing superb support even before the grub screws are tightened.

These are the 4WFS fins that you want to use on the Element. They are the 4FK-1's. These fiberglass fins are precision manufactured using the latest in computer generated CNC technology. 4WFS fiberglass fins use only the best fiberglass and associated resins to produce a superbly finished low flex and high strength foil that is ideal under most surf condition, but really comes into its own in larger more powerful surf where holding power and drive are critical.

Whether you decide to use fins or not, the most important things are to have fun and be safe!

For tips on installing your 4WFS fins to your Element, please click here.

For more information on the 4WFS, go to their website.

It is that time of year again to move the inventory out the door. All in stock Fluid Kayaks are $875 plus shipping, except Small Spice and Medium Flirt are $775 plus shipping. Shipping is done through Forward Air, please email for shipping quote before purchasing. You can avoid shipping by coming by the warehouse in AVL and picking them up. We have a large selection to choose from including Elements, Solos, Nemesis and much more. Here is a list of exactly what we have in stock. All boats come with full warranty and outfitting. Take advantage now!  SALE ENDS OCTOBER 31, 2008

PLAYBOATS:

Yellow Small Nemesis- 2 in stock

Red Medium Nemesis

Orange Medium Nemesis- 2 in stock

Yellow Medium Nemesis

Large Red Nemesis

Medium Flirt Orange

SURF KAYAKS:

Medium Element Yellow- 2 in stock

Medium Element Orange

RIVER RUNNERS:

Small Spice Orange

Medium Spice Yellow

CREEKERS:

Solo Expedition Yellow

Large Solo Yellow

Medium Solo Orange

Small Solo Green

For more information, details or questions, please visit our website. We will be more than happy to assist you in your needs.

New to the line up at WakaWai.com is the YOLO Stand Up Paddleboards. Some of you are asking, exactly what is SUP?

Stand Up Paddling, also known as SUP, is the perfect combination of surfing and traditional canoeing or kayaking. Using a canoe-like paddle and standing atop a larger version of a traditional longboard surfboard, paddlers push themselves through the water with perfectly choreographed side to side paddle strokes. Stand-up paddling offers a phenomenal core workout with a cadence much like swimming or cycling. Before long, one is transported to another world that offers a completely new perspective and appreciation of the idea that You Only Live Once.

The SUP's that we decided to go with are made by YOLO Board, a Santa Rosa Beach Florida company that is dedicated to creating awareness of what is soon to be the world’s fastest growing watersport/recreational activity: They are a group of people that is so passionate about life and this sport that they named the company after it as a reminder to everyone. YOLO... You Only Live Once!

The theme of YOLO is very much in the hearts and minds of founders Jeff Archer and Tom Losee. Both are business owners with a keen entrepreneurial spirit. Balancing family, business, and recreational activities always has its challenges, yet the realization that life will never slow down caused them to look at maximizing fun in relation to responsibility.

The amazing thing is if you can stand, have a little bit of balance and can listen to instruction, you can SUP. No background is necessary in canoeing or kayaking. Just a little patients and stamina. I just had my 65 year old father out on one and he was hooked immediately....

We are bringing you three different models. The individually hand shaped new and improved “Original” YOLO is 12 feet long and 31 inches wide and offers a recessed carrying handle for easier transport. The “Original” YOLO is designed for all conditions and offers a completely different way to experience the water, whether for a quick core workout in the lake or surf or on an all day leisure adventure. The “Original” can also be enjoyed in less obvious pursuits, such as fishing or even crabbing!

New for Fall ’08 and available now is the YOLO Express, which will be similar to the Original in shape and also offers a recessed carrying handle for easier transport. At 9.5 feet long and 30 inches wide, it has less volume and is perfectly suited for everyone from kids to ladies to men who rip.

The “YOLO Yak” is a hybrid board designed with elements of a paddle board and a kayak, which features a front bungee tie-down system, molded-in tri-fins, foam traction pad and front & rear handles. Designed as a full adventure board, the YOLO Yak has a recessed deck to facilitate better stability for fishing, crabbing or just paddling. This should be available sometime in December 2008.

For more information or demos, please visit our website.

Here are some pictures of the Original YOLOboard, a great way to take in the colors of fall....

All photos are property of WakaWai.com.

WakaWai.com has joined forces with Surfrider.org and signed up for their Retail Membership Program. The goal of this program is to give individual Surfrider members something extra for their support and to gain awareness and support for the mission of the Surfrider Foundation.

To support Surfrider members, WakaWai.com is offering a 10% discount on orders over $100. This offer does not apply to special offers or sale items unless stated. Surfrider membership must be verified to receive the discount.

Even though we are located in Western North Carolina, we realize that Surfrider's mission is just as important to us here in this region of the state. Now even more than ever, due to the introduction of Fluid's surf kayak the "Element" and YOLO Stand Up Paddleboards into our line up. Since then, we have realized the urgency to maintain clean water, beach access, beach preservation, and protecting those special coastal and ocean places. We truely are all one.

Official Press Release

We are very proud to announce that we received word today from Jeff Paine, that we are officially National Partners with American Whitewater.

Hey Michael,

Great, thanks for this info.

Wakawai.com is now officially a sponsor of American Whitewater! We're very pleased to have you on board as one of our partners. Your dedication to protecting whitewater resources and its enthusiasts won't go unnoticed, I can assure you.....

Thanks again for Wakawai's support of American Whitewater. We simply could not accomplish our mission if it weren't for the support of our generous partners. Jeff Jeff Paine Outreach Director American Whitewater

We here feel that this partnership is absolutely necessary, especially now with environmental issues, loss of gauges, access issues and future issues that have not even come to the surface. Please make sure not to take these kinds of things for granted, they do a lot for paddlers.

WakaWai.com look forward to our future together in supporting American Whitewater.

WakaWai.com Official Press Release

Bliss-Stick-USA distribution center is official......The big news from Bliss-stick HQ in New Zealand is we are pleased to announce there is also now Bliss-Stick-USA.

Our previous Seattle base is now a US owned and operated company. It will be run by manager Tobin Dailey. This new move will enable Bliss-Stick to become a very competitive player in the US whitewater scene. Over the past 3 years, our dedicated agents have got more Bliss-sticks seen on US rivers in the best possible way, and now we are driving ahead with the main distribution centre in Seattle and also in Asheville on the East Coast of the US.

This will help our customers have better selections and help get the shipping cost down on Bliss-Stick kayaks.

Stay tuned for more information!

Official Press Release