This year, I happened to pick up some new Bliss-Stick boats, one of
which I had used for a few seasons, creek boat of course and a new play boat at least for me.
First thing i have to say about the RAD 195 is roomy, I am 6FT plus SIZE 13 FEET and there's room for my creek shoes,
which is a big welcome " oh yeah " Second is that thigh brace system the best " hands down" able to lock
it down as i say , curl those baby's around tight as you want. Also that backband is the BOMB has to be the most plush i
have ever used in 18+ years. Doesn't fall apart like so many i have seen from other said company's.
On the water the 195 is a popping animal, lets just say i missed many opportunity's , but this is a new boat for
me and Rock Island is a Beast and a very magical place. The RAD 195 is pretty loose , but stable Surfing of course is a breeze,
just look at it !! The ends come around like a dream and controlled, aerial moves seem to come pretty easy with all the
pop this boat gets off of front or rear surfs,stabs are way to fun. Let's just say i need to learn this boat a little better.
I can't wait to get on the river again soon with it, but the river's here in COLORADO are pretty locked up.At least local
stash's ON TO THE REAL DEAL THE " MYSTIC "
This boat kills it!!!
The nose of this boat and rocker are a huge welcome all the time, i have used this boat for 2+ seasons and can not wait for
this 3rd. I did get on the GREEN one day @ 14" or 200% and i ran it all except the MONKEY, that notch move was pretty
sik looking, maybe next time. This had been only my 2nd. day of the year in a creek boat since last season " California
" This design is a stay on track boat, eddy hopping, edge carving, boof hound. On drops it lands pretty soft and resurfaces
like it's a submarine for those plug-it times, speed no problem there.
The
plastic is also the BOMB and completely weld worthy which is another big plus, if you are ever to need that. This boat also
has quite a bit of room for overnight trips, can't wait to see the bigger version, and would like to try the Mini Mystic just
for the fun of it. A few years ago I did get to try the SCUD which was a blast. Just not enough time to really get used to
it.
Bliss-Stick is a company that has many tried and tested designs for
every style of paddler out there and has still has a homegrown feel to it! This Sunday a few of us are going out to CROSS
MOUNTAIN in frozen COLORADO and I don't know which boat I want to play with, I guess I will let the night before activities
decide that. GET OUT THERE AND PADDLE PEOPLE, hopefully in a BLISS-STICK...
-ERIC MUNROE
Yesterday, the Bliss-Stick family lost Jim O'Brien, one of our agents and reps for the NE on the Hubbard.
I did not have the pleasure of meeting him in person, but I had spoken with him many time on the phone. His enthusiasm about
life, paddling and Bliss-Stick was contagious. He will be missed in our family and in the boating community. Our thoughts
and prayers go out to his family, friends and the community that he inspired.
Accident on the Hubbard
Jim O'Brien
Rest in Peace Jim.
I am currently in Chile, at one of the beautiful places in the world,
the famous Rio Futalefu. it has some of the best big water in the world and it is surrounded by snowcapped mountains. I just
ran the rapid, zeta and throne room on the inferno canyon, scared myself to death on an iffy line on zeta( which contains
an eddy that could recerc a person for months, and just won a national raft race in Futa Fest, beating Team Peru and it was
Tino and my first time in a raft. In all Futa Fest was a blast though. I got fifth in the 9k down river race which I was happy
with, considering it was one of my first times running the section.
Before
the Futalefu i was at the Rio Negro which is a class 4 waterfall run. Also surrounded by snowcapped mountains, the Rio Negro
is about 1 mile from the ocean,which was amazing. It consists of three drops all being great boofs into clean pools. Definitely
a must for all class 4 boaters planning a trip to Chile.
Here are some pictures,
including the first picture being a little zeta carnage(eaten by a boil the size of a van). The right side is a terminal eddy
only a few have gotten out of.
I scheduled a couple of demo days for everyone attending the North
Adams YMCA Pool sessions. The first day was crazy and people were stoked on Bliss-stick's colors, outfitting, and some super
cool boats. I was only in a boat for couple of minutes on the first day. The lifeguard even got some time in my Smoothy! Day
2 was not as busy because of a nasty snow storm the day before and another couple of inches the morning of. I received a few
emails from some people who weren't going to let the weather stop them from getting there, so I wasn't going to let them down.
I called the Y and they promised they were going to stay open so I packed up the 4Runner and headed to North Adams for a
pool session. The pics are from the snowstorm and the second pool session. Enjoy!
The weather will be in the 50's this weekend and there's rain in the forecast so more updates to come shortly.
Jason LaSelva
Team Bliss-stick USA
